Real wedding · Summer
Lucy and Tom married on a hot August afternoon in the Ribble Valley. Meadow flowers lined the aisle in the oval room, drinks spilled out onto the lawn in the sunshine, and the evening light was just right for photos in the estate’s wildflower meadow.
A weekend on the estate
Lucy and Tom made a weekend of it. They had the Farmhouse for three nights and Ribble Valley Country Cottages for two, so family and friends had somewhere to settle in the night before and somewhere to come back to after the last dance. Their décor and signs came over a few days earlier, so the morning itself could be calm.
Lucy was up early with her bridesmaids for hair and make-up. Tom and the groomsmen took the morning slowly in the sun. Before the ceremony there was a quiet moment with her dad.
Meadow flowers in the oval room
The ceremony was at half past one. Milly Davey dressed two floral arches, one framing the oval window and one at the entrance to the room, with lights from Quintessential. Down the aisle, our log stumps, log slices and hurricane candles sat among little clusters of meadow flowers. Simply Bows added sashes to every chair, and Above & Beyond’s light-up love letters stood against the white wall at the back.
Craig played piano as Lucy walked down the aisle with her dad.
Drinks on the lawn
Everyone headed straight out to the bar lawn for the confetti shot, then stayed out in the sunshine. There were buckets of Peroni and Corona, with limes for guests to help themselves. Craig kept playing inside while In Bloom played two sets outside.
Lucy and Tom slipped away with Mark for photos: by their classic Jaguar, with the bridesmaids in olive green, and on Fairy Bridge, down by the stream.
Speeches first, then a roast
They were announced into the room to an upbeat song of their choosing, and the four speeches came before the meal so everyone could relax afterwards. Then Good Food Story served a proper roast dinner, followed by a duo of desserts.
The top table and a long table down the middle of the room ran with meadow flowers, with more wildflowers spilling onto the floor in front of the couple. Rustic round tables, gold cutlery and charger plates, and the copper ceiling lights finished the room.
Golden hour in the meadow
In the early evening light, Mark took Lucy and Tom out across the estate: down to Fairy Bridge by the stream, then into the wildflower meadow, among the yellow flowers. In high summer it’s one of our favourite spots on the estate.
Into the night
Evening guests arrived as the room turned around for dancing. Lucy and Tom had their first dance and cut their three-tier cake from The Sweetest Thing Cakery. Then Lucy changed into a second, shorter dress for the party. The Footman played two sets, Jonny Ross DJed in between, and guests queued for the selfie mirror, the 360 booth and the telephone guest book.
Outside, the fire pits were lit, and Fratelli’s pizza came out for anyone who had danced their way back to hungry. The music played on until half past twelve.
The details
- VenueThe Out Barn, Ribble Valley
- StayThe Farmhouse and a cottage on the estate
- PhotographyMark Tattersall
- ContentAnna Jane Social
- FlowersMilly Davey
- Arches and lightingQuintessential
- Chair sashesSimply Bow
- Love letters and signsAbove & Beyond
- Ceremony and drinks musicCraig Smith, piano
- Drinks and dinner musicIn Bloom
- Wedding breakfastGood Food Story
- CakeThe Sweetest Thing Cakery
- BandThe Footman
- DJJonny Ross
- Photo boothsReflection
- Evening foodFratelli’s
- CarClassic Wedding Cars Cheshire
Planning a summer wedding?
Come and see the oval room, walk down to the meadow and talk your day through with us.
Book a showroundSee the Estate Takeover