A very special anniversary weekend was planned for this beautiful family at rural event destination venue Talton House and Talton Lodge in Stratford-Upon-Avon to celebrate ten years of marriage.
We were asked to plan, co-ordinate, design and produce this three day event for 35 guests and their children, with a fun and relaxed ambience throughout.
DAY ONE
Guests arrived on the Friday afternoon and were welcomed by cocktails and delicious street food in sustainable containers produced by the amazing local company Slaughters Smoke Shack.
This was a relaxed evening with string lights and casual low dining tables, rugs and large cushions under a pretty traditional pole tent on the main lawn in front of the manor house. We chose neutrals and warm pastels for the decor.
Friday Evening Menu:
Smoked harissa lamb breast with pea and mint puree, baby gem, tomato and peccarino cheese
Smoked pork with spiced plum ketchup, pickled carrot ‘slaw, spring onion, red chilli and cucumber
Smoked cauliflower steak burger, roasted cauliflower puree, chimichurri, pickled carrot and rocket
Mixed leaf salad with orange and balsamic dressing
Bacon topped mac and cheese
Chilli fries
Loaded corn on the cob
DAY TWO
All guests where staying in the accommodation on site, and woke up to hampers and baskets of fresh breakfast. We had information for guests to take walks at their leisure, wild swimming in the river running through the grounds. lawn games, tennis courts and equipment, table tennis and archery.
For the children, we also arranged for a mini farm to be set up on site with sheep, goats and donkeys. This was supervised with pony rides for children organised at the same time - all hugely popular!
Lunch was a hearty spread of ploughmans and salads available from the main dining room. In the afternoon children's entertainer Sharky & George arrived with plenty of activities to keep children busy whilst parents relaxed and enjoyed the venue. We had treasure hunts, flower crown making, kite making, adventure races, water rockets and more.
Late in the afternoon guests changed into evening wear and moved to a giant teepee for a laid back luxury dinner party. We kept the design very simple and in keeping with the setting, using a variety of potted herbs in terracotta pots on rustic tables, with nude/stone stationery and lots of candles for atmosphere in addition to fairy lights around the tent. The in house catering team at Talton Lodge created a delicious set of canapés and full plated two course meal.
Saturday Evening Menu:
East Asian Pork cooked with black treacle and 5 spice
Sushi style rice with miso aubergine, celeriac and tofu
Broccoli in a soy and sesame dressing
Asian slaw (cabbage, carrots, lime, chilli, and coriander)
Lightly pickled cucumber and spring onion
Chocolate and pecan tart with honey ice cream
Tiramisu
After dinner the cocktails and drinks continued with live music, and plenty of childcare on site so parents could relax into the night.
DAY THREE
Guests were treated to a brunch party with delicious locally sourced produce from Talton Mill, a short walk from the main venue. A few hours of nature trials and exploring the countryside was available before guests headed back to London.
Images by Claire Graham Photography
