A Thursday wedding for Katie and Craig. And why not? Many venues charge considerably less for weekday events so it makes a lot of sense.
Katie and Craig chose the newly opened wedding venue of The Pilgrims Rest in Battle. It’s been open as a charming rustic café for some years now but more recently they have realised that they have the perfect setting for events and weddings.
The Pilgrims Rest – Battle
It’s a beautiful old building with a courtyard, dining area and reception area (which doubles up as the ceremony area). What is usually the café can be used as a bar area, and the open fireplaces throughout create a warm and cosy atmosphere – perfect for weddings in the chillier months.
Katie and Craig had a small group of 46 and held their ceremony on site in the main entrance hall, followed by drinks in the bar area.
The chairs were quickly removed to create milling space, and then the guests moved through into the dining area for the speeches. The dining area comes complete with uncovered chunky tables, and large candlesticks. It has a medieval feel to it, but thankfully nobody was chucking chicken legs about Henry VIII style!
Paella
The menu was a simple two-course hot fork buffet consisting of lamb tagine, chicken & chorizo paella and poached salmon in a herb & caper sauce for the main, served with salad, potatoes and couscous.
The desserts were chocolate brownies and zesty lemon pots served with fresh raspberries.
Katie and Craig were on a tight budget from the start so they took care of some things themselves such as serving the welcome drinks, and sorting their own evening snacks. The guests bought drinks from the cash bar throughout the meal which would of helped considerably as well.
But even on a budget you can have a fabulous wedding venue and fantastic food if you are creative enough with some of the other elements, and we will help you work out where you can make a saving.
They certainly enjoyed themselves it was great to hear so many people say what brilliant day it had been.
We wish Katie and Craig all the very best!