The Perks of a Spring Wedding

Havelock Ellis once said “The absence of flaw in beauty is itself a flaw” and to us, this perfectly surmises our feelings about nature but in particular, about Spring and weddings in springtime.

Guests have no problem envisaging Happy Valley in the perfect heat of summer, their skin tingling from the warmth of the sun while simultaneously feeling a cool glass of Pimm’s in their hand. Brides picture themselves roaming the grounds with their heads adorned in a crown of flowers, watching children tempted by the tantalising image of our pretty lake, wrapped around Willow Island, wishing, if only they could jump in.

Though we love the venue with each changing season there is a magical transformation at Happy Valley in the springtime. Like an undiscovered secret, it is during the month of April that we almost feel the trees holding their breath with the anticipation of what is to come. Full of potential and on the cusp of a glorious showcase of nature, Happy Valley in springtime is a stunning display of subtle sophistication and it gives us so much pleasure to watch it unfold before our eyes.

Five reasons we choose Spring Weddings over any other

1. Climate Change claims Spring as the new Summer - according to ScienceNews, climate change has triggered earlier springs, resulting in warmer and greener climates with summers becoming drier and arid. The UK government acknowledges that “17 of the 18 warmest years on record have occurred in the 21st century and each of the last 3 decades have been hotter than the previous one”. With England experiencing extreme weather events and dangerous heatwaves, Spring is the goldilocks of weather - not too hot - not too cold but just right.

2. Demand and Supply - wedding suppliers have greater availability at a more affordable price, our grounds are in full bloom and there are a variety of stunning global and local honeymoon destinations at an off-peak price.

3. Spring Cleaning refers to more than just cobwebs - spring is the time to step outside, make plans and rejuvenate. As well as grabbing mops and polish, people want to dust off their party frocks and have an excuse to feel the fresh air again. With the start of Bank Holidays and Easter breaks, this is a time for friends and family to reconnect and what better way to bring everyone together than a wedding?!

4. There is a colour palette of endless possibilities - pastels, 50 shades of green or bright florals, in Spring, anything goes. The options for wedding bouquets are limitless and unlike other seasons, Spring doesn’t seem to be as confined. No-one expects you to have a pumpkin themed Halloween wedding or a burgundy winter wonderland, you are free to just be.

5. Spring stands for new starts - instead of seeing spring as a transitional season, we embrace it as a symbol of renewal and rebirth and what better time to start a brand new adventure with the love of your life than during a season that celebrates new beginnings?

In Spring, Mother Nature wakes from her wintery sleep, stretches out her arms with green lands, lets out a sigh of chirping birds and fresh breeze, opens her eyes to blue skies and smiles to display a full sunrise. When every living creature is opening their hearts to new possibilities, we invite you to join them and embark on a new chapter of your life with a perfectly imperfect Spring Wedding.

With love, Katy, Kirsty and the team at Happy Valley xx

The Wedding Wolves

There’s no better time to grab your attention than when we’re on an enforced, three week lock-down and in need of distraction so we felt it was high time to tell you a story:

A grandfather sat his grandson down and decided to impart some words of wisdom.

“A fight is going on inside of me,” he said to the boy. “It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One wolf represents darkness - he is regret, anger, sorrow, selfishness and self-pity and everything negative in the world.”

The grandfather looked at his captivated grandson, took a breath and continued, “The other wolf represents the light - he is peace, hope, understanding, compassion and faith and everything positive in the world. We all have the same two wolves fighting within us.”

The grandson, a fan of everything to do with war and battles turns to his grandfather and says, “which wolf will win?”.

The wise, old man simply replied, “The one you feed.”

What do wolves have to do with weddings?

During this time of uncertainty, there are understandably a lot of emotions running high and these are valid and necessary feelings for us all to be having.

Each of us is fighting an internal battle between wanting to help our neighbours, friends, family and local businesses and at the same time worrying about what it might mean for our own finances, health or future happiness. We all want to be kind and understanding but we also all have fear and frustration.

Is our advice to feed the positive wolf and let the negative wolf starve? No, it would be an impossibility. They’re both there and they both have to eat. What we can do, is acknowledge that whilst we are having to face great disappointments and insecurity, we can also show the capacity for compassion and forbearance. The beauty of humanity is often found in the grey areas where despite the doubt and fear, we surprise ourselves with our own strength and resilience.

So, if each wolf is being fed at a time where food is being rationed and supermarkets are in short supply, who gets what?

That part is down to us but how we respond and which wolf we feed the most will define how we are viewed when this chaos is over. Our time in the grey area is now and our actions will show which wolf ate all the metaphorical pies.

Even though you’re justifiably worried about your future wedding plans, there are still ways we can lift each other up. Here at Happy Valley, we invite you to look at the following acts of kindness to show your wedding suppliers some support:

• If you’re pleased with the service you’ve received during this difficult time, consider leaving a positive review on their website. If you’re not, perhaps take into account unprecedented stress?

• Like, comment and share posts. Why not shine a light on some suppliers in need of encouragement?

• Make future reservations. For most suppliers, it’s not just the next few months that are of concern but their whole calendar year - show them some light at the end of the tunnel.

At Happy Valley, we hope you feel our negative wolves have been put on a strict diet of kale and lentils (not least because stress represses the immune system and we need to stay healthy right now!) and our positive wolves have been given the full, fine-dining experience.

We would like to thank our 2020 couples for their thoughtfulness and appreciation and are excited to give you the happy ending you all so deserve.

With love,

Katy, Kirsty and the team at Happy Valley xx

hello@happyvalleynorfolk.co.uk

01485 600 719

Instagram - @HappyValleyNorfolk

Facebook - Happy Valley Norfolk

Memories of happier times. A woodland wedding photoshoot at Happy Valley.

Beat those Winter Blues at Happy Valley

What better way to beat the winter blues than getting snug in one of our very own hand crafted woodland cabins. Here at Happy Valley we are nestled away in the peaceful Norfolk Wildlife Trust site in the most beautiful part of the countryside. Make the most of the wilderness with a lovely stroll through the woodlands, relaxing afterwards under the trees canopy and the star lit skies in our wood fired hot tub for some woodland bathing. It has been believed for many years by the Japanese that spending mindful time in the woods is beneficial not only for the body but also the soul. 

Hot tub at Happy Valley

Happy Valley welcomes Glamping all year round and with the darker evenings you can really enjoy the atmosphere of flickering flames round one of our wood burners or get cosy cuddling up outside by the fire pit toasting marshmallows. If you are feeling more adventurous wrap up warm and explore our stunning coastline. There are many stunning beaches to choose from, a few of our favourites are; Holkham, Wells Next The Sea and Blakeney. There is nothing more rewarding than digging into a tasty meal or sipping a hot mug of tea after blowing away those cobs along the beach. You will really be spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing a local pub to warm those toes by a roaring fire. 

Whether it be a staycation with the family in one of our larger cabins or the sumptuous tree house, Toad Hall or a romantic mini break away in our charming Shepherds hut, we look forward to welcoming you at Happy Valley. 

Did you know you can hire the whole of Happy Valley for your event? Get in touch if you’d like to know more.

Happy New Year from the team at Happy valley Norfolk

hello@happyvalleynorfolk.co.uk

01485 600719

Instagram - @HappyValleyNorfolk

Facebook - Happy Valley Norfolk