Kind Words
Words from the heart, observations, experiences... our couples, their families and guests; our suppliers; the media; ourselves - we've all been reflecting on what makes Bateman's Barn South Elmham, Suffolk special to us.
STOP PRESS
Last remaining dates for 2025 - 14th & 28th June plus 13th & 20th September. We are now fully booked for the 2026 season - viewings and prices for 2027 will be available Summer next year
We've more magical words and pictures to share too, in our storyboard galleries of lasting memories »
We were fortunate to find this beautiful venue
We were actually lost and on our way to another venue viewing, when we saw the signs for Bateman's - so on the way back, we did a drive by and got a great feeling.
We actually emailed to book a viewing from the car.
And the rest, as they say, is history!
The perfect wedding location
When Tom and I were initially looking for wedding venues we were recommended Batemans Barn by a friend. We went to view it with an open mind, determined not to settle on the first place we officially viewed.
We never imagined our wedding could be so stress free
We never imagined our wedding could be so stress free - We don’t even know where to start with how fantastic Nicole and John are, they have the most beautiful venue set in the most gorgeous corner of Suffolk - pretty, peaceful and totally unique.
Eco friendly, everyone is welcome, historic and private - I highly recommend a visit!
We originally booked in 2019 for 2020 but that was not to be - Covid lock downs, date and time changes, supplier swaps and plenty of thinking 'this is never going to happen' - then finally and with much excitement we had our wedding at the lovely Batemans Barn.
The stunning barn and super amazing ruined gatehouse stole our hearts
We were in love from the moment we hit the tree lined driveway that leads to Batemans Barn - our first visit to the venue was way back in May 2019 - we had called, booked an appointment to look round - we felt completely out of our depth and clueless as to what we were looking for or even what we needed to ask...
Superb support - Start to finish
We remember clearly the first time we visited Batemans Barn - we popped along to an Open Day and Wedding fair back in 2019, it was a warm sunny afternoon and we received a warm welcome from both Nicole & John, the owners and host of all the weddings at Batemans - alongside the lovely local recommended suppliers. We stayed at the fair for hours....
Above & beyond… a whirlwind of joy
We are so pleased we chose Bateman’s Barn.
You absolutely get more than you pay for - and you can relax in the knowledge that you are in very safe and experienced hands.
A Truly Perfect Location!
We were so lucky to find this lovely venue and even more surprised when we booked straight away.
We had decided to spend two years planning the wedding, so with this in mind, we were in no rush - but we thought it would be fun to look at some venues for our future plans. After visiting a few locations we were very much ready to sit back and wait until we were actually ready to start booking, but then.....
Personal, Relaxed & So Much Fun!
We were looking for a relaxed and beautiful barn setting. Having seen a few, we knew this was the perfect location before we even got out of the car…
Tucked away in the stunning Suffolk countryside, surrounded by fields and flower meadows, lies Bateman's Barn and its fabulous ancient ruins, all surrounded by a moat - truly an island in the fields.
Best day of our lives - we can't praise it highly enough.
We could not have been happier with our wedding day at this beautiful venue.
We will always be so grateful to Nicole and John for all they did to help turn our eclectic mix of wedding day thoughts and ideas into a coherent reality.
Simply wonderful - best day of my life!
They don’t joke when they tell you it will be the best day of your life! We felt a part of the family, the moment we arrived at Bateman's Barn and their beautiful farm wedding venue!
It was the perfect venue for us
For many years I have hacked my horse past Bateman's Barn and looked down the tree-lined, gravel drive wondering what it is hiding beyond...
When we got engaged and started planning our wedding, we had an excuse to go and find out its secrets - it didn't disappoint!
A wonderful gem in idyllic Suffolk
We'd like to tell you about our special day at this wonderful gem which we found in an idyllic part of Suffolk - an oh so charming barn with bags of history, which we both so loved, beyond our imaginations.
Love at first sight!
Love at first sight! My now husband and I had been to see quite a few different barn style wedding venues, but Bateman's Barn was the only one where we could actually see ourselves getting married.
We loved that we had the freedom to do pretty much as we wished with the decorations, choice of caterers and the timetable for the whole day. Every idea we had in our minds Nicole was happy to help make it work....
We tied the knot at the perfect spot
Bateman's Barn ticked all of our boxes and more - we have viewed several other local venues, so knew what we were looking for, and from the moment we arrived we both knew it was the one.
This pretty venue offers a relaxed country feel with a perfect mix of all mod-cons with bags of rustic charm, plus everything you need to keep your guests comfortable and complete freedom to make it your own.
I had my heart set on a barn
Matt and I knew we wanted a relaxed, rustic venue and I had my heart set on a barn. We felt totally discouraged after viewing a number of venues as the barns were either too big, too expensive or came with too many restrictions.
Then we came across Bateman's Barn’s website and loved what we saw and arranged a viewing...
Bursting with charm & the perfect venue for us.
When we began the search for our wedding venue, we knew that we wanted somewhere that was bursting with charm. Typically English, cosy and inviting. Somewhere that you instantly felt comfortable and at home. As soon as we arrived at Bateman’s Barn we knew that it was the perfect venue for us.
The Most Perfect Day
There was never any obvious pressure to be somewhere else or to be keeping to a timetable - its like time just slowed down but somewhere quietly in the background I knew Nicole was there keeping all on track. What a brilliant decision to have our wedding at Batemans Barn.
Waveney Wedding Collective Wedding fair
"Fantastic wedding fair yesterday, actually, easily the best we have been to - and we've been to quite a few! "
This is a heartfelt thanks to some of our 'locals we love' - our suppliers - for the amazing wedding fair which you helped us put together on Sunday 6th May. The energy, creativity and sheer joy you all brought to the day was beyond what we could have hoped for. Here are a few of the lovely messages I have received from couples who came to our fair, we think they speak for themselves.....
Tranquil & Peaceful Location
As soon as we turned into the drive on our first visit and saw the setting we thought this could be the one. Unlike other venues we viewed, all areas of the barn, house and grounds were available and open for us to view, in order to make an informed decision.
Nicole suggested that we take a wander through the grounds to chat further - although our minds were already made up!
Bateman's Barn ticked all of our boxes & many, many more!
We couldn't put into words how special and memorable our wedding day was, every bit was a slice of heaven. The weather was beautiful, warm sunshine allowed us to have our blessing in some of the Minster ruins, this felt so special and is something other venues just couldn't match.
Wedding of our dreams
We had looked at a few other places before we found Bateman’s Barn and none of them felt quite right. We visited Bateman’s and met Nicole and within about five minutes we knew it was the one.
Striking gold at Bateman's Barn
We struck gold when we found Bateman’s Barn. We got very excited the first time we visited, because we could see it had everything we wanted – beautiful surroundings, lots of outdoor space, plenty of comfy places for people to sit, and a gorgeous space for the ceremony and dance floor.
Nicole’s relaxed attitude (how does she manage to be so chilled and so unbelievably efficient at the same time?!) put us at our ease straightaway. We felt like planning a wedding with Nicole wouldn’t be stressful at all.
It just had to be here!
Bateman’s Barn was the first and only venue which Katy and Simon looked around when planning their wedding.
"Even though it was a torrential thunderstorm when we first visited, we immediately knew this was the right venue for us - a beautiful barn with a marquee attached, set in the gorgeous Suffolk countryside, with friendly and helpful owners who were very supportive with helping us plan our big day!"
5 Star in every way
"Nicole and John are both so professional and laid back at the same time, which we absolutely loved!"
Gem and Jesper just felt that the service which they received from Bateman's Barn South Elmham in the beautiful Waveney Valley was "5***** in every way."
One wonderful day...
Mary & Ollie did things a little differently on their day… A walk across ancient deer park to the Minster ruins. Games on the lawns. A colourful ceremony in the medieval barn and a reception in the covered courtyard before a grand finale of fireworks.
“We had a wonderful day and would recommend the venue to anyone. Thanks for all your help!” From Mary icing her own cake on the very morning of her wedding, to the quirky evening band and relaxed catering, it was certainly a day to remember.
Treasured Islands - EADT Suffolk Magazine feature
Regional glossy EADT Suffolk Magazine featured South Elmham Hall and its owners in its April 2018 issue.
"All weddings at Bateman's Barn are green, not just because this is a working organic farm where diversification is key. It's not us being prescriptive, but just how we operate, because it's what we believe in..."
The double page article gives an insight into the bigger picture, covering everything from the farm, the Minster, the Waveney Wedding Collective and house tours through the Invitation to View scheme.
We love the Suffolk countryside and the location was just perfect
We had been looking for sometime and not yet found the right place or the right feel for our day. Then a friend suggested we take at look at a Barn venue, they had attended an evening party there and thought it was really lovely, quirky place with lots of character and charm.
Individual attention, all the way
When Josi and Mike started planning their wedding, they were determined to find a venue where they would be treated as individuals, not just another couple - just another wedding.
"It was just the most amazing day and so much of that is down to you, Nicole, and John. You worked so incredibly hard to make it such a personal and smooth running day. In our opinion you are fantastic!"
Warning - May contain hero worship!
Such a Warm Welcome
A superbly sunny day with the whole historic venue looking spectacular in the sunshine - but it was more than just the weather which was warm at Bateman's Barn that July day when Alex married his partner, Mark. "Our wedding at Bateman's was, for want of a better word, fantastic. Everyone was so welcoming. The day ran like clockwork and Nicole and her team managed to turn our wedding thoughts and dreams into a reality."
All together different weddings - Mark explains how Batemans' Barn was just the perfect Suffolk venue for his marriage to Alex.
Love my dress - & the venue!
Alice's amazing Charlie Brear wedding gown was a real show-stopper when she married Jamie at Bateman's Barn - so much so that a major wedding dress blog writer felt she just had to give the couple's whole day some online coverage.
The Suffolk wedding (a tribute to Alice's Lowestoft roots) was both 1920s and literary inspired, touching on their personalities and in the coverage, the local florist, decor providers and fish & chip van all get a mention - and Nicole, of course - "She was invaluable."
Wildflowers & Wonderful Times
Phillipa and Keith "couldn't recommend Bateman's more highly." As well as being in awe of how Nicole ensured everything went smoothly practically without even being see, Phillipa remembers with real fondness a foraging walk with her around South Elmham Hall's ancient meadows to gather wildflowers to decorate the medieval barn.
Mime & Minster
Wedding ceremony rehearsals are all part of the package at Bateman's Barn South Elmham, but when Nicole found herself faced with a couple's set of non-English speaking, Russian relatives she soon found herself introducing a whole new sign language to make things fun and everyone feel most welcome.
This was a wedding which treated its guests to a walk to the Minster ruins too - without losing anybody. A note from Tom and Masha tells the story...
