The pretty market town of Abingdon on Thames in Oxfordshire makes the perfect setting for a romantic, countryside wedding. This ancient town located on the famous river boasts a great-looking historic backdrop for pictures, fine wedding facilities and some beautiful churches if you want a religious wedding ceremony. Abingdon is said to be one of the oldest, continuously inhabited towns in England, and when you take a look, you’ll understand why. The quaint historic town houses and cottages, abundantly flowering window boxes scenic town square and attractive winding river combine to create an impression of times gone by, an England of old with a real sense of its place in history.
If you are looking to tie the knot in traditional style, then an Abingdon marriage makes perfect sense. With a wealth of gorgeous wedding venues in and around the town, there is bound to be one that will suit you and your partner on your special day.
Venues to view
The Crown and Thistle Hotel is a 17thcentury coaching inn, recently re-furbished with great taste. This Grade II Listed building is ideal for smaller, more intimate weddings and if rustic beams, bare stone walls, double height reception rooms and four hundred years of history get you excited, then you should check it out. The Crown and Thistle Hotel located on Bridge Street has been issued with a wedding licence and so is able to perform both the ceremony and reception on site. With stylish accommodation, a unique ambiance and a convenient central location, for an Abingdon wedding this venue should make any short-list.
If you want to be in the area, but slightly out of town, consider getting hitched in Georgian splendour at Denman in the village of Marcham. This Georgian manor house set in around seventeen acres of scenic parkland is a convenient twenty minute distance from Oxford, which has a mainline railway station. There are a choice of function rooms, on site catering, a dedicated wedding organiser and a host of possibilities available – whether it’s a contemporary or modern style you want, a big grand bash or small intimate do, the staff at Denman have your needs covered.
Those couples who have their hearts set on a truly rural country setting for their wedding, should take a look at Lains Barn. Not far away from Abingdon near Ardington, the lovingly restored historic barn provides a magical setting for your special day. With a lawned courtyard area, a stunning beamed interior and the option for indoor or outdoor ceremonies, Lains Barn offers plenty of scope for your wedding ideas. There are in-house caterers who put together delicious wedding menus from locally sourced ingredients. If you have always dreamed of a romantic, fairy tale wedding in bucolic splendour, Lains Barn could be the one…
Beautiful bride
Preparing your wedding day appearance is something most brides plan well in advance. Whether that’s dieting to fit into that dream dress, growing your hair into a new style or consulting a make-up designer for tips on your wedding day face. Many brides book in facials and other treatments aimed to get their skin glowing and radiant on the day. For non surgical beauty treatments in Abingdon try Qutis, a clinic which boasts a wealth of awards and a long and loyal client list. Perhaps you would like to drop in with some of the bridesmaids or your mother and future mother in law for some pre-wedding treatments? Grooms are also getting in on the beauty treatments these days, too. Look the best you can for your special day with non surgical beauty treatments in Abingdon such as dermal fillers, botox, advanced wrinkle treatments and hand care. Remember, it’s not just your face that has to look good on the day, your hands will be in the spotlight too as everyone will be asking to see the ring, including the photographer.
If the wedding bells are going to chime for you in Abingdon, then why not choose some local details to embellish your event? You could try turning up for the celebrations in a vintage MG car (there used to an MG factory in the town), drink a toast with Old Speckled Hen ale, (originally brewed by Morlands in the town), and top off your tribute to Abingdon by taking your first wedding dance to any track by the rock band Radiohead, (local boys through and through….)
