< Previous60 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYPALACETHE OLDLINCOLNdeally located in the heart of Lincoln, set in a historic building, inelegant surroundings, The Old Palace is the perfect venue for yourspecial day - as exclusive as you like. e offer very bespoke wedding packages to suit your needs, offering a personalised service to every happy couple. For further information please contact us onT 01522 504075 F 01522 504051enquiries@theoldpalace.org www.theoldpalace.orgIW58-63:Layout 1 16/3/12 11:42 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRETODAY61WEDDINGS - VENUESapart and ensuring everything runssmoothly can be utterly bewildering. Ifyou consider the wedding as simplythe chance to make official a strongrelationship that has lasted for years, amore intimate approach could bemuch more to your liking. This seesthe wedding as the centrepiece of arelaxed and dignified weekend highon charm and class.As Carol Emerson of Elms FarmCottages and The Granary, the popularvenues at Hubberts Bridge, points out,“Often families and friends are fromdifferent parts of the country andstruggle to find affordableaccommodation near the weddingvenue. The bride and groom no longerwant to rush off after the reception,but want to spend some time withtheir guests and family who they maynot have seen for a while. Theexclusive use of the venue alsoguarantees you won’t bump intoanother bride at reception on yourspecial day. “A relaxed country weekendwedding allows you and your guests toarrive on a Friday, settle in with familyand friends, get to know the in-lawsover a glass of champagne and sortany other last minute arrangements.Your wedding takes place on theSaturday and on the Sunday you haveplenty of time to recover, have a lunchand talk over the wedding day beforeyour guests start to drift away.“Other benefits of taking exclusiveuse of a venue and accommodation isthat in these times of austerity couplesoften don’t want expensive packageswith rigid timetables. At The Granary,for example. you can bring your ownwine, do your own catering andorganise as much or as little of yourwedding as you wish. The Granary isan early 18th century Grade II listedbarn with a vaulted roof, exposedbrickwork and original old beams, setin the same pretty courtyard garden asthe eight cottages which have beenconverted from old stables and barnson a family farm.”The intimate approach certainlyemphasises the romance of thewedding and means you’re more likelyto actually look forward to the day,rather than worry that your grandplans are all going to come off.Raising the roofSome couples, however, have ratherdifferent opinions and want theirwedding to be almost as spectacular asWilliam and Kate’s. Happily inLincolnshire, it’s easy to ensure yourbig day stands out from the crowd andsticks in the memory of all whoattend.If you want to go for something outof the ordinary, then there arecertainly plenty of options to choosefrom – you shouldn’t have to feel youneed to follow all the weddingtraditions to the letter, whether youwant to forego the traditionalbreakfast for an informal party, orindeed introduce a special theme toproceedings. Across Lincolnshire, thetop venues offer a blank canvas as thesetting for the special day as you wantit.62 PHOTOS COURTESY OF LISA WARRANER & DAVE MOSS58-63:Layout 1 16/3/12 11:42 Page 462 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYWEDDINGS - VENUESThe top venues in Lincolnshiremake use of their own team ofwedding co-ordinators who can helpmake your day go like clockwork. Theidea of a co-ordinator getting involvedcan send a shiver down the spine ofsome brides-to-be who doubtless fearthat their picturebook wedding willfollow an identikit plan dusted off forevery single couple who havepreviously used the venue. But that’scertainly not the case – the role of thewedding specialists at the venue is tohelp turn your dreams into reality. The best wedding specialists willalways start the plan by asking whatyou want to see happen on the dayand will listen to any ideas you willoffer up. Their aim is not to turn theirnose up at your suggestions and sendyou down a well-trodden path, butinstead use their knowledge to discusswhether they’ll be worth doing, orhow they can be adapted to makethem more cost-effective andimpressive. Otherwise you could endup spending huge amounts of timeand cash on an intended spectaclethat is at best completely ignored.Lincolnshire has more than its fairshare of beautiful stately homes andhotels, all of which would make astunning backdrop for your weddingphotos. Yet don’t think that thismeans your wedding is obliged to beparticularly formal, with everyonestanding to attention. If you want togo for something more informal, thevenues will doubtless be able to offer ahost of suggestions. Indeed such is thequality of most of Lincolnshire’svenues that there are opportunities tochange the pace and style of the daywhile using the same venue, so youcan host a formal ceremony followedby a lively reception in a marquee.Indeed, although you can’t getmarried in a marquee, as the rulesstate the ceremony has to take place ina permanent building, they cancertainly play a major role in the day.Despite being beautiful, many oldbuildings aren’t always the idealsetting for some of the audio-visualspectaculars that go under the bannerof a 21st Century wedding and so theuse of a marquee can provide you withmore space and exceptional flexibility.If you want to introduce a specialtheme to the wedding, the marqueecan also serve as a suitable blankcanvas to transport your guests into allmanner of beautiful settings.Today’s marquees are far removedfrom the flimsy structures of the past –they’re heated and can be configuredto ensure almost any theme will workwonderfully. Many venues now alsooffer marquees as it means the partycan keep on going into the early hourssafely away from snoozing guests.Such is the flexibility on offer thesedays that it’s easier than ever to caterfor a wide range of guests. Althoughobviously the couple get the final say,it’s important to consider the tastes ofthose attending to ensure as few guestsas possible glancing at their watchesand wondering whether it might fancyan early night. Hence, you mayconsider opening up a separate roomaway from the band or disco so thatsome of your older guests, who maynot appreciate the music, are able totalk and relax in comfort and peace.At the opposite end of the spectrum, iflots of children are attending, settingspace aside for them to play later inthe evening should stop a lot oftemper tantrums both from the kids,and the adults who have to put upwith them running around all night.Though all weddings are different,all share the same requirements – fun,romance and a sense of style. There’splenty of that on offer acrossLincolnshire.PHOTOS COURTESY OF DANIEL KIFF, WWW.KIFFPHOTOGRAPHY.CO.UK58-63:Layout 1 16/3/12 11:42 Page 5LINCOLNSHIRETODAY63BEST WESTERNTHEVINE HOTELCelebrate your marriage at the oldest, most famous hotel in SkegnessLicensed for Civil Marriage CeremoniesAn all inclusive Recepon PackagePicturesque GardensFour Poster Honeymoon Suite availableVine Road, Seacro, Skegness Tel: 01754 610611Email: info@thevinehotel.comwww.thevinehotel.comA Truly Memorable Occasion2013WEDDING PACKAGE60 guests, Canapes, 2 course dinner, Drinks package,Ivory chair covers and gold sash, Evening buffet for80 guests, Disco, Complimentary room for bride andgroom, Civil ceremony room hire.Save time, money and stresswhen planning your weddingPlanning a weddingcan be stressful, with somany important decisionsto make. At Kenwickwe want to help ourprospective brides andgrooms, enjoy theirwedding planning so we have put together ourhassle-free, all inclusive wedding packageTailor-made wedding packages designed around youUnlike many wedding venues with their rigid wedding packages, atKenwick we want every wedding to be as individual as the couplethemselves. All our weddings at Kenwick are planned and organisedwith our wedding co-ordinators who will listen to what you wantand help you achieve it, whatever your budget.Come and talk to us about your weddingWedding Garden PavilionCome and see for yourselfCALL 01507 608 806WWW.KENWICK-PARK.CO.UKKENWICK PARK ESTATE, LOUTH, LINCOLNSHIRE, LN11 8NRWEDDINGS WITH KENWICK PARKeverything taken care ofBook awedding packagebetween November2012* & March 2013*& receive £300 offyour wedding!*subject toavailabilityBook awedding for2013 & receive£300.00 ofbenefitsPick up a freecopy of ourwedding guide at the up andcoming county shows...Wedding PlannersStag & Hen ideasStationeryCakesCateringBridal fashionMarquee hireMenswearAccommodationVenues& much more...58-63:Layout 1 16/3/12 11:42 Page 664 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYWEDDINGS - HEN & STAGSNottinghamSkegnessThe Ultimate Hen PartyLADIESCome to us for the Ultimate Hen Experience, YOUR Night of Freedom that you WILL rememberFlirtz Lap Dancing Club are offering two-hour pole dancing sessions – a chance for you and your mates to let your hair down and have a laughahead of the bride’s big day.Located at their lap dancing venueseither in the City Centre of Nottingham, or Skegness Town Centre - both perfect locations to start your Hen PartyYour £25 per person package will include:-Chocolates, Strawberries and Bubbly included.Professional Tuition from our Resident Instructors.Signed Certificate of Completion, Stage 1 Lap dancing Exotic & Pole Diva Techniques at the Flirtz School of Seduction.Discounted Drink Prices.You can also choose a 2 hour time slot to suit your needs.For information or any questions at all, just give the Flirtz team a call or send them an email or text.Contact us by phone on 07872 812 929or you can go online and visit www.flirtzclub.co.ukor email amanda@flirtzclub.co.ukThe inner armpit“The Tornado”The forehead “The Oh my god i’m finally upsidedown...Oops”The upper shoulder“The shoulder mount”The breast “The Advanced corkscrew”The outer hip“The Spiral”The outer calf“The how the heck did I get this one!”The wrist“Pole Burn”‘The Mark of Recognition’The inner thigh“ The DescendingAngel” or “Gemini”The knee“The backward spin”“The diamond”The inner calf“The Fireman”The foot arch“The climb” or“Spinning Climb”The stag and hen party has become big business in recentyears. Time was that there was little original or unusualabout this kind of thing, especially in the case of the stagnight – 24 hours before the big day, the hapless groomwould be press-ganged by his mates into drinking theirentire bodyweight in lager and then, after being freed fromthe lamp post they’d been attached to, would spend theceremony itself trying desperately to stay upright.Antics like that are somewhat passé these days, as the stagand hen party have become far more sophisticated. It’sperhaps strange that this is the case given that, now moreand more couples live together long before the weddingitself, the idea of a last night of freedom seems somewhat oldhat. Yet this has refined the stag and hen party as more of acelebration of the upcoming nuptials – now, of course, heldat a time before the wedding where a suitable period ofrecovery is possible.Officially, the happy couple should have little to do withthe contents of the event, with the best man and chiefbridesmaid being in charge of proceedings. Unless you’vemade a terrible choice, however, they should at least bearyour tastes in mind when deciding on the schedule.There’s as many places to enjoy pre-weddingentertainment in Lincolnshire as there are wedding venuesthemselves. For the stags, there are umpteen ideas. You coulddon the mask, load up your gun and spend a fulfillingafternoon firing round after round of paintballs at yourmates, race round a mud track on quad bikes or evenattempt something crazy like skydiving. Brewery tours are aStop thestressStag and henparties are nolonger just aboutthe last momentsof freedom but alsothe chance to relaxafter the build-upto the big dayStop thestress64-65:Layout 1 16/3/12 11:54 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY65WEDDINGS - HEN & STAGSTo include:• 1 Night in a Luxury Lodge• Dinner & Breakfast at Kenwick Park Hotel• Use of the exclusive Health & Leisure Club facilities• 2 Treatments from the following:Mini Facial Back Massage Scalp MassageFile & Polish Fingers File & Polish Toes Make-up Application£89 per person Sunday & Monday Night£99 per person Tuesday - Thursday Night£112.50 per person Friday or Saturday NightTreatments are subject to availability, Call 01507 608806to bookBook 10 or more places and receive a bottle of Sparkling Wine in each Lodge for FREEBook 15 or more places and receive Afternoon Tea on arrival for FREEgreat way to start off a celebration and many of the region’sbeer and wine producers will be more than glad to arrangesomething in a boozy vein – hence the importance ofchoosing a date as far away from the big day as possible.For hens, pampering and relaxation are usually top of theagenda, followed of course by a night on the tiles. It’s likelythat the bride-to-be has taken on the lion’s share oforganising the event so it’s no surprise a top priority is torelieve some of the strain of getting everything ready. Thisusually means a weekend away when all thought of seatingplans and bouquet sizes can be put to one side.Instead, just kick back with your best friends. You only getthe chance to go for it once, so pull out all the stops. We’retalking champagne, cocktails and indulging in some seriouspampering, a weekend at a spa or hotel with somecomplimentary packages would go down a treat. Drop somebig clues to your friends and you could end up with aweekend to rival your wedding!It may sound anathema to some but it’s increasinglybecome the case that some couples actually decide to pooltheir hen and stag parties and do something together. Well,given that you’re likely to have lived together for some timeanyway, what’s the importance of having one last night offreedom? If you’re friends enough to want to commit togetting married, why not take the opportunity to get yourfriends together and enjoy an action-packed weekend?Many of Lincolnshire’s top facilities for hen and stagparties can cater for parties of both sexes, and it’s certainlylikely that the bride-to-be will enjoy relieving their stress onthe paintball range and the potential groom will remove allthe strains of work (especially if they’re putting in overtimeto pay for the whole thing) with a series of massages andtreatments. Of course, there’ll still be the opportunity to goand do your own thing but the other advantage ofsynchronising the stag and hen parties is that, when time isof the essence during the planning stages, you won’t havethe other half heading off on a jaunt at a pivotal moment.Such has been the increased quality and range of hen andstag experiences in recent years, nowadays you’re certainthat all the memories from the weekend will be good ones.Hens in the woods3-star Kenwick Park Hotel, along with its Luxurious Log Cabindevelopment nestled among woodland, is the ideal place for arelaxing break.Combine this with use of the exclusive Kenwick Health & LeisureClub facilities including gym, swimming pool, sauna, steam roomand Jacuzzi, along with outdoor tennis courts and indoor squashcourt, and you’ll agree Kenwick Park is the ideal place to unwind.An increasingly popular retreat for ladies deserving a day ofpampering to a group of ‘hens’ enjoying a weekend away, KenwickPark has everything to offer in terms of luxury whatever your needs.The eight-treatment room beauty centre offers a wide range ofluxurious Clarins, Elemis and Jessana treatments. Choose yourfavourite from a range including facials, massages, wraps,manicures, pedicures and hot stone treatments, along with thelatest grooming treatments including Hollywood Lashes, GelerationNails and Gel Nails.After being pampered, enjoy a drink in the lounge overlookingthe golf course before enjoying a sumptuous evening meal in themodern Keepers Bar or traditional Fairways Restaurant, bothboasting great views. Treat yourself to champagne afternoon tea onthe terrace during the summer months to round off the perfectweekend.Kenwick Park Estate is set within an Area of Outstanding NaturalBeauty in the heart of the Wolds, in the idyllic market town ofLouth.64-65:Layout 1 16/3/12 11:55 Page 266 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYCIIHEMSWELL COURTHEMSWELL COURTHemswell Court Limited, Lancaster Green, Hemswell Cliff, Lincolnshire, DN21 5TQTel: 01427 668508 Email: funcons@hemswellcourt.comwww.hemswellcourt.comConferencing...... Away from the every day pressures of workSurrounded by secluded gardens and bordering open countryside, Hemswell Court provides a haven of peace away from the every day pressures of work. Inside you will find a choice of spacious and luxuriously furnished funcon rooms, providing the ideal locaon for any business occasion. Our versale accommodaon includes a number of formal meeng rooms, syndicate roomsand addional facilies, which can enable you to present to a larger audience. We can accommodate up to 200 people, with comprehensive facilies to sasfy all of your needs. We provide freshly cooked food and our catering team will be happy to proposea variety of suggesons for you to consider. We can provide any business services, materials and equipment that you may require, to ensure the smooth running of your event...• Flipchart & pens • Wifi• Overhead projector & screen Television • Video player • Lectern • P.A. system• Photocopying • Telephone & facsimile • E-mail • Secretarial supportWhatever your requirements and budget, we guarantee to provide a unique and pleasurable dining experience.The Ideal Meetings Venue with everything on site!73 Bedrooms6 Meeting Rooms (Capacities to 250)On-site Outdoor Team Building Facilities 2 RestaurantsExtensive Spa FacilitiesLocated ½ Mile from A1Free Car parking and WifiFor further information please call 01623 835333www.clumberparkhotel.comBlyth Road, Clumber Park, North Nottinghamshire S80 3PANew for 2012 Outdoor Acvies66-69:Layout 1 16/3/12 09:44 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY67BUSINESS LINCS - CONFERENCINGThankfully, our county is blessed withsome breath-taking venues and centresfor making conferencing and eventmanagement easy. With any event,planning is the most important aspect.While there are always surprises on theday of an event, be it a logistical problemor things becoming more easy or difficult,every aspect of the day can be preparedfor in some way. In relation to conferences, making sureyour venue has enough space, suits theevent or has the correct facilities neededby your delegates may sound like a given,but you’d be amazed to find how manyevents find that on the day, is at apremium.There are other aspects you canprepare for far in advance, as ourtips explain:Meals and refreshmentWhen it comes to conferences, there isnothing worse on the day to find thatyou are not being catered for. If a venuedoes food, make sure you strike a fair dealto ensure your visitors and exhibitorsalike are adequately fed and refreshedthroughout the day. If you are spendingthe whole day in the same place withplenty of lengthy speeches to getthrough, a coffee and a decent lunchmake it that much easier. If your delegateshave any specific dietary requirements,too, before the event is the time to findout. Even if you serve a vegetarian option,these days that may not be enough. FindDelphine Remy-Boutang of IBM talks atLincUpLive at the Doubletree by Hilton, Lincoln,a relevant speaker for a relevant event. Making that eventjust perfectFood isalways notedatconferences,so make sureyours is thebest68 When it comes to making your event go with a bang, here’s a few top tips…66-69:Layout 1 16/3/12 09:44 Page 268 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYBUSINESS LINCS - CONFERENCINGout about allergies or strict diets your delegates may need tobe considered by asking them when they register. Somethought into the kind of food on offer is also important. Doyou want to stop the day to have a sit-down meal or will aninformal buffet serve your purposes better? A buffet allowspeople to have discussions in a relaxed manner while stillserving its function.Equipment failureHands up who has been to a conference or seminar andwitnessed some horrific equipment failure. Whether it be an ITproblem or a hardware problem, we’ve all been there.Sometimes you can’t help technical errors, but to keep thingsrunning smoothly, all it takes is to do some preliminary checks.While you don’t need to organise a ‘dress rehearsal’, a run-Breaks for refreshment are alwaysimportant and allow networking time66-69:Layout 1 16/3/12 09:44 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRETODAY69BUSINESS LINCS - CONFERENCINGthrough of any software or presentation equipment you maybe using would be wise. Without a visual aid, many speakerswill be stumped and will lose much of their impact. The sameis true with lights or audio equipment. The amateurishsituations that present themselves such as microphonescrackling, lights blinking or videos played through laptops ontoprojector screens stilting and freezing is all too common, sodon’t let your day get mired with problems that can beavoided.Timing is everythingIf you have a packed programme of events, make surepreparations are in place for timing issues. Starting bright andearly is all very well, but remember if you are running anexhibition with displays, exhibitors and delegates will needtime to set up. Letting visitors in while people are setting upshop for the day can be embarrassing, so make sure yourdoors open at a suitable time for everyone. An embargo onpacking away before the day is over is also important. Afterall, who want to turn up at the end of the afternoon to find ahalf-empty room? Your visitors won’t thank you and yourexhibitors will also feel the event is cheapened if emptystands and the detritus left behind is on display withineveryone’s eyeline.Get the right speakersA business conference can be a place for new ideas to beexpressed, but present it in a way that cannot be takenseriously or, at the opposite end of the spectrum, flies overpeople’s heads. You may be seen as either far too wacky or fartoo patronising as an organiser. Making sure that your speakersare talking on relevant issues to the conference’s aims is veryimportant. Wandering too far from the point will not impressanyone, so ensure you pick carefully. Equally, there is a well-worn conference circuit that exists, so making certain that yourspeaker hasn’t just spoken at a nearby venue or region in theweeks leading up to it is important. Your delegates no doubtattend a raft of similar conferences, so do some research.Overall, it’s important not to underestimate anything, whatyou find acceptable will not be to other people. Aiming highis nothing to be ashamed of and with the standard of venuesacross Lincolnshire being as dazzling as they are, you almosthave a duty to uphold their reputations as well as yours. Delegates listen to the keynote speech at a recentInvest in Lincolnshire eventat the Doubletree by Hilton,LincolnSupreme Inns, Boston is a modern hotel located on the junction of the A52/A17, closeto Boston and Lincoln. The hotel has 55 well-furnished bedrooms, restaurant and a barand all the facilities to ensure a comfortable stay. The two large meeting rooms have been fully refurbished, giving large amounts ofnatural light and are finished to an exceptionally high standard. They are ideal for alltypes of conferences, meetings and corporate functions for up to eighty delegates,offering 100% conference satisfaction guarantee. They can be broken down intosmaller meeting rooms or individual syndicate rooms. All conference rooms are easilyaccessible for equipment transfer and have disabled access.Why not take advantage of the private dining facility? They can cater for up to fiftyguests in a private suite and a range of bespoke menus are available on request.Bicker Bar Roundabout, Swineshead, BostonTel: 01205 822804 Email: enquiries@supremeinns.co.ukwww.supremeinns.co.ukIdeal Location for all your Corporate needs“Supreme service. Supreme comfort. Dream price”66-69:Layout 1 16/3/12 09:44 Page 4Next >