Q in review: Q2 at Artemis

The summer has finally arrived, and our team are busy bringing wedding dreams to life and hosting incredible events across our venues. But we didn’t want to let the season slip by without celebrating everything we’ve achieved over the second quarter of the year.

Building on our momentum from Q1, Q2 has been a period of further growth and innovation at Artemis. From exciting new launches to team development initiatives, and our continued commitment to sustainability, Q2 has truly embodied our mission of creating unforgettable moments for couples, event organisers and guests alike. Here are some of our highlights:

Elevating the food and drink experience

Spring brought the highly anticipated launch of Chef’s Table, our immersive series of seasonal tasting events that has already exceeded expectations. Designed with both couples planning their weddings and the wider foodie community in mind, Chef’s Table is so much more than a standard tasting experience; it’s an interactive fine dining journey that captures the essence of celebrating at our venues. Our exceptional feedback has energised our team, and we’re thrilled to continue these events throughout autumn, winter, and beyond.

Open post by brookfieldbarn with ID 18298766575171968

Following the launch of our seasonal menu at the start of this year, we invested in showcasing our incredible seasonal dishes through a comprehensive photo and video shoot. Our talented chefs worked tirelessly to present a continuous flow of dishes from across the seasons, creating stunning visual content that truly captures the artistry behind our culinary offerings. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words, and these images perfectly represent the quality our guests can expect.

And what could be better to wash down an incredible meal than a showstopping cocktail? In April, we launched our made-to-order cocktail menu, which sees our expertly trained bar team mixing cocktails right in front of guests, combining creativity, skill, and warm service to elevate every interaction. From elegant classics to bold signatures and beautifully crafted mocktails, this new menu enhances atmosphere and sets the stage for unforgettable experiences.

Commitment to sustainability

Continuing to improve our sustainability efforts, we’ve rolled out electric vehicle charging points across multiple venues. This initiative makes sustainable travel easier for clients, guests, and team members alike. EV chargers are now operational at Crumplebury, Brookfield Barn, Syrencot, Curradine Barns, Combermere Abbey, Old Palace Chester, and The Pear Tree, with Sandhole Oak Barn following soon.

Our sustainability commitment extends to our kitchens as well. Several of our chefs spent a day at FerryFast Produce farm in Evesham for an enlightening exploration of regenerative farming practices and waste reduction strategies with Waste Knot. This thought-provoking experience reinforced our dedication to reducing waste and respecting ingredients throughout our operations nationwide.

We’re also continuing to work closely with the Sustainable Wedding Alliance, which has been completing audits across our venues. More to come on that very soon!

Investing in our team

Q2 highlighted our unwavering commitment to team development through several key training initiatives. Our Welcome Team Managers gathered at The Pear Tree for an intensive day focused on elevating the guest journey from initial inquiry to welcome meeting. The comprehensive program covered emotional storytelling, show-round best practices, CRM tools, marketing insights, and social media strategy, while exploring how to maintain consistently high standards while preserving each venue’s unique personality.

This training was a powerful reminder of how vital our Welcome Teams are to every client’s journey and reinforced the importance of investing in their growth and success. Bringing together teams from across the country to share knowledge and perspectives strengthens our unity as one cohesive organisation, all focused on our shared mission.

Meanwhile, some of our bar team embarked on an educational journey to Dublin, visiting Jameson Distillery with Pernod Ricard. These learning opportunities reflect our belief that continuous growth leads to happier, more fulfilled team members and ultimately improves our guest experience – a true win-win scenario.

Honouring heritage and sharing expertise

In May, Syrencot hosted an extraordinary event that perfectly exemplified our respect for history and heritage. Veterans and historians gathered to honour Christian Lamb, one of D-Day’s unsung heroes, at the very location that served as the founding base for airborne divisions and the planning of Operation Overlord in 1944. We were deeply honoured to host this meaningful event and thrilled to be featured on BBC News coverage.

© Leanne Street Photography

Our expertise also reached the broader industry when our team served as guest speakers on a Bridebook webinar about their new “Couples Manager” tool. Drawing on over 25 years of industry experience and expertise in managing leads across multiple venues nationwide, our team shared valuable insights about effective lead management at scale, contributing their knowledge to the wider wedding industry.

Looking forward

As we move into the second half of the year, Q2’s achievements have set a strong foundation for continued growth and innovation. Every initiative from culinary excellence and sustainable practices to team development and industry leadership reflects our commitment to setting the stage for the unforgettable. The positive feedback, successful launches, and meaningful connections we’ve fostered this quarter energise us for the exciting developments ahead.