Higher Holcombe Devon Woodland Wedding Venue

Is your perfect wedding celebration is a relaxed, rustic, woodland wedding set in the beautiful Devon countryside?

It is? Let’s go and visit Higher Holcombe in Ottery St Mary, in East Devon!

Higher Holcombe is owned by Joanna and Gary, who bought the old dairy farm in 2002. Over the years they have transformed the pastures into tree covered hills, the old dairy into a cosy and welcoming wedding venue and created accommodation in the form of the farmhouse, Hobbit House Honeymoon Hideaway, two shepherds huts and glorious glamping in five lotus belle tents.

They’ve planted over 10,000 trees since 2008 and crafted a stunning setting for creative and outdoorsy couples to get married in the most memorable and personal way.

When you have your celebrant led wedding at Higher Holcombe, you can be sure that it will be unique, unforgettable and like no-one else’s.

Your Woodland Wedding Ceremony

There are two outdoor wedding ceremony spaces to choose from, The Willow Cathedral and The Silver Birch Church.

The hill-top Willow Cathedral is a circle of willows that are trained to reach up and over to meet with each other and create a space for your ceremony. It’s on the top of a small hill, which you reach by meandering up the willow walk that’s carpeted in wild flowers. There are views out over the rolling hills of Devon, giving a sense of intimacy in the wild countryside.

On the other side of the site is the secluded Silver Birch Church, an avenue of silver birch trees that form a natural aisle for your ceremony. The Silver Birch Church was created by happy accident when Jo’s son, tasked with planting the birch saplings, did so in smart straight lines rather than a more random, natural way. And now they’re really pleased with the elegant symmetry of the silver-barked birch trees.

If you are nervous of the British weather, you could choose either the Celebration Meadow Stretch Tent or the Old Dairy Rustic Barn to guarantee that rain doesn’t dampen the day.

The woodland setting can inspire your ceremony too. As a celebrant I can draw on nature to create rituals and symbolism in your ceremony, and include seasonal motifs and themes in your love story and vows.

The wedding party and your wedding guests could join hands in a circle around you as you stand in the Willow Cathedral and make their commitment to support your marriage and future together. There are so many creative ideas that we can incorporate into your woodland wedding to create a day that’s 100% you.

Your Woodland Wedding Reception

If you fancy hay bales, blankets and picnics outdoors for a relaxed wedding reception, then you’re spoilt for choice at Higher Holcombe – under the shade of trees or in the meadows, you’ll find the perfect picnic spot. If you prefer a sit down meal, opt for rustic tables in the old dairy or perhaps hire local street food vendors for a festival feel?

Dance the night away in the gorgeous party barn or under the stars and as feet tire gather together around the fire pit for stories and memories both old and recently made.

Your Woodland Wedding Accommodation

When you get married at Higher Holcombe your guests don’t have to worry about accommodation.

The modern farmhouse sleeps 10 and there is the Hobbit House honeymoon suite for the happy couple to spend their first night as a married couple. Glamping accommodation comes in the form of bell tents and shepherds huts are available and for those that are happiest under canvas, there is overflow camping space for guests to bring their own tents and campervans.

Higher Holcombe is a blank canvas wedding venue, which means you can choose exactly how you want to use the spaces and how to design your bespoke wedding. Choosing a celebrant led wedding means you can customise your outdoor wedding ceremony just as much as you customise the rest of the day.

From an intimate DIY wedding with friends and family that get together to cater, decorate and celebrate, to a festival style wedding with an outdoor banquet, pop-up bars, DJs and live music. Higher Holcombe is a wonderful woodland wedding venue, and perfectly suited for anyone that loves nature and wants to focus on the fun rather than the fuss of getting married.

Even though I visited Higher Holcombe on a grey, cloudy November morning, it was still a breathtaking venue. The warm welcome from Jo and Gary and the joy of rambling through the acres of woodland made up for the clouds, it’s easy to imagine how magical it would feel on a glorious sunny summer day.

For more information about Higher Holcombe and how they can host your rustic woodland wedding, visit their website here https://higherholcombe.co.uk/

And for views from the venue check out their Instagram

If you’re planning a Devon woodland wedding, or any other type of wedding, I’d love to help you tell your love story. Email me at [email protected] to talk about how we can create your amazing wedding day together.