Set within the beautiful grounds of Cirencester Park in Gloucestershire, Ivy Lodge is one of the newest and most exciting luxury wedding venues in the Cotswolds. With its striking historic façade, restored barn spaces, and sweeping views across the surrounding parkland, it provides a stunning setting for couples looking to celebrate their wedding in style.
As professional wedding musicians performing across the UK, JAM Duo regularly perform at Cripps & Co venues, which are known for their exceptional food, thoughtful design, and beautifully restored historic buildings. Ivy Lodge continues that tradition, combining heritage architecture with modern hospitality to create an unforgettable wedding venue in the heart of Gloucestershire.
For couples planning their wedding at Ivy Lodge, live piano and cello music is the perfect accompaniment to the relaxed elegance of the venue.
A Beautiful Wedding Venue in Cirencester Park
Ivy Lodge sits within the historic Bathurst Estate at Cirencester Park, overlooking the famous polo grounds and surrounded by rolling Cotswold countryside. The venue itself has been carefully restored from a historic lodge and barns, blending centuries-old stonework and timber beams with contemporary design touches.
The result is a venue that feels both timeless and stylish — exactly what many couples are looking for in a modern Cotswold wedding venue.
Key features include:
- A stunning Grade II listed lodge and barn complex
- Beautiful views across the parkland and ancient trees
- A light-filled granary barn reception space
- Outdoor lawns and terraces for drinks receptions
- Fire pits and open-flame cooking for the wedding feast
The venue can host around 144 guests for ceremonies and dining, with space for up to 200 guests for the evening celebrations, making it ideal for both intimate weddings and larger celebrations.
A Perfect Setting for a Cotswolds Wedding Ceremony
Ceremonies at Ivy Lodge can take place beneath the historic beams of the lodge itself or within the beautifully restored barn spaces. The architecture creates a warm and atmospheric setting for exchanging vows, with natural light and historic features adding to the sense of occasion.
Many couples choose to have their ceremony and reception all in one place, allowing the day to flow naturally from the ceremony into drinks and photographs outside in the grounds.
Live piano and cello music works particularly well for this part of the day. Gentle instrumental music as guests arrive helps create a relaxed atmosphere, before the ceremony itself becomes even more memorable with carefully chosen entrance and signing music.
Drinks Receptions in the Parkland Setting
Following the ceremony, guests can gather outside on the lawns and terrace areas while the couple enjoy their photographs around the grounds. With views over the surrounding parkland and plenty of space for guests to mingle, the drinks reception is often one of the most enjoyable parts of the day at Ivy Lodge.
This is also where live music can make a huge difference.
At JAM Duo, we regularly perform throughout the drinks reception with our unique piano and cello arrangements of well-known songs — everything from classical favourites to modern pop and film music. It creates a relaxed and sophisticated soundtrack while guests chat, enjoy canapés, and soak up the atmosphere.
Exceptional Food – The Cripps & Co Signature Style
One of the defining features of a Cripps & Co wedding venue is the food. The company was founded with a passion for combining beautiful venues with outstanding dining, and Ivy Lodge continues that tradition.
At Ivy Lodge, the kitchen centres around open-flame cooking using a bespoke Argentinian asado, creating bold, generous dishes designed for sharing and celebration.
Couples can expect:
- Seasonal ingredients and high-quality produce
- Open-fire cooking and rotisserie meats
- Generous sharing feasts for guests
- A carefully selected wine list and cocktails
For many couples, the food is one of the most memorable parts of the entire day — and Cripps & Co venues are widely known for delivering a truly exceptional wedding feast.
The Evening Celebration
As the day moves into the evening, the barn spaces at Ivy Lodge transform into a lively party setting with professional lighting and sound systems already in place.
Guests return from the gardens into the warm atmosphere of the barn for the wedding breakfast before the celebrations continue with music and dancing into the evening.
For couples who choose to include live music earlier in the day, it often creates a natural progression — beginning with elegant acoustic music during the ceremony and drinks reception before the energy builds later in the evening.
JAM Duo and Cripps & Co Wedding Venues
Although Ivy Lodge is one of the newest additions to the Cripps & Co family of venues, JAM Duo regularly performs at other venues within this highly regarded group across the UK.
Cripps venues share a number of qualities that make them ideal for live music:
- Beautiful barn acoustics
- Thoughtfully designed ceremony spaces
- Relaxed outdoor areas for drinks receptions
- A natural flow between each part of the day
This combination makes them particularly well suited to live piano and cello music, allowing couples to create a seamless musical atmosphere from the moment guests arrive through to the celebrations afterwards.
Live Wedding Music at Ivy Lodge
For couples planning their wedding at Ivy Lodge, live music adds something truly special to the atmosphere of the day.
JAM Duo provide:
- Piano and cello music for guest arrival
- Music for the wedding ceremony
- Live music during the signing of the register
- Uplifting music for the ceremony exit
- A relaxed musical backdrop for the drinks reception
Our arrangements combine classical elegance with modern songs couples love — all performed entirely live with no backing tracks.
The combination of piano and cello works beautifully in venues like Ivy Lodge, complementing the warm barn acoustics while maintaining a sophisticated, natural sound.
Planning Your Ivy Lodge Wedding
Ivy Lodge is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after wedding venues in the Cotswolds thanks to its stunning location, exceptional food, and beautifully restored historic buildings.
For couples looking for a venue that combines heritage, atmosphere, and outstanding hospitality, it offers an unforgettable setting for a wedding celebration.
And with the right live music to accompany the day, the experience becomes even more memorable for both the couple and their guests.
Book JAM Duo for Your Ivy Lodge Wedding
If you are planning your wedding at Ivy Lodge in Cirencester and are looking for elegant live music for your ceremony or drinks reception, JAM Duo would be delighted to hear from you.
Our bespoke piano and cello arrangements provide the perfect soundtrack for Cotswold weddings, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere that guests remember long after the day itself.