Italian wedding dreams? Why Butley Priory is the UK’s answer
Welcome to Butley Priory, Suffolk’s incredibly convincing answer to Tuscany, where charm, history and pure style collide to form one of the best Italian-style wedding venues in the UK.
You’ve probably always dreamed of an Italian wedding, who hasn’t?
Olive trees, candlelit courtyards, warm summer nights and al fresco dining under the stars; it all sounds pretty magical.
Luckily for you though, you don’t need a passport, three weeks off work and a family without any life commitments to experience some Mediterranean magic.
Welcome to Butley Priory, Suffolk’s more than suitable and incredibly convincing answer to Tuscany, where charm, history and pure style collide to form one of the best Italian style wedding venues in the UK.
So, now you’re on board with the idea of having an Italian themed wedding in the UK, it’s time to learn more about the magic of this stunning venue.
Let’s take a look.
A Slice of Italy in Suffolk
Forget your passports, forget trying to persuade family members that it is worth the flight and the hassle. Instead, keep the romance alive from when you popped the question and enjoy your dream wedding venue, Italian style.
Since you already found the perfect engagement ring, you’ll need to find a venue to match, thus ensuring you have the perfect day; so we turn to Suffolk.
Tucked away near the coast, nestled in ancient woodland, lies the simply gorgeous Butley Priory; a 700 year old former gatehouse that radiates impossible amounts of romance.
With its vaulted arches, whitewashed stone walls and dreamy bucolic setting, you’d be hard pressed to find anywhere more beautiful, even if you were actually in Tuscany.
This venue offers the warm, lived in elegance of a countryside villa you might expect to find in Florence or Siena, and the surrounding countryside does a wonderful job of mimicking Tuscan hills.
Couples planning an Italian themed wedding don’t really need to look much further than their back garden, as the serenity of Suffolk offers beautiful architecture, glorious atmosphere and the slow-living spirit that embodies Italian culture.
Why Butley Priory Is Perfect for Your Italian-Inspired Celebration
We should probably all make our weddings Italian themed; as a nation, they have a relaxed charm, they prioritise being outdoors, and they hold delicious food and wine dearly above all else. Sounds like the perfect recipe for a wedding, right?
Here are a few reasons that Butley Priory is the only choice when it comes to enjoying the perfect Italian wedding:
Exclusive-use weekend hire
You’ll have the option for a three day celebration with full use of all four properties on the Estate, meaning you can enjoy your very own Italian festa with only the most special people in your lives.
Space for up to 200 guests
Whilst the Priory is quaint and the accommodations are cosy, you can opt to host your celebrations in a gorgeous marquee that can comfortably hold 200 guests.
Stunning interiors
Think candlelit rooms, vaulted ceiling, banquet tables, and ambience by the bucket-load; there can surely be no better place to enjoy great company and delicious Chianti.
Outdoor magic
The outdoor element is the most evocative part of any Italian wedding, and Butley Priory delivers in a big way. Beautiful gardens, rose bushes, pristine lawns, stone walls, sunset dinners and even a bluebell wood; you really won’t find better.
Close to the coast
The Priory is located a stone’s throw from the coast on the stunning Suffolk shores, so you’ll have the fresh sea air and quick access to endless beaches and seaside towns.
Food, Friends and La Dolce Vita
The true theme of any Italian wedding day is built upon a foundation of family, joy and incredible food.
If you focus on the joy and the family, the rest will be taken care of.
Butley Priory is specifically designed for the enjoyment of long meals, big conversations and quality time spent over food.
For anyone even considering an Italian themed wedding, it’s probably safe to assume that you have a vested interest in food. You’ll know the importance of quality eats, how flavour brings people together, and how joy can come from simply tasting the divine; just like the Italians do.
Wanting to bring this to a wedding should be the most natural thing in the world, and here at the Priory, it is.
Imagine tables under softly lit architectural features, prosecco in the South Garden, and wood fired pizza trucks to satiate those hungry late night guests.
You can also work with the in-house catering team to curate the perfect Mediterranean menu, whilst making the most of fresh local foods, seasonal produce and speciality alcohols, of which there are many; Adnam’s being one of particular note.
Let the Aperol and Tiramisu flow freely whilst your guests enjoy impeccable vibes, great food and warm summer evenings.
From Ceremony to Celebration
Weddings in Italy are famously long, with some family celebrations taking place over the course of a couple of months. Obviously, we don’t do things like that, but that’s not to say you can’t capture some of that joyful sedentary pace on your special day.
Hold your ceremony in the South Garden, or within the stone walls of the Priory, let guests wander at their own leisure from garden to firepit, prosecco in hand. Bring in live music, and maybe a gelato cart and watch the magic happen.
Your wedding at Butley can be fluid and informal, with no stress, no timelines, just good company and great food and wine. The space is all about celebration, so celebrating should be the priority.
Styled Shoots and Provenance
If you’ve splashed out on a wedding photographer (great move!) and are looking for some striking, dramatic and beautiful wedding day snaps, then one quick glance at the Priory’s Gallery will tell you everything you need to know.
It is a location that has been featured in some of the UK’s most stylish bridal shoots thanks to its golden lighting, textured walls and atmospheric spaces; not to mention the completely stunning grounds.
It’s a venue that offers the perfect aesthetic for those looking for an Italian style, and guarantees that the final shots of the big day will bring a tear of joy to your eye for the rest of your life.
A Dreamy Alternative to a Destination Wedding
So many couples fall in love with the idea of an Italian wedding, only to be overwhelmed by the reality of destination logistics. There are contracts in two languages, the navigation of foreign suppliers who don’t speak your language, and the fact that you'll likely have a very small guest list due to the complications of travelling in a large group.
But the alternative does not have to be anything short of magical; you just have to allow the Italian wedding theme to flow and Butley Priory will do the rest.
You can pull off the dream wedding, with all your favourite people in tow; you’ll get the romance, the backdrop, the beauty and the food, without ever having to pack a suitcase.
Matrimonio Italiano
If you’ve been searching for your perfect slice of Tuscany within the confines of the UK, then look no further.
Butley Priory is your perfect match.
It contains the romance of Italy, the spirit of Tuscany and the soul of Italian celebration; it can bring the romance of Italy to your doorstep with charm, history and stunningly impeccable vibes.
Skip the flights, leave your passport at home and keep the flavour of Italy.
Say “I do” in a setting that is as unforgettable as your own love story.
If you’d like to view Butley Priory for your Italian style wedding, we’d love to show you around!
Written by Kate Sheppard
September News; Arctic Monkeys, Quiz Night & Summer Weddings
There’s lots to talk about in this month’s post, and with no apologies, I’m going straight in with the exciting news that Sheffield band, Arctic Monkeys, revealed that their new album ‘The Car’ will be available on October 21st. Nothing extraordinary there, I hear you say…except that this very album was recorded right here at Butley Priory and they’ve kindly shared their choice of recording location with the press. We can’t wait to hear it!
Just as entertaining, was our August team outing to the Oyster Inn, Butley for their weekly pub quiz. If you haven’t been before, it’s well worth a visit. Landlady Jane & her team offer a warm welcome in the surroundings of a traditional Suffolk pub – and they make a cracking pizza too, all from their very own wood-fired oven. Delicious.
Two teams went head-to-head for the battle of the brains; The Monks and The Butley Babes – the latter of which was suggested in a poll on Instagram. Whilst the Babes shone in the music round, it wasn’t enough to outwit The Monks who went on to win first place overall! A re-match is certainly in discussion.
A few weeks ago, we welcomed the delightful residents from Grove Court in Woodbridge to the Priory. On arrival, they were greeted with a delicious light lunch, and fresh figs picked straight from the garden that morning. Nick Raison entertained them with some old favourites from his piano and after lunch, many of them enjoyed a wander around the Priory, finishing with a group photo in the garden. An enjoyable time was had by all.
Naturally, it’s still an extremely busy time for us with holiday guests in Butley Priory Cottage, plus several weddings taking place in the glorious August sunshine. We’ve received some incredible reviews from our clients, here’s just one from David and Sandy…you can read more on our google review page.
“Butley hosted our wedding in August 2022 (after two years of covid delay!).
Donna and team are absolutely brilliant; they struck the perfect balance of being super organised and tending to every detail - but while keeping a very relaxed atmosphere throughout the whole weekend. We had tipis (Events Under Canvas, also brilliant) and lots of different vendors as per most weddings - Donna brought it all together and the whole day went seamlessly, we couldn’t have asked for any more. We booked the farmhouse and cottage too, would highly recommend this as it meant about a 1/3 of our wedding party were on site from Friday - Sunday which added to the relaxed atmosphere throughout the whole weekend (loads of time to get ready, no need to move about). The venue is truly unique, all our guests commented on how beautiful it was - including the farmhouse. Both the priory and farmhouse have great facilities you can use the whole weekend which was perfect for making dinners and breakfasts for the group. Overall we cannot thank Butley and the team under Donna enough for what was an incredible weekend, I wish we could do it all over again!!!”
And we’ve received some incredible images from the pro photographers. Below you’ll find some of our favourites from Jenna & Sonny’s wedding back in July.
Last week, we commissioned some photography of our own from the talented Alexander Parnell, for some updated images of Butley Abbey Farmhouse. We focused on the ground floor reception rooms,The Drawing Room, The Morning Room and The Library (sounds like a game of Cluedo) - lighting log fires on such a hot day wasn’t ideal but needs must to tempt guests to stay for the winter months. We also created an exquisite lunch (or dinner) party to showcase the dining room for those looking for somewhere extra special to celebrate a birthday or anniversary. The breakfast room looked just as inviting, with the table set with bowls of peaches and strawberries, and pastries from Pump Street. We’ll show you the fruits of our labour next month!
I must just show you this flawless little scene of an outdoor rehearsal dinner at Butley Abbey Farmhouse from last Friday evening. Just as the sun was setting, some 30 friends & family of the bride & groom gathered to enjoy oysters and seafood platters in the garden. Just how adorable does this look?
On to September and it’s another busy month for us, with a drinks party for Friends of Orford Museum, lots more weddings and of course, we welcome our first guests for the Suffolk Sandlands Metal Detecting tours, with the second group following later in September. We’re also heading over to Detectival near Cambridge – the UK’s largest metal detecting event - to meet fellow detecting enthusiasts and to promote our 2023 tours. Maybe we’ll see you there?
