Whitney Court is an Edwardian country mansion, with views of the Wye Valley and licensed for civil weddings. It boasts large, furnished reception areas and public rooms with overnight accommodation for up to 14 people. Its capacity for a civil wedding ceremony is 130, with receptions for 14 to 132 guests. An additional marquee boosts capacity to a maximum of 250.

Hereford Racecourse holds receptions in its Cider Press bar and restaurant. The suite can seat up to 220 guests for formal dining or up to 250 for informal dining, with a minimum guest number of 100. A marquee can be provided

Wedding packages include: room hire, changing facility, safe, enclosed outdoor areas for children, free parking and help available with cakes, car hire, flowers, discos or photographers.

At the Left Bank Village, couples declare their vows on the River Terrace, overlooking the Wye and the cathedral, which also provide a backdrop for a drinks reception and photographs. The River Room seats up to 90 guests and the Bridge Room, which also opens on to the terrace, is for more intimate functions or as an extra reception area for larger parties.

The Left Bank offers help with suppliers for bridal bouquets, corsages and top table garlands, wedding stationery and favours, limousines and live music.

Allt Yr Ynys Country House Hotel, at Walterstone, near Abergavenny, is a tranquil yet accessible location for civil weddings and receptions. Lush gardens lead to the River Monnow fronting the hotel, which, together with the Elizabethan Knot Garden at the rear, provide just the settings for pre-wedding reception gatherings and photographs. The main function suite can seat up to 80, but greater numbers can be accommodated in marquees.

Belmont Lodge & Golf, near Hereford, also has superb views. Marquees can be provided and car hire, flowers, live bands, discos and fireworks can all be arranged. The Lodge is opposite Belmont House where there are 30 en-suite rooms, each with a view. The Wyatt Room, in Belmont House, is ideal for smaller receptions and can cater for up to 30 seated guests.

Near Bodenham, Broadfield Court's medieval manor house, 11th century winery, Old English gardens and vineyard offer an idyllic setting for a reception and the perfect backdrop for photographs. Up to 300 can be catered for, with ample parking available.

The ambience and grandeur of Pengethley Manor's Georgian country house, close to Ross-on-Wye, offer another beautiful setting and backdrop for photographs. Staff work with the bride and her family to ensure the ceremony and accompanying festivities are in exact accordance with her wishes. Honeymoon suites are also available.

Penrhos Court Country Hotel is an old manor farm in the country between Herefordshire and Wales. Organic wedding breakfasts are produced from the award-winning kitchen by chef/nutritionist Daphne Lambert. Wedding parties have exclusive use of Penrhos, which includes an Elizabethan room, Cruck Hall, courtyard, byre and 15 bedrooms plus two apartments. With its civil ceremony licence, the entire wedding can be held at Penrhos, which is ideally suited for 30 to 70 people.

Eastnor Castle, near Ledbury, is situated in a 5, 000-acre estate in the Malvern Hills and surrounded by a lake, deer park and arboretum. The gothic drawing room, designed by Augustus Pugin, is licensed for civil weddings with up to 80 guests. The Great Hall, with its 60ft high ceiling, is an imposing yet intimate space for the reception, and connects to the Octagon Saloon with French windows on to the terrace lawns. The State Dining Room will seat up to 80. There are 12 guest bedrooms available for the bride and groom and their family and close friends.

Brockington Hall, part of Brockington Hall Golf Club and Country House, is a former gentleman's house, near Bodenham, refurbished to a high standard overlooking the fourth fairway. Smaller weddings can be accommodated in the grand conservatory, while marquees can be erected in spacious gardens independently or joined to the hall for larger occasions. Luxury accommodation is also available.

The Chase Hotel, Ross-on-Wye, has four venues that have been licensed for weddings, varied in size according to the number of guests - from 15 to 150. Gardens and lawned terraces lend themselves to photographs.

Whitney Court Estate Office 01497 831213 / 01885 490528.

Hereford Racecourse Tel: 01432 273560

The Left Bank Village 01432 349006.

Allt Yr Ynys Country House Hotel 01873 890307

Broadfield Court 01568 797483.

Pengethly Manor 01989 730211.

The Chase Hotel 01989 763161

Eastnor Castle 01531 633160

Penrhos Court Country Hotel 01544 230720

Brockington Hall 01568 797877.

Belmont Lodge & Golf 01432 352666.