Indoor ceremonies
Bateman’s Barn has surely witnessed much during its 700 year history, but no moments are more memorable than the ones you share with your friends, family and above all with each other, beneath its ancient oak beams.
Sympathetically converted with accessibility and modern comfort in mind, this very special timber-framed barn at the heart of our secluded Suffolk island is truly beautiful and licensed for wedding ceremonies and civil partnerships. It’s a flexible space that’s very accommodating to everyone. Should your wish be to organise your own celebrant or humanist to conduct the ceremony or blessing, then you are of course most welcome.
Setting the scene
Bateman’s Barn is located just across from South Elmham Hall, so if you choose to stay with us and make one of our gently elegant bedrooms home to your final personal preparations for your wedding day, it’s only just a few steps across the island away.
Inside the barn, we’ve kept things simple, so even the most subtle touch of decoration can speak reams about you. The ancient, low oak beams lend themselves to natural trails of ivy or wildflowers, strings of home-made bunting or the brightest paper lanterns. The chivari lime-washed chairs are purposefully understated - just a jam-jar full of meadow flowers, a single bloom or bow of ribbon transforms them into an important part of your personal picture.
Through the windows and large glass doors, light comes flooding in, reflected off white flagstones in the sunny courtyard and terrace. Yet the huge, low beams makes Bateman’s Barn forever an intimate space and you’ll find that tiny dots of fairylights and the flicker of candle flames have their place here too.
Making an entrance
Planning your grand entrance through the main west doors of Bateman’s Barn, your entourage and even the music which will drift across the grounds to meet you - there are undeniably so many things to think about even before any steps down the aisle on your big day. But with your ceremony at Bateman’s Barn, you can enjoy real peace of mind that one of your main priorities will be admirably taken care of – your guests.
Bateman’s Barn is all about including everybody. Entrances to the medieval barn are wheelchair, pram and buggy friendly and there is seamless access to the courtyard and car-parking area. Baby changing facilities and disabled toilets are all conveniently situated within the main barn building itself, with the stables bar and other facilities only a short distance away across the fully paved courtyard.
Help always at hand
Throughout the ceremony you can count on us to be on hand to make sure that everyone is happy and that everything runs smoothly. We’ll be there to open the main barn doors and invite your guests in to take their seats, just before your arrival. We’ll make sure that your chosen music is on cue or your musicians ready for action, that candles are lit and pens in place for the signing of the register.
Before and after the ceremony, your guests can relax on the terrace, where celebratory drinks or tea and coffee may be served. Little ones are welcome to run off some energy on the lawns, although it is important that they are supervised at all times and kids of all ages will enjoy whiling away time playing a range of outdoor games like quoits and giant jenga.
Time to enjoy
When you book your wedding ceremony at Bateman’s Barn, it is exclusively yours for three days. No need to worry about getting the flowers and decorations just the way you want them, there’s plenty of time factored in for that. If you require a helping hand or even a little inspiration at set-up time, we’ll be there to assist of course. And finally, when all your ceremony and celebrations come to a close, we take care of clearing up the venue for you too.
