We would 1000% recommend using this venue. The setting, the staff, the games, the ceremony, the bar, everything was amazing from start to finish we had so much help and advice through the whole process. We were able to see the venue so many times before our big day, it was such a great help when we were doing our own decorations. If we had any questions, they were only a phone call away, like an old friend. We were made to feel like the only people that mattered in the world. If we could take Jenny and Alex home forever we would, they're amazing. If you're thinking about booking this venue. Do it. The perfect start to a long marriage.
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Tipis at Whatton House is a beautiful, relaxed and stylish wedding venue. The expansive gardens provide a great natural setting, while the tipis provide a great backdrop for a festival / boho style wedding. It’s accessible on a travel front, being so close to the M1 and A50, located so close to East Midlands Airport, but not so close that airplane noise is a problem (bear this in mind if you plan to use a drone during your ceremony as you’ll need airport approval - this can take a while, or be very late to arrive!). The venue is also disabled access friendly, being entirely step-free. The only downside is the disabled toilets feel a little temporary as it is just a portaloo. We would also like to note the only toilets at the venue are located behind the main tipi, so any guests arriving for the ceremony need to access the main tipi, which could ruin any surprises you may wish to keep for later. The tipi got quite warm for our wedding day which was a sunny with clouds low 20 degree Celsius day, with the two provided fans not achieving much in the way of cooling. Much hotter, and it would’ve been a struggle. The ceremony tipi is very pretty and nestled beautifully into the gardens, however, the top ceremony area feels a little unfinished. The woodshed hut at the back is pretty much falling down and the flooring is uneven and rocky, the rest of the tipi has gravel which is much more attractive - we ended up covering the floor with jute rugs. The main tipi is simply amazing. 

The onsite accommodation (the gardeners cottage) was ample for 6 adults for the night either side of the wedding day. It is well equipped and modern, but there is only one shower which provides a logistical challenge on a busy wedding morning. We were deliberate in who would shower when, but a more flexible approach could easily result in delays to your wedding morning. 

The team behind the venue were great, though at times we did feel a little passed around and uncertain. Our initial enquiries were handled by Jenny, but due to a role change we were quickly passed to Lucie after paying our deposit. This later changed again due to staff holidays and we were passed to Dani. In the end, Dani was absolutely incredible and did a fantastic job of ensuring our day flowed perfectly. Despite our anxieties with all these changes, after our first meeting with Dani we were totally reassured that nothing would be forgotten.

There were times in the process where we would’ve liked things to have been made a little clearer. Our guest numbers fluctuated a few times in the process after we had agreed a total package price, but in attempting to make sure we got our monies worth we sometimes felt unsure that this would happen as we were not able to see a breakdown of individual costs. I think in the end we did persist to get a fair deal despite some later changes to food / drink quotas.

Overall, we would whole heartedly recommend the venue, and any criticisms should be seen as they are, very minor! We booked without ever viewing the venue due to the winter deconstruction, but we would assure any potential booker than the venue looks and feels even better in person than it does in any photos.

Whatton House and Gardens was the only wedding venue I looked at. I knew after seeing it once that I couldn’t get married anywhere else.

It is absolutely stunning, with little decor needed due to its natural and rustic feel. It is the perfect relaxed atmosphere.

The team were so helpful and made sure the day ran perfectly. The catering team and bar team were also fantastic.

One selling point is that we also could set up the day before which saves any rushing around on the morning of the wedding.

We truly had the best day, and I would recommend this venue to anyone.