The Downs School in Wraxall lies a convenient 15 minutes from the centre of Bristol. The perfect spot to escape the city into a world of tranquillity and greenery – weddings at The Downs School are always beautiful and a pleasure to be involved in, the Summer of 2017 was no exception with two sensational but very different weddings.
Filled with charm and character, The Downs School with it’s serene parkland, impressive house and perfectly manicured lawns are the ideal wedding reception spot. For both weddings, we teamed up with CMC Marquees to provide a bespoke venue on the back lawn of the house. Arriving through the tree lined sweeping driveway, both couples opted for a champagne and canape reception on the front lawn before taking their guests through the original wood panelled house and into their personalised marquee.
For each of The Downs School Weddings, our couples chose very different dining experiences. Our July couple enjoyed sharing platters served to round tables, followed by decadent salads and a luxurious cheesecake – fresh and informal. In contrast, our couple in August chose long rectangular tables with a full plated menu, including a rich lamb main course and raspberry mille feuille for dessert.
To dress the round table, our July Mother of the Bride developed the centrepieces for the tables, including home-made pompoms and bunting which surrounded the marquee, a hugely personal touch and a great talking point. Guests danced in the star cloth lined nightclub area, revealed after dining, with a DJ providing the entertainment. In August, our couple had beautifully decorated tables with handpicked wildflower selections and olive trees throughout the marquee, beautiful hessian runners lined the tables whilst rosemary springs sat within the napkins. A vibrant swing band played after dinner, within the main marquee, to accompany guests as they enjoyed drinks from the bar and an exceptional cheese board.