We tied the knot at the perfect spot
It was important for us to add our unique, home-made decorations and use local suppliers, but we also knew we would need some help and guidance as we hadn't done this before!
Right from the first meeting, we realised we would be able to ask Nicole for help whenever we needed - she was always on hand to offer lots of ideas and guidance, based on years of experience, throughout the planning process.
As we got closer to the big day, Nicole and her team were great at allowing us plenty of time at the venue to set up and add our personal touches (stress-free). Having a whole day for setting up was essential as we were not exactly sure what we were doing.
It gave us the space and time to have fun and try things out until we were happy. Not forgetting the extra afternoon Nicole suggested, so we could meet up and try out our paper roses.
On the set up day she was on hand with ladders, staple gun and sewing kits to add coloured lanterns to the marquee lining and make sure everyting would still be up the next day. Nicole had already set up the tables and laid them, so we were able to finalise all our table settings and add the finishing touches. It was great leaving the venue at the end of the set up day knowing that we could sleep well that night, as it was all ready for our big day.
The day dawned bright and sunny, but showers were predicted - with all the meetings and planning time we had spent at venue though, I knew it would run smoothly, that Nicole had contingency plans even altering the timings to suit the unpredictable weather and ensuring we had the perfect photographs and our guests remained dry.
One of our requirements was for a lovely landscape with plenty of scope for unique photographs and Bateman's has this in abundance, from big vistas where you can catch a sunset to quiet querky corners, like a ruined medieval chapel, for those intimate and romantic images, which you know you will cherish through your life together.
The house band, The X-men, had all of our guests on the dance floor, partying and celebrating from start to finish ensuring everyone had sore feet the next morning. They put together a fabulous personalised play list for us, including all our favourites and then played like it was Wembly Stadium, our guests were blown away by the atmosphere and talent of these guys - I can't recommend them enough as they made sure a good time was had by all.
At the end of this splendid day, once we had finished partying and celebrating in the Barn, we wandered across the gardens to the hall and fell into big comfortable beds in warm and beautiful rooms and slept like logs.
We were dreading the thought of having to clear up, take down and pack up all of our decorations and gifts but there was no need as Nicole and her team had already done this for us by the time we arrived for breakfast!
This meant we were able to sit in the courtyard relax and enjoy reminiscing about our marvellous day, sharing photos and stories with the other house guests, who had stayed in the Hall, and some who came back to help us clear up and join us for breakfast.
We were served three delicious courses with lovely fresh fruit salad, yogurt and cereals followed by English breakfast and then a selection of pastries, fruit juices and endless tea and coffee. We were not hurried or made to feel there was any time schedule like the rest of our wedding weekend it was ours to enjoy and we didnt leave until lunchtime.
The perfect end to a perfect wedding weekend and the best start for our married life together.
I will be recommending Bateman's Barn to anyone looking for a venue:
You will not be disappointed.
You will not be pigeon-holed.
You will be able to express yourselves, make it your own and feel like the only wedding that year.
Thanks
Shev and Bertie
