Worcestershire CCC will host their first Wedding Showcase of 2016 on Sunday February 21 – and there are many additional reasons to stage that extra special day in people's lives at New Road.
The County have already made major inroads into the competitive wedding market as indicated by last year's significant rise in numbers tying the knot at an iconic venue with the perfect views for photograph backdrops.
Now Worcestershire CCC have been granted a civil licence for the first time so the actual wedding ceremony can take place at its headquarters.
It is possible should the happy couple desire for the entire day to remember to take place in either the superb settings of The View or Graeme Hick Pavilion and, in the summer months, The Chestnut Marquee.
From the wedding breakfast through to overnight accommodation at the adjacent Premier Inn, all aspects can be catered for by the County and their host of wedding partners who will be available to give their expert advice at the Showcase.
For any couple who want to get married sooner rather than later, there are dates available this summer now that the cricket fixtures have been finalised.
But from 2017 ALL dates will be available for weddings in the Chestnut Marquee during the summer – whether or not cricket is being played that day.
And there is even more good news with no room charge by Worcestershire CCC for weddings of 50 or more guests – a significant four figure saving.
It is intended to stage a second Showcase during the summer when the County intend to stage a 'mock' wedding highlighting all the benefits of choosing New Road for that day to never forget.
Worcestershire CCC Commercial Director Jon Graham said: "The Showcases were very successful last year. We had a lot of interest and we were well up in terms of wedding bookings.
"The February 21 Showcase coincides quite nicely with the weekend after Valentine's Day and also people who got engaged over the Christmas period are also probably still looking for venues and getting everything sorted to tie the knot.
"The Showcase is about taking the stress away from the big day and our partners will be there to deal with things like wedding dreesses, cars, jewellery, the photography, make-up, hair as well as our in-house catering team giving food demonstrations.
"We'd like to think at the Showcase you come in and you've got it all. As stupid as it sounds, you could potentially have your whole wedding wrapped in one afternoon.
"We still have dates available for 2016 now the fixtures are out for the summer if people don't want to wait and want to get married this year – whether that be in the week or selected weekends during the summer.
"The biggest for us is that we now have a civil licence. That is massive so, if people want to get married at New Road they can, something that has never happened before here.
"What it gives is absolute convenience in term of we have become the 'one stop shop' able to provide the entire package.
"People can get married here, have the wedding breakfast here, have the reception here, stay at an affordable hotel here and leave the car overnight.
"We've got beautiful facilities with a backdrop which would challenge anything in the county.
"You can have the backdrop of the Malverns, the Cathedral and when the photos are taken, no-one is actually going to realise it was a cricket ground. It just looks like the most idyllic setting, perfect for a wedding."
Graham says that Worcestershire can cater for all budgets – and ensure everyone is fully satisfied.
He said: "We are really confident if people come to the Showcase and see what we've got to offer, we are confident we can close those deals and give value for money.
"We've been doing this a long time. We've got a fantastic reputation as far as the wedding team, the planning of the wedding, not leaving anything to chance is concerned and the food is fantastic.
"If you want to spend a lot of money on a wedding, we can cater for that. But, if your budget isn't huge, then our wedding packages start from £39 per person and if over 50 people come we don't charge room hire and that is something we feel is really important.
"It is a really competitive space and I believe charging room hire for weddings is a major obstacle so we have taken the view that if it is a relative big party, 50 or more, then we are not going to charge and you are talking four figure sums."
Graham believes couples will be hooked on New Road as the ideal wedding venue if they take the time to attend the Showcase and the added incentive of being able to book when they want in 2017.
He said: "We are trying to provide really good value for money because we realise we might not be on the top of everyone's shopping list.
"But all we ask of people is to come to the venue and see what we can offer.
"The difference with last year is we will do one Showcase in February and one in the middle of the summer. It is important we showcase the Marquee in its true guise when it is the summer and people are trying to picture what their wedding would look like.
"In the past we've been governed by fixtures but from 2017 if people want to book the Marquee they can – even if there is cricket on that day. It will be available for a wedding.
"We understand if people have got their heart set on coming here, we don't want to say 'no'.
"Even if there is cricket on, it just adds something to the wedding. You've got your own private area and the fact cricket is on wouldn't change anything in terms of photo opportunities. I see that as a positive rather than a negative."
Anyone requiring wedding information should contact New Road wedding co-ordinator Fiona Watson on 01905 337940.
