Taunton is a great place to get married

As I walked and drove around Taunton this summer, I got all nostalgic and thought how many great places there were to get married and have your photos taken.

My wedding was a simple affair, mainly because I had no time to plan but if you want to go the whole hog there are so many possibilities.

The first thing has to be the venue as that often has to be booked way ahead of time,but even the registry office at the municipal building is a great piece of architecture then it's only a short walk to Vivary Park which is a great backdrop for photos, or even the riverside and if you are in Taunton in the summer, the Taunton in Bloom team make sure there are flowers everywhere.There are a great many restaurants,

conference rooms and schools which will

accommodate varying amounts for people for a reception. There are also a great many hotels and guest houses right in the town and in outlying villages for yourself and guests to stay of need be. Like the Salisbury House Hotel  which is very centrally situated and extremely attractive and cosy with everything from a family room to a four poster.

Taunton has churches in every direction,St Mary Magdalene I have to admit is one of my favourites,but they are all beautiful and we have to remember these are places of worship and some will not allow you to marry there without regular attendance, but it doesn't hurt to ask, they all have costs to cover at the end of the day. 

If you fancy a touch of the Hogwarts, Taunton School  has a magnificent presence and offers its grand banqueting hall and other facilities for Civil Services, Chapel Weddings, Wedding Blessings and Wedding

Receptions. The Old Library Complex is a beautiful and very flexible

venue, suitable for ceremonies and receptions.

Taunton Racecourse may not immediately spring to mind but they are licensed for civil services and can accommodate 150-200 people depending on whether you want dancing or not.

Hestercombe Gardens  just outside Taunton are not just about gardens and offer the use of their  Orangery, Victorian Terrace, Bampfylde Hall, The Courtyard,

Woodland Barn and Marquee Ground, they  will cater,including the cake.

Somerset County Cricket Club recently launched The Long Room which has a fantastic view of the ground and offers a very contemporary space.

The Castle Hotel, right in the centre of town, are offering a special all- in deal for up to 70 people on selected dates throughout 2011, they also have two rooms that can be used for Civil Ceremonies and even in-house beauty treatment.

The Anchor Inn Has old world charm combined with a modern interior for your reception, and reasonably priced rooms for a handful of guests.

Rumwell Manor Hotel is a beautiful Georgian house with sweeping views that can accommodate an intimate wedding during the day and again has rooms for Civil Ceremonies.They even have room for a helicopter to land if you fancy a touch of the dramatics.

St Audries Park is another manor house to take your breath away with the whole four poster bed fantasy and a beautiful organgery to get married in, you can take over the whole house for your wedding.

Farthings Country Hotel and Restaurant  at Hatch Beauchamp hold a license for Civil weddings and partnerships and have contacts to organise a marquee for up to 175 guests.

Woodlands Castle is very handy as it is just outside Taunton off the A358 , near the M25 junction but set way back off the road in its own grounds. They pride themselves on offering a make it up yourself package to help your budget and being close to the Ruishton Inn and the Holiday Inn there are plenty of reasonable rooms nearby for overnight guests. 

The dress is another choice that takes time, Champagne & Flowers at Riverside Place not only sell designer gowns but will store them for you, even if you didn't buy there, they also hire out suits,tails and Highland wear for the guys. 

Gurds of Taunton in Station Road have been suiting gentlemen since the 1930s so they really know their pinstripe from their polyester and offer good quality suits, they also cater for the larger man and have room for disabled carriages in the shop. 

Bridge Street has Wow which covers the bride and bridesmaids and they will often do a down payment deal for you, and there is Sassi Holford.

Something else to book early is the photographer, an obvious choice is Martin Hill Photography with a great reputation and  are used by many of the venues mentioned above, for their own promotions.

If you are looking for a Roller to take you to the church Cars of Class   have a Rolls Royce Silver Shadow or Somerset Chauffeurs have a black Chrysler. Many of the local Taxi services have cars which will take wheelchairs or multiple guests.

If you want some rural elegance, yes there are horse drawn carriages in the area North Curry Carriages  will prepare and decorate the carriage and horses to suit your colour scheme and make it a really special day.