Marquees For Weddings, Parties and Special Events

The Top 3 Benefits of Using a Marquee for your Next Celebration

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 12:30:33 GMT

Are you ready to take your celebration to the next level?

Imagine hosting your event in a stunning marquee that not only impresses your guests but also adapts to your vision. Marquees have become the go-to choice for unforgettable celebrations, and for good reason!

In this blog post, I’ll share the top three benefits of using a marquee for your next event.

From the freedom to create your perfect space to staying sheltered from the unpredictable British weather, a marquee can transform your celebration into something truly extraordinary.

1: Flexibility in Space

One of the biggest advantages of using a marquee is the flexibility it offers. Unlike traditional venues, marquees can be set up in various locations, whether it's your garden, a scenic field, or even a beach. This means you can choose a spot that holds special meaning for you or simply one that looks beautiful.

Additionally, marquees come in different sizes and layouts, allowing you to customise the space to fit your needs.

Whether you're planning an intimate gathering or a grand celebration, you can create the perfect environment for your guests. You have the freedom to arrange seating, dance floors, and dining areas exactly how you envision them, making your event truly unique.

2: Protection from Weather

When planning an outdoor celebration, the weather can be a major concern. Rain, wind, or even too much sun can disrupt your event and leave guests uncomfortable.

This is where a marquee truly shines! A marquee provides a sheltered space, ensuring that your celebration can go on, rain or shine. Here are some key benefits of having a marquee for weather protection:

Sturdy Shelter : Our framed marquees have a wind loading up to 63 mph so can withstand the worst of the British weather!
Temperature Control : Whilst our marquees can be opened up in the warmer weather to allow the air to flow through, air conditioning can also be provided. In cooler temperatures our efficient heating solutions allow you to create a pleasant atmosphere for everyone.
Peace of Mind : Knowing that you have a reliable space that protects your guests from the elements, whether that be the rain or the sun, lets you focus on enjoying your event.

By choosing a marquee, you can relax and enjoy your celebration, confident that you have a safe and comfortable environment for your guests.

3: Personalised Experience

One of the most exciting aspects of using a marquee is the ability to create a personalised experience for your guests. Unlike traditional venues, marquees offer a blank canvas that you can transform to match your event's theme and style. Here’s how a marquee allows for a unique touch:

Custom Decor : You can decorate the marquee in any way you like, from elegant drapes to vibrant lighting, ensuring it reflects your vision.
Themed Setups : Whether you're hosting a rustic wedding or a corporate gala, a marquee can be tailored to fit any theme, making your event truly special.
Bespoke Layouts : You have the freedom to arrange seating, dining areas, and entertainment spaces exactly how you envision them, creating a flow that suits your event.

With a marquee, you can craft an atmosphere that leaves a lasting impression on your guests, making your celebration one they will remember for years to come.

In summary, using a marquee for your next celebration offers numerous benefits that can elevate your event to new heights.

From the flexibility of choosing your location and customising your space to the protection from unpredictable weather and the ability to create a personalised experience, marquees provide everything you need for a successful gathering.

If you're ready to make your celebration unforgettable, consider the advantages of a marquee. It’s not just a venue; it’s a way to create lasting memories for you and your guests.

Are you interested in learning more about how a marquee can enhance your next event?

Get in touch with us at Village Farm Marquees ! We would love to help you plan a celebration that truly reflects your style and vision.

Laura & Seb’s Dreams Become a Reality for Their Springtime Wedding

Sun, 02 Jul 2023 19:27:34 GMT

Planning a wedding can be a stressful time, but bride Laura, and her husband to-be Seb, sailed through the wedding planning process, stress free, and in just 10 months!

Laura met Seb in February 2021, and just over a year later Seb romantically proposed to Laura whilst she was out riding her horse Poppy with her Mum in their local village of North Ferriby. Seb had arranged the proposal with Laura’s parents, and planned which route they would be riding. He waited, dressed in black tie at the end of the track, whilst Laura’s Dad was hiding around the corner ready to hold Poppy. Of course, Laura said YES and they enjoyed a glass of champagne in the fields to celebrate! “It was such a surprise and I didn’t have a clue, I wished I was in nicer clothes!” Laura laughed.

The wedding planning began the day after the proposal, and super organised Personal Assistant, Laura knew exactly what she wanted. Laura had a vision, and found most of her inspiration from Instagram. She loved the idea of a framed marquee with clear roof over the bar area. She also wanted to incorporate a circular bar with a floral hoop above, as well as a floral hoop over the dining area.

As Laura had her heart set on a marquee wedding at her parent’s home in North Ferriby, it was time to get the ball rolling. Laura and Seb had heard about Village Farm Marquees through friends who highly recommend them. “As soon as we met Tony and Chrysta they were just brilliant, they gave us peace of mind and everything we discussed from the first meeting, they went away with and came back with a plan and a design and we just went from there.” Laura said.

Chrysta created a layout plan of the marquee to accommodate a covered decked veranda to the front of the marquee with outdoor furniture, an entrance area with a circular mirrored bar and floral hoop above, a dining area to seat 180 guests and a reveal which created a surprise separate dance floor and band area for the evening.

Tony and the team arrived on Easter Monday, ready for the big build. “I was so excited seeing the marquee being built and it all coming together – Tony sent us photo updates of the marquee build, which was really nice too.” Said Laura.

“On the Friday, the day before the wedding, the weather was terrible, it poured down all day. Mum had heard that if you bury a silver fork and a cooked sausage the night before the wedding it brings glorious skies for the day ahead - it worked, the weather was lovely.”

Weekend of Celebrations

With the ceremony taking place only a few minutes drive away from the family home and marquee, Laura and her Dad made the short journey to All Saints Church in North Ferriby in a friend’s parents white Bentley – this was a surprise arranged by Laura’s Mum and she was delighted with her transport choice!

Now officially husband and wife, Laura and Seb, along with their guests arrived at the marquee where they enjoyed pre-dinner drinks and canapes on the lawn, with vocals by the Phat Cats.

Guests travelled from up and down the country, and many commented on how amazing the marquee looked – adorned with amazing florals by Vicki Johnston Flowers and lighting installations by AV Matrix. A few of Laura and Seb’s friends have already been in touch with some of the suppliers, to discuss their own parties and upcoming weddings which is fantastic!

Chrysta Newman co-partner of Village Farm Marquees said “Laura and Seb were great to work with – Laura had a very clear vision of the marquee venue she wanted to create and we loved working with them and the other suppliers involved to bring it to fruition. It was a great start to the 2023 wedding season!”

Laura and Seb wanted to make the most of the stunning marquee, flowers and décor, so with a full weekend of wedding celebrations ahead, it was time to enjoy day one.

They chose to have on-day coordination, and the fantastic Miranda Osborne ensured everything ran like clockwork.

Following canapes and pre-dinner drinks, guests were treated to a delicious 3 course meal by Purple Chilli Catering. Crispy duck with a watermelon salad, was followed by surf and turf with hand cooked chips or chicken wrapped in parma ham, then rounded off with a trio of desserts; lemon curd cheesecake, sticky toffee pudding and Eton mess.

Canter Events managed the bar for the weekend and kept everyone’s glasses full. Over the weekend they served a staggering 300 Espresso Martini’s!

The Phat Cats band played songs around the tables during the meal. “This really got the party started explained Laura, as guests got up on the chairs and joined in with the songs. Creating the right atmosphere was something we both wanted, and I had previously heard the Phat Cats perform so I knew they were the right band for us.”

Seb chose their first dance music, Florence and the Machine, You’ve Got The Love and this was followed with plenty of floor fillers which kept the couple and their guests dancing until the early hours. Laura described feeling like she just wanted to pause the day, as she didn’t want it to end.

Sunday was another day of celebrating, just a little more relaxed, with Laura wearing a stunning cream two-piece dress from Reiss. Guests enjoyed a delicious cold buffet by Fiona Hall, followed by homemade chocolate roulade by Laura’s Mum, and, with the sun still shining, steel drummers performed, creating acoustic background music as the guests reminisced about the previous day.

“The weekend was filled with so many special memories, Laura explained, but one of our favourite memories from the day was when we were able to enjoy 5 minutes, just the two of us, seeing all our friends and family in the marquee. Knowing they were all there for us was an amazing feeling.”

The following Wednesday, Laura and Seb jetted off to the stunning Caribbean Island of Barbados for 7 nights, where they relaxed in the sun, and enjoyed the wonderful Caribbean hospitality.

Suppliers

Caterer – Purple Chilli

Bar – Canter Events

Band – The Phat Cats

Flowers – Vicki Johnston

Candelabra hire – Cherry Williams

Photographer – Inspire Images

Videography – Jessie and Emilie

On-day Co-ordination – Miranda Osborne

Lighting – AV Matrix

Posh Loos – Toodoloo

Power – Will Power and Elecplant Humberside

Make up - Larissa Higgins

Wedding Hair - Luxe Hair

A classic English wedding on a beautiful summer’s day

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 13:05:28 GMT

We all know how unpredictable British summers can be, and the last thing any bride-to-be wants on her big day is rain (even if she does have a lovely big weatherproof marquee!).

But every now and then we’re treated to an impeccable summer’s day, blessed with blue skies, glorious sunshine and gentle breezes – and that was Mother Nature’s gift to Amelia and Olly, who were married on June 17, 2022, in the gardens of Amelia’s parents’ home near York.

With the venue for their celebration already settled, the challenge was on to find suitable suppliers who could give the top class service required to create a magical weekend for the couple.

Finding a quality marquee was top of Amelia’s agenda, and naturally she sourced a number of quotes. “We were doing a lot of research on marquees, and I was quite specific with what I was looking for,” Amelia explained. “June has very long days so it’s light until late into the evening, and I wanted to create a different atmosphere for the dancing area, with a reveal, which not all marquees can create, and we wanted our loos built into the marquee, which again not every supplier can offer.

“Village Farm ticked all these boxes, but more than that – they were so accommodating and just couldn't have been more helpful. What really came across is they genuinely cared and wanted us to have the best day possible. Ultimately it was a combination of these practical factors and their personality that made it such an easy decision to choose them.”

And the legendary Village Farm Marquee service hit the mark, as always. Amelia added: “I couldn’t have been happier with the service. Throughout the whole process, Chrysta was so diligent, she spoke with every supplier and created a brilliant timeline. We wanted a few adjustments making, for example, a few more clear panels in the sides of the marquee, and she sorted that with a moment's notice.

“Chrysta and Tony and their team could not have worked harder, they were starting at 8am and leaving around 9pm. They were a fantastic team and I've recommended them to quite a few people who’ve booked them because of what we’ve said, and they've noticed the same positive things.”

Elegant and sophisticated

The marquee layout was cleverly designed to accommodate a large dining area with a circular bar and a ‘reveal’ to the dancefloor, as well as the all-important luxury loos. Amelia chose a clear roof over the bar section to flood the space with light, an ivory lining to help keep the dining area cool (as the outside temperature hit a scorching 31 degrees), and a black lining for the dancefloor section to create a proper disco vibe.

In the dining area, the long tables were adorned with stunning floral arrangements and elegant candelabra to add height and drama. Amelia chose a mix of peonies and foliage, as well as ivory candles, to match her sophisticated colour scheme of cream, white and green, with a pop of blush pink.

A perfect weekend

Saturday gave the Village Farm team and the florist chance to rejuvenate the marquee and its contents, ready for the next day’s lunch.

Amelia is full of praise for her caterer Natalie, from the Yorkshire Party Company – who was also her on-the-day wedding planner – as well as her photographers, band and DJ. “I handed everything over to Natalie two days before the wedding and she was brilliant. She worked really well with Chrysta and I just couldn’t rate them more highly, they were both wonderful to work with.

Chrysta Newman, Co-director of Village Farm Marquees, said: “Amelia and Olly’s wedding was an absolute dream from start to finish. The weather, the location, the people… it was a joy to help Amelia achieve her vision and create such a beautiful weekend of celebration.”

On-the-day co-ordination

Right up until two days before her big day, Amelia fulfilled the role of wedding planner extraordinaire – and then made the very sensible decision to appoint an on-the-day co-ordinator so that she could enjoy every single moment without the stress of having to organise all the different suppliers and ensure everything ran like clockwork.

Step forward Natalie Moore, Director of the Yorkshire Party Company, who not only already knew Amelia personally but had also been hired to provide the catering for both the wedding and the Sunday lunch party. Yorkshire Party is one of the region’s finest caterers and Natalie herself is a top-notch wedding planner with peerless organisational skills and a fantastic network of suppliers (she was able to come to Amelia’s aid when her original Sunday photographer cancelled an hour before the lunch started).

Natalie explained: “When it comes to taking on any sort of wedding planning, you've got to find somebody who is the right fit and who understands fully the client’s brief, because you’re putting all your trust and responsibility for your special day onto that person.

“Amelia handed all her plans to me on a beautifully prepared spreadsheet, we had everything on there that I needed to know, every single supplier, all the contact details and timings, she was super organised! There was a lot of co-ordinating to do and Amelia and her family didn't want the stress of all that last minute, which makes complete sense.”

Some of the suppliers were travelling from London on the day of the wedding and unfortunately a number of road accidents between the capital and Yorkshire caused delays, which kept Natalie on her toes! Thankfully despite the late arrivals, everyone pulled together and were still able to deliver a seamless first-class service, as expected, on time. “It’s such a dream to have flexible and understanding suppliers who are on board with the schedule you’re trying to work to. Ultimately everyone involved just wanted to create the best possible experience for the whole wedding party,” Natalie added. “It really was great that Amelia found such fabulous suppliers, it made my role a lot easier and enjoyable because everyone was so nice to work with.”

Guests were treated to an exquisite summer menu courtesy of Natalie’s team: canapes were followed by a sesame and coriander crusted tuna starter, Yorkshire honey and five spice duck breast main course, and a three-tiered wedding cake as well as mini treacle and raspberry frangipani tarts, with tea and coffee.

At Sunday’s lunch, guests were served an assortment of canapes to start followed by a main course of guinea fowl and a lemon posset pudding.

Every event Natalie caters for is special, but Amelia and Olly’s celebration particularly stands out in her memory. She said: “The marquee looked so beautiful, you walked in and couldn’t help but say ‘wow!’”

SUPPLIERS

Catering and wedding day co-ordination – The Yorkshire Party Company

Photographer (Friday) – Richard Greenly

Photographer (Sunday) – Joe Dodsworth

Furniture – EPH Creative /Black Event Furniture

Bar Hire – Louisanna’s

Lighting and Sound – AV Matrix

Toilet Hire – Oakwood Services

Power – The Convenience Company (North) and Jor Event

Fridge Hire – One Event Solutions

Flowers – Vincent and Stubbs Flowers

Reception Music – York String Quartet

DJ – Matt Potter – Potter Group

Band – 29 Fingers

Security – TJ Security

Autumnal nuptials in the Peak District

chrysta@villagefarmmarquees.co.uk (Village Farm Marquees) — Mon, 10 Jan 2022 13:31:23 GMT

Alex Pateman knew his proposal to girlfriend Jenni Walton-Gould had to happen somewhere special, but didn’t realise it would take three attempts!

Defeated by circumstance and the elements not once but twice – a trip to New York was cancelled due to the coronavirus and a hike up Stanage Edge in the Peak District in torrential rain ruined both the ring box and the moment – it was third time lucky for the romantic pair as Alex popped the question on a beautiful Cornish beach that Jenni had loved visiting since being a child, and she happily accepted.

Jenni, a 33-year-old solicitor who originally hails from Surrey, and Alex, a 33-year-old structural engineer from Sheffield in Yorkshire, now live and work in London, but knew they wanted to hold their wedding up north. After their engagement in August 2020, the wedding planning process began in earnest with the search for a venue.

Jenni said: “I’m pretty organised and wanted to get married as soon as we could. Of course lots of people had to postpone their 2020 weddings so there was a lot of demand for venues in 2021 but we were fortunately able to book the one we wanted for October.”

And that venue was the delightful Haddon Grove Farm Cottages, a hamlet of 10 luxury properties near the historic market town of Bakewell in the heart of the beautiful Peak District national park.

The cottages sleep 51 guests in total with a mix of one, two, three, four and five bedrooms, all surrounding lovely courtyards and gardens with stunning views across the Derbyshire countryside. The ‘Love Nest’ is reserved exclusively for the newlyweds, and the wedding party has full and exclusive use of all the Haddon Grove facilities for three nights, so the celebrations don't have to stop when the actual wedding day ends. 

The site lends itself perfectly to a marquee wedding, and ticked all of Jenni’s boxes. She said: “I’d always imagined having a marquee wedding and liked the idea of being able to choose everything yourself. Some venues had all sorts of restrictive rules about which suppliers you could use, whereas here they were very relaxed.

“We knew we wanted something on the Friday night – we had a pizza van, which was great – and also on the Sunday, when we put on a hog roast. It was like a village our friends and family could take over for the whole weekend, which was really nice.”

A different approach

Naturally, Jenni requested quotes from a number of marquee hire companies. “Being from London, I didn’t have a clue about marquee hire in Derbyshire! I think I found Village Farm Marquees on a Google search. Some companies took a while to respond or just gave me a quote without asking any questions or speaking to me, but with Chrysta it was quite different.

“She said she needed to speak with me before quoting, and we spent about an hour on the phone chatting about what I wanted. I found her really easy to talk to, she was so friendly and approachable, and obviously very knowledgeable about what she does.

“Her quote was higher than the other companies, but I realised it was properly costed up and there would be no hidden extras or nasty surprises further down the line. She’d clearly put the effort into giving me a fully considered quote that would deliver exactly what I wanted, whereas some of the others just hadn’t thought it through properly.

“Chrysta thought of everything – I know the caterers were really pleased with the space allocated for them, as some marquee companies only give them half the size. She was also mindful of my budget and was really clear about costings if I decided to make changes.”

Church ceremony

The bride wore a stunning Suzanne Neville ivory dress, with off the shoulder straps and a full skirt, and carried a colourful orange, pink and aubergine autumnal bouquet. Six bridesmaids attended her, in forest green dresses, while the groom wore a bespoke dark blue suit with a waistcoat.

The bride and her father travelled to the church in an elegant Rolls Royce, while guests were transported by executive minibus. It was important to Jenni and Alex to have a religious marriage ceremony, and so on October 16, the couple exchanged vows in front of their 125 guests in Bakewell’s beautifully decorated All Saints Parish Church, before everyone headed over to Haddon Grove for the celebration.

Guests enjoyed delicious canapes themed on the couple’s travels, such as Argentinian steak and paella balls, then took their seats in the marquee, which featured eye-catching touches such as a floral hoop near the entrance to continue the bold autumnal feel of the bride’s bouquet. A clear gable end and a clear roof above the dancefloor and bar ensured everyone could see the stars sparkling in the dark skies, while each table included a gold lantern centrepiece surrounded by a floral wreath.

For the main meal, guests tucked into steak and ale pie or cauliflower cheese pie, with lots of veggies and mash, with apple crumble and custard for dessert. A live band got everybody up on the dancefloor, and hungry dancers were able to top up their energy levels with Greek halloumi wraps served later in the evening.

As the venue’s licence for music runs out at 11pm, at this point the ‘silent disco’ went live, with partygoers being able to choose from three dance channels – blue for Jenni’s playlist, green for Alex’s, and red for tunes chosen by Jenni and Alex’s parents.

The happy couple were the last ones standing and eventually retired to the ‘Love Nest’ at 2.30am, knowing they wouldn’t be able to sleep in too long the next day as most guests would be returning for the hog roast!

A memorable weekend

The whole wedding weekend was full of memorable moments. Jenni recalls: “I remember coming out of the cottage wearing my dress, and seeing my dad waiting for me, and then walking up the aisle with him. And when Alex and I went off for photos I thought I’d feel grumpy about being taken away from our guests, but it was lovely to spend that bit of time just with him.

“I also remember feeling overwhelmed by how lovely the marquee looked, I couldn’t believe how well it had all come together. I think at some wedding venues, it’s all in someone else’s control, whereas I’d done my own planning. Obviously Chrysta played a massive part in making things happen, she’s just amazing.

“Also, I felt so nervous about our first dance. We’d had some dance lessons, and we’d practised the steps with no mistakes the night before! But it wasn’t a disaster and that ended up being a really nice moment too.”

Following the wedding weekend, the couple honeymooned in Scotland, visiting Gleneagles, the Cairngorms and Edinburgh.

Chrysta Newman, Co-director of Village Farm Marquees, said: “As Jenni lives in London I didn’t actually meet her until just before her wedding day, but I felt we’d really got to know each other well as we’d spent lots of time on the telephone, bringing her plans to life.

“I’m so pleased with the way the marquee looked, and am thrilled that Jenni and Alex enjoyed such a wonderful weekend of celebration. They’re a super couple and I wish them all the best for the future.”

Jenni concluded: “We had so many comments on how beautiful the marquee was. Chrysta just knows everything there is to know about marquee weddings, and is always on hand with guidance or just a second opinion. I didn’t have to worry about anything like electricity supplies, plugs or lighting, I could ask her for advice about anything at all. I probably annoyed her no end by constantly changing my mind!

“She was one of the best people to have around. I didn’t have to worry about things knowing she was taking care of them. I literally recommend her to all my friends, even if they’re not thinking of getting married!”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF: Oliver Holder Photography

Suppliers

Venue – Haddon Grove Farm Cottages

Marquee – Village Farm Marquees

Furniture – Black Event Furniture

Toilets/Generator/Fridge Trailer – The Convenience Company (North)

Catering – Thomas the Caterer

Bar – Mambo Mobile Bars

Band – 29 Fingers

Silent Disco – The Silent Disco Company

Florist – Avant Garden Events

Table Linen – Luxury Linen Hire

Cake – Hannah Matilda

Hair/MUP – Jenni Hughes at Make-up by Jenni

Dress – Suzanne Neville from The Dress in Teddington

Groom’s Suit – Beggar’s Run

Bridesmaid dresses – Rewritten

Videographer – Toast Films

Photographer – Oliver Holder Photography Rolls Royce – The Wedding Car Hire People

Executive Car Hire – JB Executive Travel

Hog Roast – Ginger Butchers in Bakewell

Pizza Van – Sunshine Pizza Oven

Fouth time lucky!

chrysta@villagefarmmarquees.co.uk (Village Farm Marquees) — Mon, 01 Nov 2021 19:07:19 GMT

As everyone knows, the coronavirus pandemic has sadly wreaked havoc on people’s lives in many different ways, including by disrupting major personal events such as weddings.

Couples around the country have experienced endless heartache as their longed-for, meticulously planned nuptials have had to be cancelled, in some cases – such as Heather Wilkie and Tom O’Donnell’s – no less than three times.

So in the end it was fourth time lucky for the North Ferriby couple, who overcame all the hurdles to finally become man and wife on August 7, 2021. And what a day it was!

Romantic proposal

Sales manager Heather, 31, first met project manager Tom, 33 (who is also a semi-professional rugby player), in his home city of Leeds, where she was a university student.

The pair only became romantically involved after Heather graduated. “He contacted me on Facebook, then we had our first date in February 2016, and it just went from there,” Heather recalled. They moved into their own home just a few streets away from Heather’s family home in the attractive East Yorkshire village of North Ferriby and Heather patiently awaited a proposal, which eventually came on a holiday to Reykjavik in Iceland in January 2019.

Heather said: “It was the last day of the holiday, it was snowing and I just wanted to stay at the hotel but Tom insisted we should go for a walk to this beautiful church. We stood outside to take photos, then he surprised me by dropping onto one knee and producing an engagement ring. We didn’t get to see the Northern Lights but the proposal made it a memorable trip!”

Wedding planning began in earnest, with a focus on booking a venue for 2020. The couple visited a few options, but couldn’t quite find what they were looking for. It was only really on meeting Chrysta from Village Farm Marquees that the idea of holding their celebration at Heather’s family home took root.

Heather said: “I just clicked with Chrysta straight away. She was brilliant, so visual and full of ideas, and the plans she drew up were amazing. That’s when we made the decision to marry at Ferriby church and have the reception in a marquee in my parents’ garden.”

With the date set for June 2020, the excitement began to build, only for everyone to be knocked sideways by the pandemic and consequent lockdowns. Not knowing quite what the future held, the date was changed to August 2020, but Heather desperately wanted full attendance from friends and family on her special day, so took the decision to reschedule yet again for May 2021. When it became apparent COVID restrictions would still be in place, she once more stuck to her guns and moved the date for the final time to August 2021.

She explained: “We were inviting 143 people, and I wanted each and every one of them there. It felt like a long, tough process, but it was the right thing to do and in the end it was definitely worth the wait.”

The couple were a little less lucky with their hen and stag plans – or at least one half of them was! Heather caught COVID just before Tom’s party, meaning they both had to isolate and

his outing was cancelled. However, Heather came out of isolation in time for her hen do and was able to live it up in Leeds with her girlfriends.

A day to remember

With the church ceremony taking place at 1.30pm, Heather and her maid of honour – twin sister Amy – along with her four bridesmaids and three flower girls, had plenty of time to prepare. She’d chosen a stunning white strappy fishtail dress, a delicate tiara, and simple bouquet of white roses and peonies.

Meanwhile rugby player Tom wore a deep blue jacket featuring a paisley print that was tailor-made for his muscular frame, paired with black trousers.

Heather was whisked to church in her father’s classic MG sports car, while guests were transported via a vintage bus. Now officially man and wife, the happy couple and all their guests then travelled to the Wilkie homestead for a champagne reception in the garden, featuring delicious canapes and music from an electric violinist.

The fully lined marquee included a China hat entrance, panoramic windows, a comfy seating area, circular mirrored bar and a ‘reveal’ to the dancefloor with an atmospheric starlight ceiling. Everyone was seated on gold-washed Camelot chairs at round tables, and the ivory-and-gold themed interior was styled with a mixture of crystal candelabras, gold plates, and cherry blossom trees.

Guests dined on sumptuous fare courtesy of local caterer and restauranteur Ceruttis, and danced the night away to music from a live band and DJ. The couple also entertained their audience with their first dance – a recreation of the classic ‘Dirty Dancing’ routine to ‘I’ve Had the Time of My Life’, which they had prepared thanks to a few secret dancing lessons!

The newlyweds were the last woman and man standing at 4am, when they finally called it a night after a day filled to the brim with memorable moments. “What made it so special was having all of our family and friends together in one place, and being there for us, celebrating with us,” said Heather. “We both felt that it was so amazing, we can’t stop watching the videos and looking at the photos! It really was the best day of our lives.”

For Heather, one standout memory is Tom’s speech. She explained: “Tom’s a much quieter person than me, and he’s not used to public speaking. But his speech was so heartfelt and moving, I was in tears for most of the speeches.”

On Sunday, a number of guests returned for a tasty hog roast, and the VFM team came by the following day to disassemble the marquee. Heather added: “From start to finish, Chrysta was fantastic. She kept me informed, recommended suppliers, and just thought of everything so that I didn’t have to. She’s full of enthusiasm and passion, and I felt as if I’d known her forever and she became a really important part of the whole wedding.

“She also put me in touch with wedding planner Helen Davies, who was a godsend and really went above and beyond. She supported us for six weeks leading up to the wedding and was there from 9am on the day, making sure everything was perfect. My parents said it felt like a massive weight was lifted off their shoulders and it meant we could all just relax and enjoy ourselves instead of stressing about organising all the suppliers and logistics.

“Both Helen and Chrysta were so helpful and responsive, I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Perfect teamwork

Wedding planner extraordinaire Helen Davies was hired to provide final stage management and on-the-day co-ordination, and threw herself straight into the job of making sure Heather and Tom’s big day ran like clockwork.

“I did my absolute best for Heather – all her well-laid plans had been so badly hampered by the pandemic, and some of her original suppliers were no longer available,” Helen explained. “It was so disappointing for her. So I acted as a sounding board, and gave her some much-needed extra support and guidance to ensure all the necessary suppliers were in place and she was guaranteed an amazing wedding.

“It was such a pleasure to work with Heather and her wonderful family. It’s always more complex when you’re holding an event at home, rather than at a venue, but I was able to help them overcome any challenges and made the planning easier so they could simply relax and enjoy the day without worrying about anything.”

One thing Helen is never able to control is the weather, but she has even sparked rumours of possessing Mary Poppins-like powers as the arrival of the guests at the family home was orchestrated to perfection – everyone was able to enjoy outdoor canapes serenaded by the violinist, with the heavens only opening just as the last guest entered the marquee!

Helen added: “Heather went to great deal of effort to create an unforgettable experience for her guests. The marquee was dressed spectacularly, the bespoke menu was delicious, the drinks flowed and the entertainment was first class. The day was full of fun, everything went so smoothly thanks to having the right team and a lot of careful organisation both before and on the big day.”

Chrysta Newman, Co-director at Village Farm Marquees, said: “The Wilkies were such lovely people to work with, the whole family were incredibly warm and welcoming. It felt like a long journey with all the delays – we’ve all lived through the rollercoaster of emotions together!

“We wanted it to be perfect for them, and I’m so happy it turned out how it did. There’s been a few tears along the way, but in the end, this was a truly unforgettable wedding and one that people will talk about for a long time.”

Following the wedding, the happy couple honeymooned on the idyllic Greek island of Mykonos for a blissful 10 days, and are already looking forward to their next family celebration as Heather’s twin sister is planning her own wedding for 2022.

Suppliers

Bride’s dress: Chloe Jane Bridalwear

Groom’s jacket: Owen Scott Bespoke Tailor

Wedding cake: Juniper Cakery

Entertainment: DJ Matty Whittaker and Vibe Music

Catering: Ceruttis

Bar: Louisiana’s and Triton Inn

Florist: Louise Pepper

Styling: Fulford Flowers and Sophisticated Shindigs

Furniture: Black Events

Photography: Inspire by Kelly

Videography: VIP Creative

Transport: East Yorkshire Buses Vintage Bus

Oh weddings, we have missed you!

chrysta@villagefarmmarquees.co.uk (Village Farm Marquees) — Mon, 28 Jun 2021 11:10:23 GMT

With restrictions on weddings here in the UK finally being eased we wanted to touch base and say hello!

It really has been a difficult year for everyone, whether it be our loved up couples holding on for hope of tying the knot, families looking to celebrate a special milestone, our corporate clients and our supplier friends within the industry, but… we are delighted to be finally moving forward, and hopefully, in the right direction.

From 21 June, there will no longer be a maximum number cap for attendees for weddings. For more information please visit the Government website.

More wonderful news to announce is that from next month, civil ceremony’s will be permitted to take place outdoors for the first time in England and Wales!

We may have been a little quiet, however we have been busy behind the scenes with our ongoing corporate partnerships with Asda and Pavers Shoes, whilst supporting our friends in the hospitality industry with additional dining space inside our marquees.

We recently showcased our marquees to couples looking to hold their special day at Barff House Country Weddings, and what a weekend it was! We were blessed with such beautiful weather and it was wonderful to chat weddings.

As always, it was a great opportunity for us to get creative with some of our fabulous supplier friends, a special thank you to the team who brought our vison to life…

Marquee, garlands and greenery hoop | Us, Village Farm Marquees

Styling | Belle Bijoux

Flowers | The Daisy Chain / Ivy Lane Florist

Stationary | Kate Hall Design

Celebrant | Penelope Jayne

Catering | The Little Farm Caterer / Baba Ganoush,

Cake | Grace Eva Cakes

Toilet Hire | Toodoloo

Furniture | Black Event Furniture

Bell Tents | Starbright Hideaways

Photography | Lucy Dennis Photography

Finally, we want to thank you for your continued support and understanding during such a difficult year and should you have any queries or wish to discuss your event, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Best wishes, Tony, Chrysta and the team x

Wedding Ceremonies – How to have your day, your way!

chrysta@villagefarmmarquees.co.uk (Village Farm Marquees) — Mon, 15 Feb 2021 13:34:25 GMT

The choices that couples face when they decide to marry are vast and with the current

Covid-19 situation causing postponements and changes to plans we wanted to shine a light on the wedding ceremony itself and highlight the options that are available to couples.

We recently caught up with independent celebrant – Penny Boycott - who has over 20years

experience in the wedding industry. After 10 years as a Registrar in the East Riding area,

Penny struck out on her own and is now a highly sought-after independent celebrant in both the local area and further afield both nationally and internationally.

Penny started by explaining the different wedding ceremony options “you can really split the options into 5 core choices”

Church Ceremony

You can get married in a religious building subject to the requirements and criteria set down by each one. These can be different depending on the religious denomination and the area in which it is situated.

Approved Venue

A popular choice is to marry in a registered room at an approved venue which could be a hotel, golf club or dedicated wedding venue with the local registrar conducting the ceremony. This can be restrictive as no food, cake or bar can be set up in the same room for at least 1 hour prior to the ceremony and 1 hour after the ceremony so this can prove challenging for venues with restricted space in terms of set-up.

Sometimes weddings can take place outside, but it is likely that you will have to return insideto the registered room to complete the legal part of the ceremony as only permanent

structures can be registered. Do consider that outside arbours or similar which may be

approved will only accommodate the main wedding party and the remainder of your guests will be sitting outside.

At least 28days notice must be given to the Register Office in the area that you live before

the marriage can take place.

There is a Register Office in each registration district and you can have a ceremony there led by a registrar. The service provided by the Registrar would be the same as at an Approved Venue.

You can also have a “no frills” ceremony which just covers the legal elements of the

marriage and costs around £50. This option is not offered as a choice so you have to ask for it.

Celebrant Led Ceremony

This gives you the freedom to get married anywhere – literally - with a personalised and bespoke ceremony. You would need to have the “no frills” legal element in advance (usually a couple of days before), but this means you can have a ceremony in your garden, on the beach, in a marquee, on a boat or somewhere that has special meaning to you as a couple. There are no time limits and you can include toasts, hand tying, personalised vows, etc. It can also be useful if the couple come from different religious faiths and they want to have something of both included in the ceremony.

Wedding Abroad

You can get married abroad subject to visa’s. etc. You would need to register your marriage when you return to the UK to ensure it is legally recognised.

"Celebrant led ceremonies are becoming more popular, but very often couples are not aware that it is an option, says Penny, yet it offers couples the opportunity to truly personalise their day and their ceremony. With weddings usually booked sometime in advance I get to know the couples I work with very closely, understanding their story, what has brought them to this point and sharing that with their friends and family in the form of a bespoke ceremony on the day – it can be both emotional and inspirational, but in all cases fun and totally unique to the couple.”

#GiveCouplesChoice

Penny is passionate about her role as a Celebrant and the choice it gives to couples, so

much so, that it has led her to be heavily involved in the #GiveCouplesChoice Movement.

This is a group of independent celebrants working to make all legal weddings equal.

The Wedding Celebrancy Commission has been lobbying parliament to change the law and

despite delays due to Brexit and Coronavirus the review period ended in January 2021 with

many celebrants giving their views as part of the process. The key change they want

implemented is that you would have a registered officiant for your ceremony rather than a

registered venue. These officiants would be regulated to ensure high standards are

maintained, but couples would gain the opportunity to be married anywhere.

Certainly, this approach would enable the wedding industry to pick-up more quickly after

lock-down restrictions are lifted and give couples more flexibility in progressing their wedding plans.

If you would like to discuss your forthcoming wedding ceremony plans or just need some

friendly advice on the options available, Penny can be contacted at:

www.penelopejayne.co.uk

hello@penelopejayne.co.uk

07548829029

A Change of Plan

chrysta@villagefarmmarquees.co.uk (Village Farm Marquees) — Mon, 14 Dec 2020 11:19:34 GMT

Where do I begin? It’s certainly been a rollercoaster of a year for us all, never mind couples like ourselves, after months of planning and dreaming of our special day, having to postpone until a later date.

As you may know from my previous blog, we made the difficult decision back in March to postpone our marquee wedding until June 2021. It has been so upsetting working in the events industry, seeing so many other couples having to postpone their special day, some having to change their date for a second time due to further restrictions.

As we continued to plough through a summer of such difficult times, it gave Josh and I the opportunity to have a really good think about how we would like to celebrate our special day.

With new restrictions put in place by the UK Government weddings could now go ahead, but with a reduced number of guests able to attend. With this in mind it made us have a re-think. Could we possibly change our wedding plans and consider a small intimate beach wedding?

After weeks of research, speaking with family, weighing up the pros and cons of a marquee wedding with a beach wedding, we finally came to a decision!

Beach wedding it is! We love holidaying in Dubai and one of our favourite hotels has the most incredible sunset back drop, perfect for our beach ceremony. Our plan is for a really relaxed, laid back vibe enjoying delicious food and drink with our children, family and closest friends as we celebrate our special day.

It was a decision that certainly didn’t come lightly, however throughout this pandemic it gave us the opportunity to appreciate the important things in our life. Ultimately it was this that influenced our decision.

A small intimate wedding, whether in the UK or abroad really gives you the opportunity to focus on the whole wedding experience in more detail.

Here are 5 reasons why a smaller, ‘micro wedding’ may be an option for you…

1. You will be able to spend quality time with your guests

2. You can save money overall, but with smaller numbers you have the opportunity to spend more per head and upgrade your food or drink options

3. Flexibility - as with all smaller events, micro weddings give you much more flexibility on when and where you have them.

4. You can enjoy a more relaxed day

5. A smaller wedding gives you the opportunity to be more creative and give greater attention to detail

Whatever you decide, remember it is about you as a couple and how you want to spend your special day!

S x

Magical outdoor wedding at dream venue

Tue, 03 Nov 2020 14:38:06 GMT

London couple Tiffaney Kaulmann and Stuart Alexander first set eyes on each other 10 years ago across a crowded dancefloor in glamorous city nightclub, Movida. They might have only been aged 18 and 23 at the time, but it was love at first sight and from that moment on their destiny was sealed.

Fast-forward to December 2017, and Tiffaney found herself being ushered into her aunt’s garden chalet in Germany where, unbeknown to her, close friends and family were waiting breathlessly in the wings to witness what was to be an emotional proposal from Stuart.

Tiffaney said: “Stuart once bought a really beautiful and very valuable ring at an auction, and even though it didn’t fit me I joked that if we ever got engaged, it would have to be with that ring!

“I’m originally from Germany and my aunt played a huge part in my upbringing, so the chalet at her home is quite special to me. It was a massive surprise, I had no idea he was going to propose and couldn’t understand why he wanted me to go down the garden to the chalet, I think I was grumbling about it being too cold to go outside.

“I couldn’t believe it when he produced the ring and asked me to marry him. I said yes and there was this big cheer from the balcony where everyone had been hiding. It really was a lovely moment.”

Renovation project

The pair, who live in Wimbledon and work in property development and management (although not together – Tiffaney says they would ‘murder each other’ if that was the case!), then embarked on a fraught search for the perfect wedding venue.

“I always wanted a summer wedding outdoors,” said Tiffaney. “I must have dragged Stuart to around 10 venues across the country but I couldn’t envisage any of them working, plus they seemed so expensive.”

One year into the search, an unusual solution presented itself. Tiffaney explained: “Some family friends who I call my ‘step-parents’ surprised us with a suggestion to hold our wedding at a property they’d just bought outside Malton in North Yorkshire. My twin sister, Tatiana, died three years ago, and they are her partner’s parents; we’ve all remained very close. “However, it was a basically a huge renovation project. The building required a lot of work, and there were more than 20 acres of grounds to tend to.”

With her heart set on a June 2019 wedding, Tiffaney was thrilled by the offer but admitted to being a little worried whether the development would be completed in time. “This was only one year before we intended to marry and I was a bit concerned about the timescales, but I knew it would’ve meant so much to my sister so we went for it.”

True to their word, Tiffaney’s ‘step-parents’ pulled out all the stops to create what turned out to be not just a magnificent family home but a dream wedding venue, in time for the couple’s big day. “It wasn’t just the house, they worked so hard on the grounds too,” Tiffaney added.

“There’s a beautiful lake in the middle of the garden with a lovely bridge over it, and a boathouse. They even bought a canoe for us to paddle across the lake.”

Perfect summer’s day

As every British resident knows, you never know exactly what the weather will throw at you, even in mid-summer. With this in mind, the bride and groom-to-be needed to safeguard their outdoor celebration with a suitable marquee.

Tiffaney said: “I found three marquee companies on Instagram, and invited them all to visit us at the venue. Chrysta and Tony at Village Farm Marquees instantly put us at ease, they seemed so nice and relaxed, we felt like we wanted to work with them. “They were very honest and professional, and gave us lots of advice. They suggested ways of making the marquee as light and open as possible, and we went with their idea of having a clear roofed veranda and clear gable to maximise views of the garden, as well as the panoramic windows that can be rolled up.”

The couple ended up being blessed with a quintessential English summer’s day, with temperatures reaching a balmy 24 degrees, so guests were able to enjoy the outdoor reception and ceremony in the glorious gardens before dining and later dancing the night away within the marquee.

A huge chandelier with streams of fairy lights formed an eye-catching centrepiece in the marquee roof, while rose gold vases on the round tables and chairs styled with baby’s breath flowers created a simple, elegant tone.
The bride dazzled in a strapless dress of ivory blush, and her six bridesmaids all wore rose gold or pink gowns in different designs. Stuart was attended by two best men – his friends Jacques and Daniel.

The ceremony began at 2pm, hosted by a celebrant to create an extra-personal service, and the bride’s father travelled over from Germany in order to give his daughter away. Tiffaney said: “I felt a bit nervous but enjoyed the ceremony more than I expected! We’d planned it all ourselves and everyone had worked so hard to make sure everything was ready. It started to feel very real when the marquee went up, and then we were really lucky with the weather.

“We both felt so grateful to everyone for being there to share our day. Some had travelled from as far as China, New York and Australia.”

Memories to treasure

After canapes including prawn tempura and mini Yorkshire puddings with beef, guests were treated to a three-course sit-down meal. The starter of watermelon and feta salad or salmon risotto was followed by sea bass fillet or beef, with a dessert choice of wild berries crumble or chocolate brownie. Hungry disco dancers were able to refuel during the evening with burgers and fries.

Groom Stuart said the day was memorable for many reasons: “The ceremony was so nice, and we were just so fortunate with the way everything came together. Everyone said they’d never seen a venue quite like it! It went so fast. We were on site for the week leading up to our wedding and it was so full on getting everything ready, then the actual day just flew by.

“I think the biggest moment for me was waiting for Tiffaney to arrive, then seeing her there, looking so beautiful.”

Photographer Jane Beadnell sensed there was something very special about this celebration. She said: “This was such a lovely wedding. Tiffaney looked stunning in her gorgeous wedding gown by Liz Martinez along with all their guests in their black tie attire. I guess the great thing about having a marquee wedding is you can create your very own wedding venue, making your wedding day truly unique to you.”

After the wedding the newlyweds travelled to Cyprus for a ‘mini moon’ and were due to enjoy a luxury honeymoon in the paradise island of Mauritius at Christmas.

Chrysta Newman, Co-director of Village Farm Marquees, said: “When I went to meet Tiffaney and Stuart the property was in the midst of renovation, but the grounds were stunning and I could really visualise what they wanted to achieve there.

The next time we saw them everything was coming along well with the renovation, and we were blown away by the finished look – the gardens look like Monet’s ‘Water Lilies’ painting.

“I’m sure everyone present would agree, it was a truly beautiful day.”

Photos courtesy of Jane Beadnell Photography

A wedding with a true personal touch

Tue, 19 May 2020 09:47:52 GMT

Now usually with our wedding blogs, we tend to talk to the bride about the experience of her big day, and the groom unfortunately doesn’t get much of a look-in! But on this occasion, we will follow the lead of a couple who created a unique day that truly reflected their personalities, their love for one another, and their strong sense of family, and let John Haw tell his wonderful story.

Robin Hood-inspired proposal

Born and bred in Beverley, East Yorkshire, John Haw, 31, and Sam Young, 32, were struck by Cupid’s arrow during a night out on the town back in 2014. By Christmas that year, they moved in together, and just under four years later, John, who works for his family’s business Kutchenhaus on Beverley’s Toll Gavel, was planning his proposal.

He said: “I decided to take Sam for a weekend away to Hawes, as she would hopefully be agreeing to become Mrs Haw!

“I love the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, starring Kevin Costner, and there’s a famous scene where he bathes in a beautiful waterfall,” John explained. “I knew I wanted to propose to Sam at that waterfall, which is Hadraw Force in the Yorkshire Dales. It was a stunning setting and thankfully she said yes.”

John and Sam, who works as a tutor at Wyke College in Hull, set about searching for a venue for their celebration, knowing they wanted something that would tick all the boxes – unique and individual, exclusive use for the whole weekend, an attractive outdoor space, and an accessible location that was at the same time out in the countryside.

“We found Barff House in Brandesburton online and it was the first place we viewed,” said John. “We both knew straight away that it would take some beating, and later that day we contacted Katy, the owner, and asked if we could book. She offered us July 13, 2019, and we snapped her hand off.”

Next stop was to find a marquee provider. John said: “Katy at Barff House put us in touch with Village Farm Marquees. Everyone was so easy to work with, there was no need to look anywhere else. Chrysta and Tony knew everything we’d want to ask before we asked it!

“There were lots of options to choose from and they were so helpful, responsive and full of advice. Everything was on time and nothing was too much trouble.”

Rain, rain go away!

The couple chose to cover off all the legalities at Beverley register office a few days beforehand, as it was important to them that their actual celebration would take place outdoors, in the beautiful gardens at Barff House. Anyone concerned about the typically inclement nature of our British weather needn’t worry, as the versatile venue’s barn offers a beautiful space for an indoor ceremony away from Mother Nature’s elements if required.

John said: “The ceremony was due to start at 2pm, and it rained during the morning. We had to rush the chairs inside, then make a decision as to whether we’d go ahead with the outdoor service. Thankfully the rain stopped so we quickly set everything up outside again!”

Another key choice was their celebrant, Penelope Jayne, who specialises in providing the ultimate personalised service for the couples she works with. Penny explained how she’d come to meet John and Sam, and the approach she takes to shaping the perfect ceremony: “I’m an independent celebrant, I’m not affiliated to any faith. Katy at Barff House recommended me to John and Sam, who knew they wanted a very individual ceremony rather than a standard, off the peg one.

“They are such a wonderful, friendly couple, who are passionate about the things that are important to them. They wanted their family to be engaged, so I gave them lots of options for how they could create a really personal, individualised service.

“I came up with a bespoke script to ensure the ceremony was truly about and for them, and they wrote their own vows. They included a ‘black and tan’ ritual, where the bride and groom drink a mixture of stout and pale ale to symbolise the joining of their families, and their young nieces and nephews did ink fingerprints on their wedding certificate as well as reading a poem they had written.”

Penny can be booked anything from two years to a month in advance, but ensures she only hosts one celebration a day so each couple has her full focus. A registrar for many years, she became a celebrant in 2016 and says many people are still not aware that celebrant services exist, something that was echoed in the feedback from some of John and Sam’s 100 guests, who didn’t realise there was so much choice and flexibility on offer for a wedding celebration.

Penny added: “More and more couples are thinking about what they want to say and where, and who to involve. Some like to include their pets – I’ve hosted ceremonies that include donkeys and even a pet snake!

“Some couples stay with you for a lifetime, and John and Sam are definitely one of my favourites.”

John added: “I was keen to write my own vows, although Sam was a bit worried about it. We had no idea what the other would say. I’m not a soppy bloke so it was quite hard, but it was brilliant.”

A special venue

John was supported by three best men – brothers Robbie and Mike and young nephew Charlie. Sam, who sparkled in a white sleeveless gown, was attended by sister Kelly and nieces Phoebe and Emily, all wearing navy dresses, plus toddler nephews Griff and Finn fulfilled their roles as cheeky page boys.

Guests enjoyed a few comedy moments as the ceremony paused for interruption by tractor, an aeroplane and a paraglider, and afterwards were seated in the beautifully decorated marquee, including specially designed light and foliage boxes, for the reception. Smokin’ Blues provided delicious canapes including ‘mac n cheese’ balls’ and jerk chicken, then sharing platters laden with ox cheek, belly pork and smoked brisket with chips and coleslaw, and burritos during the evening. Dessert took the form of a ‘bake-off’ table in the barn, with guests contributing their own home-made offerings.

John and Sam accepted Katy’s recommendation of tipples for the tables from local vineyard, Laurel Vines, in Aike near Driffield. “We tried to go as local as possible when choosing our suppliers, including where the food and wine were sourced,” John explained. Katy also ensured local beers were on the bar too, including Wold Top and Great Newsome. The confetti was also home-made by Katy, from flowers growing in the Barff House garden.

Everyone moved into the barn for the entertainment, and pop band the Summer Knights kept the dancefloor rocking until midnight. The newlyweds stayed in the romantic Shepherd’s Hut, while close family retired to the lovely cottage in the Barff House grounds. The setting, with its lovingly restored barn, gardens, and pretty woodland complete with a fire pit and hay bale seating, as well as the on-site accommodation available, were all part of the package that charmed John and Sam.

Katy Brierley, owner of Barff House, said of the wedding: “I absolutely loved it! John and Sam were so relaxed, it was such a wonderful day. They’d seen a video of my son’s wedding here and wanted something similar. It was so easy to work with them, I think we were all very much in tune with each other.”

Barff House hosts a handful of weddings each year, and has just a couple of openings available for 2020, so anyone interested in this exclusive venue is advised to contact Katy quicksmart!

The best day of your life

“It’s meant to be best day of your life, and it really was,” said John. “Picking out one favourite moment is really hard. I loved the ceremony, and the food. Everything was spot on, it was such a relaxed atmosphere with everyone just having a good time.

“We were very fortunate that all the suppliers were available, and they were all so easy to work with. They understand that you just want to enjoy your day and it’s their job to help make that happen, they were all really passionate about it.”

The couple departed for a ‘mini-moon’ to Cornwall the following week, and are now planning a full-scale honeymoon to New Zealand in 2020.

Chrysta Newman, Co-director of Village Farm Marquees, said: “Barff House is a very special venue, and this was a very special wedding. The personal touches really made the difference and I’m sure John and Sam as well as all their guests will cherish their memories for a very long time.”

Photos courtesy of Inspire Images

SUPPLIERS

Celebrant – Penelope Jayne

Suit designer – Suits Direct

Florist – Sue Haigh at Flower Style, in Beverley

DJ/entertainment – The Summer Knights

Caterer – Smokin’ Blues

Wedding cake – Friend made a Pavlova

Unique, Saltaire Brewery provides the perfect venue for the Katie and Sean's special day

Tue, 19 May 2020 09:47:42 GMT

Punk-loving pair are the perfect match

Born on the same day, three years apart, Bradford couple Katie Armitage and Sean Howe knew they had a special connection as soon as they met in 2012.

“I was working as a teaching assistant with visually impaired students and Sean joined as a temp, doing the same job. He walked in with his backpack on, and that was it,” said Katie.

The West Yorkshire pair, who are in their early 30s, realised they both loved music – punk in particular – and bonded over a number of gigs and festivals. With a host of other shared interests including art, photography and painting, it felt like a completely natural partnership.

Katie said: “I guess we’re both pretty creative. I’m now head of art at a Leeds school, and Sean has just graduated as a music therapist. He’s in a punk band too, he can play drums, guitar, piano, even the accordion. In fact, he played his accordion to wake up the stag at a stag do!”

Unsurprisingly, with this level of creativity running through their veins, their coupledom was never destined to be run-of-the-mill.
“Sean proposed to me at the top of a hill in Cumbria, fittingly called Seat How, on a wet and windy day,” Katie recalled. “I was streaming with cold and feeling grumpy, but he insisted that we stop after this long hike up the hill and take in the view, which we couldn’t even see because of all the cloud cover!
“Then he got down on one knee and I suddenly realised what was happening. It was so unexpected, and I was glad I’d taken a bottle of beer with me because I needed it! Sean had deliberately chosen a landmark because he’d wanted to propose in a permanent place that we’d always be able to revisit.”

Unique and unusual venue

And so the search began for a venue that would suit their desire for something unique, which would fit their personalities, and be able to hold more than 200 people. Katie added: “We both have large families and we wanted everyone to be able to join our celebration, and we knew we’d like a setting with an industrial kind of vibe.”

The couple considered some venues that fit this bill, but not their budget, then hit upon the idea of approaching one of their favourite local drinking spots, Saltaire Brewery. Katie explained: “It’s such a big, cool space, it’s unusual, and we loved the industrial look and feel, so we asked Paul who runs the Tap Room there and he said why not!

“He’s so lovely and friendly, he helped us to put our own stamp on it and was able to recommend a number of suppliers, including Village Farm Marquees.”

The date was set for July 20, 2019, and Katie’s vision included a dining area within a marquee, while using the Brewery’s Victorian racking hall space, mezzanine bar and beer garden for mingling, music and dancing. She was more than happy with Paul’s recommendation of Village Farm Marquees. “I’d have to give them 10 out of 10 for service,”

she said. “Chrysta is amazing. Everything I asked for, she said ‘yes, that’s no problem’. We wanted a beer fest vibe, so Chrysta suggested raw wood trestle tables and simple wooden chairs, which were perfect. She had tons of ideas but there was no pressure at all.”
The couple’s family and friends helped them style their venue. Katie added: “We wanted a

stripped back look in keeping with the venue, and we made lots of paper flowers as well as our own confetti. I love fairy lights though so we had plenty of those inside the marquee.”

Fun and laughter

Celebrations began the day before the wedding, as a colleague kindly covered Katie’s Friday afternoon lesson, allowing her to meet up with her five bridesmaids and mum at the Ibis hotel in Shipley to get the party started.
The wedding group busied themselves decorating the venue that evening before gathering for dinner at a nearby pub.

On the big day itself, Katie was surprised to find she woke up with a tingling of nerves. “I felt so sick! My hairdresser and bridesmaids were all fussing around me, giving me drinks and trying to help me relax,” she said. “But as soon as I put my dress on I felt fine.”
The bride-to-be had found the perfect dress online – a 1950s-style tea-length number, with a dusky pink net underskirt, ivory bodice and see-through sleeves. Her journey to the register office at Bradford Town Hall in a friend’s 2000 red Peugeot was to prove a highlight of the day, as the driver is a comedian and made sure Katie was in stitches the whole way there.

“Getting married at the Town Hall just felt right, as we are Bradford through and through, and it’s such a gorgeous building. It was lovely to see close family and friends waiting outside, and I was able to have a comforting cuddle before I went it,” Katie said. Formalities completed, the wedding party and guests arrived at the Brewery for 1.30pm, with everyone receiving a drinks token in the laid-back style of a beer festival.
Sunshine drenched the beer garden, the bar served up a selection of craft ales chosen by the bride and groom, while a guitarist from Katie’s favourite band, The Coral, serenaded guests throughout the afternoon before they moved into the marquee for the wedding reception.

“We served an Indian buffet at 4pm with speeches at 5pm. We chose curry because it’s iconic Bradford, as well as being very affordable, and it made it easy for us to cater for vegans and other dietary requirements,” Katie explained.
Guests satisfied any post-curry sugar cravings with traybake desserts made by friends and family, but the happy couple were having such a good time they forgot to dish out their actual wedding cake. Katie laughed: “It was a lovely rainbow cake, we’d left it in a cold room and then forgot all about it! We ended up cutting it the next day and taking it round to people.”

The newlyweds kicked off the evening disco with a first dance routine they’d choreographed themselves to Harry Belafonte’s calypso tune Jump In The Line, and the last guests left the buzzing dancefloor a little after the final song at 11pm.

“Chrysta and the VFM team made everything so easy. They didn’t just turn up to do a job, they really cared and were super polite and happy to help in any way they could,” Katie added.

“We had such an amazing day with so many unforgettable memories, it was great to see everyone enjoying themselves and there was so much fun and laughter. A lot of our friends got married in 2019, it was a brilliant year for weddings.”

The couple enjoyed a glorious honeymoon in the Azores and are now busy refurbishing their new home in Saltaire.

Top notch service Paul Huntington, who manages the Tap Room at Saltaire Brewery, said: “The old brewhouse is a fantastic space for events and parties. We’ve not had many requests for weddings, so Katie and Sean’s was definitely special. They wanted a rustic and down to earth setting, that was also good value and big enough for around 200 people, so it was a perfect fit for them.
“The building dates back to Victorian times, it’s a unique place with a really relaxed atmosphere. We can provide staff for events too, and our aim is to make each one bespoke – we sit down together, discuss what’s wanted and then it’s a case of just leaving it to us. We want people to simply turn up and enjoy themselves without any stress.

“I recommended Village Farm Marquees to Katie because we use them every month for our beer club and I couldn’t be more complimentary about them. Chrysta and Tony really know how to look after their customers.”

Chrysta Newman, Co-director of Village Farm Marquees, said: “We love working with Saltaire Brewery so it was a real pleasure to help them host Katie and Sean’s wedding. The emphasis was fully on fun and it was wonderful to see everyone having such a fabulous time.”

Photography courtesy of Alice Crabtree

Suppliers

Caterers: Shimla Spice, Shipley

Photographer: Alice Crabtree

Entertainment: Jam on Top Keighley for PA hire and Lee Southall, acoustic guitarist

Groom: Vault Menswear, Bradford

Bride: Collectif (dress) and Vivien of Holloway underskirt. Joe Browns ceremony shoes and Converse dancing shoes

Bridesmaids’ dresses: Pretty Kitty

Hair: XS Hair and Beauty, Saltaire

Bride's head piece: Jodie Cartman at Fumbalinas

Wedding cake: Amina Hussain; tray bakes and desserts, Catriona Simons

Rings: Bride’s engagement and wedding rings – Harsh Realm Jewellery. Groom – Benjamin Camp

Young farmers sow the seeds of love

Tue, 12 May 2020 11:27:14 GMT

An appreciation of agriculture and rural life is what bonds members of the UK’s Young Farmers Clubs, and sometimes – as was the case for Kate Williams and Ed Liversidge, whose parents both run Yorkshire farms – this shared way of life and common values can lead to love blossoming.

“Ed’s family have a mixed farm in East Yorkshire, while I come from a dairy farm in South Yorkshire,” said 26-year-old Kate. “We met through Young Farmers back in 2012 and got engaged in summer 2018. We knew we’d have to choose a wedding date to fit around the farming calendar, so it had to be during the quieter period between the end of spring and the start of harvesting.”

The couple wasted no time in making all the arrangements for their big day and had everything planned and booked within two weeks! With the venue agreed on – Ed’s family farm in the picturesque village of High Catton – there was just the question of their local church’s availability, and the date was settled as July 6, 2019.

Kate, who works for Arla Foods, explained: “Ed and I set up home together in Barmby Moor in 2017, and we both wanted to get married locally. Having our ceremony at the village church was lovely because it’s where my grandparents got married 60 years ago as they lived near Barmby, so this year was their diamond anniversary.”

Twenty-seven-year old Ed helps to run the family farm, which is only a short distance from his home. “This is where our life is now so I was more than happy to have our wedding here rather than at my own family farm,” Kate added, “plus the connection to my grandparents felt really special.”

Panoramic views

For Kate, when it came to her marquee provider, value for money was the top priority but quality of service was equally important. She said: “We considered lots of marquee companies. Village Farm Marquees felt positive from the start, they responded quickly and weren’t at all pushy, and they were in the right price bracket. Chrysta’s manner was great, really relaxed and helpful.”

The bride-to-be chose a simple layout, with a pagoda entrance containing the table plans posted on pretty plant pots, a panoramic window, and sides that could be rolled up if the summer weather played ball. And thankfully it did! The previous evening, Ed stayed at the farm while Kate and her bridesmaids enjoyed a girly night at a holiday cottage in Dunnington. “We woke up to a warm, still day,” said Kate. “It was just lovely.”

The Liversidges’ farm is in an elevated position, overlooking the sweeping green contours that make up the Vale of York. Kate added: “The view from the garden is incredible, and having the open sides on the marquee really made the most of it.”

When the couple announced their engagement, Ed’s dad embarked on an intensive grass-sowing and tending task to ensure the grounds beneath and around the marquee would be suitably lush for the occasion. Kate laughed: “I think he spent all spring mowing that lawn, but it was worth it!”

Rustic country theme

Over 150 guests squeezed into the quaint village church for the couple’s marriage at 1pm and another 50 or so people joined the celebration later in the day, with some travelling from as far afield as South Africa and Australia. Kate’s sleeveless dress was perfectly suited to a warm summer’s day with its slim fit, detailed back and long train. Her bridesmaids and flower girls shimmered in pale blue, while Ed’s friend Josh fulfilled best man duties and the couple’s energetic cocker spaniel Maggie enjoyed all the excitement of the day.

Various family members contributed to the rustic-themed styling, which featured crossback chairs and stunning foliage boxes suspended by chains from the ceiling that were brimming with greenery and pastel-coloured flowers. “It looked simple but elegant,” Kate said. “Chrysta really knows her stuff when it comes to co-ordinating the interiors, so the flooring and lining choices were all fantastic.”

Guests helped themselves to reception drinks arranged around a vintage tractor that originally belonged to Kate’s grandfather and was refurbished especially for the wedding. Inside the marquee, Escrick caterer The Thought of Food served up canapes, a main course of beef with salads, and a trio of delicious desserts. Kate’s mum’s home-made dairy ice-cream cart went down a treat, and those with room for more were able to tuck into a tasty hog roast later in the evening. Pop band The Mojos kept the dancefloor jumping all night, until 12.30pm when guests climbed aboard buses to transport them home.

Kate’s mum baked and iced the wedding cake, and topped it with a silver cup originally used to decorate her own wedding cake. “It was a sweet touch, and I plan to pass the little cup on to the next generation of our family,” Kate added.

Treasured memories

The day was filled with memories the couple will treasure for a lifetime. Kate said: “It’s one of those few times in your life where all your friends and family are gathered together in one place it was such a happy, loving day.

“My father died six years ago so my mum gave me away at the church, and my brothers gave speeches at the reception. These are the kind of moments that will stay with me forever.”

The Village Farm Marquees team might be used to supporting many celebrations and events, but weddings always tug at the old heartstrings. Co-director Chrysta Newman said: “I must admit that watching couples experience this most special of days usually brings a tear to my eye, and Kate and Ed were no exception! The views from the marquee were awesome, and the couple were amazing. It was a real pleasure just to be able to play a part in their big day.”

Photographs courtesy of Carly Bevan Photography

SUPPLIERS

Wedding dress and designer – Limelight Occasions, Lepton. Essence of Australia dress

Suit designer – Moss Bros

Florist – Simply Foliage

Make-up artist – Sonia Schofield

Hairdresser – Ian Waddington

DJ/entertainment – The Mojos

Caterer – Thought of Food

Photographer – Carly Bevan

Coronavirus & How It Has Affected Our Wedding Planning

Mon, 30 Mar 2020 11:33:55 GMT

Little did I know I as began to think about content for my final wedding planning blog before our big day that there would be a worldwide health situation that could potentially affect our plans.

Today I should be sharing with you exciting details of our chosen entertainment and music choices, however as many couples are going through such difficult times due to Covid-19 I thought I would share our experience of how we are dealing with planning a wedding throughout these unprecedented times.

Since my last blog the excitement was really beginning to build as we were just a few months away from our special day. Finalisation meetings have been in full swing with our chosen wedding suppliers, including hair and makeup trials, and Josh and I were really excited to see the whole day come together.

Due to the ongoing restrictions on social gatherings by the Government, on Thursday 19th March the decision was made by the Church of England that in order for weddings to still take place there was a limit on the number of people able to attend during this pandemic, this being the Vicar, bride and groom and two other guests. We were already beginning to feel very anxious about how Covid -19 could affect our wedding day given so much uncertainty over the next few months.

The difficult decision

As media speculation mounted regarding the ongoing pandemic, on the following evening we made the extremely difficult decision to postpone our special day and began to contact all of our suppliers to let them know our decision and see if we could work together to re-arrange a date which was available for everyone.
As you can imagine this has been quite difficult as many suppliers have already got dates booked with other weddings/events and now there is the high demand of weddings flooding in from couples looking to postpone to later in the year or Spring/Summer 2021.

To secure all our key suppliers, we are looking to move forward almost 12 months. We decided there was no point re-arranging for August or September when we would have to compromise on the suppliers available and there is still the risk that we have to postpone again.

Our family and friends have been so understanding and supportive during these uncertain times and our suppliers have been absolutely amazing! Our stationary supplier, Ivy and Gold have even offered to re-print our invitations, free of charge, keeping the same design, just with our new date on.

My tips for other couples considering postponing their wedding...

Pause, postpone, but don’t cancel. Your wedding means a lot to your suppliers!

Take it day by day and have a Plan B with your other half, at least for peace of mind.

Find out from your suppliers where you stand and if your deposit (or any other monies paid to

date) is transferrable or refundable should your wedding be postponed

Celebrate the day anyway! Even if it’s not the day you had planned, the date will always hold

significance. Find a small, but meaningful way to celebrate. Plan a fancy date night or enjoy your

favourite bottle of wine and a movie.

I’ll be in touch early next year with hopefully details of the final touches to our special day, in the meantime , stay safe, let’s get through this together, and remember… your wedding may not be on its original date but it will still be just as fabulous!

Sending lots of love to you all,

S x

Sophie’s Wedding Blog - Flowers | Furniture | Styling

Wed, 01 Jan 2020 16:25:11 GMT

Happy New Year!

Yipppeee… we are now officially into 2020 and here at VFM we are especially excited for the turn of the New Year - it’s a very special one for us as we celebrate the wedding of our marketing and events coordinator Sophie!

With almost every aspect of Sophie’s wedding planning journey organised, in this month’s blog Sophie shares details about some of the main features for hers and hubby-to-be, Josh’s marquee wedding.

OMG – we get married this year!!

How fast did last year go? I remember this time last year I was booking my favourite suppliers and thinking oh we have ages to go until the wedding! Time flies, so it’s especially important to book your key suppliers for your wedding or event well in advance, it may feel like forever until your special occasion but it will be here in a flash!

So much has happened since my last blog in October (if you missed it, you can find it here ), we have had building work going on in our new house, a new kitchen which I absolutely love and enjoyed the festive period with friends and family.

Creating a Dream Venue

Choosing a marquee for your wedding gives you the opportunity to really create your own bespoke, dream venue from a blank canvas. The interior design of the marquee can really create something special and give that wow-factor to your guests, statement pieces such as hanging foliage or chandeliers from the roof of the marquee are a great way to do this.

Furniture – Black Event Furniture & Hire and Style

We have chosen a traditional layout for our dining area, with a top table, round tables, gold Camelot chairs, and trestle tables for the catering marquee. Black Event Furniture, based near York are providing these for us – they have a fantastic range of furniture to hire no matter what type of event you are hosting.

With us opting for a stunning, mirrored round bar we wanted something really special to create a relaxed bar area for our guests, after doing some research and recommendations I found Hire and Style, near Harrogate. They have beautiful velvet chesterfield sofas, mirrored coffee tables and bar stools - I’m really looking forward to seeing this area come together.

Marquee Styling and Flowers – Fulford Flowers

Deciding on a florist wasn’t a difficult decision for me, we worked with York based florist, Fulford Flowers on an event in Leeds a couple of years ago and I absolutely loved their style. Fulford Flowers have worked on a number of high end/celebrity events including the MTV Music Awards, Rita Ora and Elton John to name a few.

Sheryl is lovely and knew exactly what I wanted. She also has a range of beautiful candelabras, candles, glass vases and other styling items so it’s great to know that she is taking care of working her magic making the marquee look amazing!

We have an exciting few months ahead catching up with our chosen suppliers and as we start to finalise things. In my final blog before the wedding I’ll be taking about entertainment and music – speak soon!

S x

Kelly & Adam's Country Garden Wedding

Mon, 25 Nov 2019 13:29:29 GMT

The heat is most definitely on for Kelly and Adam!

Anyone planning a summer wedding inevitably hopes, dreams and crosses their fingers for one thing above all others – a blue sky brimming with sunshine – which isn’t an easy ask thanks to our unpredictable British climate. With their date set for June 29, 2019, Hessle couple Kelly Boynton and Adam Barnes were no exception to this rule.

But they didn’t quite expect the treat they actually received when the big day arrived – only the hottest day of the year with temperatures climbing well into the 30s!

“It was absolutely glorious, we were so fortunate,” laughed Kelly. “Blazing sunshine from sunrise to sunset. And with it being one of the longest days it was light until around 10.30pm so it felt like a lovely garden party on a hot summer night.”

Their chosen venue perfectly suited the weather conditions, too. Nobody really wants to be cooped up inside on a beautiful summer’s day, and a marquee in the grounds of the West Carlton Country Guest House, in Aldbrough, created the ideal indoor-yet-outdoor environment for the couple’s celebration.

Kelly explained how she reached her decision: “We’d looked at a few venues, but hadn’t heard of West Carlton. Sophie at Village Farm Marquees suggested it so we went along, and knew straight away that it was perfect.

“We loved both the property and the grounds, the whole setting is stunning and the location was very accessible for all our guests. Caroline and Tim at West Carlton are great, they are very thorough and do their best to capture your vision.”

The couple were equally as impressed with the Village Farm Marquees service. “The team were just brilliant throughout. Sophie helped us design the best layout so we could fit in an entrance, a bar area, a dining section and the dancefloor,” said Kelly. “And we were able to roll up the sides of the marquee thanks to the gorgeous weather.

“Nothing was too big for Village Farm to deal with. The communication was excellent, they were always there if we had a question, and they liaised directly with West Carlton so everything ran really smoothly.”

Country garden theme

A former farmhouse dating back to 1720 surrounded by two acres of picturesque grounds, the sensitively renovated West Carlton guesthouse is licensed to host formal marriage ceremonies inside the property. This means couples can hold all parts of their celebration in one place, avoiding the need to travel between sites or complete the formalities on a different day. Owner Caroline Maltas explained: “Two rooms in the house are licensed for the formal marriage ceremonies so the celebration can take place in the garden or the marquee, wherever the couple wishes, then they can pop into the house to make the legal declaration.”

Kelly and Adam chose to hold a full service in the delightful gardens, bathed in sunshine, including sharing their vows and rings in the presence of all 99 guests and covering the legalities privately indoors. Kelly added: “We really wanted our guests to enjoy themselves as if they were at a big garden party, and everyone said it was such a fun and relaxed day.”

Kelly planned the marquee furnishings and décor along a ‘country garden’ theme with help from stylist Sophisticated Shindigs and florist On the Button. Banquet-style trestle tables were adorned with flower boxes built by a carpenter friend and hand-stained by Kelly, and the florist created a series of floral hoops suspended behind the top table. Fortunately, Kelly’s huge dress proved sufficiently cool despite the soaring heat thanks to its lightweight hooped skirt and low-cut sleeveless design.

The bride and groom were attended by no less than nine bridesmaids, flower girls and page boys, with the girls wearing dresses in a sophisticated ‘cloudy blue’ hue. Kelly laughed: “We decided to go all out as we’re only doing it once!”

Now aged 37 and 38 respectively, Kelly and Adam first met back in 2001 when they both worked for Prestige Recruitment Specialists in Hull. Initial plans to marry in 2008 were put on hold as the couple raised their daughter and settled into family life, until Adam surprised Kelly in 2017 with a proposal during a trip to Ibiza to celebrate their 15th anniversary. Adam still works at Prestige, having climbed the ladder to become a company director, while Kelly is in internal sales at Hull firm Donaldson Filtration.

Hot summer’s night

An acoustic quartet provided background music during the afternoon, and popular band The Silver Circle made sure the dance floor was buzzing later in the evening. And the dance floor also provided Kelly with one of her favourite moments of the whole day. She said: “The first dance was unforgettable. Adam totally got his groove on! He was strutting his funky stuff to the Hannah Grace’s cover version of Praise You. It was all captured on our wedding video too.”

Another of the bride’s standout memories was walking down the aisle with her dad, and seeing Adam waiting for her. “I was pretty tearful,” she added. “The whole day seemed so effortless, every part of it was wonderful.”

The Little Farm Caterer provided a sit-down two-course meal of a hot carvery with potatoes and salad, followed by the wedding cake (Victoria sponge with cream and strawberries) for dessert, while guests were able to snack on a hog roast throughout the evening.

“Jo King from The Little Farm was great,” Kelly added. “We first spoke 22 months before the wedding and then again one week before. I had no worries at all, she immediately picked up on what we wanted and was really laid back, nothing was too much trouble.”

Outdoor tables and soft shepherd’s lighting coupled with the Mediterranean evening temperatures meant the party continued outside as well as within the marquee well into the night. As the last guests departed, the wedding group were able to head straight to their comfortable beds for some well-earned rest in West Carlton’s nine luxurious rooms.

Memories to treasure

West Carlton owner Caroline admits this was one of her all-time favourite celebrations. She said: “Kelly and Adam are just the best. We loved every minute, the weather, the atmosphere, the people, it was such an awesome day. And I’ll never forget the first dance, Adam was hilarious!”

Sophie Marsden, Events and Marketing Coordinator at Village Farm Marquees, said: “This was one of those days that sticks with you for a long time. It was a joy to see Kelly and Adam’s plans come together in such an amazing celebration and I think we all counted our lucky stars that the weather was simply so perfect.”

Photos courtesy of M and G Photographic

Wedding Dress and Designer – Tanzanita by Sophia Tolli supplied by Coates Couture Bridal, Grimsby

Suit Designer – Peter Posh Formal Suit supplied by Coates Couture Bridal, Grimsby

Florist – On the Button Flowers, Bainton

Make-Up Artist – Creative Make-up by Carla, Bridlington

Hairdresser – Dexter’s, Driffield

DJ/Entertainment – Jonny Kramer, and The Silver Circle band

Stylist – Sophisticated Shindigs

Wedding Rings – Ernest Jones

Caterer – The Little Farm Caterer

Wedding Cake – Tiers and Celebrations, Hull

Photographer – M and G Photographic

Videographer – Popping the Bubble Productions // https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ld9P1li2ak

Festive Tipple

Mon, 04 Nov 2019 11:12:28 GMT

A Christmas Tipple from our friends at the Yorkshire Bartender!

We're getting into the festive party season this month with a Christmas tipple from the Yorkshire Bartender so thought we would share a bit of the Christmas Spirit! This festive tipple consists of Raspberry and amaretto – it’s both delicious and rather strong, just how we like our cocktails! So lets hand it over to Callum and the Team at YB!

Every year, I produce a Christmas Cocktail for me and the family, a little something to sip on during those cold evenings whilst we watch Christmas films and wrap presents. But for the last couple of years me and the wife have gone back to the same concoction; the unrivalled Amaretto Sour! This cocktail is the perfect festive tipple if you ask me. Its tangy, sippable and has that wintery marzipan taste which makes me dream of Christmas!

This cocktail is super easy to make on the bar or at home and only take a few ingredients and a cocktail shaker. First off we have 45ml of Amaretto, which will throw in the tin, we then add 25ml of Lemon (Roughly Half a Lemon) and 25ml of Sugar Syrup (You can buy this in Tesco just look for Gomme), finally we crack a egg and add the whites to the tin and discard the yolk!

Once all our ingredients are in our tin we shake our cocktail without ice for 10 seconds and then add ice and shake again. We call this dry shaking and wet shaking and it gives us that lovely froth which is a staple of any sour. Finally stain the cocktail into your coupe glass or tip in into a short glass. Garnish with a cherry or flower and finish with a drizzle of Framboise.

Ingredients

45ml Amaretto

5ml Framboise

25ml Lemon

25ml Sugar

25ml Egg White

Enjoy!

Sophie’s Wedding Blog - Bar, Catering & Cake Suppliers

Tue, 01 Oct 2019 09:01:44 GMT

With just over 8 months to go until the big day, it’s time to catch up and find out more about the suppliers our Soph has chosen for hers and hubby-to be, Josh’s special day…

Since our last blog, Sophie and Josh excitedly stepped up onto property ladder and bought their own home, but now it’s time to focus on the wedding planning, as there is still so much to do!

It’s time to focus on one thing now – the wedding!

Can you believe it, we are not far away from Christmas, and that got me thinking stationary! I’m currently checking out one of my favourite inspirational places – Instagram - for some creative wedding invitation ideas. I’m thinking something quite simple but with some element of gold leaf detailing. For obvious reasons I don’t want to give too much away yet, but look forward to sharing some designs with you later!

Anyway, it’s time for me to reveal one of my favourite parts of wedding planning, choosing the right suppliers for my bar, catering and wedding cake!

Fortunately, I’ve met some amazing suppliers working in the wedding and events industry and have been involved in so many spectacular celebrations that I’ve developed a really clear idea of who I’d like to work with.

Bar Supplier – Yorkshire Bartender

I wanted to create a separate bar area within the marquee with bar stools, sofas and coffee tables for our guests to enjoy. With this in mind I 100% knew I wanted to have a circular round bar as the main feature as you walked into the marquee!

I decided on the Yorkshire Bartender as our chosen bar company - I just love their style, with their personalised menu deigns, the most gorgeous selection of glassware and various bar options available to suit.

Catering Supplier – Saunts Parties & Events

Choosing a catering company for our wedding breakfast and evening food was a hard choice for us, as there are many fabulous catering companies in the region. We finally narrowed it down, and after meeting the team from Saunts we just knew they would be perfect for the job.

We love good old Yorkshire food so we wanted quite a traditional styled menu for our guests with a modern twist. We have decided on a selection of canapes for when our guests arrive at the venue, alongside a summer cocktail. This will be followed by a sit-down wedding breakfast which will include our favourite roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. It’s making my mouth water just thinking about it!

Evening food – we haven’t quite decided on this just yet. We have a meeting in the new year with Lesley from Saunts to confirm our menu choices and discuss various options for evening food. However, we love the idea of street food, whether it be a gourmet burger and chips or a selection of pizzas.

Cake Supplier – Aurora Cake Studio

When it came to our wedding cake, I had a very clear vison in mind. So, I looked up my old school friend Mel who makes amazing cakes. We had a great conversation and discussed my ideas with samples of various sponges and fillings.

It was definitely a hard choice so we opted for a couple of different flavours. Keep an eye out for my final blog after the wedding to see what design I chose.

In my next blog I’ll be talking all about flowers, furniture and styling so stay tuned – see you in a few months!

S x

Marquee Open Day Event

Tue, 10 Sep 2019 12:59:26 GMT

Planning your dream wedding?

We are so excited to showcase our gorgeous marquees to you this Autumn!

We are once again teaming up with the lovely Katy at Barff House Country Weddings, Brandesburton . YO25 8LX to create a stunning intimate wedding setting on Sunday 6th October, 11am-3pm.

Come and view the barn - the perfect space for your wedding ceremony, walk through our marquee set for a wedding breakfast and meet a selected few of Yorkshire’s finest wedding suppliers.

Feel free to pop along anytime between 11am-3pm, alternatively if you would like to discuss your wedding marquee in more detail, appointments are available throughout the day. To book, please call us on 01262 468160 or email us at info@villagefarmmarquees.co.uk.

Keep an eye on our social media for all the latest details!

Supporting showcase of luxury lodges

Tue, 16 Jul 2019 12:23:15 GMT

VFM team up with Omar Park & Leisure Homes

Let’s be honest, who wouldn’t love to own a luxury lodge nestling in one of Great Britain’s many beautiful landscapes? We know we certainly would! And we’d had the benefit of seeing some of these jaw-droppingly gorgeous homes close-up thanks to our partnership with one of the country’s leading suppliers of residential park homes and luxury lodges, Omar Park & Leisure Homes.

The company is based in Brandon, Suffolk, with a second manufacturing facility in Hull, and has been trading since 1965. Omar attracts a wide variety of customers from across the UK as well as overseas – from individuals looking for a holiday or retirement home to commercial park owners wanting premium quality homes for their sites.

Omar’s Marketing Coordinator Jo Lees talked to us about what makes their products so popular and how important it is to make the right impact at the all-important outdoor shows.

Growth in popularity

Lodges and residential park homes have been on the go for a number of decades but in recent years, the sector has seen a spurt in growth. There are all sorts of reasons for this, including developments in the quality of design and construction; and the leisure and financial benefits they can bring with long-term savings on holiday costs and the option of renting out the home to other holiday-makers. An increasing number of Brits are now interested in ‘staycations’ rather than shelling out on properties abroad, especially as UK holiday parks have become much more sophisticated and can rival those found in Europe.

Jo said: “Buying a lodge or park home is a big decision and customers can rely on us to give them support and advice throughout the process. One thing they can always be confident of is that the quality of design and construction with our homes is second to none.”

Omar offers an extensive range to suit all tastes and budgets, and can even design your own bespoke home, giving you exactly what you require. “At Omar we ensure the highest possible standards and pay close attention to detail throughout the build of your home, ensuring a quality final finish,” Jo added. “We really do focus on delivering the very best customer service at all times.”

Outdoor show extravaganzas

Naturally, many customers would prefer to see a selection of homes before signing on the dotted line, and this is possible both at Omar’s showground in Brandon, Suffolk, at various holiday parks, and at some of the country’s annual shows.

And this is where VFM makes an appearance! We first worked together in 2018 at the prestigious annual Caravan Extravaganza, held at The Lawns, in Cottingham, East Yorkshire, when Omar needed a last-minute marquee supplier and we were able to step up to the plate.

Jo said: “We came across VFM online and it was such a lucky find! They were able to provide exactly what we needed quickly and efficiently, and we have been very impressed with their service and the quality of their marquees. These shows are run on extremely tight logistical schedules, so it’s important that all participants can work to a strict project plan and timeline. Any suppliers working with us must be completely reliable, trustworthy, organised and timely – there’s no room for error. VFM tick all these boxes, their professionalism is simply outstanding.”

A premium quality match

From our perspective at VFM, we understand it’s imperative that our products fit with the premium quality of the goods or services our client is offering their customers. A standard marquee really wouldn’t do, and that’s why ours are always in pristine condition. Chrysta Newman, VFM Co-director, said: “We supported Omar at The World of Park & Leisure Homes Show at Ardingly, West Sussex and their stand looked absolutely stunning. The homes could probably sell themselves as they are just superb, but the work the team put into landscaping their whole stand area makes it so attractive.

“The marquee has to match this top quality look and feel. At this event we used a curved roof rather than the standard pitched roof, the whole stand looked so lovely.”

Omar arrange the interior of their marquee so there is a private area for one-to-one conversations, a comfy seating area, and room for visitors to browse information stands.

Jo added: “It’s not just a marquee, it forms part of our overall marketing strategy and therefore it needs to match our standards for quality in order for us to provide the whole customer experience that we are aiming for.”

For the other big event that we support Omar with, The World of Park & Leisure Homes Show held in Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, we suggested Omar try glass panels across the front of their marquee, to further lighten and brighten the interior, and this has proved really effective.

A team effort

Despite our best efforts, on rare occasions things do conspire to throw a spanner in the works! Our big truck unfortunately suffered a breakdown two miles away from the Ardingly showground, and it took some quick-thinking from Tony to ensure those all-important marquee assembly deadlines were not missed.

Tony explained: “We used our small truck to ferry a few bits of the load back and forth to the show until the recovery service arrived and was able to tow the big truck to the ground, where we could finish unloading.

“The Omar and VFM teams worked really well together to make sure everything went like clockwork despite the potential disruption.”

Chrysta added: “We do pride ourselves on good communications with clients and their on-site teams, and we see ourselves as an extension of their brand. We try to be innovative too, contributing new ideas on how they can engage visitors to the shows and attract them to the stand.

“Omar Homes are an inspirational company and a real pleasure to work with. We’re looking forward to supporting them at many more shows to come.”

For more information about Omar Park & Leisure Homes, visit www.omar.co.uk

If you are attending an event and would like to speak to Village Farm Marquees about how we can help, please get in touch via info@villagefarmmarquees.co.uk or (01262) 468160.

Combining tradition with modern glamour

Thu, 06 Jun 2019 10:22:26 GMT

Sophie set her sights on a stylish church wedding

It’s time to revisit our marketing coordinator Sophie Marsden’s wedding plans and hear how they are coming along since her first blog a few months ago.

Sophie and her fiancée Josh live in Cranswick, East Yorkshire, with their two young children, Alesha and Harvey. Their wedding date is set for Saturday June 6, 2020, and preparations are in full swing.

In this second of a series of blogs we will be featuring leading up to the big day, Sophie talks about her decision to have a church wedding, and why you sometimes need to work around unexpected obstacles!

A personal choice

I’ve always been fairly traditional when it comes to weddings, and so a church ceremony has always been on the cards for me. I don’t practise a religion as such and wouldn’t say I’m particularly spiritual, but the formality of a church ceremony really appeals to me as does the beauty of such buildings. There’s just something about a church that, for me, deeply reflects the significance of our vows to each other. I’m not criticising other types of wedding venues in any way, it’s just one of the many personal choices that every couple needs to consider. Josh is also pretty traditional and likes the idea of a church ceremony, although I think he was just happy to go with the flow!

We chose St Mary’s Church in the picturesque village of South Dalton because it’s an area that holds special memories for me – as a child I used to go conkering with my family on the South Dalton estate, and the local Michelin-starred restaurant, the Pipe and Glass, is one of our favourites. In fact, Josh is planning on popping there for a pre-wedding drink with his ushers and best man (well, I’m hoping it’s just one drink and not several – I’d like us to walk down the aisle, not stagger!).

I did wonder if the church would only marry people who lived in the village, but this wasn’t a problem and they were more than happy to book us in. We will need to attend a number of Sunday services leading up to the wedding, and there will be lots of details for us to agree nearer the time such as whether we have an organist, bell-ringers, and hymns.

St Mary’s is the perfect size for our wedding party too, it will comfortably seat more than our 50 guests but it retains that small and intimate feeling. It’s a beautiful example of Victorian architecture with such a pretty interior; there are a few options around flowers and décor but I know we’ll plump for something simple. I’m picturing two large flower arrangements on top of the pillars on either side of the altar, which we can then relocate to our marquee.

Creative marquee planning

The ceremony will take place at 1pm, then we will all travel to the private home where our reception will be held. Guests will enjoy canapes and arrival drinks on a lovely patio as we have photographs taken in the gardens, then we will move on into the marquee for a seated meal.

Our main marquee will contain a fabulous round bar with a statement chandelier above it plus a comfortable chill-out area, round dining tables, and a traditional top table. I know a lot of couples are swaying more towards the long tables these days, but for me a top table suits our more traditional approach to the celebration and also fits with the overall glamorous look and feel that we’re going for.

Two adjoining extensions will house a cool dancefloor with sparkling mirror ball, ready for the evening disco fun, and a catering area. Here’s a tip for anyone planning their marquee layout – be sure to do a full recce of the land where you will be siting the marquee, and take into account any trees, bushes or other features that could affect your plans! We had a lovely but rather awkwardly positioned tree to factor in, which meant Chrysta and Tony at Village Farm Marquees had to come up with some creative layout ideas. I’m very happy with the end result, and you can always rely on the VFM team to think outside the box when it comes to troubleshooting.

Source of inspiration

I’ll be talking more about the styling details of my big day in future blogs, but I can reveal that my theme is most definitely ‘glamour’! I’ve always been attracted to glamorous, high end weddings, and have found Pinterest to be a wonderful source of inspiration, as I know many other brides-to-be do. I used key search terms such as ‘wedding inspiration’, ‘glamorous weddings’ and ‘marquee wedding ideas’ to hone in on images that really helped me develop a vision for my own special day. Instagram is also a good source of ideas (VFM has its own Insta page too, providing lots of ideas for anyone thinking of having a marquee-based wedding or other event – check it out here ).

It’s now just under a year until my wedding day, and although it seems like a long way away, I know that the time will just fly by. There’s still lots of things to finalise so keep an eye out for my next blog in a few months’ time where I’ll let you know how I’m getting on!

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