January 2012 brides...

jojo2004

Thanks V! I loved the look of the comb/headband you posted - it's so classy and elegant. Hope someone manages to find an MSE version (or that you win a lottery prize so can buy the one you want!)
How's your dress coming along?
xx

v5076

Hi

We're having an art deco theme for our wedding so thought that the headband was quite apt, just wish I could afford it, although one of the replies I got was a lovely one that was 1/2 the price so may go for that instead. Depends if the lottery coughs up anytime soon :rotfl:

I've got to make an appointment to see my dressmaker to go through materials etch but I've had a terrible cold bug that's been going round so haven't had chance to see her yet. I have to say I'm very excited about it! Which is very unusual for me as I'm not usually that "girlie" lol

Have fun looking at the venues - can't wait to see which one you choose.

Vanessa

jojo2004

Thanks Vanessa! You're right, we loved all three places! In fact, if you (and the other kind Jan ladies) can bear it, I'd love some input.

Cripps Barn is lovely, the barn part is exactly what we wanted (really old feel, cosy, antique etc), but I wasn't so delighted that the wedding breakfast would be in the marquee.
I did a 'moodboard' on Dessy.com, using the pictures I took as a background, and adding our colours (heather, champagne and ivy green) and it does look better. Am I being ridiculous? If we're having a barn, I want the meal to be in the barn! Unfortunately the capacity just isn't there.
This does of course mean that we would have reception drinks, and the evening reception in the barn, so I guess more time in there, and the marquee provides more space for people to sit/chat etc.

The other two concerns about Cripps are that they aren't open in Jan (I'd have to move to the Feb brides board! Or we could try for early Dec... not sure we can get organised by then!), and that there's no on-site accommodation, which there is at the other two. I know that sounds a bit spoiled, but having seen places that do have it, I love the idea of staying the night before, spending the day before decorating, and having the night of the wedding there as well, so no stress at the end of the night.

Here's the moodboard of the marquee (the pics look a bit odd just plonked on, but they give an impression of what it might look like, I hope!)


Phew.
So, the second one, Kingscote Barn, is also beautiful, and has on-site accommodation and is open in Jan.
The thing we were a little concerned about is that it perhaps looks a bit 'corporate' and too shiny! The bar area looks like a conference centre to me, and we want something a bit more rustic/old fashioned/antique. Here's a pic of the bar area to show you what I mean:


Maybe with decorations (lots of candles, lots of ivy) it would be a bit more rustic? Something like this (this is the main barn, obv)?


The other advantage is that Kingscote has underfloor heating (which is an upside of them having made a 17th C barn so much more modern!) and Cripps doesn't (it was freezing in there, but they did have the doors wide open to let the Spring in!).

Birtsmorton was gorgeous, but we reckon the quote will be eyewatering, so we're not really considering it seriously unless they quote surprisingly low.

Would appreciate any comments!
xx

jojo2004

v5076 wrote: »

Hi

We're having an art deco theme for our wedding so thought that the headband was quite apt, just wish I could afford it, although one of the replies I got was a lovely one that was 1/2 the price so may go for that instead. Depends if the lottery coughs up anytime soon :rotfl:

I've got to make an appointment to see my dressmaker to go through materials etch but I've had a terrible cold bug that's been going round so haven't had chance to see her yet. I have to say I'm very excited about it! Which is very unusual for me as I'm not usually that "girlie" lol

Have fun looking at the venues - can't wait to see which one you choose.

Vanessa

Meant to say, do you mean the first suggestion after your post? Cause, if so, I totally agree. It's just as pretty and much more reasonably priced!
Feel better.
x

v5076

Hi Jojo

All those venues are beautiful but, as with all venues, there's pluses and minuses to all. When we looked at the venues we considered what the transport links were like for the venue, particuarly considering what the weather could be like and also whether there's any other accommodation nearby that could accommodate other guests.

I have to say from the pictures you've put on above I like the last picture the best.

The only other option that I can think of is to wait and see what the quote is for Birtsmorton and then haggle or try and save elsewhere. Our venue was the most expensive one we looked at but it was perfect for us so we just haggled and because it was a winter wedding they are a bit more accommodating on prices etc so it might be worth a try

jojo2004

Thanks V!
We're still hashing it over (well, actually, we've had a week of not thinking about it *much* ) and we're going to talk again this weekend. Basically, I think, we had a picture in our heads of a wooden/timber framed barn, but the area that we vaguely want to be wed in is the area which is full of stone barns (Cotswolds/Oxfordshire, over towards Malvern), so we either need to rethink the area, or realise that stone barns are what we will find!

Did any of you choose to get married in an area that isn't significant for you?
The area we're looking at is sort of where we both feel comfortable, have spent some time living/at school etc, and feels right. There are gorgeous places in Surrey, for example, but there's no reason to get married there! Am I being weird thinking we should get married somewhere that has significance for us?!
xx

v5076

Hi Jojo

I'd say keep looking at venues until you find just the one you want. Our venue is in a place which means nothing to us, it was just a beautiful place and we instantly knew it was "the one".

I'd say keep looking at whatever area you like, your friends and family will go whereever you are in order to help celebrate your day and I'm sure going to be a perfect day no matter where you choose.

I'm not sure whether it's of any use, but we've just been down to see some friends in Shropshire and she gave me a wedding magazine and a barn sprang out at me when I was reading it - www.hundredhouse.co.uk.

flossy_splodge

v5076 wrote: »

Hi Jojo

I'd say keep looking at venues until you find just the one you want. Our venue is in a place which means nothing to us, it was just a beautiful place and we instantly knew it was "the one".

I'd say keep looking at whatever area you like, your friends and family will go whereever you are in order to help celebrate your day and I'm sure going to be a perfect day no matter where you choose.

I'm not sure whether it's of any use, but we've just been down to see some friends in Shropshire and she gave me a wedding magazine and a barn sprang out at me when I was reading it - www.hundredhouse.co.uk.

Forgive me but how would you know this?
There might well be some elderly relatives for whom a distance is NOT do-able and thus they would not be able to attend.
I thought a wedding was about the event and the support and good wishes of those close to the couple and NOT just about a 'pretty' place.
Still maybe thats another thing that has changed with the times we sadly live in.:o

jojo2004

flossy_splodge wrote: »

Forgive me but how would you know this?
There might well be some elderly relatives for whom a distance is NOT do-able and thus they would not be able to attend.
I thought a wedding was about the event and the support and good wishes of those close to the couple and NOT just about a 'pretty' place.
Still maybe thats another thing that has changed with the times we sadly live in.:o

Don't be grumpsome mama!! And which 'elderly' relatives are you talking about? Dad's not *that* old...

flossy_splodge

jojo2004 wrote: »

Don't be grumpsome mama!! And which 'elderly' relatives are you talking about? Dad's not *that* old...

Actually I was thinking about one elderly Aunt????