There are many ways to celebrate a big birthday at our superb venue that includes holiday cottages, a campsite, and of course, The Barn. Here are some ideas to get you started:
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Congratulations on your upcoming summer wedding! Planning for a summer wedding can be a bit challenging, especially if you are concerned about the possibility of a heat wave. Here are some things to consider to ensure that your summer wedding is a success:
Consider your use of The Barn: The Barn at Avington has ample indoor and outdoor space, so you and your guests have room to move around and enjoy the festivities. Consider having your welcome drinks next to the ceremony area as there is lots of shade here. Timing: Consider scheduling the wedding ceremony and reception during cooler parts of the day, This will help to avoid the hottest part of the day, which is typically midday. Aim to have your guests to arrive from 2pm, with your ceremony starting at 2:30pm. Dress Code: Consider selecting lighter fabrics for your dress and for the groom's suit. Opt for lighter colors like pastels, neutrals, and light shades. You may also want to consider offering some alternative clothing options like sandals, shorts, and sundresses to your guests. Have an outfit change in the evening so that you can thoroughly enjoy dancing without over heating. Hydration and shade: We will make sure there is plenty of water available for guests to drink throughout the day, having water stations set up around the venue. We recommend signs to remind and encourage guests to stay hydrated. Additionally, provide shade in the form of umbrellas or shaded areas for guests to rest and cool off – we have gazebos which are ideal for this or you can hire an Indian Marquee here: Indian Marquees | Hampshire Party Pods. Menu: Consider serving refreshing foods like fruits, salads, and cold soups. Avoid serving heavy, hot meals that may be uncomfortable to eat in the heat. BBQs are always a popular option – we recommend Global Kitchen Events. Communicate: Keep your guests informed about the weather conditions leading up to the wedding and any plans for keeping them cool and hydrated. You may also want to include information on your wedding website or invitations about the recommended attire and any necessary precautions to take in the heat. Advise hand held fans, hats and umbrellas. Overall, the key to planning a summer wedding is to be prepared for any weather conditions that may arise. By considering these factors and taking the necessary precautions, you can ensure that your summer wedding is a success, even in the heat. You could always embrace it with a water balloon flight and paddling pools! There are many reasons why an autumn wedding can be a great idea. Here are a few: Beautiful scenery: Autumn is known for its stunning foliage, with trees turning shades of gold, red, and orange. This can create a breathtaking backdrop for your wedding photos and add to the overall atmosphere of your special day. The Barn at Avington is surrounded by beautiful nature that glows in the autumnal sun. Choose a photographer who knows how to make the most of the light – we love Angela Ward Brown. Comfortable weather: In many parts of the world, autumn weather can be mild and comfortable, making it an ideal time to hold an outdoor wedding. You and your guests can enjoy the beauty of the season without worrying about sweltering heat or freezing temperatures. Our log burner provides a cosy feeling in The Barn and fire pits can be used in the garden. This adds to the atmosphere and is completed by serving mulled cider and roasted marshmallows. Martha Hollis has a menu that works perfectly in the cooler weather, like ‘Luxury fish pie’ and ‘ Wild mushroom risotto’. Unique decor: Autumn offers a lot of flexibility when it comes to wedding themes and color schemes. You can go for a rustic or vintage vibe, embrace the season with warm and cozy tones, or opt for a more formal look with elegant neutrals. Boho styling works great in autumn. Check out LO & BEHOLD BESPOKE (loandbeholdbespoke.com) – who provide the most stunning props and stationery. Autumn offers a wide range of decor options, including pumpkins, leaves, and seasonal flowers like mums and sunflowers. These elements can help you create a warm, cozy atmosphere that is perfect for a wedding celebration. We also recommend Lichen & Lights (lichenandlights.co.uk) for autumnal styling – whose props include pine cones and silver birch candles for that gorgeous forest feel. Availability: Since summer is the most popular season for weddings, many venues and vendors may be booked solid during that time. By choosing an autumn wedding date, you may have more options when it comes to selecting a venue or working with a particular vendor. We have good availability from October onwards at The Barn at Avington. Overall, an autumn wedding can be a beautiful and unique way to celebrate your special day. Whether you want to embrace the season or simply take advantage of the many benefits of an off-season wedding, autumn can be a wonderful time to tie the knot. Photographer: @hayleysavagephotography
Stationery: @loandbeholdbspk Furniture: @stufftailormade Props and styling: @lichenandlights Florist: @rabbitandtherose Cake: @harttcakes Tableware: @crystalhireltd Bridalwear: @velvetqueenbridalshop Planning a wedding can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially when it comes to managing your budget. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your wedding budget: Prioritize your must-haves: Decide on the most important aspects of your wedding and allocate the budget accordingly. For example, if having an amazing photographer is a priority, then allocate more of your budget towards that rather than on other areas that may not be as important to you. Create a budget spreadsheet: Keep track of all expenses and update your spreadsheet regularly. This will help you stay on top of your expenses and make sure you’re not overspending in certain areas. Involving friends and family who have skills such as baking, flower arranging, or hair and makeup can be a good way to stay within budget. Be open to alternatives: There may be less expensive alternatives that still fit your needs. For example, instead of buying floral arrangements, you can opt for potted plants or greenery which can then be enjoyed long after the wedding day. Instead of a three course sit down meal, go for food trucks or an afternoon tea. DIY where possible: DIYing certain aspects of your wedding can be a great way to save money. For example, making your wedding stationery or décor. Having the luxury of time at The Barn at Avington to set up will allow for any last-minute crafting. Keep guest list in check: The more guests you invite, the more you will need to spend on catering, invitations, and other expenses. A smaller guestlist in the day with more evening guests arriving later means that you can have the gourmet menu without going over budget. Remember, your wedding is a special day, but it’s just one day. It’s important to create a budget that’s realistic for you and your partner, and to stick to it. By following these tips and ask Beth for advice, you can make the most of your wedding budget and have a beautiful wedding without causing unnecessary stress. Photographer: www.angelawardbrown.com
Florist: www.rabbitandtherose.co.uk Furniture: www.purpledoorprops.com Tableware: www.crystalhire.com There are several ways to make your wedding feel like a festival: Choose a Unique Venue: The Barn at Avington is perfect for creating a festive atmosphere. Our camping site, The Quarry – our stunning hideaway surrounded by wildflowers and the ceremony space next to the river give a fun and lively ambiance. Decorate the Venue: Use bright and vibrant colours, bunting, streamers, and flowers to decorate the venue. A photo booth or selfie station with colourful props is a great way to make the wedding more interactive. We have an abundance of these props and decor for you to borrow! Incorporate Music: Music is a crucial part of a festival. Hire a live band or a DJ that can play music that is lively and gets everyone on the dance floor. We recommend checking out Gecko Live as they have some incredible local band who will make your guests feel like they’re at the Pyramid stage! Offer a Variety of Food: Instead of the traditional wedding menu, you can offer a variety of street foods and snacks that are popular at festivals. You can also have food trucks parked outside the venue to offer more options. Pizza is always a popular choice at weddings – so why not try Leather And Willow - Wood Fired Pizza Catering Service. Activities and Games: You can set up fun activities and games like carnival games, face painting, henna tattoos, and even a bouncy castle. This will keep your guests entertained and engaged. The Lawn Game Company have some fantastic options for ultimate silliness and laugher. Dress Code: You can set a dress code for the wedding that matches the festival theme. Encourage your guests to wear bright colours and comfortable clothing that will allow them to move around and have fun. If you are having a Friday BBQ or Sunday brunch, give them a fun festival theme with prizes for the best costumes. Give Out Festival Swag: Offer your guests festival swag such as wristbands, hats, or sunglasses to take home as a souvenir. It's a great way to keep the festive vibe going even after the wedding is over and will look great in photos. Remember, the key to making your wedding feel like a festival is to create a lively and energetic atmosphere where everyone can let loose and have fun. Colourful Hampshire Wedding Photographer - Kirsty Mackenzie (www.kirstymackenziephotography.co.uk)
Modern Hampshire Wedding Photographer - Jason Williams (jasonwilliamsphotography.com) Having a wedding weekend instead of a wedding day has several benefits:
More Time to Celebrate: With a wedding weekend, you have more time to celebrate with your friends and family. Weddings are a special occasion, and it's nice to have more time to spend with loved ones, especially if they have travelled from far away. Instead of feeling rushed to fit everything into one day, you can spread out the celebrations over the course of a weekend. Relaxation: A wedding day can be stressful and hectic, with so many things happening at once. A wedding weekend allows you to relax and enjoy the moment without feeling rushed. You can take your time getting The Barn ready, enjoy a get together on the Friday evening with family and friends, and have time to unwind after the festivities are over. Our holiday cottages and campsite make this all the more easier and fun! More Opportunities for Activities: With a wedding weekend, you have more opportunities for activities. Over the weekend, you can have a round of golf at Avington Park golf course, pub lunch at The Plough in Itchen Abbas, or a big walk or rounders match. This gives guests lots of fun things to do throughout the weekend. A wedding weekend provides more opportunities for making memories that will last a lifetime. With more time to spend with loved ones, you can create more meaningful experiences together. Destination Weddings: If you are coming to The Barn at Avington from overseas, a wedding weekend is almost a necessity. It gives guests time to travel, adjust to the time difference, and explore the area before the wedding day. It also makes it easier to plan activities and events that showcase the destination. With Winchester and the New Forest on the doorstep, it is great to be able to give couples time to discover and try new things. Overall, a wedding weekend allows you to create a more memorable and enjoyable experience for everyone involved. It provides more time to celebrate, relax, and create meaningful memories that will last a lifetime. An eco-friendly wedding is an event that is designed and executed with the goal of minimizing its environmental impact. Such weddings take into account the use of sustainable resources, reduction of waste, and a conscious effort to reduce carbon emissions. The importance of an eco-friendly wedding can be summarized as follows: 1. Reduce Environmental Footprint: By opting for eco-friendly wedding practices, couples can significantly reduce their wedding's environmental footprint. This can include choosing organic and locally sourced foods, reducing energy usage, and using environmentally friendly decorations and favors. We love that Rabbit and the Rose doesn’t use floral foam and instead opts for using moss. Purple Door Props are also saving furniture from landfill and lovingly restoring them to provide unique and colourful options. 2. Setting an Example: An eco-friendly wedding sets an example for guests and inspires them to adopt sustainable practices in their daily lives. It shows that sustainable practices can be incorporated into all aspects of life, including special events. The reduce, reuse, recycle ethos is important for us at The Barn, so we have created a cupboard of dreams – filled with everything you’ll need for décor and styling that can be used again and again. 3. Support Local Businesses: An eco-friendly wedding can help support local businesses that prioritize sustainability. By using locally sourced and sustainably made products, couples can help promote the local economy and support businesses that share their values. Stem and Green are a local flower grower in the neighbouring village. Using English grown flowers significantly reduces your carbon footprint in comparison to buying from Dutch wholesalers. 4. Lower Costs: Eco-friendly weddings can be cost-effective since they often prioritize simplicity and minimalism, reducing the need for excess decorations, food, and other unnecessary expenses. Our blank canvas is a beautiful space which doesn’t need much to enhance it. Allow the stunning nature that surrounds The Barn to give the wow factor. 5. Create Lasting Memories: An eco-friendly wedding can create lasting memories that prioritize nature and community. These weddings often focus on intimate and meaningful experiences that prioritize the environment and relationships. Our ceremony area by the river and surrounded by trees will provide this connection between you and the beauty of our rural countryside – the perfect place for your marriage vows. Overall, an eco-friendly wedding is a way to celebrate love and commitment while also prioritizing the health of our planet and its inhabitants. Photography: Holly Bobbins
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