All Things Bride and Beautiful - The Reception

We finally did it! Tied the knot (another hand-fasting colloquialism) and then the reception ensued!

Penny Square Barn is also well known locally for occasionally being frequented by Prince William and Duchess Kate! I was informed that a few weeks prior to our wedding they had attended a party there and the hosts had kindly evened the barn floor with a carpet that we were able to make use of!

The barn as I said was very basic, but I looked on it as a blank canvas, a scene for a film that I had to orchestrate and in doing so i drilled down into every possible aspect i could think of to make sure that nothing was left out.

There was a white arch with fairy lights to welcome guests into the Barn's courtyard and in the courtyard we had hay bales as seating as well as benches and chairs. Bunting surrounding the wall of the garden and we had a Cocktail Caravan in the corner providing an array of delicious (and really bloody strong) beverages - these girls were really good fun and I would recommend them for a party!

To the side of the garden was a little room we had cleared out and tidied and made a little snug with sofas, lights and candles and my mother in law had provided garden games for people to play.

On entering the barn I hung white curtains which then led to a double door to the main barn building with also had curtains. Inside the barn I had collected signs, candles and tea candles. We had a rose carved from a branch of The Tree of Heaven which had fallen due to strong winds in The Bishop's Palace in Wells and a wish tree made from a silver birch which was decorated with fairy lights so guests could leave us marriage advice and well wishes.

There were chairs and sofas, milk churns and pampas grass and pallets with candles and rose petals dusted on top and every hole in the barn wall we left a tea light.

Through the large back doors to the barn we hung some curtains that my friend and i had made together which led to a small tunnel which then led to our marquee (provided by abbas marquess, somerset). Our Menu and table plan (also handmade by myself) was at the entrance to the marquee tunnel along with some Willow Bride and Groom pigs that our wonderful florist Anne Taylor had made.

The marquee was beautiful, erected quickly and professionally and company were very helpful. Inside the marquee we had our tables, cake table, sofas with an area that had photographs of our parents and grandparents getting married and a photo booth set up with props.

On the tables each guest had a thank you card, name card and hand finished wooden coaster with their name etched in it.

I also provided a little paper bag with their name on so they could keep all their keepsakes together.In fitting with Italian tradition there were also bonbonniere for each guest.

I had handmade gold and lace table runners to dress the white tablecloths we had hired and there were small flower decorations in glass jars, tea lights and candle sticks. It looked absolutely stunning.

For 18 months I was consumed with our wedding day, I handmade our Save the Dates, Invitations, Bunting, Table runners, Favours, Curtains and I had help from some amazing friends (especially my Maid of Honour of course!) setting up the barn and providing other decorations. It was a labour of love but it showed. Everyone said how special and personal the day was and of course, it was the day of our dreams.