Wedding hotels

The Millhouse

County Meath, Ireland

Wow factor   This imposing Georgian manor specialises in unusual, bespoke weddings. The hotel has a lovely riverbank setting, and receptions can be held indoors, in an orchard, courtyard and even in a yurt or colourful Indian marquee.

Need to know   Weddings are held every day of the week, and are based on taking over the entire hotel.

Inspiration   Jenny, the event manager and her team (+041 9820878), pride themselves on creating one-off weddings. The only limit is your imagination. Past themes include Alice's tea party, a Midsummer night's dream, and a simple winter white lunch.

Gidleigh Park 

Devon, United Kingdom

Wow factor   Romantic middle-of-nowhere atmosphere with 54 acres and wonderful views in the heart of Dartmoor. A river runs through it – the Teign tumbles through the grounds.

Need to know   Weddings at Gidleigh Park are only undertaken on an exclusive-use basis, so the wedding party must also book all the hotel bedrooms. Marquees can't be erected in the hotel grounds.

Inspiration   Each wedding is bespoke, and no two weddings are the same. The food is exquisite, and the reception meal will be created under the watchful eye of two-Michelin starred chef Michael Caines. Staff have a good contacts book with details of hairdressers, beauticians and photographers.

Hotel Endsleigh

Devon, United Kingdom

Wow factor   The stable block looks fabulous when decorated with a candle display, and the countryside setting is beautiful. Hotel Endsleigh is best suited to small, intimate weddings though.

Need to know   The hotel can cater for 74 guests at the wedding breakfast, which spreads over the entire ground floor. The menu is specially designed by the chef together with the couple. Staying guests are limited to 36 adults and children; exclusive use is recommended for groups of 20 or more guests. The croquet lawn can accommodate a marquee; there is also a ballroom in the stable block that seats up to 80. Two excellent local florists can provide all floral arrangements, and can incorporate foliage from Endsleigh's own gardens.

Inspiration   The local vicar is happy to come and give a blessing after the civil ceremony, or perform marriages at the 1,000-year-old church in Milton Abbot village. The hotel is set in 108 acres of secluded valley on the banks of the river Tamar, so romantic picnics on the riverbank are a popular choice. Evening firework displays over the river are another possibility.

Château de la Couronne

Dordogne, France

Wow factor   Seduce your guests with the hotel’s one-of-a-kind blend of 16th-century architecture and cutting-edge urbane design.

Need to know   Château de la Couronne can accommodate 80 guests for dinner in its refectoire, but the five-acre gardens can play host to more if you put up marquees. Owners Mark and Nicky are both experienced event coordinators (thanks to their respective TV and fashion backgrounds), and will gladly coordinate all aspects of your wedding for a €1,000 event management fee.

Inspiration   The hotel’s historic fairytale-castle exterior will lend a shimmer of olde-worlde glam to your photo album.

Château les Merles

Dordogne, France

Wow factor   Château les Merles has all the grandeur you'd expect of a 17th-century château, but a uniquely youthful and relaxed atmosphere.

Need to know   The hotel must be reserved on an exclusive basis for at least two nights. No weddings in July/August. Couples who want to do the official wedding ceremony in France must arrange their own priest, minister or civil councillor. The staff can arrange all food, flowers, music and transport.

Inspiration   This venerable château has organised boat trips on the Dordogne, golf on the hotel's own course, tennis tournaments, wine tastings and gourmet cooking classes for wedding guests. The Dordogne is a treasure trove of fine wine and French gastronomy, and the château provides the very best of both; the hotel even has its own vineyard.

The George in Rye

East Sussex, United Kingdom

Wow factor   This romantic hotel is located in the heart of historic Rye. Weddings are held in a Georgian ballroom with high ceilings, plenty of natural light, and walls covered in hand-painted silk panels.

Need to know   Saturday weddings are held for a minimum of 75 guests. The wedding party must also book the bedrooms closest to the ballroom.

Inspiration   The hotel offers a food and drink tasting session with the General Manager and Head Chef. The hotel has compiled a list of contacts to organise everything from the cake to the flowers. Even the tiniest detail can be arranged - one couple recently requested a special tea to be blended to use as wedding favours. Wine and champagne from Sussex and Kent vineyards are available.

One Royal Circus

Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Wow factor   Weddings ceremonies take place in a showstopper of a room, William Playfair's Grade A-listed Georgian Salon with original 18th-century ceiling frescoes. The Salon offers magnificent views across the gardens of Royal Circus crescent.

Need to know   If you suddenly feel the need to commit, ceremonies can be conducted at relatively short notice. One Royal Circus only has five rooms, but there are plenty of other options for guests nearby.

Inspiration   One Royal Circus is famous for its attention to detail, and can organise everything from pre-wedding beauty treatments, to the cake, flowers and going-away transport (how about a traditional purple Edinburgh double-decker bus?). The team have lots of useful contacts and can help put together something really unusual and imaginative for you. If you'd rather just throw a big pre- or post-wedding bash, there's room for 150 party people.

Kurland

Garden Route & Winelands, South Africa

Wow factor   Romance, seclusion and the luxury of space – all against a backdrop of beautiful Western Cape mountains and mature farmland gardens.

Need to know   Kurland’s team will provide a bespoke experience, dotting every ‘i’ and crossing every ‘t’ to make sure your big day is exactly as you want it. The hotel's wedding planner will consult with you to find out what you have in mind, and source the appropriate suppliers for everything from invitations to wedding favours.

Inspiration   You’ve 1,700 acres to play with, so there are numerous places you could hold the reception, including the Polo Pavilion. Beautiful antique roses are a hallmark of Kurland’s country-colonial style anyway, so it’s worth trying to incorporate them if possible. Kurland is also an excellent honeymoon choice, as it's very romantic, private and pampering.