Imagine stepping into a kaleidoscope of colour, fun, and romance as we celebrate the enchanting Hitchin barn wedding of Karys and Nick at Barns at Redcoats. This joyous celebration is a treasure trove of delightful moments, starting with the couple’s stunning outfits – think show-stopping sequins on the bride’s dress! The vibrant blooms, modern cake design, and refined styling only add to the magic. But that’s not all; the duo also brought their A-game with sparklers, confetti, smoke flares, and breathtaking golden hour shots. What truly makes this day shine is the abundance of smiles from dawn till dusk, as well as Karys and Nick’s special secret dance lessons to master their first dance. The Wardette Studio has kindly shared these spectacular images with us, so sit back and indulge in every moment of their unforgettable day.
Hitchin Barn Wedding
The Proposal
It took Nick four visits to the jewellers, Chapter 79, to craft the perfect engagement ring for Karys. He knew she had her heart set on a coloured stone as the focal point, rather than a traditional diamond. The jewellers’ Andy and Jackie provided invaluable guidance throughout the process, and Karys was thrilled with the final result.
The proposal itself took place during a romantic stroll along a river at one of Karys’ cherished spots, just a stone’s throw from her family home. With her parents and auntie and uncle in attendance, they celebrated immediately after with a lunch that will always be remembered.
The Vision
To make our wedding day truly unique, we deliberately strayed from traditional norms that didn’t resonate with us. We opted to put our own spin on things and inject as much fun as possible into the celebration. This manifested in some unconventional touches – such as using Uno cards as creative place settings, cutting the cake with a dramatic flourish (courtesy of an axe), and incorporating vibrant smoke bombs and sparklers to create a memorable atmosphere. Even the bride’s speech was designed to rival the best man’s for sheer entertainment value, ensuring that everyone left the ceremony in high spirits.
The Venue
Redcoats proved to be the ideal setting for our celebration, with its unique blend of style and relaxation perfectly aligning with our vision. As it’s conveniently located near us, we were thrilled to find an abundance of accommodation options available. The venue’s team, led by Sophie, went above and beyond to ensure a seamless event, allowing us to unwind and savor every moment. Their thoughtful gestures, such as providing a glass of champagne after the ceremony and saving us a plate of canapés while we were capturing memories on camera, left a lasting impression.
The Ceremony & Music
We discovered the perfect entrance songs for our special day when we stumbled upon Athena, a talented guitar and vocals duo. Their performance of ‘I’m Kissing You’ by Des’ree was the spark that ignited an unforgettable moment as we first laid eyes on each other after exchanging vows. The same song would later become the soundtrack to a heartwarming aisle entrance during dinner, where we would sway to the rhythm of Daryl Hall & John Oates’ ‘You Make My Dreams Come True’, accompanied by our own custom neon sign. As husband and wife, we let loose with an impromptu dance, feeling carefree and joyous.A chance encounter with Sue at Mirrors Dance led us to create a choreographed first dance routine, which was a delightful surprise for our guests. We couldn’t have imagined a more enjoyable experience, and the secrecy only added to the thrill of performing it in front of everyone. The romantic vibes were further amplified by ‘Young and Beautiful’ from the Great Gatsby film soundtrack, which brought back cherished memories of our early days together. Gabriella from Vivo, our evening band, did an incredible job of capturing the song’s essence and keeping the dance floor alive all night long – including a memorable guitar-driven dance-off with their musician!
Your Outfits
Your Photographer & Filmmaker
We kicked off our wedding planning by booking Gemma from The Wardette Studio, knowing that our photos would be treasured memories for years to come. Her ability to capture joy, colour and special moments left us with an incredible visual record of our big day. Meanwhile, Toby from Neon Trifle Film was recommended to us by friends who had used his services before, and we were excited to have a film of the event that would allow us to relive moments like our first dance and speeches in years to come. On the day itself, both Gemma and Toby went above and beyond to ensure they captured all the little details that make a wedding so memorable – even scaling a fence with their equipment to get the perfect shot at sunset, much to Karys’s amusement as she watched from below!
The Honeymoon
During our three-and-a-half-week honeymoon adventure in New Zealand, my partner and I finally got to fulfill our long-held dream of exploring this stunning country. With no shortage of thrilling experiences and breathtaking landscapes waiting for us, we made the most of our time together, creating unforgettable memories.
Memorable Moments
The ceremony turned out to be a wonderful experience – our mums delivered heartfelt readings, while Nick’s sister wowed us with her own written piece. The atmosphere was electric. Meanwhile, one of the groomsmen sparked an impromptu idea: ‘Hey, let’s pick up the bride for a photo!’ Karys, the bride, happily obliged. But then, in a brilliant display of solidarity, the bridesmaids jumped on board and lifted Nick right back up! Gemma managed to capture the chaotic fun perfectly on camera. Amidst all the excitement, we also created a special keepsake: a vintage typewriter allowed guests to leave handwritten notes instead of signing a traditional guestbook. As the night drew to a close, we received a beautiful scroll filled with heartfelt messages from our loved ones. It now proudly hangs in our living room, serving as a cherished reminder of our unforgettable day.
Advice For Other Couples
It’s not always easy to follow your heart, but when it comes to your special day, why hold back? If there’s something that truly matters to you and your partner, don’t worry about what others might think. It’s the memories you create together that will make your wedding day truly unforgettable.
When it comes to making a memorable impression, a well-choreographed first dance can be just the thing. Not only does it give you something to focus on while all eyes are on you, but it also provides a clear conclusion to the performance and allows you to bring the rest of your guests into the celebration.
Karys and Nick, thank you both for sharing your enchanting Hitchin barn wedding story with us. It’s been an absolute pleasure to learn about your special day.