“As soon as you walk through the oak gate into The Walled Garden you forget that anything else is happening outside. Your shoulders go down and you just relax – it’s such a serene environment.”
Meet the Team with Hannah Fullagar, Wedding Sales Executive
- Describe your job as Cowdray’s Wedding Sales Executive?
I am the primary point of contact for any Walled Garden enquiries. Weddings are my main focus, but I also respond to enquiries for all events including corporates, private parties and celebrations of life. A portion of those events will stay with me throughout the coordination and planning process to be handed to the operations team to be run on the day.
I am also the ‘go-to’ for anything Walled Garden related and plan three Walled Garden Wedding Showcases a year. The next one is on Sunday 9th October – which I am very excited about – and generally there is one in April, and one in January.
- What is so special about The Walled Garden as a wedding venue?
It’s really a unique venue, combining lovely reception rooms, with picturesque outside space so the venue works brilliantly whatever the season. It’s also an exclusive use venue so our guests enjoy complete privacy.
The neighbouring Cowdray Ruins complement The Walled Garden and offer a perfect backdrop for photographs. Guests can also enjoy a tour of the Ruins which we can arrange as part of their event.
We work with some amazing local suppliers and have a brilliant in-house catering team called The Yellow Kitchen who can create delicious menus. The venue, coupled together with the suppliers’ expertise, makes for a very special day.
- What skills do you have that make you suited to the role?
I am personable and enjoy meeting people.
I also really care about each individual event, particularly weddings as I’m conscious that it is a couple’s biggest day of their life and I want them to have the best possible experience. I believe that attention to detail is very important and apply this trait throughout the planning process.
- What is the favourite aspect of your role?
I love the initial showrounds and seeing people’s reaction when they walk through the gate. They might have seen the venue through Afternoon Teas or the Light Up Trail, but it feels very different when you come in and have the venue to yourself and you can begin to visualise your day.
- Can you tell us about The Walled Garden Wedding Showcase that is coming up?
The Walled Garden Wedding Showcase takes place on Sunday 9th October from 11am to 3pm. We have great suppliers lined up including caterers, florists and photographers as well as musicians to play on the day.
It is always a good day both for new couples to have a look at the venue, and for couples who have chosen the venue to start piecing together their wedding.
Come and join us! It’s free but you do need to register online.
- Do you work as part of a team?
Yes! I sit within the Sales team, and we are all based at Cowdray House. We all have our own areas of responsibility, but we cross over and help each other too.
Beyond that we are part of a bigger events and operations team who work to ensure that every event gets the personal and professional service reflective of the Cowdray brand.
- If you could only choose one thing to buy from Cowdray Farm Shop or Cowdray Living, what would it be?
I love the bouquets, pots and vases from Verdley Flowers.
- Is there a location on the Estate that you particularly love?
It sounds biased, but I love the view from the window in the Dressing Room at The Walled Garden. You get such a lovely view of the whole garden set against the stunning backdrop of Cowdray Ruins.
- What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Interior design and DIY! I also have a background in performing arts so I try and get to the theatre as much as possible.
- What are you most looking forward to?
In a work context, The Wedding Showcase as it’s a fun day and the venue has a real buzz to it. Out of work, I have a couple of fun weekends planned meeting up with old friends.
- Have you got a favourite holiday destination or a place you would most like to visit?
Maldives: I’m a real beach person so nothing will ever top that!
- What can’t you live without?
Music! The first thing I do every morning is put on a good play list to set me up for the day.
Find out more about The Walled Garden Wedding Showcase here.
Scott Howard Photography
Written by Matilda Reid.
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