This is a sponsored post in partnership with Stockton House
Nestled in 8,500 acres of Shropshire countryside on the Apley Estate, Stockton House is an idyllic wedding venue that will be opening in April 2022. And for couples who like their food and drink, this will be at the heart of what Stockton will become renown for.
Built in 1702 as a Rectory to the church of St Chads just 100 yards down the lane, Stockton House has been a family home for over 300 years. Steeped in history with a stylish Georgian design, Stockton House will be brought back to life with seven luxurious double bedrooms, 100-seater secret walled garden dining room and all expertly designed to take in the breathtaking views and scenery of Shropshire and the surrounding estate.
Created by award-winning wedding caterers
This luxurious, boutique wedding venue is the exciting new project of award-winning wedding caterers Caviar & Chips. Co-founders Jonathan Carter-Morris and Marc Hornby started plans for Stockton House in 2018 when they saw a great opportunity to bring the experience their guests were having through their bespoke catering and weave that through their own unique wedding venue.
Stockton House has been empty for five years and as a Grade II* listed building there are so many features and characteristics that will make this a special venue. The team have recently received planning permission and work will get underway through 2021 with finishing touches completed by spring 2022.
A secret walled garden dining room
It starts with a purpose built 100-seater secret walled garden dining room. This beautiful open space will be licensed for civil ceremonies and host the wedding breakfast and evening party. With state of the art technology in lighting, sound and heating and with a full commercial kitchen this will feel like your very own restaurant.
The building will have beautiful flowers climbing its four and half meter high walls and to your guests will look like a secret garden – a design feature that was popular in the early 18th century. Open the grand, double doors and then you are transported into a large open space with double curved ceiling, chandeliers and open windows to the gardens and grounds at the back of the house.
Create your own bespoke wedding menu
At Stockton House you get the chance to work with the team of chefs to create your own bespoke wedding menu. Executive Chef, Jonathan Carter-Morris, has crafted some wonderful dishes inspired by the produce and ingredients available on the estate as well as the abundance of fantastic food and drink Shropshire has to offer.
It was the opportunity for couples to choose whatever they wanted for their wedding menu that started Caviar & Chips. Since their first wedding back in 2017, the team have gone on to cater for weddings all over the UK. They have even contributed to our wedding trends for 2021 with the food and menu insights. This breadth of food knowledge and catering experience will be a great advantage to Stockton House and for couples wanting to create a menu alongside their very own team of chefs.
Your own private menu tasting
One thing that the team at Stockton House like to emphasise is that your wedding day is not just about the day itself, but about the journey you take planning and preparing for it too. That’s why they create unique and special experiences such as their exclusive menu tasting at Stockton – just like a small dinner party for you and your guests.
The team invite you back to Stockton while the chefs prepare your bespoke menu and then hosts take you through each course as you walk through timings and format of your day. It’s an experience that immerses you into Stockton House as you imagine your wedding day unfolding and how your guests will enjoy your special day by your side.
Champagne and wine tasting in the vaulted cellar
Of course the food and drink experiences don’t just stop there. Stockton House also has a beautiful vaulted cellar and you and your wedding party can enjoy an exclusive tasting in the cellar selecting some wonderful champagnes, red and white wines and sparkling wines.
Served alongside canapés or cheese board selections, this tasting can be a magical addition to the night before your wedding day, before you retire to one of the seven luxuriously designed bedrooms in the main house.
Private dining and stylish bar
If that’s not enough to whet your appetite then Stockton House also offers a private dining room where you and your wedding party could enjoy a specially designed three course menu, or perhaps an eight course tasting menu if that’s what you’d prefer. Arrive the day before your wedding and stay at Stockton, with exclusive use of the house and grounds, and round off your evening with the wonderful menu tasting experience before your big day.
Then there’s the incredible bar room with large, open sash windows to the gardens, impressive chandelier and open marble fire place. The bar will have floor to ceiling shelves stocked with bottles of whiskies, rums, vodkas and gins and with selections that you and your guests have never tried or indeed some of your favourite tipples!
If you like food, you’ll love Stockton
We haven’t mentioned the evening food for your wedding day – perhaps a horse box pizza oven on the gravel drive under twinkling fairy lights. A BBQ on the terrace or go street-food with paella, pad Thai or loaded burgers.
The morning after your wedding, when you make your way down the winding staircases to the private dining room, chefs will prepare a breakfast or mid-morning brunch. You and your guests can enjoy fresh coffee, loose leaf tea and a delicious fully-cooked breakfast as you leisurely recover from the night before. Stay a little longer and have the chefs prepare a lawn picnic so that you can make a full weekend experience of your wedding and enjoy your very own grand house in the country.
Stockton House will not only be a stunning new wedding venue in Shropshire, but it will celebrate all of the wonderful food and drink produce the county has to offer. Expertly crafted by Stockton’s team of chefs and served by their attentive hosts, there is no doubt this is set-up to be the perfect wedding venue for foodie couples.
Find out more about your wedding at Stockton House here.
