When meeting couples who are starting out on their wedding planning journey, we are always keen to caveat what we do at Curds Hall Barn with the message that this is Your Wedding and should reflect your needs and desires rather than shoehorning couples into a ‘Typical Wedding’
The abundance of planning tools and online inspiration that we have at our fingertips is invaluable to wedding planning couples. However, it can leave them with a long list of things that they now think ‘should’ be included in a wedding that perhaps don’t hold any importance to them personally. It can be quite difficult to navigate things that you are passionate about as a couple and the elements that you are providing to please other people. While we want to make sure that your guests are well fed and watered, entertained and having a good time, it’s important to do that in a way that reflects you.
When we first began chatting to Ali and Ryan, it was instantly clear that they were all about family. Their wedding would be a relaxed family celebration for everyone to enjoy. With that sentiment at the heart of their plans, we began to think about how we could round the formal corners of the day, and create a chilled atmosphere.
The first part of the day was, arguably the most important, the ceremony itself. Having discussed options, Ali and Ryan felt that having a celebrant-led, non-legal ceremony would be most true to them. Putting together a ceremony with the wonderful Heather Bartsch, allowed them to personalise it, including the children and sharing their story to set the tone for the day. It was wonderfully relaxed, as always, and an incredibly special display of the love that this couple have for each other and their children.
Continuing the informal feel to the day, Ryan and Ali opted for food truck catering supplemented by Curds Hall Barn staff to make sure that everyone was well looked after and that the drinks were flowing.
An ice cream truck arrived following the ceremony, much to the delight of the children (and the big children!) and guests could be heard chatting and laughing throughout the barn. Although Ryan and Ali chose not to have formal seating, in keeping with the style of catering from their pizza food truck, they were still keen to decorate the barn and tables and did so beautifully with fairy lights and floral arrangements of giant sunflowers. Guests grabbed pizza and took a seat either outside on the lawn under glowing festoon lighting or in the cosy Woodshed.
As the sun set, there were smores to roast over the fire pit and blankets for those who chose to brave the July chills and enjoy the gorgeous night sky.
Our newlyweds stayed true to themselves and their guests had the best time because of it! We highly recommend embracing your true desires for your wedding day and resisting the urge to tick boxes on what a wedding should be - it worked so well for this couple!
Caterer- East Coast Pizza
Ice Cream- Sweet Ally Scoops
Photographer- Megan Duffield
Celebrant- Your choice ceremonies
Florist- Fox & Fern
Styling & Lighting- Quirk Events
Furniture- Gas & Air Studios
DJ- Quirk Events
Hair- Sophie Taylor
Makeup- Demi Simmons
Dress- Camilla Brides
Suit- Pure Suit Hire
Comments