SAY, “I DO” AT THE OLD PALACE
When picking a venue, there are usually a few compromises that need to be made; for example, you can’t have both the elegance and privacy of a country house and the convenience of a city centre location, can you? Nestled in the city’s heart, overlooking the river Dee, the Old Palace of Chester does just that! For your wedding day, it is exclusively yours to enjoy.
Even arriving at the venue is exceptional. Flanked by Chesters’ stunning architectural history, including the Roman Amphitheater and former Chester Cathedra, before entering the grounds through your own private gates.
This is a venue where rich history and contemporary style meet seamlessly to offer a venue that this truly one of a kind.
Getting married in Cheshire but need help figuring out where to start planning? We have created our comprehensive guide, including 5 Tips for this fantastic city.
THE OLD PALACE MORNING ROOM
Start your wedding day with perfect pampered luxury. The morning room is available all day as your dedicated light-filled dressing room. It is complete with hair and makeup stations, a full-length mirror, and even its own luxurious shower room. Through its own private staircase, this room is also the perfect secluded spot to watch your guest starting to arrive as the inevitable excitement begins to build.
This is a room that will not only make your hair and makeup team exceptionally happy but your photographer as well! I love photographing morning prep, but space is extremely limited in most hotels and venues. Here nothing could be further from the truth, and the light-filled room is perfect for unobtrusively documenting your prep.
THE PALACE SUITE
From midday, you can also choose to move onto the breathtakingly beautiful Pace Suite. A room made for photos, the Palace Suite not only features Italian-listed plasterwork opulent furnishings but an incomparable view across the River Dee. It is the ideal location to capture photos before making our way to the ceremony.
The light and space in this room are stunning for photos, including small groups.
WEDDING ARRIVAL
How you choose to arrive at the Old Palace is up to you, but not many venues can offer arriving by boat as an option! For your partner and guest, the venue offers 26 on-site parking spaces, alongside an additional overflow car park if needed. If your partner is looking to also get ready at the Old Palace, an extra room can be available from midday.
The city of Chester is a short walk away if you choose to meet friends and family here for pre-wedding drinks.
THE CEREMONY
There are few locations as romantic or memorable as the Old Palace to tie the knot. The River Room is a devoted ceremony room filled with natural light, while the Ballroom is perfect for larger gatherings.
My favourite location, however, is the picturesque Garden Terrace. Peaceful and private, with the river and fields as your backdrop, there are few locations more perfect.
If you prefer the idea of a religious ceremony, Chester offers plenty of options. The Church of St John the Baptist, once Chester Cathedral, is only a few short steps away. Founded in the 7th century by the Anglo Saxons, this Church is considered one of the best examples of 11th–12th-century church architecture in Cheshire.
WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHS
You are really spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing where to take your photos.
If you don’t wish to go anywhere, the Old Palace offers plenty of space to explore. The river Dee is just a short walk away, with the Queens Park Bridge and Bandstand close by.
RECEPTION & EVENING
Once the ceremony is over, the fantastic team at the Old Palace are on hand to ensure the rest of your day goes without a hitch.
Enjoy canapés and cocktails on the stunning Garden Terrace before enjoying an unforgettable wedding breakfast in the Ballroom.
As the day slips into the evening, welcome your guests with wood-fired pizzas from the River Kitchen. Then, enjoy the late evening sun before moving indoors for the first dance and party!
ACCOMMODATION
The Old Palace boasts 23 en-suite bedrooms along with your stately Palace suit. Each of these generously proportioned rooms offers beautifully considered décor and furnishings. Catering for the needs of your friends and family, a range of suites, family rooms and double bedrooms are available.
Would you like to stretch your celebration out and stay the night before? Subject to availability, you can book a minimum of 10 rooms for the night before, with the bar being opened for your guest.
LUXURY WEDDING PLANNING GUIDE 2023
If you want to wow your guests with a wedding filled with touches of traditional luxury but need help knowing where to start, we are here for you with our Luxury 10 step guide
THE MORNING AFTER
Start your married life like a fairy tale. Wake up, enjoy and get ready in The Palac Suit before making your way downstairs to enjoy breakfast with your overnight guest.
OLD PALACE HISTORY
The Old Palace is a grade two-listed Georgian house dating from 1745. Building work was completed in 1751 for the Bishop of Chester Samuel Peploe. Over the years, the building was substantially expanded and developed. Yet, despite alterations in the 19th century, its external appearance has been virtually unchanged since the 18th. Constructed from red brick with stone dressings, the main building facade faces the river, Dee.
From 1865 the Palace became the official residence of the bishops of Chester, and it continued in the role until 1980 when it became a YMCA hotel. Then, in the late 1980s, it changed roles again, converting them into commercial offices. Finally, in 2017 planning permission was granted to convert the building into a hotel and events venue, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Due to the buildings connected to the Church, it is commonly known as The Old Bishops Palace.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO GET MARRIED AT CHESTER OLD PALACE?
Venue hire prices for Weddings at the Old Palace (for 2023) start from £2,710 raising to £8,100 in peak season (May to September) inclusive of VAT.
| MONDAY ‐ WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY | SUNDAY & BANK HOL MON | FRIDAY | SATURDAY & BANK HOL SUN | |
| JANUARY, FEBRUARY & NOVEMBER 2023 | £2,710 | £3,360 | £3,570 | £4,440 | £5,300 |
| MARCH, APRIL & OCTOBER 2023 | £3,100 | £4,100 | £5,150 | £6,000 | £7,050 |
| MAY –SEPTEMBER 2023 | £3,790 | £5,430 | £6,230 | £7,050 | £8,100 |
| DECEMBER 2023 | £3,300 | £4,450 | £5,300 | £5,950 | £7,000 |
If Chester Old Palace has won your heart, why not check out their available dates and get in touch directly
LOCAL HOTELS
Conveniently located in the heart of the city, there is no shortage of local hotels for guests looking to stay over after enjoying their day. Below I have listed several stunning hotels, all within a 5-minute walk of the Old Palace
The Chester Grosvenor
The Chester Grosvenor is a 5* Hotel and only a short 4 minute walk from the Old Palace
The Chester Grosvenor Hotel is located in the heart of Chester overlooking the famous Eastgate Clock & the prefect spot for any guest not joining you over night at the Chester Old Palace.
The HOTEL CHESTER
The Hotel Chester, is 3 minutes away and offers 16 individually themed apartments each offering a unique & luxurious experience.
The Hotel Chester offers 16 individually themed apartments each offering a unique & luxurious experience.
PARKING
The Old Palace has onsite parking for 26 cars. Onsite parking gives immediate access to the venue, but secluded from view (and your photographs) by hedging. If you are expecting more guest to arrive my car, Chester has numerous car parks nearby in the city centre. The closest of these are the NCP Pepper Street, and the Grosvenor Shopping Precinct car park, both a 3-minute walk from the venue.
APCOA Parking
APCOA Parking 3 minutes walk
Grosvenor Shopping Precinct car park
Grosvenor Shopping Precinct car park. 3 minute walk
Fitzpatrick Photography came about from the idea of doing something different!
To move away from the traditionally uncomfortable, staged wedding photos we all know so well! Instead, we wanted to create memories, authentic, emotional and genuine mementoes of each day. To Photograph how we knew we would want to be photographed!
To help with your wedding planning we have put together a comprehensive 32 step guide taking you every step of the way from picking your venue, to last minute details. Wedding planning, shouldn't be stressful, and we would love to join you on your journey from saying "Yes" to "I Do"
REAL WEDDINGS AT THE CHESTER OLD PALACE
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