Weddings are expensive. From the flowers to the photography to the dress, it all adds up.
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But what if you didn’t have to worry about paying for the venue?
That’s the situation one lucky couple will find themselves in thanks to a giveaway from Maitland’s Mansfield House.
The historic house will give away one wedding package worth up to $13,200 as part of a new direction for the business.
“We’re all very, very excited about it,” Mansfield House wedding coordinator Christian Cramp said.
“We really want to change someone’s life here.”
Keen brides and grooms have already jumped at the chance to win with 100 entries already received in the competition, which will be drawn at Stockland Green Hills after the next stage opening on March 22.
Mr Cramp said the idea came about while he was brainstorming what to do with the premises with business partner Tom Richards, whose father Chris owns the building.
“I always say ‘whilst you are doing the little ideas you can miss the big ones’,” Mr Cramp said.
He thought about going out and engaging with the public, so contacted Stockland. The idea came about to do an exposition, and the wedding giveaway sprung from that.
The initiative ties in with a new direction for Mansfield House. The business will no longer do regular high teas, and is instead shifting more towards functions.
Since the beginning of the year, nine weddings have already been booked at the venue.
Mr Cramp said they wanted to show people they didn’t need to go to the beach or a winery to have their big day.
“Maitland is a beautiful city and it has got some beautiful features,” he said. “The architecture is absolutely exquisite.”
The wedding giveaway package includes “everything involved with the venue”. Mr Cramp said he hoped the giveaway would mean the winner could really have their dream day.
“Because of the cost of weddings, people do try and cut numbers,” he said. “You just can’t have everybody.
“This way you don’t have to compromise.”
He said the lucky couple could spend the money on setting up their life.
“Instead of spending money on a party, they could spend it on their honeymoon,” he said.
“That’s a good step towards a house deposit.”
Entries for the competition are now open. To enter visit www.mansfieldhouse1887.com.au.
Mansfield House will have a stall set up at the centre from March 22-25, and the winner will be drawn live at 3.30pm, March 25.
