Set in a cider apple orchard in the heart of rural Herefordshire, near the town of Ledbury, the orchard is overlooked by a beautiful old church and includes a pretty duck pond surrounded by weeping willows making it the perfect photo opportunity.
The orchard provides complete versatility for any wedding theme in the tipis and the whole venue is exclusively a couples for the duration of their wedding, so they can relax and enjoy their special day without feeling rushed.
“An exceptionally picturesque, unique and special wedding venue hidden away in the stunning Herefordshire countryside.”
Photographer Credit: Emily Little Photography
Meet Team Orchard
Jayne together with her husband Ian and their two boys George and Max, make up Team Orchard.
The Orchard at Munsley is a working farm and family business: Jayne grew up in the area and got married on the very site 12 years ago, so fully appreciates how special it is. In fact it was the feedback they got that first sparked the idea of turning their beautiful orchard into a wedding venue.
Ian (a fireman turned farmer) is bar manager and general dogs’ body while Jayne sorts everything else out! Jayne has a background in events management, planned her own wedding and co-ordinates every single wedding at the venue. The venue only books 15 weddings between May and September which enables Jayne to offer a personal approach and really get to know a couple and what they want from their day.
They also have a team of brilliant local businesses who can provide everything from catering to flowers to music.
“Words do not even start to describe how grateful we are to Jayne and the whole team at Munsley. To say she went above and beyond is the understatement of the century.”
Photographer Credit: Pat Partridge Photography
Want a more Sustainable Wedding?
The philosophy at The Orchard at Munsley is that if everyone does a little, then this can add up to make a big difference. They therefore work with their couples to find alternatives and solutions wherever they can.
The Orchard at Munsley is also aiming for zero food waste and their recommended suppliers all champion local food, meaning fewer food miles (plus Herefordshire’s produce is regarded as some of the best!). They hire in food waste bins that divert their food waste from landfill to an aerobic digester, where it is made into renewable energy.
And that’s not all, like many venues they don’t allow confetti at The Orchard, instead they suggest you use flower petals as a sustainable alternative, which is far better for the environment.
When it comes to flowers, they only recommend sustainable suppliers, such as The Ledbury Flower Farmer. The Ledbury Flower Farmer’s flowers are freshly picked and locally delivered, making flowers as fresh as possible and saving thousands of travel miles.
Having a wedding outdoors also means that a couple can make the most of natural sunlight and save energy. Plus, having a ceremony and party in the same place means there’s minimal need for guests to travel from one place to the next.
Photographer Credit: Pat Partridge Photography
Things you didn’t know you could hire for your wedding
The Orchard at Munsley has written a great blog on things you could hire for a wedding. They believe that not only is hiring a more environmentally conscious approach, but it will also save a couple money and allow them to have things that they might not be able to afford to buy. Here are just a few of their suggested must-have wedding hires.
Wedding Signs, Light Up Letters & Ambient Lighting
Great lighting is not beyond reach when you hire lighting-based finishing touches like neon signs and big light-up letters to spell out initials or a message.
Wedding/Festival Flags
Festival weddings look incredible with colourful flags and bunting fluttering around. Flags can be hired or made and give a wedding a fun Glastonbury vibe.
Garden Games
Often overlooked, wedding garden games make the perfect entertainment for pre or post food. Young and old guests will be entertained for hours with the likes of croquet, giant Jenga and Connect 4, chess and skittles.
Glassware & Tableware
While a caterer may provide standard glassware and crockery, why not upgrade to something unique and memorable by hiring. As well as glassware, linens are expensive to buy and a real hassle to iron. It makes so much more sense to hire from an experienced company who will deliver high quality tablecloths, napkins, table runners, overlays and more, all beautifully pressed and ready to go.
Wedding Dress
While for some brides the thought of wearing a wedding dress worn by lots of other people might be too much, for others, it makes a lot of sense. After all, a bride is only going to wear the dress once, so why spend a big chunk of the budget on it?Hiring a wedding dress is also a great way to reduce the carbon footprint of your wedding.
To find out more about The Orchard at Munsley and the wonderful team behind the business visit their website or follow them on social media.
https://theorchardatmunsley.co.uk/
Cover Image: Pat Partridge Photography
