Sophisticated hen breaks and honeymoons

Valentines Day will see the launch of BridalBoltholes.com an online little black book of small, stylish venues for chic weddings, hen breaks and honeymoons aimed at today’s more sophisticated brides.

Bridal Boltholes founder, Siân Williams, says: “With the average age for marriage amongst couples in the UK now pushing thirty, weddings are increasingly less about great aunts and more about great mates.”

“Couples are not necessarily spending less but opting for smaller more decadent weddings for the same budget. Their attitude is: “Why spend £50-100 per head on 100 or more friends and family you rarely see when you can commandeer an entire French chateau, Italian villa or small boutique hotel and treat 30 of your closest friends and family to an event they’ll never forget?””

Highlights from the website include:

Berkeley House, Tetbury – A regular on the pages of fashion and interiors magazines thanks to its combination of classic Georgian features with mid-century classic furnishings and glamorous original photograph prints by its owner and former Helmut Newton protégée Lena Proudlock. Exclusive Rentals for hen breaks or weddings from £2,950 for two nights. Sleeps 18.

Masseria Torre Coccaro, Italy – A former 16th century fortified watchtower now converted into a 37-room, five-star boutique hotel with private beach club and Aveda spa. Plus, a striking indoor pool and bedroom carved into the rock of its underground grotto. Doubles from £168 per room, weddings from £122 per guest.

The George in Rye, Sussex – A glorious former Regency coaching inn with skilfully blended old and new interiors and a breathtaking original ballroom lined with hand painted silk wall panels. Bedrooms come with Italian Frette linens, Vi-Spring beds and free-standing marble topped baths. Pre-bookable classic car hire from nearby Tunbridge Wells railway station, private flight for day trips to Le Tourquet and gourmet picnics on Camber Sands make memorable additions for couples or hens. Doubles from £125, weddings from £50 per head plus free ballroom hire and honeymoon suite for Sun-Thurs weddings.