Ding Dong the bells are gonna chime...

Living in Wells, we hear the evocative peals of church & Cathedral bells all year round as they herald all significant City events, of which weddings are one of the most special occasions.

A lot of people chose Wells as their perfect wedding destination and it’s not surprising considering how many venues and specialist services there are tailored to making your day the most memorable one of your lives together.

Marital bliss begins with a proposal acceptance marked with an engagement ring and is sealed with a wedding band so it’s quite likely to involve a trip or two to the jewellers. With an enviable range of beautiful jewellery, Studleys Jewellers can cater for whatever your bride wishes and their customer service is excellent.

A little further along Broad Street from the jewellers is Acacia Flowers which will have all your floral arrangements, bouquets and buttonholes wrapped-up.

When looking for the perfect wedding gown, tiara, shoes, veil and accessories a few more steps along Broad Street (which I’m rapidly coming to regard as the marriage quarter) will take you to Cathedral Brides where the largest range of dresses awaits you. Knowledgeable staff will advise you on the correct shapes and styles to suit different figures and budgets and brides and their hens can spend an enjoyable session narrowing down their selections.

Round the corner you can compare the bridal range at Jo Christoforides where the emphasis is on less traditional and particularly exquisite gowns and accessories. 

Wells is a goldmine in terms of licensed venues. In terms of secular buildings you can chose from: 

The Swan Hotel,  situated opposite Wells Cathedral, the hotel provides the perfect setting for an intimate wedding, or a reception for 100 guests. The Garden Room is licensed for civil ceremonies and allows guests to spill out into the secluded Walled Garden. The interconnecting Oak Room accommodates the Wedding breakfast and also boasts a separate bar and dance floor. Sumptuous Cathedral Suite available.

The White Hart Inn,  which was built in the 15th Century as a lodging house for the church. The hotel offers the Restaurant and the first floor Function Room (up to 120 guests) which is licensed for marriage ceremonies.

The Town Hall or if you fancy something a little different, Wookey Hole Caves, which are a natural limestone formation, offering three chambers, two with a lake, for wedding ceremonies. Access is via an illuminated tunnel with steps finally descending into the chambers.

Finally, one of the most important elements of the day to capture the mood and main events, not to mention all the peripheral action which the bride and groom would otherwise miss, comes the services of a professional wedding photographer. The traditional city photography service is that of Eric Purchase, now in the hands of the very talented Debbi. Prior consultation with the bride and groom ensures that the service is personalised. Another very well-respected local wedding photographer is Caroline Wood and couples would be well-advised to consult at least two photographers to assess style and who they hit it off with.

If you are getting married soon, we’d love to hear where and who you have chosen and wish you the most special day of your lives. We’d also love to hear from any recent newlyweds if there are any Wells companies who were especially fabulous (or disappointing) to help others in your wake.