A Mid-Season Note from us at, The Old Vicarage

A heartfelt moment of pause as we reach the halfway point of our season - to reflect on all that’s bloomed, all we’ve overcome, and all we’re still building, with gratitude in every detail.

As we reach the midpoint of our wedding season, we always take a quiet moment to reflect - not just on the celebrations that have filled our rooms and gardens, but on the growth, challenges, and joy that have come with them.

Running a venue in the hospitality industry - especially one as personal as ours - comes with its fair share of challenges. From last-minute supplier changes and staffing hurdles to maintenance issues and the natural wear and tear of a much-loved space, no two weeks are ever the same. But it’s in these moments that we’re reminded just how fortunate we are.

After fifteen years, we’re surrounded by a team who feel like family. Their dedication, their long summer hours, their quiet gestures of care - we feel it in every detail, every table laid, every room turned down. We simply couldn’t do it without them.

Fifteen years on, we remain deeply humbled by the time, energy, and heart our team pours into The Old Vicarage. Especially through the summer months, their unwavering commitment never goes unnoticed - and it’s because of them that this place continues to grow, evolve, and welcome couples with the same warmth it always has.

In fact, we’re expanding. We’re currently looking for a Junior Events Co-ordinator to join our team - someone passionate, energetic, and eager to learn about the wedding and hospitality world. If you know someone who would thrive in a creative, fast-paced environment and who shares our love of beautiful experiences and heartfelt hosting, we’d love to hear from them.

This year, our focus has been on evolving not just what’s within our walls, but the land that surrounds us. Our greenhouse and allotment project - long in the making - is finally taking shape. The Quorn Stone flooring has arrived (at last!), and we’re now beginning to wire electrics in preparation for a Spring–Summer 2026 launch. The fire pit is already in place, hinting at the gatherings to come.

We’ve planted hundreds of delicate flowers and evergreens throughout the grounds - with careful thought to seasonal blooming - and we’ve begun collecting and storing seeds in our greenhouse, ready to sow this October. It’s been a labour of love, but already we can see the beginnings of something beautiful. Even in its unfinished state, the new area is quietly being enjoyed - a tucked-away spot for golden-hour portraits and quiet moments between couples.

And of course, the joy of our grounds extends into our kitchen. This season, we’ve started harvesting our own ingredients - basil, rhubarb, chillies, lemons, tomatoes, and the most beautiful strawberries. There’s something incredibly satisfying about seeing our chef’s creations infused with crops we’ve grown just steps away from the kitchen.

Our menu continues to evolve, too. We’ve recently introduced some new seasonal dishes that we’re incredibly proud of:

• Crab Bon Bon with lemon and chive mayonnaise, topped with micro coriander - light, delicate, and full of flavour.

• Fillet of Steak served with pressed potato, tenderstem broccoli, horseradish cream, and a rich red wine jus (s) - already a favourite with couples and their guests.

• For dessert, one of our most talked-about additions: Tiramisu with Disaronno and coffee ice cream, served with dark chocolate soil - the perfect balance of nostalgic comfort and elevated finish.

While much of our time has been focused outdoors, we’ve also continued to make changes within. This summer saw the full re-carpeting of our staircases, bedrooms, and upstairs hallways - a final farewell to anything grey, and a continuation of our warm, layered palette. Bedroom Four is next on our list, with plans now underway to refresh both the room and its bathroom - which, although still in beautiful condition after sixteen years, deserves a new chapter. It’s a testament to our extraordinary cleaning team that it has stayed so pristine for so long - a quiet kind of brilliance that often goes unnoticed, but never unappreciated.

This summer also brought with it one of our most memorable events - our Wild Grace Wedding Open Day. A celebration of textural florals and summer in full bloom, it gave us the opportunity to collaborate with some of our most beloved creatives, and to meet so many wonderful couples. We’ve seen such a shift in the conversations we’re having - couples who are truly aligned with our values, aesthetics, and approach. It’s been nothing short of inspiring, and we’re so excited for what’s to come.

The day itself was brought to life by the most incredible team: Ray Ray Florist, Studio Porter, Amare Bride, Bowness Film, Hold Studio, The Orchid Kitchen, Hire Twenty One, with tableware from Every Story. A true dream team - how lucky are we to work alongside some of the most recognised and talented names in the industry. If you joined us that day, we hope you left feeling as uplifted and inspired as we did.

We’re also turning our attention to a new kind of gathering - our upcoming Wellness Brunch Retreat on Sunday 16th November 2025. With two sittings at 9am and 1pm, it’s a beautiful morning or afternoon spent nurturing the body and the senses - seasonal food, good coffee, and meaningful company. Tickets are still available, and we’d love for you to join us, you can book your space here.

We were also incredibly honoured to be invited to the Gigi & Olive event in Belgravia this summer - an intimate evening hosted by founder Georgie Le Roux to celebrate women in the wedding industry. It was a true privilege to be part of such a thoughtful and beautifully curated gathering, surrounded by so many inspiring voices who are shaping the future of weddings in their own unique ways. As a small, family-run business based in the Nottinghamshire countryside, we felt genuinely moved to be recognised and included - a reminder that meaningful work doesn’t go unnoticed. It was an evening filled with connection, creativity and quiet celebration - and we left feeling incredibly grateful to be part of this ever-evolving industry.

Alongside our weddings and open days, this season has seen some beautiful moments behind the scenes - from the Boots social team and Pine and Treasure brand shoots, to the growing number of independent yoga and Pilates instructors now choosing to host their own retreats at The Old Vicarage. Wellness has always been close to our hearts, and it’s a joy to share our space with likeminded souls who value calm, connection, and creativity just as much as we do.

Once the whirlwind of wedding season eases, we’re always left with a precious window - a chance to pause, reflect, and pour our energy into the ideas that have been quietly waiting in the wings. This is when we get to grow, create, and bring exciting new things to life - and we can’t wait to share what’s ahead.

As always, thank you for being part of our journey - whether you're newly engaged and dreaming up your wedding plans, or already married and still part of our wider family. We’re so grateful for the community we’ve built here, and so excited for everything that lies ahead.

With love,

Chelsea, Suzie & the team at The Old Vicarage