Endless 2024 Inspiration from this festival style Woodland Wedding?

If you’re looking for 2024 Wedding inspiration then look no further! Catherine & George absolutely rocked it with their Glastonbury themed festival Wedding in September. At every corner there were beautiful personalised details which just took this wedding to the next level and oozes inspiration for anyone looking at getting married this year.

Catherine and George created a Wedding like no other, offering a charming and adventurous twist on the traditional wedding, creating an atmosphere that is equal parts romantic, unique, and with fun at the very heart of it all.

Exchanging vows, with the back drop of weeping willows, water and towering fir trees. The wilderness setting here at Happy Valley sets the tone for an intimate and enchanting celebration no matter how many guests you have.

We always ask that you use petals or bio degradable confetti

The unique atmosphere, the chance to connect with nature, and the opportunity to unplug from the outside world all contribute to an unforgettable celebration. Plus, guests get to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors while still having access to the creature comforts of luxury glamping and hot tubs. Providing the perfect venue for your Destination Wedding.

Enjoy glamping at your Wedding in rustic luxury, complete with private air source heated hot tub so you don’t have to lift a finger.

One of the benefits of a Happy Valley wedding is its versatility. Whether you're going for a festival wedding, bohemian vibe, a rustic-chic style, or a whimsical fairytale aesthetic, and the barns provide a canvas for your creative freedom to run wild.

It was an absolute honour to be a small part of this incredible day and be able to witness the love, creativity & support encompassing this gorgeous pair.

Some of the Dream Team involved -

Photographer - Emma Shaw Photography

Catering: Gingerlilly catering

Florist:King witham

Band:Colonel Spanky’s Love Ensemble

Props: Happy Valley Rugs & Array prop hire

Makeup:Leanna Stibbon

Hair: Ashley Kay @AshleyKaybeauty

Dress - Angelica Bridal

Feel like a local, no matter how far you’ve come #HappyValleyNorfolk

Wedding Trends for 2024! Our Favourite Top 6 Trends for 2024

Here at Happy Valley, we’re all about making your special day uniquely yours! 

We also love to see what’s happening within the industry, see what key trends are creating waves, proving popular and will provide that little something extra for your wedding. 

We are delighted to see that in 2024 the wedding landscape is looking less traditional, and is all about breaking away from the norm and creating weddings, which are exceptional and distinctive.  

We are seeing more couples making choices, which have a personal significance to create unique and memorable days – and we are definitely down for that! 

Photography by Aurora Grey

 So let us jump into the top 6 wedding trends of 2024 that have captured our hearts. 

1. Natural Venues 

For us, there is no better place to start than with what seems to be one of the most significant trends taking centre stage in 2024 – the rise of Outdoor Wedding Venues. 

The growing popularity of non-traditional weddings has been a noticeable trend in recent years, none more so than outdoor, natural wedding locations. Originally boosted by the pandemic, where couples were forced to look at alternative options and move their ceremony outside, thereby embracing nature and it’s spectacular backdrop. Outdoor weddings are now making a movement of their own.  

Art and Story Studio

Trish Peters Photography

Art and Story Studio

Eloise and Mitch Photography

 At Happy Valley, this resonates deeply with us and we completely agree there is something magical about the changing seasons. The natural world offers us a breathtaking canvas allowing couples to paint their unique wedding day. 

 With the increase in popularity of outdoor wedding venues, the styling is also following suit, with couples embracing nature and the inherent beauty of your surroundings. Picture raw wood tables, seasonal flowers and greenery, and organic fabrics and drapes, everything is inspired by the gifts that nature bestows upon us. 

2. Celebrant – Led Weddings 

This past year has seen a remarkable 49% surge in search volumes for “Celebrant Weddings” (as reported by Hitched.co.uk) and this increase doesn’t surprise us at all here at Happy Valley – we love a celebrant led wedding. 

 Celebrant led weddings have captured our hearts and many of our couples too, for a multitude of compelling reasons. 

 First and foremost, the appeal lies in the incredible flexibility and freedom they offer.  With a Celebrant, the script is entirely customised to you, reflecting your unique loves, passions and joys. This means that your wedding can be a true reflection of your individual journey as a couple. 

 A rising trend we’ve observed is couples choosing to formalise their legal marriage at their local registry office ahead of the big day, or even onsite at Happy Valley the day before. This enables the day of the wedding service, led by a Celebrant, to become an exclusive reflection of your relationship, creating an experience that is authentic and meaningful to you both. 

3. Bold and Bright Colour Schemes 

2024 is going to be about embracing colour and pattern… if you love bold and bright then this is the year for you. 

Bold and Bright Decor

Vibrant shades of pink, orange, purple, or red infusing life into your tables, cake and drapes. Seasonal bouquets and flower arrangements becoming canvases for splashes of brilliant colour and personality. 

And, its not just the décor that is getting an injection of colour in 2024! New York Bridal Fashion Week bore witness to colour playing a significant sight on the runway, with pastel pinks, soft blues and floral patterns creating a magical and whimsical addition to many collections. (ref: Vogue) 

Pic Credit Above - Photographer @salsabilmorrisonphotogaphy Right - Photographer - @Lisaandneil Florals @Floralsistas.

This truly is the year to celebrate and embrace your personal style. It is time to showcase your individuality and personality, turning your wedding into a vibrant canvas of colours and patterns that reflect your inner spirit. 

4. Wedding Weekends and Extended Celebrations 

Why limit your celebrations to a single day when you can extend your wedding festivities over several glorious days? At Happy Valley we wholeheartedly embrace this trend, as standard! 

Most of our weddings are thoughtfully planned either mid-week Tuesday-Thursday, or as Weekend Weddings. This choice offers couples that invaluable gift of more time to bask in the warmth of their loved ones and extend that ‘best day ever’ feeling, for just a little bit longer. 

The day before arrival isn’t just practical; it’s a chance to take a deep breath and unwind, especially after a long journey. All the worries about making it on time, finding a spot to change or freshen up simply disappear. 

The evening before the big day is a golden opportunity for guests to meet and get to know each other. At Happy Valley the night prior often involves relaxed drinks and food around the courtyard fire pit. It is a time for your loved ones to bond, share stories and establish connections that will make the wedding even more memorable. 

As the sun rises on the day after the day before, it’s the perfect moment to gather together over morning brews, reliving the beautiful stories from the day before.  

Your journey with us at Happy Valley isn’t confined to just one day, it’s an enchanting voyage which extends your celebrations over several days, creating unforgettable memories. 

5. Relaxed Wedding Photography 

The era of the entire wedding party standing in perfect formation for extensive periods, waiting for the photographer to capture countless iterations of the ‘group shot’, is now a thing of the past. 

Relaxed Photography

2024 is all about embracing the relaxed, candid, and social approach. 

A wonderful opportunity for your photographer to artfully capture all those spontaneous, heartfelt moments that naturally unfold throughout the day. These photographs will not only look beautiful but will also capture genuine emotions, making your wedding unique. 

Additionally, there is an increase in the popularity of Wedding Content Creators. These skilled individuals are dedicated to producing real-time content to be shared to your socials. They capture unscripted moments that unfold, allowing your friends and family to join the excitement, even if they cannot be there in person. 

 Your wedding photos should be a reflection of your love story, your personality and your style as a couple. In 2024 it is all about celebrating the real moments, the laughter, the tears and the connections that make your wedding day truly special. 

6. Bespoke Cocktail Toasts 

Keeping up with the theme for 2024 of creating personalised weddings, the same is being reflected across food and drink.   

This year has witnessed a notable surge in the creation of signature cocktails for weddings, and this trend is set to continue into 2024. Couples are taking inspiration from the drinks they hold dear and crafting cocktails that truly resonate with their tastes and preferences. This is particularly the case for the post-ceremony tipple of choice.  

Amongst the top cocktail choices gaining popularity for 2024, Espresso Martini and the Paloma are set to be favorites.

These signature drinks add a touch of individuality to your celebration, allowing you to share your love for specific flavours with your guests and create a memorable and personalised experience. 

Jeremy James Photography

Cheers to a wedding day that’s truly unique and reflects your one-of-a-kind love story! 

The overall takeaway trend for 2024 is definitely looking like it’s going to be the year for weddings to be unique, unconventional and personal. We can’t wait! 

Half Term escape to the Forest at Happy Valley

As Autumn closes in we couldn’t be more excited for living in a country where there’s seasons and nothing quite beats an Autumn Escape to the forest. Our reviews speak for themselves and it is like living in a painting at this time of year. The smells of the forest, the star gazing from the hot tubs, cosying up by the log fires with a hot choc or glass of wine. Hygge at its best.

Experience a little laid back luxury in the wild.

Book your mini break staycation in the woods HERE

Autumn is the perfect season to reflect on the learnings of the year and evaluate our accomplishments however big or small.

If you’re looking to get back to nature, rediscover your inner child and need a little inspiration on finding art in nature using materials found in the forest or beach then look no further - forage along the woodland paths and you’ll find the perfect ingredients for a leaf mandala or find created cone ideas - HERE

If you’re traveling with your little ones then you can check out what’s on in Norfolk this October half term HERE

We love The Real Halloween (28th & 29th October) where you can book workshops 3- 8 yrs and under 3s enjoy Real Broomsticks, Halloween Lanterns, the Pixie Post Office, Halloween Games, Witches’ Kitchen,  the Fairy King & Queen, Musical Toadstools, plus lots of walkabout entertainers, live music, storytellers, Popcorn Wizards & bonfire, The Real Halloween story plus the dusk lantern parade. Created by the Fairyland Trust this was a firm favourite of ours when the children were little and it’s just 10 minutes down the road - Find our MORE

If you’d rather soak up the forest and create your own mini adventures on site then Leaf or barking Rubbing or you can get creative Pumpkin Carving which are firm favourites on site. Marshmallows and hot chocolate by the campfire after a nice dip in the hot tub and some star gazing. Just divine.

You may just want to come solo and enjoy the simplicity, perhaps have an autumn cleanse or just cuddle up by the fire and we welcome you with open arms.

We watch and learn from nature as the trees show us how good it is to let things go.

Next to the tire swing at Happy Valley

woodland walks go on for miles around Happy Valley

forage and you’ll find the most magical of ingredients for your nature art

Road to Happy Valley - Look out for the Heart Tree

Roydon Common is just down the road from Happy Valley and has spectacular scenery in the Autumn

Trend Setter Alert

If we had any advice for couples on how to create the day of their dreams it would be to go with your heart, choose what you love and do what makes you happy and everyone will feel it.

From the moment we met R & A we knew this was going to be a mega Wedding for all the right reasons, beautiful souls creating their own vision & as it unfolded the happiness oozed through the venue from start to end.

Wedding Review -

Magical forest wedding venue in Norfolk

We had our wedding celebration at Happy Valley in July 2023 and it was the best weekend of our lives. The happy memories will last us a lifetime. We truly believe that this is a magical place, you can feel the love that has been channelled into the site. From our first visit in November 2021, we knew this was the place we wanted to get married. The venue has everything you need and more for the perfect wedding!

Our priorities were - a venue where our wedding party could stay on site, so we could spend as much time as possible with them, and a venue where we were surrounded by nature. Happy Valley gave us both of these in abundance. When you quietly walk around the site you can hear the trees gently creak as they sway in the wind, and it feels like they are offering blessings, it's pure wedding magic.

Led by Katy, the staff are super kind and helpful, and communication is always clear and friendly. They have worked with many local suppliers and we really felt the sense of community that has been built here as a business. Marie at The Cattle Yard bar put together the perfect drinks package for us, complete with local wines & bespoke cocktails. All the bar staff were so lovely to all our guests and instantly understood the vibe of our day. Our coordinator Alex was super calm and friendly and was always on hand with encouragement and support. We noticed every single kind word and gesture from the Happy Valley staff and we will always be grateful. If we haven't made it clear enough already - this is the dream team you want on your wedding day.

The venue has so many gorgeous spaces to chose from, both indoor and outdoor so you are covered whatever the weather. It looked like it might rain on our wedding day (it didn't in the end) but we can honestly say that wherever you have your ceremony on the Happy Valley site, there will be a beautiful backdrop.

The accommodation is beautifully put together and it really felt like the best possible (luxury!) festival with our nearest and dearest. The time you are allowed on site is really generous, so we never felt rushed and we felt like we had plenty of time to settle in and then to clear up. Checking all our friends into their accommodation was so much fun! Whether we were having breakfast together in Keeper's Cabin or a post-disco hot tub at Toad Hall, the accommodation was a huge part of the magic of our wedding weekend spent at Happy Valley.

If you are looking for a versatile wedding venue, full of magic and beauty, and run by the coolest, kindest people - look no further, this is it. Have your wedding at Happy Valley and the special memories will last a lifetime. A&R x

It is our honour to be able to host these incredible ceremonies of love, and we are so grateful to have worked with some of the best Wedding Suppliers
🌲 @happyvalleynorfolk
🍛@goldleafcatering
🍽️@banquetinghire
🪩@smokeandwildwood
🌺@floralsistas
🕯️@arrayweddingandeventhire
💡@quirkevents.uk
📸@lisaandneil
☎️@myaudiomoments
🎧 Earl Harlem
🍦@ronaldoices
🎨@stephaniepaintsthings
🍕@luca_pizzagram
☕@greenwavecoffeeco

Like something out of a fairytale

Year round Woodland Weddings in North Norfolk

Are you looking for a Woodland Wedding Venue surrounded by natural beauty and plenty of undercover areas just in case? Then Happy Valley Norfolk may be the perfect venue for your wedding. Surrounded by woodland, a secluded island on the water and a selection of barns to choose from, Happy Valley aims to make your big day one to remember. As a venue, we provide a range of six cabins and two bell tents in the summer months exclusively for you and your guests to stay in over the course of two nights (the night before and the night of your wedding), as well as a camping meadow for additional guests to stay. Our newest addition to the property is the Marshall bar where we provide our own bar staff.

Take a glimpse into one of the many stunning weddings we have hosted in 2023 to give you a better idea of what your wedding could look like.

A HUGE shout out to the couple and all the suppliers that made E & Js day so special!

Ellie Gillard Photography - Photographer

Florentina Catering

Banqueting Hire Service

Tomas’ Jimenez

Hot Waves

Hayley Clarke MUA

Flamingo Amy

We are forever grateful to be able to share this space with you X

FAQ’S

Q -Do you offer a Coordination service?

A- Yes, we do for an additional fee.

Q- Where can you get married on-site?

A- You can get married anywhere on site and use as much or as little of the site as you wish.

Q- How many can you accommodate for a wedding?

A- From 2 to 250+. Our Dutch barn can seat 200 & our Haybarn seats 74 for dining. You can have more guests seated in the surrounding undercover areas should you want to. Standing, the capacity is higher. We tend to offer the Hay Barn only for smaller, intimate Weddings and all of the barns and areas for larger weddings.

Q- Can we bring our own booze?

A- For the day before and the day after your wedding you are welcome to bring your own booze with no corkage. Mid-week weddings can bring their own alcohol with corkage on the day of their wedding. Weekend weddings on the day of the wedding we ask you to use our bar and/or drinks packages.

Q- Can we choose our own suppliers?

A- Absolutely! We do have a recommended suppliers list but you are welcome to choose whichever suppliers you wish to have.

Q- What happens if it rains?

A- The venue has been designed with this in mind. We have lashings of indoor and undercover spaces for you to enjoy your wedding day and we always like to make sure our couples have a wet weather plan to help their day go as smoothly as possible.

Q- Can you accommodate Autumn/Winter Weddings?

A- We have made the Hay Barn much more winter friendly with an indoor bar area, 2 log burners - The weather can also be surprisingly good in the Winter months. The beautiful Autumnal Colours can make for some of the most romantic Weddings - Max numbers are around 70 for the meal and up to 185 for evening dancing during the Winter Months - Oct to March and Summer Months we can host up to 250+

Easter Staycation in Norfolk

For all you guys looking for a family getaway this easter in an idyllic woodland setting in the beautiful countryside of Norfolk, head on down to Happy Valley! From treehouses to cabins in the woods we do our best to cater for everybody’s needs. Please keep an eye out for late availability as we do not release dates until closer to the time. Take a look at our cabins below and the current availability we have this April for each property.

Please note that we have a minimum of a two-night stay during the week and a three-night stay at weekends and that availability is subject to change due to the number of bookings we receive.

Toad Hall

Toad hall sleeps six with a kingsized bed downstairs, a double bedroom upstairs and extra sleeping space available. This open-plan treehouse property is great for larger families for a place to be at one with nature. Imagine relaxing in the hot tub and watching the sunset with a glass of bubbly!

April 2023 availability for Toad Hall CLICK HERE

The Woodpecker

The perfect cabin for people with young children! The woodpecker sleeps four with a kingsized bed and two bunk beds all on one floor. Equipped with its own kitchen, bathroom and hot tub along with a fold-out cot and highchair.

April 2023 availability for The Woodpecker

The 14th, 15th, 16th, 24th, 25th and 26th.

Keepers Cabin

Keepers cabin is the perfect place to kick back and relaxed by the roaring open fire. This cabin has two floors with a kingsized bed on the ground floor and a kingsized and a single bed on the top floor. Also, with a fully equipped kitchen, bathroom and hot tub to enjoy.

April 2023 availability for Keepers Cabin

The 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 24th, 25th and 26th.

King Nutkin

For a cosy getaway for all you lovely couples out there! King Nutkin sleeps two with one kingsized bed and its own kitchen. A great place to sit outside and relax while toasting marshmallows under the stars.

April 2023 availability CLICK HERE

Denver Rest and Tawny Hut

Please also keep an eye out in the future for our other cabins which can be booked as a pair or individually through the warmer months. Denver Rest has its own outdoor kitchen which they share with Tawny Hut. Both cabins sleep two people each, with a Double bed in Denver Rest and a Super kingsized bed in Tawny Hut.

Things to do with the family in the area:

-Sandringham

Just an 11 minute drive from Happy Valley. On Tuesday the 4th, 5th and 6th of April Sandringham have a variety of Easter activities guided by Nana Lavander. On Sunday 9th of April Sandringham is hosting an Easter egg trail in aid of the East Anglian air ambulance from 10:30am until 2:30pm. Suitable for all ages.

-Bawsey county

Again, an 11 minute drive from the site. On Saturday 8th of April between 11am and 5pm Bawsey Country Park is hosting an Easter fair.

-Castle Acre

With merely a 14 minute drive from Castle Acre enjoy a family picnic and walk this Easter in the beautiful setting of Castle Acre with some stunning castle ruins.

-Beaches

With Hunstanton beach only a 26 minute drive, Wells-next-the-sea a 34 minute drive and Holkam beach only a 42 minute drive from our site, enjoy fish and chips by the sea with the family this Easter.

Festival Wedding of the Year

Welcome to Ogstock 2022

Well, what can I say… Two incredible humans, Amy & Ollie had a vision. That vision came to life in magnificent style with the help of an abundance of love & dedication from their family, friends & some incredible suppliers to create an unforgettable Festival Wedding.

04:06:2022

Hair - @flamingoAmyHair

Photographer - @liamhind.92

cake - @the_Fat_Fairy_

Dress - @purebrides @essenseofAustralia

Flowers - @pickalilyflowershop

Bunting - @boomtingbunting

Food - @squilland.and.squidge

Pizza - @vinesfresh

Band - @Skabucksofficial

Venue - @happyvalleynorfolk

Natures Medicine

Heavenly Autumn has arrived. A Chance to slow down & reflect on the madness the world has endured. What a journey it has been and with every storm there are plenty of silver linings. As an industry, it’s taken it’s toll but we have adapted and grown just like the trees that immerse us.

A Summer of Love so overdue. An Autumn of hope as we move forward. Each day as it comes. Together.

Spoilt with majestic sunrises, crisp autumn walks and cosy nights finding your hygge in a cabin by the log burner or steaming spa hot tub.

John Muir -

“in every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks”.

Joshua Patrick Photography