Pittodrie House Hotel confident about its next chapter
Pittodrie House Hotel, located at Chapel of Garioch, near Inverurie, at the foot of Bennachie, has revealed that plans a…
Read MoreAs the wedding industry continues to adapt to the ongoing disruption caused by coronavirus, Macdonald Hotels has seen a revival of its hotel wedding venues.
With more options than ever before, from rustic barns to historic buildings, vineyards and marquees, traditional venues such as hotels and banquet halls have been in decline for some years.
In 2019, research by Wedding Dates revealed that while a quarter of weddings took place in a hotel, this was a 9% drop compared to 2017.*
However, with the ability to offer all services under one roof and provide robust and flexible booking policies, hotels are ideally placed to accommodate weddings in the current landscape. Hotels must incorporate this message into their marketing campaigns for the foreseeable future.
In the past few months, Macdonald Hotels has recorded a notable rise in bookings with many couples cancelling previous bookings with non-traditional venues in favour of a hotel location.
Working with a number of suppliers, many of which have different policies on coronavirus, can present difficulties for couples planning a celebration during these uncertain times. Hotel venues are in a unique position to provide everything couples need for their wedding day, from catering to accommodation. Working with an agreed list of approved vendors, everything can be managed through the dedicated wedding planner, ensuring one point of contact throughout.
Linsey Thyer wedding co-ordinator at Macdonald Houstoun House said:
“Nowadays, there are so many options for couples looking to tie the knot. In recent years, we have seen more and more people opt for rustic venues, but recent events have re-ignited the interest in hotels. We speak with couples daily and the tide is definitely changing. With so much uncertainty out there, there is a real comfort to be found with a venue which can guarantee a smooth process and flexible offering. With a hotel, the hassle of managing multiple suppliers, many of which have different policies regarding coronavirus, is removed. Hotels look after guests day in and day out ,and have some of the most robust health & safety standards in the hospitality sector.”
Under current restrictions, weddings are not permitted in England and are limited to 20 people in Scotland with a ban on entertainment. However, with a reduced guest list, couples are investing more in other elements of their celebration, such as decorations, food and drink and accommodation.
Linsey continued: “It has definitely been a strange time for the wedding industry. The frequent changes in restrictions, reduced guest lists and the lack of entertainment mean couples are having a different kind of celebration than we would typically expect of a wedding. Despite the restrictions, people still just want to get married. There is something incredibly special about a small, intimate ceremony which puts the focus fully on the couple. With the extra budget saved from a reduced guest list, couples are opting for more extravagant decorations and a more deluxe menu. Five course tasting menus and dishes crafted around fine food have become more popular in recent months. As a hotel, we can also offer accommodation for the full guest list which means couples can spend the whole weekend celebrating with their loved ones.”
Weddings are possible, easier and safer at hotels.
Macdonald Hotels
www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk
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