Homme is a decision you will never regret ❤️
It's taken me a month to write this review, because I simply don't know where to begin with just how happy we were to have our wedding (and the whole planning experience) with Homme. I say WITH Homme, not at, because we truly feel like a small part of the Homme family after sharing our special day here.
I want to start by saying that many venues we visited had a really commercial feel, we often felt like weddings were treated with a conveyer belt system. This was NEVER felt in capacity with Homme. Everything felt personalised to us as a couple, from the very first communication.
From the moment we arrived at Homme, we've been made to feel so welcome and at home. Nothing has ever been too much trouble and we have always felt comfortable contacting Charlie and Sarah with questions and requests for advice and guidance. The regular updates on all things wedding and venue related have been so welcome and only helped to build in the excitement through our longer-than-expected build up to the day itself.
Like many couples, we were finally wed after two years of postponements, but each and every contact with Charlie felt as special and exciting as the first (when some vendors could make us feel like a bit of a burden for the date changes).
Well, we can certainly say it was worth the wait! We genuinely had the most perfect day we could have ever imagined. Not just for us, but for all of our guests as well. Even our evening guests were saying it was the best wedding they've ever been to, and we're under no illusions that it has anything to do with us as a couple! The ability/option to come and go as they please, taking advantage of each element of the gardens and grounds was a real treat and made people feel simultaneously settled and excited.
Matt and I thought it great that any legal boundaries and limitations have been made clear from the get-go, as we feel this is something other venues hold back until later in the booking process.
It was expressed to me by Charlie and Sarah that they didn't want me to even look at a clock on the day. I'm a frantic planner and panicker but the amount of organisation, attention to detail, and eagerness to help keep us relaxed honestly meant that I didn't (and didn't feel the need to) check the time at ANY point in the day, not even the morning prep. My photographer also commented on how impressed she was with how organised and in-the-know they were. In fact, each of the vendors all passed similarly wonderful comments about Homme and the team-of-two at earlier stages of booking. Everyone is always so excited to cover a wedding at Homme!
Sarah's warm and friendly visits in the morning were immensely calming for me and made me feel like everything was under control. I stood in the library, ready to start the ceremony completely cool, calm, and collected... It was only once I stepped foot in the panelled room that it all went to toffee! And, may I add, floating down that sweeping staircase, ready to marry the love of my life, is a feeling I will never forget.
As a family, we all LOVED the wording on the website about a little bit of love from each wedding rubbing off on the place. If that is the case, and we believe it so, then it must be overflowing at present 💗
The option of being at the venue for the day before the wedding was simply the best! A relaxed day with a small gathering of friends and family, as well as the chance to set a few things up prior to the 'morning-of madness' was an absolute joy. It really took the pressure off us for the big day, provided some really beautiful memories, and is something we couldn't imagine the celebrations without. Over the two days, showing people around the gardens was definitely a highlight for us (actually, many many highlights, we really got our steps in!) and a few people asked us how we knew so many little bits of information. Neither of us had realised that we did really, I guess we just retained every titbit of information shared with us throughout our previous visits, out of pure love for the place. I have sent the link for the history section of the website around to so many guests as they were all so intrigued to know more, and disappointed when we admitted we couldn't remember many details!
The house itself, while grand and beautiful, is so homely and welcoming - no red ropes here - many guests commented on this also. We took full advantage of the walled garden by having cocktail hour by the summer house. We're so happy we did this, it really allowed everyone to feel immersed in such a beautiful place, and I think every guest enjoyed a little visit up in the summer house which was a really fun touch! The bridal suite... Well, you'll see for yourselves, but we felt every touch of luxury (again, homely and welcoming luxury, nothing ostentatious) and could have stayed forever. The views over the gardens are unbeatable in our opinion.
We actually decided to arrive a day early at Homme (arrived on the Sunday for our Tuesday wedding) and spent the first night together in the summer house and I would highly recommend this,it was so special and we had a wonderful picnic breakfast in the gardens before our 'day before,' guests arrived.
We could go on forever about the amazing breakfast, the beautifully thought-out spaces to enjoy separately, the utterly stunning decor and upholstery, and all of the extra touches that made us feel so loved and special.... But we'd like to save some surprises for you !
Charlie and Sarah mastered the perfect balance between acknowledging the stressful nature of hiccups, and making them feel totally manageable.
We truly feel we have been embraced so lovingly, and woukd consider them both friends for life.
In summary, Homme and the team behind it provided the best possible start to our married lives, and we are forever grateful.
Homme is the best wedding decision we made.
Mr and Mrs Holmes xxx