Not so long ago, the bridal couple had only two choices of ceremony venues; a church, or registry office.
Now you are able to decide to hold your wedding ceremony in a church, registry office, or licensed venue.
Civil weddings can take place in
any venue in the UK that holds
a marriage licence. It is usual, although this doesn't have
to be the case, for both the ceremony
and reception to take place at the same
venue.
A civil wedding is a sensible option if you’re not religious, are having a second marriage or want somewhere different that suits your
personalities.
As a Wedding Photographer and a Broads boat owner, I have been asked many time if it is possible to get married on the Norfolk Broads.
Currently you can not get married from a boat, but if you are looking for either a romantic or idyllic place to hold both the ceremony and reception then I can help you arrange your special day and as near to a perfect Norfolk Broads Wedding as possible.
What better place than the lovely village of Thurne with it's famous White Wind Pump.
This small but romantic village offers every thing a wedding couple could ask for.
The village of Thurne is located at the end of a dyke with the famous white Thurne Drainage Mill on the River Thurne.
There is a large private mooring dyke leading down to the Lion Inn which could be used by your family and guests if arriving by boat, and Hedera House & Plantation Bungalows if your guests and family wish to stay over for a few days.
The Lion Inn at Thurne is where you can hold both the wedding and the reception as well as arrive in style either by Car or Boat
Not only does the Lion Inn offer a superb wedding venue but it also offers a large, comfortable family room and a safe and enclosed beer garden
For the children after the wedding, it has it's own separate amusement arcade, pool tables, air hockey, coin-operated kart track and access to the village playing field with swings next to the Inn.
For your Wedding Day.
There are a number of options open to you for your big day.
We will be pleased to offer help with the arrangement and suggestion to make your day as romantic and pleasurable as possible.
Some you will know about already and others you may not have thought of.
Your special day could be as simple and low key as you wish or as flamboyant and romantic as a film star.
Lets start with a simple wedding day.
The room at the Lion Inn is laid out for your wedding as you wished.
The family and guests start arriving and meet the Groom and Best Man.
Just before the time of the wedding ceremony, all guests will go into the appointed room to take their seats.
The Brides Maids are waiting out side for the Bride to arrive.
After the brief chat with the Registrar, you are lead into the room for the wedding.
Once the wedding has taken place, you and your new husband spend time having your photographs taken.
The white Thurne Wind Pump is an ideal backdrop, with maybe Swans, Ducks, Kingfishers and yachts going past.
Whilst this is happening, the Lion Inn will be preparing the room and marquee, if required, for your Wedding Breakfast and evening reception.
The above is a fairly normally course of events and would suit many couples.
If you would like something really special and your friends are prepared to join in with you then what about a full blown Norfolk Broad Wedding Event.
Most couples enjoy a Hen night and Stag night, normally a few day before the actual wedding day.
So why not take your friends with you before your wedding day.
Some pictures of other weddings can be seen on here
How does this sound.
The Groom / Stag party.
You have the wedding day booked, all the arrangement at the Lion Inn have now been done.
You know what the room is like, the number of guests who will be attending the ceremony, and the wedding breakfast have all been arranged weeks before hand.
Now you can relax with the lads.
So what better way than hiring a cruiser for a few days leading up to the wedding day.
We can help with choosing and hiring a cruiser for up to 12 people.
If the party is larger, then another boat could be hired.
You may even find that other guests or family would like to do the same.
The Groom, Best Man and friends will spend a few days cruising the rivers and Broads of Norfolk before the wedding day.
The day before the wedding you will cruise into Thurne Dyke for the night, where a private mooring spot has been booked for you.
The next day your Best Man and friends will ensure you are dressed and ready for the short walk to the Lion Inn in good time for your big event.
The Bride / Hen Party.
To make your wedding something that not only you, but your Bridesmaids, family and friends will remember for ever.
We could help you hire a cruiser like your future husband and you would be spending your Hen Party on the boat.
There should be no worries about handling the boat as full instructions are given to you when you arrive at the boat yard.
You, Bridesmaids and friends will be able to enjoy a few days on the Norfolk Broads leading up to your wedding day.
If there are more friends or family that would like to cruise around with you then other boats could be hired.
There are a number of mooring places around the broads and close to Thurne where you can stop.
On the day before your wedding, you would moor up close to Thurne and the Lion Inn.
Your Bridesmaids and friends would help you to get your makeup, hair and wedding dress on.
Just before the appointed time of the wedding, you would cruise down the Thurne dyke to a private mooring spot.
This is a short walk to the Lion Inn for the wedding ceremony. Or it may be possible to hire a Pony and Trap which will come to your boat and take you on the short journey to the Inn for the ceremony.
Once the wedding and reception has finished, you and your new husband could go back up Thurne dyke to your smaller hired cruiser which a friend would have cruised down to the Staithe earlier, for you to use as your honeymoon boat.
Now you both can spend a few days together enjoying the peace and quiet of the beautifull and romantic Norfolk Broads and all that it offers.
Your friends will be on their way back with wonderful memories of the days leading up to and on your wedding day.
We will be there to help you right from the start, and point you in the right direction regarding boat hire, reception, places to go and places to see nearer the time.
As a Wedding Photographer and a Broads boat owner, I have been asked many time if it is possible to get married on the Norfolk Broads.
There is a large private mooring dyke leading down to the Lion Inn which could be used by your family and guests if arriving by boat, and Hedera House & Plantation Bungalows if your guests and family wish to stay over for a few days.
Once the wedding has taken place, you and your new husband spend time having your photographs taken.
We can help with choosing and hiring a cruiser for up to 12 people.
Once the wedding and reception has finished, you and your new husband could go back up Thurne dyke to your smaller hired cruiser which a friend would have cruised down to the Staithe earlier, for you to use as your honeymoon boat.