There’s nothing quite like celebrating a couple’s special day as they tie the knot in a picturesque Lancashire barn setting. Jaide and Tom’s big day was a vibrant spectacle, filled with every colour of the rainbow.The star of the show were undoubtedly the outfits, crafted by Jaide herself – her mum being her business partner in their costume venture. Two stunning gowns for the bride-to-be and two dapper ensembles for Tom made for an impressive fashion statement. They both looked absolutely breathtaking!But it was the summer wedding flowers that really stole the show. A kaleidoscope of colours burst forth from every corner, accompanied by rainbow-hued ribbons, balloons, and candles. The result was a decor scheme that was nothing short of extraordinary.Entertainment Nation provided the evening’s musical entertainment, keeping the party going long into the night.Big thanks to Beth Alderson Photography for sharing these enchanting images with us, capturing the magic of Jaide and Tom’s unforgettable barn wedding.
Lancashire Barn Wedding
The Proposal
Tom cleverly anticipated my desire for an understated proposal, so he whisked me away to our humble first date spot in Preston – a deliberate choice to avoid the chaos of Blackpool. A leisurely stroll around the docks transformed into a romantic one-knee proposal, as he presented me with a breathtaking Le Vian Sapphire engagement ring! My joy knew no bounds as I eagerly accepted his offer and couldn’t wait to spread the excitement!
The Vision
Before the proposal, many women create a Pinterest board for their dream wedding. I’m no exception. As early as possible, my partner and I had a clear idea of what we wanted: vibrant real flowers, exceptional photography, and an unconventional setting that would make our special day truly unforgettable. The search was on, and we were determined to find the perfect fit.
Budget
The initial budget for our wedding was approximately £15,000, but the pandemic’s unexpected twist ultimately resulted in a total spend of around £20,000. The extra time we had to save due to the cancellation allowed us to adjust our finances accordingly.
When it comes to planning and organizing a wedding, spreadsheets are an invaluable tool. They enabled us to keep tabs on deposits and final payment dates with ease, streamlining the entire process. For those looking to follow in our footsteps, I highly recommend exploring WWW’s wedding spreadsheets for inspiration.
The Ceremony & Music
The sun shone brightly on our special day, a far cry from the torrential rain that had been forecasted for the previous year’s planned ceremony. We felt like we’d been given a second chance at love, and what a blessing it was to make the most of the stunning outdoor ceremony area. As I stood before my husband-to-be, I found myself struggling to focus on the vows with the breathtaking view unfolding before me – not to mention the dashing groom himself! It’s no secret that Disney holds a special place in my heart, and we decided to pay homage to our love of all things Mickey Mouse without being too on-the-nose. We chose instrumental tracks from our favorite Disney films to set the tone for the ceremony. Our walk down the aisle was accompanied by the enchanting ‘See the Light’ from Tangled, while our guests waited in anticipation with a medley of ‘So This is Love’ from Cinderella and ‘Bella Notte’ from Lady and the Tramp.
The Venue
We sought a unique venue that would surprise and delight our guests, one that was off the beaten path yet still offered an idyllic atmosphere. Our search led us to Bashall Barn in Clitheroe, which exceeded our expectations in every way. The property boasts breathtaking countryside views of the Ribble Valley, providing a picturesque backdrop for our special day. The presence of friendly farm animals – specifically cows – allowed for some lovely photo opportunities and added to the charm. The venue’s intimate setting and exclusive nature made it feel like our own private oasis. The rustic character of the outdoor ceremony area only served to enhance the overall experience, making Bashall Barn the perfect choice for our celebration.
Your Outfits
I’m thrilled to share that my mum and I run a costume business together, which means I’ve had the unique opportunity to collaborate with her on some of my most memorable outfits. My wedding dress was no exception – we designed and created it together, after making dresses for various milestones in my life, including prom, 18th birthday, and 21st birthday. This experience was a bit stressful due to our business background, but the end result was well worth the effort. I got the dress of my dreams, which was figure-hugging, glittery, and fairytale-like, with stunning floral tulle sleeves and a diamante veil that made me feel like an actual princess. However, the dress was too heavy for me to wear all day, so we created a second dress that kept the same bodice but featured a thigh-high split up front, perfect for our first dance and evening celebrations. A quick video of the making-of process is available at [insert link].Meanwhile, Tom opted for a classic sharp black tuxedo look, complete with a Ted Baker suit that was tailored to perfection by my talented Nan. He finished off the outfit with Kurt Geiger patent shoes and a hand-tied bow tie that took him several attempts to get right on our wedding morning due to nerves! Of course, we couldn’t have had two dresses without an outfit change for Tom as well – he swapped his black tuxedo jacket for a cream one from Slaters menswear, which ended up being my favorite look on him and perfectly complemented my second dress. This change was also more comfortable for him in the 28-degree heat we experienced on our special day.
The Styling & Decor
Our wedding decorations were truly the highlight of the day, and we spared no expense to create a kaleidoscope of colours. The star of the show were the four large ‘flower bombs’ that sat atop pedestals for the ceremony before being transferred to the wedding breakfast tables. These stunning arrangements were a symphony of colours, filling the air with an intoxicating scent. Elsewhere, we had a sprawling display of flowers that consumed the entire top table, punctuated by tall, colourful candles that added a warm glow. To complete the look, we hung coloured ribbons from the ceiling above every other table and created a ribbon backdrop behind the top table. The pièce de résistance was the 6 extra-large white helium balloons, each adorned with tassels that trailed to the floor, which were strategically placed around the wedding breakfast room to add an extra layer of vibrancy. We also paid tribute to our loved ones who couldn’t be with us by setting up ‘in loving memory of’ memorial crates, featuring photographs, candles, and flowers. This beautiful display was a lovely way to include those we missed in our celebration. As we took our first look before the guests arrived, it genuinely left us breathless! Our three-tier naked cake was simplicity itself, but its beauty lay in its understated elegance, with each tier separated by glass plates and adorned with fresh fruit, flowers, and a wire cake topper featuring our initials. To keep costs down, I handwrote all the guest name tags, which turned out beautifully.
Your Photographer
I’m thrilled to share that our photographer, Beth Alderson, is not only incredibly talented but also a dear friend from college days when we studied photography together. As her business grew, I knew she was the perfect choice to capture our special day. In fact, I planned around her availability, and she did not disappoint! With so many breathtaking moments to choose from, it’s impossible to pick just one favorite photo. I’m more than happy to recommend Beth’s services to anyone looking for a photographer who truly understands the art of storytelling through images.For those on a tighter budget, I completely understand the struggle of choosing between splurging on a professional filmmaker or finding alternative solutions. For us, it was about finding a way to capture the essence of our day without breaking the bank. My solution was simple yet effective: having a trusted friend record small video clips using my iPhone throughout the day and then editing them myself with some carefully selected music. It may not be a Hollywood production, but it adds a lovely personal touch to our wedding memories.
The Honeymoon
The COVID-19 pandemic put our plans for a traditional honeymoon on hold, leaving us to explore other options instead. Since tying the knot in May 2022, we’ve taken several vacations together, including a trip to Barcelona – but we haven’t had that special, official ‘I do’ celebration just yet. Perhaps the rest of our lives will be one long, romantic getaway in itself.
Memorable Moments
Two speeches kicked off our celebration – the Groom’s speech and the Father of the Bride’s (FOTB) speech. Both took place before the meal, which seemed to be a hit with everyone involved. This allowed the speakers to unwind and enjoy their own meal, knowing they’d already delivered their remarks. My dad and Tom did an outstanding job, and I think it’s safe to say they received plenty of praise for their efforts.
Another memorable moment that has been mentioned by our guests was the unique cocktail hour we hosted following the ceremony. Rather than serving traditional champagne, we opted for PIMMS and Mojitos – a refreshing twist on the usual fare. The warm weather only added to the appeal, with many of our guests expressing their enthusiasm for this non-traditional approach.