We’ve hosted hundreds of happy couples for their big day at Clevedon Hall and have a lot of wonderful memories we share with them.  Those who’ve tied the knot over the last 12 months have their first wedding anniversary to look forward to – as have all those who are to wed in the months ahead.  Obviously this is a big event and calls for an appropriate celebration.  In this post we offer up a few suggestions to make the day, and night, suitably magical.  Some of these ideas won’t work while we’re all in lockdown or still have to practice social distancing but hopefully things will start to ease off a bit soon.

Throw a party

Get your family and friends together for round two of your nuptials. The best idea is to get everyone together a Clevedon Hall again – we specialise in hosting amazing anniversary parties and can provide everything you need in terms of the food, the drinks, the accommodation and a band or DJ.  If your anniversary falls in the summer you’ll have the run of the gardens and grounds and we can arrange a BBQ, a hog roast, drinks on the terrace, outdoor fun and games, even fireworks!

Anniversary getaway

Your first wedding anniversary is the perfect excuse for a romantic break.  If you managed to get away for a honeymoon then you might like to head back there.  Or maybe you had a honeymoon planned and had to cancel or reschedule it.  This is your chance to put that right!  It will probably take a while for the airline industry to return to business as usual so you may decide to opt for a staycation.  Our previous blog post about great honeymoon spots in the UK should give you some inspiration!  Wherever you decide to go it will give you some quality time together and allow you to reflect on your happy wedding day memories.

Let us eat cake

It's traditional to eat the top layer of your wedding cake on your first anniversary.  In the old days a wedding cake was usually dripping with liqueur which helped preserve it.  Nowadays you’ll probably want to keep it fresh in the freezer.  Follow these tips carefully and it should be lovely in 365 days’ time.

1. Immediately after the wedding, place the top tier of the cake in the freezer for a few hours to freeze the outer layer of icing.

2. Next, loosely wrap it with freezer-safe plastic wrap. Cover every inch of cake and ensure no piece remains exposed. This will help you to ward off the dreaded freezer burn.

3. Once wrapped, place the tier into a cake box (available from a local craft store, or ask your baker to provide one ahead of time.)

4. Wrap the cake box in the same plastic wrap to seal it from moisture, air, etc.

5. Finally, place the box in the back of the freezer for safekeeping.

When your anniversary comes around retrieve your cake and find the most romantic spot imaginable to enjoy it.  It could be a moonlit beach, the spot where you first met, the place where he proposed…just choose somewhere that’s special for both of you.

Say “I do” to adventure

Your honeymoon was all about romance.  And there’s no harm in recreating that magic.  But this time around you might decide there’s an opportunity to try something entirely different.  It can still be romantic but you might want to add in a bit of extra excitement, adventure and novelty. 

The range of options is endless, from learning to surf in Cornwall to kayaking around Sweden’s picturesque islands, seeing the Northern Lights and staying in an ice hotel to a trip from London to Venice on the Orient Express.  A word of caution, however – nothing too extreme (cage diving with Great White Sharks or running with the bulls in Pamplona) as that might put a bit of a strain on your relationship!  Stick to stuff you’ll both enjoy and just doing the research and planning will be a bit of an adventure in itself!

Masterchef it at home

A romantic meal for two is always a winner.  Just make sure you go totally overboard – loads of candles, set the table with all the “good” plates, cutlery, include napkins, flowers, a different wine glass for every course, the full works.  Three courses, at least.  And make a bit of effort with the recipes – beans on toast, a ready meal or cardboard pizza out of the freezer are not acceptable!   Something cheeky (Jamie), naughty (Nigella) or cosy (Delia) should do nicely. 

The drinks are obviously crucial.  A cocktail or something bubbly to start.  Wine with starter and main.  A dessert wine, possibly, or port, to round things off.  Then maybe a brandy, or a baileys?  But obviously watch the quantities as cuddling up afterwards is not good when the room is spinning round! 

Talking of the cuddling up…this is a great opportunity to watch your wedding video again.

A night on the town

Date night – but it’s a big one so make sure you really push the boat out.  For starters, get glammed up.  Dinner at a favourite restaurant (or the first one you ever enjoyed together)?  A night at the theatre or a concert (with dinner before/after)?  A full-on afternoon tea followed by a movie?

Pampering for the pair of you

For a truly romantic break book a spa stay and indulge in a couple’s massage. It’s a great way to unwind together and spend time looking back on all the happy times you’ve had together (and plan more for the future).

We’re here to help

We hope this list gives you some inspiring ideas and that your first anniversary is truly, madly, deeply wonderful.  If we can be of any further help don’t hesitate to get in touch.  The team here are more than happy to share their experience – and we’d be delighted to organise an anniversary party at Clevedon Hall if that’s something you’d like to do!