Exeter's historic Larkbeare House to re-launch as exciting new wedding venue in November
Devon’s most historic registration office is set to be re-launched as a wedding venue in its own right.
Couples will be able to get married and hold their reception at Larkbeare House in Exeter from January.
Grand rooms of various sizes and the landscaped grounds will for the first time be available at the city centre venue, which is just off Topsham Road and close to Exeter Quay.
People will be able to find out more at the Larkbeare Launch Wedding Fair on Saturday 9 November, 11am-3pm. Entry is free.
Cllr Roger Croad, Devon County Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for the registry service, said:
“We’re delighted to be offering one of Devon’s very few historic venues, where people can get married and hold their reception in a fabulous city centre location with stunning secluded grounds.
“Larkbeare House is steeped in history and we’ve partnered with some really vibrant companies to encourage people to create their perfect wedding and make the absolute most of what I believe is one of Devon’s best and most unique wedding venues.”
Owned by Devon County Council, Larkbeare House was previously the lodgings for Exeter’s circuit judges.
The Killerton room on the ground floor has been available for civil ceremonies for some years, but now the venue will offer a range of options for the ceremony and main wedding reception.
Trish Harrogate, Devon County Council’s Registration Service Manager, said:
“We are now ready to offer Larkbeare House in all its glory. It’s a real one-off in terms of being a rare central location in Exeter yet a lovely peaceful setting.
“We’ve built in real flexibility so people have options, depending on their budget. We want people to make the space their own and the Larkbeare Launch will give people a real taste of that. We hope to inspire couples to create their perfect wedding at Larkbeare, from the themes they choose through to the catering, decorations and entertainment they want.”
The Larkbeare Launch Wedding Fair is a wedding fair with a difference - hands on and interactive with live music, wedding workshops, first dance classes, demonstrations, exhibitions, goody bags and free tasters. International florists MyGlobalFlowers has launched flower delivery at Larkbeare House.
Georgina Evans, of Devon company Splendid Tents and Tipis, has worked with Devon County Council Registration Service to organise the event. She said:
“Big white weddings are of course fabulous but Larkbeare is much more than that. It’s about being able to create the wedding day that you want in every respect – and that means injecting your personality as a couple into the preparation and proceedings, so it’s done in your style and is perfect for you, your family and your friends.”
The Larkbeare Launch Wedding Fair will have experts, displays, information, workshops and samples including:
• Speech-writing workshops and wedding planning advice
• Displays and styling with Splendid Tents and Tipis
• Live music with the Flowerpower band and harpists Liz Grier and Emma Graham
• Just Propped Up - fun dressing up costumes and photo booth
• Nicolette Pollard - 1st Dance with Confidence sessions
• Clair Makes Cakes - demonstration
• Styling with Decorations and Celebrations
• Massage Therapy and Relaxation by Louise Webb
• Interactive demonstration with Silent Disco UK
• Tasters from Devon Norse catering
• Exhibitions by Rock Rose Photography and Georgia Gold Photography
• Displays and styling by florist Emma Vowles and St Leonards Flowers
• Transport with Premier Wedding Cars - including the 1965 Vandem Plas that once took judges from Larkbeare House to Exeter’s courts.
The new Larkbeare House wedding venue will be available for full-day use for ceremonies and wedding receptions, for three hours for ceremonies and drinks receptions, or for the marriage ceremony alone, as it is now. Options include the use of large ground floor rooms and a marquee on the lawn, accommodating from small groups up to 200 guests.
Free parking for The Larkbeare Launch Wedding Fair will be just along from Larkbeare House, at County Hall on Topsham Road.
For more information, updates and competitions, find Devon Registration Service on Facebook.
Local suppliers interested in attending the launch should contact trish.harrogate@devon.gcsx.gov.uk
For more information please contact Dan Pritchard, Astley Media, on 01392 813783 or 07730 363728.
Tours of the new wedding venue along with interviews, photographs and filming can be arranged with Cllr Roger Croad, Trish Harrogate, Georgina Evans and a range of Larkbeare House partners and suppliers.
