TGt Meets…Emily Bowden of Minterne House

In this TGt Meets, we got to know Emily Bowden, the wedding planner at Minterne House. To learn more about this Dorchester country house and Emily's role, read below.

What does your day-to-day look like as the wedding planner at Minterne House?

No two days are the same, I work closely with our couples throughout the planning stages to ensure every tiny detail is perfect on their day. I spend a lot of time liaising with external suppliers and the Minterne team in the lead up to a wedding to make sure all logistics are covered. When we don’t have a wedding, I can be found hosting tours of the venue to prospective couples, updating the weddings social media and creating all of our brochures and marketing material for weddings and events. 

What’s an unexpected obstacle you overcame whilst in your current role?

Arguably, the main role of a wedding planner is to ensure there are no unexpected obstacles because everything has to run smoothly on the day. I keep all the plates spinning! 

Can you describe the different spaces available for weddings at Minterne House?

Every wedding is unique at Minterne as our couples have lots of choice. All our rooms are licenced to hold civil ceremonies within the house, we also have the option to hold ceremonies on the South lawn which has become very popular due to the spectacular valley views. If looking for a church wedding, the quaint St Andrew’s Church is at the end of our driveway, in walking distance.

The drawing room inside the house is perfect for an inside ceremony because of its large bay window that allows the light to flood in and reflect off the stunning chandelier.

The tapestry room is full of character and ideal for a rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding to extend the celebrations. It’s also very popular for smaller wedding breakfasts.

The garden room is most frequently used as a cosier space for those that prefer a quieter setting while the evening party is in full swing.

The Trafalgar Hall is most frequently used for the wedding breakfast with the couple often choosing to sit in front of the grand fireplace with the spectacular Trafalgar painting as their backdrop. The high ceilings have fabulous acoustics for bands or DJs so guests will certainly be found on the dancefloor later on in the evening.

We are also very lucky to have the beautiful gardens (and incredible gardeners!). Eleanor’s bridge is a short walk from the house and is a popular setting for the couple and their photographer to explore during the drinks reception.

How do you assist couples in the planning process leading up to the wedding day?

I am always available to answer any and all questions they may have. I assist with supplier recommendations, creating a detailed timeline of the day, ensuring their desired on site accommodation is booked and liaising with all their suppliers in the lead up.

What is the timeline for a typical wedding day at Minterne House?

There isn’t a typical wedding at Minterne House as they are all so different! We prefer a bespoke approach to ensure the wedding day reflects the couple.

What advice do you have for couples currently planning their wedding at Minterne House?

Enjoy the planning stages and take it slowly, it’s easy to get carried away and look at every aspect of your wedding straight away which can be very overwhelming! The best way to plan is to first decide on what is most important to you and your wedding. For some the entertainment is key and for others the food is their biggest priority. Then order your tasks and divide them between you and your partner.

Visit Minterne House's website!