lux.acquisition-intl.com/ 12 LUX - August 2017 In addition to being a visitor attraction, Blenheim is also a venue for weddings and private or corporate events, a filming location, an estate rich in forestry and farming practices, a producer and supplier of natural mineral water, a landowner with a portfolio of properties, a building and contracting business, and a charitable foundation. The firm’s marketing assistant, Molly Stirton reveals the role of Blenheim Palace in the local community. She also adds why the interior and exterior elements of the palace would lend the perfect ambience to any wedding. “We are fortunate to be such a multi-faceted business as part of a uniquely vibrant community with our neighbours. One where we all live, thrive and prosper, together. Our vision is to be the lifeblood of the local economy, to enhance the lives of the people of Oxfordshire, to share this magnificent Palace and to conserve and protect it for future generations. “A masterpiece of Baroque architecture and the home of the 12th Duke of Marlborough, Blenheim Palace is the perfect place to celebrate your wedding, with more than six venue options suitable for up to 2000 guests. Sir Winston Churchill was born inside the Palace in November 1874, adding another illustrious page to our rich history. “The Palace is surrounded by over 90 acres of Formal Gardens including the Water Terraces, Rose Garden and the Duke’s Italian garden, which provide a romantic and charming backdrop for your special occasion.” The landscaped Parkland with the ‘finest view in England’, Vanbrugh’s Grand Bridge and the Column of Victory also make breath-taking locations to capture your magic moments. There is beauty to be found in all seasons at Blenheim Palace and memories made here will last a lifetime, Molly tells us. “Matching exceptional service to this incredible setting, we have a dedicated team of experienced wedding planners that take great pride in their attention to the finest details ready to help create your dream celebration. Our events team will put together a bespoke package to match your needs and ensure that your wedding runs smoothly, living up to your every expectation. “You can formalise your marriage with an evening ceremony in The Orangery or Marlborough Room, holding up to 250 guests. For evening ceremonies of up to 250 guests we have our Orangery, historically used to store orange trees for the Gardens and then used as the Marlborough family’s private theatre. “The Orangery is a truly elegant room with a high ceiling, huge arched windows and a glass panelled roof that gives a wonderful sense of space. This light and airy room overlooks the Duke’s Italian Garden and is the perfect space in which to perform your marriage ceremony, before continuing your celebration inside Blenheim Palace.” Alternatively, Blenheim Palace’s Marlborough Room with its beautiful double-vaulted ceiling, two stunning chandeliers and large fireplace makes an ideal space for more intimate ceremonies Molly adds. “The Great Hall boasts a magnificent entrance room which rises 67 feet to the ceiling, which was painted by James Thornhill. It provides the perfect space for a grand dinner or drinks reception and can be used with the saloon to create an area for both drinks and dinner. For guests dining in the Long Library or The Orangery, the Great Hall, they are available from 1830-0030 and can be used as a starting point for a private tour of the Palace. “The Saloon is the State Dining Room. The walls and ceilings here are painted by French decorative artist Louis Laguerre. This room is still used by the Duke of Marlborough and his family every year for their Christmas dinner. This event space is perfect for dinner or a drinks reception, and offers a unique and luxurious venue for your celebration. Combine the Saloon with the Great Hall for a drinks reception for up to 250 guests or dinner for up to 150 guests. “The second longest room in any British stately home, the beautiful Long Library is home to 10,000 Blenheim Palace is a hugely diverse business, with a duty to preserve their legacy, a responsibility to continually evolve and a need to sustain their strong connection with the community. As winner of LUX Wedding Venue of the Month, we interviewed the firm’s marketing assistant, Molly Stirton to find out more about why this could be the perfect venue for the happiest day of your life. Celebrations and Exceeding Expectations books and the magnificent Willis Organ. With spectacular views over the Water Terraces, this event space is perfect for enjoying an unforgettable wedding breakfast following pre-dinner drinks in the Great Hall and Saloon. “Historically known as the ‘Arcade Rooms’, the Water Terraces is exclusively available as part of packages including other areas of the Palace. With facilities for live music, this event space boasts spectacular views of the Formal Gardens and makes an ideal drinks and dancing reception venue for up to 300 guests.” For much larger-scale weddings, it is possible to construct marquees on the South Lawn of the Palace, Molly adds as this insightful interview closes. “With pre-or post-dinner drinks in the Palace itself available, the splendour of a reception at Blenheim Palace is far from lost. Our marquees are very versatile and can be suited to various elements of your wedding, from drinks receptions to dinners or dancing for hundreds of guests! Each marquee is individually created to suit your needs. “The picture-perfect British stately home of Blenheim Palace sits among more than 2000 acres of extraordinary landscaped Parkland and Formal Gardens. The inspired work of Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown has created a legacy in the Park at Blenheim Palace. The visionary master landscaper constructed the Great Lake and planted thousands of trees in his ten-year tenure here, engineering a landscape that appears natural but is ‘contrived to pleasing effect’. The Park is now home to several Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) including the Great Lake and the ancient oaks in High Park.” Company: Blenheim Palace Name: Molly Stirton Email:
[email protected] Web Address: www.blenheimpalace.com Address: Woodstock Oxfordshire, OX20 1PS UK Telephone: +44 (0)1993 810 530 1706LU03