Dinton Pastures applies for wedding venue license

There’s exciting news on the horizon for people who are engaged, looking to get married or have a civil partnership ceremony. Dinton Pastures Country Park has applied to become a licensed wedding venue. If approved, couples could hold their ceremony indoors and outdoors, with wedding bookings taken from as early as this spring. 

Set in the picturesque countryside, Dinton Pastures is a 350-acre country park, situated in the heart of Wokingham Borough in Hurst. The country park is an oasis of multiple lakes, ponds, rivers and streams, with footpaths and meadow to explore. It is accessible 365 days of the year, with car parks open every day.

Indoor and outdoor weddings

Photo credit: Shell Sperling Weddings

Appealing to happy couples wanting an outdoor rustic, festival or woodland themed wedding, two fields have been identified for hire. For outdoor weddings, the events field is suitable for up to 300 people and is located opposite The Coffee House, while Dinton Pastures’ parkland at Lea Heath field is suitable for larger weddings of up to 1,000 people. 

The Coffee House is suitable for intimate, indoor weddings of up to 50 guests. For larger indoor weddings, a stretch tent or marquee can be hired in the grounds at Lea Heath field.

Unique wedding options

Dinton Pastures could offer several unique wedding options including a jetty for the ceremony, beach for guests, land hire and camping areas for guests staying overnight. There would also be an option for a special teepee package for people wanting to spend the night at Dinton Pastures.

Executive member for Resident Services, Inclusion and Fighting Poverty, Cllr Rachel Bishop-Firth said: 

“As part of the new Communities Vision, we want to make it easy for people to access the things they want and need. If the application is successful, Dinton Pastures would be a wonderful location for a marriage or civil partnership ceremony, whilst also improving our offer to people living outside of the borough. Hiring outside space would give couples the flexibility to create their own dream wedding in our picturesque country park.” 

Pricing

Outside space hire would start from £300 inclusive of VAT. Peak and off-peak pricing applies. 

For more information, contact the Countryside Events Team at: eventbookings@wokingham.gov.uk

For more information on marriages and civil partnership ceremonies, visit the council’s website. 

Attend Dinton’s first Wedding Fair 

On Sunday 11 May, Dinton Pastures will be holding its first Wedding Fair in collaboration with Berkshire Wedding Fairs. The event will bring a festival vibe to the country park and will take place in a large stretch tent opposite the Dinton Activity Centre from 11am until 3pm. 

Berkshire Wedding Fairs was founded in 2006 and supplies wedding venues in the area with top quality wedding exhibitors. Visitors can meet wedding suppliers experienced in working at festival themed events from catering to floristry, hair and make-up to photography, marquee hire to live music, and much more. The council’s registrars team will also be there to guide you through everything you might need from them for a wedding. There will be live cooking shows plus the opportunity to walk around with onsite coordinators to show you options available to you on your special day. 

Cllr Bishop-Firth continued: “We’re excited to be holding Dinton’s first wedding fair. If you’re newly engaged or in the midst of planning your celebration, pop along to the wedding fair to meet suppliers and get inspiration for your big day. We look forward to seeing you.”

To register for free tickets, visit www.berkshireweddingfairs.co.uk or for more information, email the Countryside Events Team on eventbookings@wokingham.gov.uk