Wedding Magazine 2013

Derwent Manor Hotel

contents
welcome
4 MAKING HISTORY
The Manor over the years
6 ROOMS WITH A VIEW
Feast your eyes on our banqueting rooms
9 A WINTER’S TALE
Winter wedding packages with seasonal sparkle
10 SUITE FOR MY SWEET
A bridal suite fit for a princess
14 DRESS TO IMPRESS
The season’s most stunning bridal gowns
19 PICTURE PERFECT
Capturing images of your special day
21 SETTING A DATE
Our step-by-step guide to booking your wedding
23 FINISHING TOUCHES
Our guide to cakes, flowers and entertainment
26 AT YOUR LEISURE
Unwind in our stunning leisure club
Few occasions in life are as special
as a wedding – and few venues are
as special as the BEST WESTERN
Derwent Manor Hotel.
Set in 20 acres of grounds and
overlooking the beautiful Derwent
Valley, it offers bridal couples the
most romantic of settings and the
warmest of welcomes.
Whether you plan a lavish, formal
occasion, or a small, intimate
celebration, our elegant function
rooms are the perfect choice and are
licensed to hold civil weddings as
well as receptions – so you can enjoy
the whole day with us.
Our talented chefs can cater for
any requirement while our grounds
lend themselves perfectly to
photographs – and, at the end of the
day, our stunning bridal suite allows
you to spend your first night of
wedded bliss in sheer luxury.
With 48 spacious and well equipped
bedrooms your guests need be in
no hurry to leave and can even
join you the next morning in our
stylish leisure club to unwind and
relive every second of your special
occasion.
Because every wedding at
BEST WESTERN Derwent Manor
Hotel is as unique as you are, our
experienced Wedding Co-ordinators
will work with you every step of
the way to ensure we meet your
expectations and requirements.
We hope you enjoy this magazine
– which gives you a taste of what
we offer along with helpful advice
in planning all elements of your
wedding - and we very much look
forward to meeting you and turning
your dreams into reality.
Alison Walklett
Business Development Manager
01207 592000
PUBLISHER & ADVERTISING:
Riney Publishing Limited,
Sue Riney-Smith
Tel: 01325 304360
Email: sue.riney@btinternet.co.uk
EDITORIAL:
Bernice Saltzer and Emma Walker
Sorted Public Relations and Events Management
Tel: 0191 2656111
Email: bernice@sortedpr.com
DESIGN:
Distinctive Publishing
Tel: 0845 883 2384
Email: pete.thompson@distinctivepublishing.co.uk
SPECIAL THANKS:
Unless credited all pictures are by Mark Wilkinson at
markwilkinsonphotography.com
Front cover image courtesy of Mark Wilkinson
BEST WESTERN Derwent Manor Hotel
Allensford, Northumberland DH8 9BB
Tel: 01207 592000
Sales.derwentmanor@ohiml.com
www.bw-derwentmanorhotel.co.uk
3

MAKING
history
At BEST WESTERN Derwent Manor Hotel the past blends seamlessly
with the present to create a venue, which combines tradition with
contemporary style.
Its fascinating history is evident at
every turn, yet, over the years, a host
of stars from the world of sport and
entertainment has been attracted by its
modern facilities and the warm welcome
given to every guest.
There has been a building on the site
since Roman times when a pele (or watch)
tower provided early warning of invasion
and the hotel’s address Hole Row, actually
means Roman Road.
Although that early building has long
since gone, one fascinating feature
remains, which hints at the hotel’s ancient
past – a natural spring, which provides all
the hotel’s water.
The spring is the result of a tectonic fault,
called Wyndyke Hitch, in the ground
far beneath BEST WESTERN Derwent
Manor and, not only does it lead to a
plentiful supply of spring water, but
tests have shown the water has a higher
mineral content than any of the leading
commercial brands.
The spring actually begins its journey
to the hotel in Switzerland and, when it
reaches the BEST WESTERN Derwent
Manor hotel, the water is always at exactly
33 degrees fahrenheit in temperature and
never freezes.
In what is surely one of the most
fascinating quirks of nature, the fault
is actually more than 180 feet wide –
meaning it is capable of providing the
hotel with 45 gallons of water per minute
24 hours a day.
In fact, many local people remember
that, when Britain was struck by a great
heat wave in 1976, all local wells ran dry –
except ours at BEST WESTERN Derwent
Manor.
4

www.bw-derwentmanorhotel.co.uk
Our supply of water was still so plentiful
we were able to share it with sisters from
the nearby Minsteracres retreat who made
the short journey each day to take what
they needed.
However, while the spring may be
thousands of years old, much of the
BEST WESTERN Derwent Manor hotel is
actually relatively modern.
Once the home of the grandfather of Mr
Bean star, Rowan Atkinson, who owned
both the farmhouse (as it was then) and
the land surrounding it, the building was
purchased in 1989 by local businessman
George Malcolm Murray.
His vision was to convert it from a farm
holding into a country-style hotel, which
could combine traditional levels of
comfort and amenities with state-of-theart
facilities.
No expense was spared in constructing
the hotel. Along with considerable steel
underpinning to ensure the building would
not be affected by any movement of the
tectonic plate beneath it, 116,000 tons of
stone were reclaimed from local sites such
as churches and former mine heads.
In addition timber was reclaimed from
local docks and teams of local craftsmen
and labourers began to create an interior
that was as impressive as its exterior.
For example, the carpet laid in the Grand
Hall is unusual in being the largest single
piece of woven carpet to be made by
weavers at that time, while the statues,
which adorn the room, were donated by
North East footballing legends Bobby and
Jackie Charlton.
Such was the pride the workforce had in
the hotel that many of those whose efforts
made it what it is today still frequently
choose the BEST WESTERN Derwent
Manor hotel in which to celebrate
family occasions – and they are in pretty
impressive company.
Over the years the hotel has welcomed
some very famous faces, from
international showbusiness stars, such as
Chris De Burgh and Frankie Vaughan, to
sporting legends including boxers Frank
Bruno and Glen McCrory and even David
Beckham.
Royalty, too, has graced the
BEST WESTERN Derwent Manor hotel,
with HRH Prince Charles stopping by in
1989, when it was known as the Royal
Derwent.
Few other venues combine the old and
the new, the traditional and the modern
with quite as much charm and ease as the
BEST WESTERN Derwent Manor hotel.
From our picturesque grounds, which
make a stunning backdrop for wedding
photographs, to our impressive function
rooms and our exquisitely romantic
bridal suite, it is no wonder so many
couples choose to celebrate their big day
with us.
5

ooms with a
view
Whether it’s big or small, grand or informal, a wedding is a celebration,
heralding a new start and a commitment made in front of family and friends.
At BEST WESTERN Derwent Manor we
pride ourselves on offering a range of
beautiful banqueting rooms along with
a flexible approach to planning, which
ensures each and every wedding at our
hotel is special and unique.
For a wedding reception in stunning
baronial surroundings, the Grand Hall is,
quite simply, unsurpassable. With highbeamed
ceilings, exquisite stained glass
windows and the impressive Minstrel
Gallery, this outstanding suite evokes the
elegance of a bygone age.
can accommodate up to 200 guests at an
evening reception.
Alternatively, the Garden Room at
BEST WESTERN Derwent Manor offers a
traditional setting perfect for an intimate
wedding party of between 40 and 80
guests.
Small is invariably beautiful – particularly
here at BEST WESTERN Derwent Manor
hotel, where our Murray Suite and Tower
Lounge provide two charming, intimate
wedding reception venues.
Decorated in traditional manor house
style, the oak-panelled walls of the Murray
Suite give an air of refined opulence
while the Tower Lounge’s unique shape,
sophisticated décor and fabulous views
over the Derwent Valley make it a very
special and memorable venue.
The Murray Suite can seat up to 50 guests
for a formal wedding breakfast, while
the Tower Lounge can seat 46. As neither
has a dance floor or capacity to cater for
additional guests, these are the perfect
choice for an intimate event.
The Grand Hall can seat up to 200 guests
for a formal wedding breakfast and is
available for evening receptions for up to
300 guests.
Similarly stunning and boasting timberbeamed
ceilings and crystal chandeliers,
the Allensford Suite is another excellent
choice for larger bridal parties and its
private bar lends itself beautifully to
drinks receptions and to celebrations
which last long into the night.
The Allensford Suite can seat up to 170
guests for a formal wedding breakfast and
Room capacities
Suite
Maximum Numbers
Grand Hall Reception 200
Evening 300
Allensford Suite Reception 170
Evening 200
Garden Room Reception 80
Evening 100
Murray Suite Reception 60
The Tower Lounge Reception 46
6

www.bw-derwentmanorhotel.co.uk
asian
WEDDINGS
With its spacious banqueting
rooms, fabulous views and
commitment to providing a
bespoke service, the
BEST WESTERN Derwent Manor
hotel has long been a popular
choice for Asian weddings.
So much so that we have a
dedicated Asian wedding coordinator
on-site who specialises in
working closely with couples on all
aspects of their special day.
In addition, our team of chefs work
closely with a number of Asian food
providers to ensure we offer only
the best ingredients in accordance
with specific religious and cultural
requirements.
The flexibility of the banqueting
rooms available at BEST WESTERN
Derwent Manor enables us to cater
for up to 300 guests in one room
and up to 400 across adjoining
rooms, whether it be for a prewedding
party, registry office
celebration, wedding or Milni.
This fascinating and culturally
important occasion, when the men
from each family meet formally, is
brief yet full of significance and just
one area in which our experienced
Asian wedding co-ordinator is
happy to advise.
Sample menus
These are just two of our more popular wedding breakfast menus. However, we pride
ourselves on offering choice and flexibility and our chefs are happy to work with couples
to create a bespoke wedding menu from a wide range of choices.
Starter
Chilled, seasonal melon, with
forest fruits and a duet of berry
coulis
Main course
Rump of lamb with rosemary
and garlic, served with a
redcurrant and mint jus
Dessert
Sticky toffee pudding with
butterscotch sauce
Followed by
Coffee and mints
Starter
Traditional vegetable soup with
herb croutons
Main course
A supreme of chicken wrapped
in pancetta and served with a
roasted tomato and basil fondue
Dessert
Chocolate fudge cake with
vanilla cream and a mint garnish
Followed by
Coffee and mints
Drinks packages
Both menus can be complemented with a
choice of drinks packages
Bronze
Arrival glass of bucks fizz
A glass of red, white or rosé wine with your meal
Toast glass of sparkling wine
Silver
Arrival glass of bucks fizz or Budweiser
Two glasses of red, white or rosé with your
meal
Toast glass of sparkling wine
Gold
Arrival glass of vodka summer
cocktail punch or Corona with
lime wedge
Bottle of white, red and rosé on your
tables
Bottle of pink champagne in ice on
your tables
Unlimited cordials for the kids
Unlimited fruit juices for the adults
7

Visit our Wedding Showcase at our Newcastle premises 28th & 29th September 10am -5pm
Complimentary Bucks Fizz & Canapes available while we show you how we can transform your Wedding Venue
Dandy Events are the North’s leading venue stylist, with over 30 years experience
designing and managing the finest weddings and events across the UK.

winter’s
A
tale
When rock chick Lisa Ratcliffe decided to tie the knot with band
mate and business partner Bob Andrews she knew from the start
she wanted a winter wedding – and in BEST WESTERN Derwent
Manor, she found the perfect venue.
“One of my clients at Rock Skool, the performing arts school Bob
and I run at Herrington near Sunderland, had been to a wedding
here,” said Lisa “and she told me she thought it would be perfect
for me.
“She was right - I had already viewed a few venues but as soon as I
saw it I just fell in love with it.
“I loved that it was so full of character but what really swung it for
me was the staff. They went out of their way to be as helpful as
they could. Nothing was too much trouble for them. From the bar
staff, through to the waiters – they were all wonderful.”
This was the first wedding for mum of one Lisa, 45 and “I decided
I wanted it to be really traditional,” she said.
The bride, from South Shields, opted for an ivory column dress
and chose a rich red colour scheme for her flowers and three
bridesmaids with flower girl Holly Hill scattering rose petals as
Lisa walked down the aisle to pledge her troth to 61-year-old Bob,
a fellow musician she first met almost 20 years earlier on the club
circuit.
“My 12-year-old son Elliot gave me away,” she said “and we
had 65 family members and friends. As the wedding took place
on December 23, the Garden Room, where the ceremony and
reception were held, was all dressed for Christmas and it was
really lovely – sparkling and cosy and really romantic.”
Although Lisa and Bob, who perform together in rock band
Hooch Navarro, spent their first night as husband and wife in the
sumptuous surroundings of the bridal suite, Lisa opted to stay at
the BEST WESTERN Derwent Manor hotel on the night before the
wedding, too, with her bridesmaids.
“Although it didn’t snow,” she said, “we woke up on the morning
of the wedding and looked out of the window to see the most
beautiful rainbow stretching across the valley and it stayed there
all day – it was like a gift and it was magical.”
Photo by Michelle Kingsley
Winter Weddings all wrapped up at a cosy price
Just imagine … a veneer of crisp, white
frost across the Derwent Valley outside
and, inside, crisp linen napkins laid
on starched white table cloths with
cutlery and glassware gleaming in soft
candlelight.
Our all-inclusive package for 50 day and
100 evening guests comprises:-
l Hire of appropriate banquet room for
your ceremony, wedding breakfast
and evening buffet
l White or ivory chair covers and
organza bows
l White or ivory linen
l A cranberry sparkler with canapés
upon arrival
l Three-course winter wedding
banquet
l One glass of house wine with the
meal, either white, red or rosé
l Glass of sparkling wine for the toast
l Evening finger buffet for 100 guests
l Hotel resident disco
l Suite on your wedding night with
breakfast the following morning
Available December
Sundays 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd
- £2,500 all inclusive
Midweek Monday to Thursday
- from £3,000
Fridays and Saturdays
- price upon application
For details about other dates in the
winter months please contact our
wedding co-ordinator.
Sample menu
Welcome your guests with a cranberry
sparkler with canapés
Wedding breakfast
l Traditional vegetable soup served
with a freshly baked roll and butter
l Roasted breast of chicken, served with
a rich gravy, roasted potatoes and
chef’s selection of seasonal vegetables
l Chocolate fudge cake served with
fresh cream
Evening buffet
l A selection of freshly prepared
sandwiches
l Spicy potato jacket wedges
l Traditional garden salads
l Cheese and onion pastry lattice
fingers
l Deep fried breaded mushrooms
9

suite for my
sweet
Soft and romantic, stylish and welcoming, our beautiful Derwent Bridal
Suite provides the perfect end to the perfect day.
10

www.bw-derwentmanorhotel.co.uk
why not
Take home a memento of your
first night as a married couple
with a pair of crisp, white, cotton
bathrobes bearing a Mr & Mrs logo
and matching slippers
- £50 for the set
Indulge your senses with
delicately scented bubble bath,
bath and massage oils and even
some gourmet chocolate body
paint - £30
Celebrate in private – just the
two of you – with a bottle of
Champagne, luxury chocolates
and petals scattered on the bed
- £35
Treat yourselves to a bottle of
Champagne accompanied
by chocolate-dipped fresh
strawberries - £35
Live the high life with a bottle of
Champagne and smoked salmon
finger sandwiches - £45
Linger over a fresh fruit platter and
selection of cheeses served with a
bottle of house white, red or rosé
wine - £40
Sumptuously decorated in dove grey,
ivory and white, with accents of silver and
purple, it is the last word in luxury and
boasts an elegant, French rococo-style bed
along with a beautifully appointed seating
area – the ideal spot in which to enjoy a
leisurely glass of Champagne and reflect
on the events of the day.
Positioned in an elevated tower on the
corner of the building the bridal suite is
hexagonal in shape and light and airy
with windows on three sides, affording
spectacular views over Derwent Valley.
A further highlight of this spacious suite
is its vast double bathroom, which echoes
the soothing shades of the bedroom and
contains a free standing roll top bath
along with his and hers washbasins and a
separate shower.
At BEST WESTERN Derwent Manor Hotel
we believe it is the little details that make
the difference and so we offer a whole
host of extras designed to make your stay
even more memorable and magical.
11

Wedding
Look radiant on your special occasion
with a full pre wedding MOT
Browse through a whole range of treatments to prepare you for your
big day. Relax with the one you love for that double treat with an all day
package to relax and unwind from all the stresses of organising that big
day. Call us for a quotation.
Packages are available to suit your needs please contact for pricing options
Bridal Makeover Including Trial £50.00
Trial £25.00
Bridal Makeover £25.00
Mother of the Bride £25.00
Bridesmaid £25.00
Bridesmaids under the age of 13 £6.00
If mother of the bride or bridesmaids require a pre trial
makeover the price is the same as the bridal trial.
Prom
This is a big day for the young
lady who just loves to make
an impression
Get pre prom skin care advice to maximise pure radiance with a
prescribed facial and homecare advice. Other treatments available
or packages can be arranged please contact for a quote.
Make Over Trial
This will be a full consultation where colours
can be discussed and noted to enable the look
to be recreated for that special day.
£25.00
Prom Day Make Over £25.00
Arrangements can be made for a couple of their friends to
get together for a makeover please call or email for a quote.
Telephone 01207 438166 or 07833 099356
Email pure@crystel.org.uk
Visit our website at www.crystel.co.uk
Newmarket Street, Consett, Co. Durham, DH8 0DN

A.J.BridalWear
The Old Fire Station, High Street, Newburn,
Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 58LN
T: 0191 2644 688 E: info@ajbridalwear.co.uk
www.ajbridalwear.co.uk

14
dress
to impress

www.bw-derwentmanorhotel.co.uk
Your wedding gown is possibly the most important dress you will ever
wear and it should certainly be the most beautiful, but where do you
start when there are so many to choose from?
Most women have dreamed of their
wedding dress since childhood and, faced
with the reality of actually wearing it, can
find the numerous styles and designs a
little overwhelming, unsure whether to
follow fashion or follow their heart.
As with any outfit it is crucial that it suits
you, that it fits you and that you feel good
in it – and the best advice is to try on as
many styles as possible.
Your ideal dress should enhance your best
features and minimise problem areas and
a good friend who can be truthful without
being hurtful can be a godsend when
trying to determine the best style.
If, for example, you have full hips, avoid
overly shiny fabrics and elaborate ruffles,
while a small bust may benefit from a
cleverly wired bodice or a hugely stylish
halter neck. In addition, a dropped waist
– and these are everywhere this season
as bridal fashions echo the trend for all
things 1920s inspired – will make anyone
who isn’t wand-slim look positively vast.
Take care, too, when choosing your fabric.
Raw silk dupion can give wonderful
volume to skirts but creases dreadfully, as
HRH Diana Princess of Wales found to her
cost at her wedding to HRH Prince Charles.
Equally, chiffon can create a flowing,
romantic effect but can also fall prey to
the weather, losing its shape at the first
gust of wind.
As always royal weddings have a vast
impact on bridal fashions and the
Duchess of Cambridge’s elegant lace
gown, worn at her wedding to HRH
Prince William, has heavily influenced
many of this year’s trends.
Pictures courtesy of www.ajbridalwear.co.uk
The A-line style – a fitted bodice gently
flaring out to a full skirt – flatters most
body shapes and looks set to remain
very popular for some time to come. Her
use of lace, too, has been picked up by
bridal designers with many of this year’s
strongest looks using lace overlay either
on the bodice or the sleeves.
In fact, it was her choice of long sleeves
– perfect for a spring wedding when
the weather can be changeable – that
really caught the imagination of the
bridal industry and many designers this
year have included long-sleeved gowns
alongside their strapless or spaghettistrapped
favourites.
Along with its timeless elegance and
flexibility, lace is a lovely choice for older
brides wanting a romantic, but not overly
revealing, dress - and sleeves, either full or
three-quarter length, effectively conceal
the upper arms, which can be a problem
area for many women.
On the subject of age, the huge choice
of styles and designs means there is no
reason why an older bride should feel
foolishly girlish or like mutton dressed as
lamb. Check out sophisticated column
– or sheath – dresses for the ultimate in
sophistication, or channel your inner
screen siren with a three-quarter length
hem on a 50s-style prom dress.
One style pointer all brides should bear
in mind is that the devil is in the detail.
Although overtly bejewelled gowns,
decked with bling, have given way to
simpler, more elegant designs, the dress
should still have wow factor - particularly
when viewed from behind as the first
good look the guests will get of the dress is
when the bride is in front of them making
her vows.
Jewelled or diamanté straps are very
big this year – as are accessories such as
headbands and hair ornaments. Tiaras
continue to sparkle on the bridal catwalks
but not necessarily attached to a veil – and
they can look stunning worn on their own,
particularly against dark hair.
You want your guests to remember your
dress – for all the right reasons – for years
to come and an effective way of ringing
the changes and ensuring your gown
perfectly complements your skin tone is
with careful choice of colour.
Gone are the days when your choice was
limited to brilliant white or ivory. Today’s
dresses embrace a palette of hues from
soft pewter greys to oyster, old gold and
eau de nil and, not only are these far
more flattering to most complexions
than white, but they mean the dress may
double as an evening gown in the future.
Remember, too, to give some thought
about what you require from your dress.
If yours is a spring wedding, for example,
there may still be a chill in the air so a
wrap or shrug may be useful. Never have
accessories been so much fun and the
simplest dress can be wonderfully offset
with an ostrich feather cape or sequinned
bolero jacket.
Whatever you choose, whether it’s long or
short, white or scarlet, jewelled or plain,
this is your day and your dress – if you feel
beautiful then you’ll know you’ve chosen
the right wedding gown.
15

Because love is
For a memorable display
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spectacular
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louise@northernharps.co.uk
www.northernharps.co.uk
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Whether it is during your ceremony or while your guests are
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www.bw-derwentmanorhotel.co.uk
picture
perfect
They say a picture paints a thousand words and good photography is
essential in telling the story of your wedding.
Long after memories have faded, wedding
photos will bring them back into focus
and provide a lasting memento for many
years to come.
Thanks to digital photography, camera
phones and the social media trend for
uploading images onto the internet to
share with friends and family, photography
has never been more accessible.
However, while unposed, spontaneous
snaps taken by guests on the day often
capture the excitement and atmosphere
perfectly, it is still sensible to opt for a
professional photographer if the budget
will allow.
Not only will they arrange the shots so
everyone is pictured at their best but they
will also know from experience how to
ensure that every single detail of the day,
from the cake to a close up of the wedding
rings, is recorded.
Ideally, choose your photographer by
recommendation and ask to see examples
of their work as standards and styles vary
enormously.
Explain the variety of shots you would
want – groups of family, perhaps, as well
as more intimate shots of you and your
groom – and ask if the photographer has
worked at your church or reception venue
before. If so, they may know where to get
the best shots and this could save a great
deal of time on the day.
Timing is crucial – many weddings have
been spoilt because guests have been left
hanging around waiting for photographs
to be taken and long delays could also
affect the timing of the reception and
wedding breakfast.
As many weddings often last into the
night it is unlikely your photographer
will be able to stay throughout, in which
case it is a good idea to nominate a good
amateur photographer from among your
guests to capture the proceedings once
they have left.
That way you know there is someone on
hand with a camera to record your first
dance or the moment fireworks light up
the night sky.
However, whether you choose a
professional photographer or rely on
friends and family, your wedding photos
will provide a treasured record of the day.
Not only that, but albums of images,
with handwritten captions identifying
the flowers in the bridal bouquet or the
names of the guests, make a charming gift
for parents or bridesmaids – a very special
way of saying thank you.
19

www.bw-derwentmanorhotel.co.uk
setting a
date
So, now you’ve chosen the BEST WESTERN Derwent Manor hotel for your
wedding, you are just a few simple steps away from turning your dreams
into reality.
Here’s a helpful checklist to guide you,
step by step, through the booking process.
1 Now. Contact the hotel on
01207 592000 to book a personal
viewing. At the viewing we will show
you around the hotel and discuss your
individual requirements with you.
2 We will provisionally hold your
preferred date for two weeks while you
contact your church or registrar. The
Alnwick Registrar can be contacted on
01665 602870.
3 Next. You can then make your
firm booking with BEST WESTERN
Derwent Manor hotel by paying a
£500 deposit – please note deposits
are non refundable and non
transferable. We will then issue you
with a schedule outlining the wedding
plans, which you must sign and return
to us.
4 Half-way. Around half way between
booking your date and the big day itself
you should be considering your menu.
To help you with this, BEST WESTERN
Derwent Manor invites you and your
partner to taste a maximum of two
starters, two main courses and two
desserts. Tastings are available between
Monday and Thursday at 7pm. We
recommend you reserve your table two
weeks in advance of your menu tasting.
5 This is also when you will need to
make an appointment with the
wedding co-ordinator to discuss your
arrangements and make a payment of
50 per cent of the total cost.
6 One month to go. Check your
guests have replied to their invitations
as they will only have two weeks in
which to reserve bedrooms before they
are made available to the wider public.
7 Then, make your final appointment
with the wedding co-ordinator to
finalise the details and numbers
you discussed at your ‘half way’
appointment. Payment for your final
balance will be required at this meeting.
8 One week to go. Make an
appointment to see our toastmaster
as they will be looking after you on
your special day. This will enable you
to discuss all the final arrangements.
9 24-48 hours before. If you
haven’t already done so, now
is the time to arrange for gifts,
favours, decorations and the cake
to be delivered to the hotel. Your
toastmaster will then arrange for all
these items to be placed according
to your request.
10 Your wedding day – now all that
remains is for you to have the day you
dreamed of as you embark on married
life together.
Diary dates in 2013
Open Days on
Sunday 23rd June and 13th October.
Wedding Exhibitions on
Sunday 3rd March and 1st September.
Call the sales team for more details.
21

Your special day
made exceptional
Vintage Rose Florist specialise in providing floral arrangements
to ensure that the ‘special day’ in your life is ‘perfect’!
We supply a range of bouquets, table arrangements,
corsages, buttonholes etc. to meet all budget requirements.
We also provide free Wedding consultations in order to
discuss your requirements in detail and advise you with the
options and costs for all of your Wedding requirements.
To make an appointment for a Wedding Consultation Meeting
phone Gloria, Olga or Claire on 01207 438171
Shop opening hours
Mon -Fri 9.00am - 5.00pm
Sat 8.30am - 4.30pm
7a Front Street, Shotley Bridge, County Durham DH8 0HH
Email: info@vintagerose4flowers.co.uk
www.vintagerose4flowers.co.uk
22

www.bw-derwentmanorhotel.co.uk
finishingtouches
Whether you opt for a totally traditional wedding or decide to ring the
changes with a contemporary, quirky celebration, cakes, flowers and
entertainment have a crucial part to play.
Both cakes and flowers have a long
association with weddings and are rich
in symbolism. Early brides, for instance,
chose flowers for their significance,
believing each represented a particular
emotion or feeling, while wedding cakes
have been enjoyed since Roman times.
Of course, as time passes fashion changes
and now a bride is more likely to choose
her flowers because they match her
colour scheme than because they signify
faithfulness or constancy - equally,
traditional fruit cakes, representing
abundance and fertility, are often replaced
with sponge cake to cater for modern
tastes.
However, flowers and cakes have far
more to recommend them at a wedding
than purely symbolism – they also have
practical purposes.
In the first place they help to create
unity in terms of colour with most brides
choosing to co-ordinate the colour of their
flowers with their bridesmaids dresses,
the ribbon on the cake or the sashes on
the chair covers.
Flowers also give dark church corners a lift
– providing they are lightly coloured - and
add softness to tables laid with crisp white
linen, while a bouquet adds a welcome
splash of colour to a white or ivory bridal
gown.
The cake, too, has a purpose beyond
providing a sweet treat to round off the
wedding breakfast. Joining hands to cut
it is one of a couple’s first acts as man
and wife with the cutting ceremony – no
matter how brief – providing a visual
finale to the meal.
The sharing of the cake is a lovely way
in which to bring all members of the
wedding party together and if the couple
save some slices to put in cake boxes and
post, even those who could not attend the
event can feel included.
One final element of a wedding which
has its roots in early celebrations
and which still has a vital role today
is entertainment. From live bands to
magicians, firework displays and even
face painting artists for younger guests,
the choice is enormous.
Entertaining your guests needn’t cost
a fortune if you shop around and your
choice of music, in particular, can really
set the tone of your day.
Whatever you choose - a live band,
a harpist, vocalist or violins it is the
finishing touches such as flowers, cakes
and your entertainment that will live long
in the memory of your special day.
23

‘
Specialists in designing individual wedding and celebration cakes.
With our collective culinary expertise and cake artistry, we can design your wedding
cake to your exact wishes. From fantasy creations and traditional styles to contemporary
chocolate sensations, we will design your dream wedding cake.
Unit A1 | Houghton Business Centre | Lake Road | Houghton-le-Spring | DH5 8BJ
0191 584 5623 / 0781 749 5457
www.kellyanns.co.uk

www.bw-derwentmanorhotel.co.uk
Great Party Music for your Evening Reception
Beautifully Relaxing Music for your Wedding Ceremony
& Daytime Reception
Visit our website and see our ‘Live’ Video
We guarantee to make sure the music & atmosphere
at your event are fantastic!
Website: www.chameleon-music.com
E-Mail: info@chameleon-music.com
Telephone: 07973 393 361
If you would like a magazine
produced exclusively for
your venue
Please contact
Sue Riney-Smith
Riney Publishing Limited
tel 01325 304360
or email sue.riney@btinternet.com
25

at your
leisure
Calm and tranquil, soothing yet invigorating, our leisure club and pool
provide the perfect escape from the outside world.
Whether you wish to unwind with your
bridesmaids before your big day or spend
a little quiet time together as husband and
wife after the celebrations, we have just
the place.
Situated at the heart of the hotel’s
grounds, Derwent Leisure offers a range
of facilities, from a fully-equipped fitness
centre with a range of cardio-vascular and
weight training equipment, to a children’s
splash pool – ideal for keeping younger
guests happy and entertained.
However, the jewel in its crown is
undoubtedly the stunning, indoor
swimming pool, which enjoys excellent
views across our beautiful grounds
and offers the perfect opportunity
to combine swimming with a little,
leisurely, poolside lazing on a lounger.
A sauna and spa bath complete the
facilities and are the perfect antidote
to the stresses and strains of wedding
planning, so why not call in when you visit
our wedding co-ordinator – we’ll be happy
to show you around and maybe discuss a
fitness programme for the 12 weeks build
up to your wedding.
Why you should choose Best Western
Best Western GB is part of Best Western International, based in
Phoenix, America, which founded the brand back in 1946. The
group spread its wings in the swinging 60s and started to license
the brand overseas – and today it has more than 4000 hotels,
all independently owned and managed, in around 80 countries
worldwide.
Each Best Western hotel is unique and boasts its own personality,
offering customers a wide range of venues, from castles to
coaching inns and sea views to mountain views, along with a host
of modern and listed buildings. However, one thing they all share
is a commitment to offering every guest quality, value and the
highest standards of service.
In addition, all our hotels share a commitment to using locallysourced
produce where possible and some even go that little bit
further by growing their own food within their grounds – one
uses its own lemons to make lemon curd while another grows its
own grapes and bottles its own wine.
We are very proud that, not only do our hotels make a great first
impression, but they make a lasting impression – for all the right
reasons - and our happy customers, many of whom return to us
again and again, are proof that we’re doing something right.
At BEST WESTERN Derwent Manor Hotel we want all our guests
to have a memorable stay or visit with us – which is why we are a
Best Western Family Favourite.
We go above and beyond the call of duty to make your break extra
special, with free refills of ice cream, family bath packs and a
children’s library of books, DVDs and family games.
If you are thinking of joining us then make sure you are signed up
to our international loyalty programme and you will earn points
for every pound you spend in our hotel.
Ask our team for more details about Best Western Rewards or
sign up free today by visiting: www.bestwestern.co.uk/rewards/
joinnow.aspx or call 0800 757575.
26

www.bw-derwentmanorhotel.co.uk
Windsor Classic Limousine Hire
Our BEAUFORD is a 1930’s style classic with 4 doors to enable
ease of entry with todays elaborate gowns. The Old English
White exterior, Black convertible roof and chrome wheels
look visually stunning. The interior is in Pale Grey leather with
dark blue carpets to enhance any colour gown.
Our ROLLS ROYCE is a 1935 James Young bodied saloon.
This car embodies all the elegance that Rolls Royce typifies,
ideal for the bride who wants to arrive in regal elegance.
The interior is in original Brown leather complete with the
furnishing touches that the coach builder supplied.
Windsor Classic Cars is a family run business based in
Derwentside serving the North East area.
We also have 6 seater Limousines Available and offer Uniformed
Chauffeurs at all times to make your day extra special
01207 234956
www.windsorclassic.co.uk
Bond Parties & LMS Entertainments for
all your Wedding & Party entertainment
n Fun Casino Tables (full size)
n Unique Wine Tasting Casino
Table
n Full Colour Personalised Fun
Money
n Free Play Token Slot
Machines
n Wii on Projection Screen
n Giant Games, Lawn Games
n Laser Clay Pigeon Shooting
(indoor or outdoor)
n Table Football, Pool,
Air Hockey
n Big Screen Race Nights
n Mini 2 Lane Scalextric
n Racing Simulators
n Crazy & Target Golf
n Stag & Hen parties catered
for
We also provide a full hosting/
master of ceremonies service
LMS Events & Entertainments est. 1988
Call Paul or Jane 01642 713010 or 07989 395 542
www.lmsentertainments.co.uk
leisurem@btconnect.com
www.facebook.com/bondparties
www.twitter.com/lmsents
We carry full public liability insurance

l Resident Disco at the Derwent Manor Hotel l
l Mobile Disco for all occasions l
l Karaoke / Karaoke Disco l Sound & Lighting Hire l
l LED Uplighting l Digital Sound System l
l LED Effect Lighting l
Steve Duchar
0191 388 1788 / 07711 352 472
1 elmwood, chester-le-street, county durham dh2 2xb
steve@power-leisure.com