A huge welcome back to Vikki from Your Wedding Friend, the wedding planner you should check out.
Today Vikki is reviewing Offley Place, to see if it is a contender for your big day.

From its elegant sense of style to its gorgeous grounds Offley Place has lots to offer wedding planning couples. But it’s the spaces available for weddings of different sizes, that sets this venue apart. Independently owned since 2003, the venue has been lovingly rejuvenated and expanded to introduce the most stunning new space with plans for more to come! So, what does it offer right now?

Living up to its Grade II listed building status, you receive a warm welcome as you arrive via its short tree lined driveway and stunning exterior. Offley Place makes a great first impression for your guests. You’ve got a blend of modern with classic styling throughout the hotel areas, and the grand staircase in the main building, is perfect for photographs and making a grand entrance. 

The venues flexible space choices mean that capacity from 30 to 250 guests can be accommodated. You’ve got the Conservatory and restaurant, with its smaller capacity, and the Hester Ballroom providing the largest space at the venue. The Hester Ballroom can be used for dry hire if preferred for cultural reasons and has a good-sized side room that can be used as your kitchen area. Venue space styling is similar in feel between the rooms with their wooden floors, brickwork walls and skylights, so you don’t have to compromise on the look and feel. Both main spaces are licensed for religious and civil ceremonies, as are rooms within the main part of the hotel. 

If you‘re looking for a venue with exclusive use option, total privacy can be arranged at Offley Place, but it costs so be prepared, and you’ll need to book peak dates plenty in advance. Obviously, with exclusive use comes the hotel bedrooms, of which there are 16, at the time of writing. Aside from your nearest and dearest you could always see if friends and family can share some of that cost, if necessary. If you don’t opt for exclusive usage just remember that other events and guests may be floating around the venue and grounds, though the bar areas are well separated, so from the inside at least you shouldn’t bump into any people from another event. 

For smaller weddings the Rose View Suite is perfect, with its own private patio and garden area. For a step up, The Conservatory is lovely. But the big draw at Offley Place is the Hester Ballroom, with its stage, tall windows, views over the grounds and own entrance Hall, which is large enough to accommodate welcome drinks and for guest mingling as the room is turned around from daytime to party time. 

As you might expect, Offley Place have wonderful seasonal menus on offer, from the traditional three course meal, to canapes and buffet, but as mentioned it is possible to negotiate alternate catering, though only if you’re hiring the Hester Ballroom. The restaurant and bar are available for non-residents if you book in advance, which I always find is a great way to secret shop your potential venue; taste the food, experience the welcome, get a real feel for how you and your guests will be treated. Plus, testing venues is a great excuse for regular date nights!

I love that Offley Place is situated in a fab rural location, it’s very accessible by car with no teeny tiny roads to navigate. The village has other resources too, so that might tick a lot of boxes for you. However, you need to be aware that the skylights in the Hester Ballroom and Conservatory can mean that the rooms get a bit hot in full sun during peak season. You should also be aware that Offley Place only have 16 bedrooms available in the hotel, so if you don’t opt for exclusive use you don’t get access to all the bedrooms. There are other hotel options not too far from Great Offley though, just a short taxi ride away in either Luton or Hitchin. 

If you’re looking for classical elegance with a bit of rustic all in one place then check out Offley Place.

For all things wedding planning Vikki is the person to contact!
See Vikki’s other venue reviews here.