Prestwold Hall Leicestershire Wedding

This Prestwold Hall Leicestershire wedding was staged within a magnificent Grade 1 private stately home. Sitting within 2,500 acres of rolling parkland, close to Loughborough, the Prestwold Hall estate was the venue of choice for Maria and David’s end-of-summer wedding.

Prestwold Hall has 10 bedrooms, its own traditional parish church, and can be hired exclusively. Be prepared to be amazed by the grand entrance hall, beautiful antique furniture and period paintings. Whatever wedding theme you eventually decide upon, you can be sure Prestwold Hall Leicestershire will instil a sense of grandeur and elegance; a level of sophistication and style that only a first-class venue can deliver.

Maria and David’s wedding ceremony was held in St Andrew’s Church, standing just 100 metres for the main house. Alternatively, you may choose to exchange vows outside, in the midst of Prestwold Hall’s stunning gardens, under a Georgian gazebo. You may, however, prefer to make your grand entrance through the enchanting Orangery and take your vows in a The Library, where tall windows allow natural light to flood the room.

Prestwold Hall can cater for up to 140 guests for ceremonies and dining, and up to 200 for evening receptions.

History of Prestwold Hall Leicestershire

Shortly after the death of Charles I, Prestwold Hall was acquired by Sir Christopher Packe in 1649. Nominated by Cromwell to be one of the sixty to create a new senate, this was the peak of his rise to fame – and fortune. It was, however, remembered that Lord Packe, late lord mayor of London, had been one of the aldermen who proclaimed, in May 1649, the abolition of the monarchy. Consequently, in 1660, Packe was disqualified from holding any public office and retired to Prestwold where he lived to the age of 87. His portrait can be seen above the House Bar’s fireplace.

Charles James Packe (1726–1816), rebuilt the Hall in the 1760’s and, soon after, created the park around it. Charles William Packe (1792–1867) inherited the historic home in 1837 and most of the manor house was remodelled by Scottish architect William Burn. This was one of his earliest English commissions and is recognised as one of the best examples of his work in the neo-classical style.

Simon Jasper Packe-Drury-Lowe was born in 1938. He took control of the estate after his father died at a young age. Simon was one of the first people in the country to hold a licence for weddings and events at his own home. Within the house there is now a notable collection of 20th Century portraits and 18th Century English and European furniture. Over the last 30 years, Prestwold Hall has hosted over 5,000 weddings and events.

The Wedding Ceremony

St Andrews Church

Prestwold Leicestershire

St Andrews Church was creatively adorned for Marie and David’s marriage ceremony, conducted by the Reverend Fiona Cotton-Betteridge.

The church is still used by locals for Holy Communion on Sundays. It also holds festival services and family occasions such as weddings and baptisms throughout the year. There has been a church in Prestwold for centuries and some of the present building is over 600 years old.

As part of the Prestwold Estate, ownership of the church was passed down through the families of de Prestwold, Poutrel, Nevill, Nele and Skipwith. It came to the Packe family in 1653, and remains with them to this day.

Extensive rebuilding of the church took place in 1793. Only the tower, and a low door and a window to the chancel, remain from the original structure. It was Sir Edward Hussey Packe who undertook the extensive restoration in 1890, under the direction of Sir Arthur Bloomfoed ARA. This involved rebuilding the nave in Gothic Perpendicular style and restoring the tower’s clock and five bells. Three new bells were added too. Other changes included additional pews, an oak ceiling and the original low roof was replaced with a steeply pitched one.

Now, above the altar, a stained glass window depicts the Nativity, Crucifixion and Ascension of Christ, with a decorative mosaic of the Paschal lamb on the wall below. The font, which is carved from Italian marble, was renovated in 2004. A vestry was added and now gives access to the Packe family vault below the chancel.

An exquisite church in which to take your vows and steeped in local history.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

If this manor house wedding has inspired you, take a look at Nikolette and Adam’s Wedding