Hanami Dream is based in West Oxfordshire and there are some truly beautiful wedding venues to choose from in the surrounding Cotswolds. Whether in a barn, a manor house, a marquee or a hotel, there are some amazing places to hold your wedding or special occasion. Take a look at the venues with wedding licences where you can get married in West Oxfordshire.
Places for your guests to visit in the Cotswolds
The Cotswolds is a relaxing escape from the big cities, with rolling hills, acres of lavender fields, historical towns, stately homes and picturesque, chocolate box villages with their honey coloured limestone buildings.
So it is no wonder many couples choose to say ‘I do’ in this area of outstanding natural beauty. Your guests may have travelled far and wide for your big day so may wish to stay overnight (or longer). After the wedding, here are some places that your guests may wish to visit in and around Witney to make a proper get away of their trip (and five of them you can get married at too!) As featured on travel blog Twenty Six O Two.
1. Historical Witney
Witney is famous for 3 Bs: blankets, bread and beer. The major one of these is it’s woollen mills and blanket industry. Blankets were first made here in AD969 and there was a working blanket factory until 2002. There are old woollen mills around the town (although most are converted to offices or flats now).
A walking tour of the town takes in most of the relevant locations such as the Market Place, The Blanket Hall, Weavers Cottages, The Buttercross, Corn Exchange (where you can have a civil wedding ceremony) and the River Windrush (which would have provided clean water for cloth making and was a good stream to power the mills). Witney and District Museum is worth a visit for history buffs and there are awesome monthly pie nights held at The Blanket Hall.
Witney also has a history of brewing since 1841 and the Wychwood Brewery is sited here brewing the legendary Hobgoblin beer and offers guided tours and tastings.
2. Cogges Manor Farm
Cogges Manor Farm is a local museum and farm attraction which puts on lots of events throughout the year. It is a haven and wonderful place to escape with the children.
More than just a farm museum, it was a set location for a lot of the interior shots of Downtown Abbey, as well as featuring as the childhood home of Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette in the film Colette, released in 2019 and starring Keira Knightley and Dominic West.
With beautiful grounds, animals and a manor house, it also has two stunning seventeenth century barns which provide a wonderful setting for weddings and celebrations.
3. Witney Shops & free parking
Witney boasts a great number of unique and independent retailers (like Rapture and the Old Pill Factory) as well as some major big hitters (such as M&S, Debenhams, Next, Fat Face and White Stuff). With two main shopping areas at either end of the High Street, people flock to shop in Witney. Even more so as the parking is free throughout the town.
4. The Leys
At the bottom of the High Street, is Church Green which is great to sit and take a rest from shopping. Or just the other side of St Mary’s Church is The Leys, a spacious recreational ground.
The Leys makes a great day out with the kids, complete with amazing park equipment, a splash park, crazy golf and toilets. You can take a picnic or eat at The Coffee Shed. During the summer months it is used as the perfect place to host Witney carnival and numerous music concerts.
5. Ducklington Lake
Witney Lake (known locally as Duck or Ducklington Lake) is a picturesque spot for a leisurely walk just a short way from the town centre.
Good for relaxing walks, bird watching, fishing or feeding the ducks, it is exactly a mile to go around the lake. If you fancy a slightly longer walk you can go across fields towards the neighbouring village of Ducklington, home of the elusive Fritillary flower.
6. Old Swan & Minster Mill
Not far out of Witney is Minster Lovell, an idyllic and remote Oxfordshire village. You can walk to the Minster ruins from Witney if you’re feeling spritely. Where you could reward yourself with a refreshing drink at the Old Swan and Minster Mill, or better still enjoy their spa facilities to completely unwind. A 5-star country inn set on the River Windrush surrounded by 65 acres of Cotswold wildflower meadows and riverside gardens. This is a destination to get away from the hectic, crowded city to a stunning and tranquil setting.
7. Crocodiles of the World
A short drive towards Brize Norton, will bring you to the UK’s only crocodile zoo, Crocodiles of the World. There are over 150 crocodiles there from 15 different species including crocodiles, alligators and caimans, as well as other reptiles.
Feeding time is always exciting to watch and the knowledgeable staff give really in depth and interesting talks at different times of the day, plus you might even get the chance to hold a baby croc.
8. Cotswold Wildlife Park
There are so many reasons to visit the nearby town of Burford including the immense garden centre, its medieval bridge, old stone houses and attractive frontage. Burford is quite rightly called one of the most picturesque towns in England and just simply walking around the town can happily wile away an afternoon.
In addition, Cotswold Wildlife Park (just outside of Burford) is well worth a visit with so many amazing animals to see including lions, giraffes (where you can go on to a platform to be face to face with them), rhinos (and even a baby rhino), zebras, penguins, birds, reptiles, primates, as well as a farmyard, train and adventure playground.
9. Eynsham Hall
The opposite way out of Witney, set in rural Oxfordshire lies Eynsham Hall which, despite its name, is actually in North Leigh (on the road between Witney and Woodstock) rather than in Eynsham itself. After driving through wooded areas, you come upon some impressive gates that lead the way to the estate. The half-a-mile, tree-lined, driveway escorts you until the Hall slowly comes in to view.
You can certainly spoil yourself at this country house hotel and enjoy a lavish afternoon tea at Eynsham Hall.
10. Blenheim Palace
You can’t come to this neck of the woods without a visit to Blenheim Palace in Woodstock. Birthplace of Winston Churchill, steeped in history with absolutely phenomenal grounds, palace tours, butterfly house, maze, miniature train and adventure playground. Not to mention all the events and shows that are put on throughout the year, as well as being able to get married in style here.
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I’m delighted to have been nominated for Cotswold Blogger of the Year 2018!
Please take a couple of moments to follow this link (scroll down about 3/4 of the way to find the blogger category). I’d really appreciate your vote for Hanami Dream.
We live in such a stunning part of the country, it’s no wonder that every year 21,000+ of couples getting married in England choose to say ‘I do’ in a wedding venue in the Cotswolds.
My Cotswold wedding blog offers tips, tools, trends and traditions to help couples celebrate their special day. Based in Witney Oxfordshire, Hanami Dream avidly supports local wedding suppliers in the surrounding Cotswolds, as well as couples in the midst of wedding planning. Assisting stunning venues and highly talented wedding industry professionals from small, local and independent businesses, providing consultancy, venue styling, wedding fairs and styled shoots.
If you live in the Cotswolds (lucky you) then you’ll no doubt spot a few gems on other parts of the list you can vote for too. My particular favourites to recommend (in their respective categories) are:
I was over the moon to be approached by a beautiful local venue last year (via a great photography partner) to style their wedding venue in order to show it off in a new light and provide all involved with wonderful lifestyle imagery.
I always have a number of ideas swilling around inside my head that are waiting for the right venue and season to utilise a certain theme. I’d had this particular theme in mind for a while and it had evolved and I had time to mull it over a long time before I’d even visited the venue for the first time. As soon as I saw Oxleaze Barn, I noticed all the blue accents around the 1700s barn and farm, so I knew that this theme would work perfectly there.
Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Jules Verne (published in 1864) features an expedition to Iceland and exploration through volcanic tunnels. (See some of my previous styled shoots based on other classic books.) The Icelandic edge took me to cold, icy places and this wintry theme seamlessly fitted a modern winter styled barn wedding. I especially wanted to emphasise that this wedding venue was available year round, thanks to their underfloor heating, and wanted the images to exude warmth and play on the hygge trend with a relaxed and intimate vibe. Plus it was great to have the opportunity to showcase the evergreen and expanse of their garden.
I also wanted to include nods to the book with the inclusion of volcanic rock themes through slick agate, intricate hollow geode or timeless marble.
Styled shoot
It is really important to me that my blog creates wedding inspiration in the beautiful Cotswolds. The uniqueness of the blog comes from showcasing my own beautiful and inspirational, trend-led styled wedding shoots, collaborating with local venues and innovative wedding suppliers.
Before starting Hanami Dream in 2014, I worked for over 6 years for an international clothing brand where I planned and managed photo shoots in some fabulous locations around the world. Now I get to combine my wonderful experience with my passion for weddings whilst supporting local businesses.
A styled shoot takes almost as much time and effort to produce as a wedding day and entails bringing together everything from many different suppliers.
For me the process always starts visually. Firstly on Pinterest where I collate my thoughts, then secondly on paper where I sketch out a floor plan, each scene and how every element will come together on a tablescape. Sometimes I have an idea of a product and I search for the best local supplier to provide that item. Other times, I see something that someone has created and I file it away for the most suitable shoot in the future.
The beauty of styled shoots (versus a real life wedding) is that it is a great opportunity to be a little more extravagant and really show off what you’ve always wanted to do. You can indulge your fantasies with new trends or products that couples may not have seen yet or something really unusual.
This styled shoot was a collaboration of like minded people that created great things together but perhaps didn’t have the budget to produce this kind of work if they all worked independently.
And most importantly, the suppliers I used are all local to the venue. This means that for anyone planning their wedding at this venue, this look and feel is completely achievable and realistic. The images might be Pinterest worthy but they are not unattainable.
Whether it is a styled shoot or a real life wedding day, the key is that each event is personal and tailor made.
Brief
We are very lucky to live in a beautiful part of the UK and are surrounded by some seriously talented wedding venues, professionals and suppliers. It was brilliant that so many wanted to be involved in this shoot and they certainly didn’t disappoint with the products that they provided.
They were all given the same brief of what I was trying to achieve:
volcanic rock elements to make a statement at this wintery wedding alongside grey, icy blue, gold and white accents coupled with acres of tulle and delicate airplants
I also provided them with my collated vision and ideas on my Pinterest board.
The themes I wanted to encapsulate included:
winter
modern
industrial
tactile
ethereal
delicate
hygge
The colour palette followed the Spring 2018 trend colours of grey, blue and lilac, alongside gold and white accents including:
Little Boy Blue
Pink Lavender
Ultra Violet
Almost Mauve
Alongside neutrals of:
Sailor Blue
Harbor Mist
Coconut Milk
Designs
The creative suppliers worked wonders in transforming my overflowing pot of ideas and pairing it down in to realistic and achievable products for us to showcase.
Usually each shoot starts with a muse or product that sparks the theme and everything flows from that element. For this shoot, it was some marbled concrete pots, concrete coasters, concrete letters, and concrete table numbers. Unfortunately due to ill health, the supplier wasn’t able to provide these items in the end for the shoot. However this marble look and feel was present on other elements.
Cake design – I wasn’t sure that a Cotswold barn wedding was the right setting for a geode cake, so marble made the perfect theme for the cake. The Pretty Cake Company never fail to impress with their spectacular cakes and exquisite replica flower sugar work. And the beauty for this shoot included 4 different tier heights and the cascade of flowers matched the real ones immaculately.
Stationery design – Continuing my quest to present novel alternatives to paper stationery, I initially was keen to utilise actual shards of agate for table numbers and place names. Sourcing these locally, economically and timely proved harder than first planned. Thankfully, the incredibly talented Emerald Paper Design was able to create trompe-l’œil card replicas to give the same look and feel along with her beautiful gold calligraphy. The whole suite featured geode style watercolour stationery with gold accents and a navy envelope.
Flowers – despite my love of flowers, I’m discovering that a lot of my briefs recently have become almost ‘anti-flowers’ (ie just foliage, paper flowers, plants in pots) and this shoot focused heavily on succulents and air plants. Succulents are certainly one of my own fascinations and I’ve even started to propagate some for my own terrarium at home. For this shoot, I wanted the bouquets to feel modern and give a contrast against all the soft tulle. I loved the use of delicate air plants (a wonderful evolution on the succulent trend) and glass suspended baubles. Plus Enchanted Floristry brought along their amazing moongate that helped encapsulate the sense of entering a volcanic tunnel.
Jewellery – It was brilliant to work with We Three Kings and their pieces echoed the colours and accents incredibly.
Suppliers
It’s the little details that bring any event to life and this was made possible by the wonderful local suppliers who provided their time, services, venue and products for free. Together we showcased the amazing talent that our part of the UK has to offer the wedding industry.
Despite the snow machine not materialising and a last minute change of models, the finished result was well worth the effort again.
Dress – From the outset, I wanted to include a blue dress in this shoot. Ideally I wanted a bridal separate like the Sweet Caroline Norma J separates but these aren’t readily stocked in local dress supplier shops. However thanks to Fairytale Occasions we were able to demonstrate a blue dress alongside a full tactile tulle white dress.
Lighting – Oakwood Events are an absolutely amazing company – friendly, reliable and highly sought after. Despite their really busy schedule, I was fortunate enough to involve their services again and showcase a brand new addition to their portfolio (which they sped through the design process especially for this shoot). It’s like they can read my mind! And luckily they don’t think my ideas are too crazy! I love that these displays give an industrial feel which is a great contrast with the relaxed vibe in the room.
Please do get in touch, if you are a local venue, wedding supplier or photographer and are looking to collaborate on a styled bridal shoot in the future.
If I was getting married again, this is the wedding venue where I’d choose to say ‘I do’! Its a brilliant compromise between a hotel and the blank canvas of a barn, which for me is the best of both worlds.
Location
Though slightly out of my normal radar, this wedding venue sits about 20 miles from Witney in the north of the Cotswolds. However it was well worth a visit to look around on such a glorious sunny day last month.
I feel really lucky to live in such a beautiful part of the country and it was wonderful to drive through such stunning countryside to get to this venue. Unfortunately, my drive was slightly longer than planned as I made the mistake of trying to find this venue from their postcode. It is much easier to find if you stick to the main roads, coming off the A44 towards Chipping Campden on the B4081. Or type ‘Lapstone Barn Wedding Venue’ in your Google maps!
There’s a lovely sense of escapism when you arrive and this venue feels like it’s completely in the middle of nowhere. Found not far from Batsford Arboretum, Dormy House and a stone’s throw away from Snowshill, with the lavender of the region echoed at the venue.
Industrial chic
This 18th century stable farm (and then a furniture shop until only last year) has recently been beautifully and breathtakingly done up to a luxurious finish. With all the class of a London venue alongside the tranquil and rural setting of the Cotswolds.
Industrial chic at it’s best and you can’t beat the backdrop and amazing scenery that this venue has to offer.
Grounds
After coming down the long drive, there’s a spacious car park out the front of this newly refurnished barn. Whilst the outside space was still a work in progress when I visited, you can still see the potential and vision that will come to life as soon as the warmer weather appears. With plans for a water feature and lavender in their courtyard and new tree being planted outside. Every aspect is being considered to provide stunning memories for your big day.
Facilities
There are two main parts to the inside of the venue, both exude a modern, classy and warm vibe.
The Stone Barn is more rustic and what you’d come to expect of a Cotswold barn venue and typically where couples choose to have their ceremonies. Then the Northwick Barn is a large industrial loft style extension where you could hold your wedding reception. But the options could also include the courtyard (which is also licensed).
Then there’s a further Tanner bar section with seating and a wood burning stove – hygge typified!
What struck me was that the venue seemed really light – both natural and artificial – with great expansive windows and doors, plus I loved the really modern light fittings.
On top of this, there are lots of places and separate areas to sit inside and outside, which would be great for people to break away during the reception or when music is playing.
Lapstone Barn offers all inclusive catering and bar packages and you can have the venue exclusively from 10am – 1am. There’s also a great area to get ready upstairs in the Hayloft where you can see your guests arriving along the drive.
Service
These new kids on the block are certainly not wet behind the ears, as they boast years of experience and an extensive list of suppliers in the wedding industry. They have worked on high-end bespoke marquee weddings and are bursting with ideas and expertise in creating stunning weddings.
They’ve got great vision and a brilliant eye for detail. They’ll even set the tables for you! So all you’re left to worry about is the decor, entertainment and getting yourself ready.
Summary
This wedding venue is a beautiful halfway house between a barn and a hotel. With the facilities of catering and a bar like a hotel, along with the charm and personalisation options of a barn.
WEDDING VENUE FACTS Type of venue: barn Find out more:https://www.lapstonebarn.co.uk/ Location: B4081, Chipping Campden, GL55 6UR Wedding season: year round Guests: 140-200 Marquee option: n/a Ceremony: Licensed inside and courtyard from £200 Venue hire: from £1500 Nearest church: St James’ Church, Church Street, Chipping Campden GL55 6JG Wedding breakfast: packages from £43pp Accommodation: local hotels and b&bs Wedding fairs: Wedding Fair and Open Day 17th March 2018 Other things worth a mention: brilliant industrial loft style barn conversion
Well, if you’re looking for the WOW factor, turning in to the long drive way and getting a first glimpse at this wedding venue will get your jaw dropping and have your guests in awe.
Location
Set in rural Oxfordshire lies Eynsham Hall which, despite it’s name, is actually in North Leigh (on the road between Witney and Woodstock) rather than in Eynsham itself. After driving through wooded areas, you come upon some impressive gates that lead the way to the estate. The half-a-mile, tree-lined, driveway escorts you until the Hall slowly comes in to view.
Quirky details
Eynsham Hall pitches itself as a stately (but not stuffy) Jacobean manor. And this harmony of traditional and contemporary elements sit alongside each other seamlessly. I was delighted to look around this wedding venue at Christmas time and loved all the festive trees decorated individually in each room. And it’s the quirky attention to detail that pops up in every room making each one a bit different with their own talking points.
Grounds
Not only a grand stately home, but Eynsham Hall is surrounding by around 3,000 acres of beautiful parklands and formal gardens – perfect for your wedding photographs.
The terrace overlooks a fountain with a relaxing sound of the slow trickle of water. There’s also tennis courts, a pool, sauna and beauty treatments on site to enjoy before or after the big day.
Facilities
There is certainly no doubt that this is a stately home – proud of its heritage and exuding opulence from it’s very essence. With an amazing staircase to make a grand wedding entrance, oak panelled walls, foreboding portraits hanging, huge fireplaces and large arched windows with big window seats to perch and view the impressive gardens.
But this venue also oozes charm and elegance. It is relaxed and accessible just like the mismatched sofas and arms chairs in the lounge that invite you to sink in to them. And my eye kept being drawn up to the striking high ceilings to notice that each room had a slightly different modern twist for the chandeliers, whether that was using drinking glasses, stag antlers or even a spider’s web.
It also boasts a luxurious bridal suite including a big copper bath to enjoy. Plus the spacious Peacock Room for the bridal party to change and get ready in before the ceremony.
Service
For your wedding day, this would be your house and you’d feel at home and be made very welcome. This wedding venue only hosts one wedding a day so you have their exclusive and undivided attention.
The staff are slick behind the scenes and experienced at what makes a wedding work well. There’s options of which room to hold your ceremony (as well as whether you have it inside or outside). Whilst Eynsham Hall has always specialised in large scale celebrations, it has also announced the addition of a new and intimate licensed ceremony space for weddings for 40 guests from January 2018.
Space
You’ll be spoilt for choice with the number of different rooms at your disposable. You could use one room for the ceremony, the library for drinks, relax outside on the terrace and have a sit down meal in another room.
In my opinion this venue wouldn’t suit the diy couple who want to personalise everything, as the decor and surroundings already speak for themselves. There’s not much that you’d need to organise yourself. Although I think some chair covers may be needed in some rooms if the distinctive colour of the chairs doesn’t suit your own wedding theme.
Conclusion
This wedding venue needs no adaptation or adornment and will provide you with a lush backdrop to a stunning wedding, whether you’re after an impressive, plush do or an intimate affair.
WEDDING VENUE FACTS Type of venue: country house hotel Find out more:http://www.eynshamhall.com/ Location: A4095, North Leigh, Witney OX29 6PN Wedding season: year round Guests: 80-150 Marquee option: marquee permitted Ceremony: licensed inside or outside from £475 Venue hire: included in packages Nearest church: Methodist Church, 1 Chapel Lane, North Leigh, Witney OX29 6SD Wedding breakfast: packages from £115 per person in April-October (from £110 pp in winter months) Accommodation: 35 rooms in the main house (plus 90 onsite) Wedding fairs: several throughout the year – next on 25th February 2018 Other things worth a mention: check out the copper pipes of the beer pumps in the brasserie and yellow sofas in the contemporary bar
Getting married at a licensed wedding venue in the Cotswolds
We live in such a stunning part of the country, commonly regarded as an area of outstanding natural beauty. The Cotswolds is located in south central England and made up of 6 counties: Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Somerset, Warwickshire, Wiltshire and Worcestershire. It’s no wonder that every year 20,000+* of couples getting married in England choose to say ‘I do’ in a wedding venue in the Cotwolds.
About the Cotswolds region
Mainly rural landscape, with it’s lush green countryside, the Cotswolds is a relaxing escape from the big cities. With acres of lavender fields, historical towns, stately homes and picturesque, chocolate box villages with their honey coloured limestone buildings. It’s no surprise that this region has many places that feature in the Britain’s richest towns list. And we are perfectly located amongst the ‘golden triangle’ of the Cotswold towns of Burford, Chipping Norton and Woodstock.
Wedding venues in the Cotswolds
Hanami Dream is based in West Oxfordshire and there are some truly beautiful venues to choose from in the surrounding Cotswolds. Whether in a barn, a manor house, a marquee or a hotel, there are some amazing places (with some breathtaking views) to hold your wedding or special occasion. There’s something out there to accommodate most styles, guest numbers and budgets.
Take a look at the venues with wedding licences where you can get married in West Oxfordshire:
We are certainly spoilt for choice around here for amazing venues to hold a special occasion. For more details on how to pick your perfect wedding venue look out for my The Holy Trinity of Wedding Planning – Part 2: where.
*Data from Office of National Statistics www.ons.gov.uk Area of occurrence 2015. Based on 245,513 marriages in England. Based on 20,106 marriages in the Cotswolds (combined Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Warwickshire, Wiltshire and Worcestershire).
Location Not too far off the A361 (which runs from Burford to Swindon) is a beautiful wedding barn. You’d be forgiven to thinking you were in the middle of nowhere as this wedding venue location feels so remote. There’s a wonderful quietness to the surroundings and a lovely sense of still and calmness. It really is an escape from the busy city and a chance to be immersed in the countryside to celebrate your special day in style.
Year round Oxleaze Barn is a tucked-away Gloucestershire barn with year-round warmth, thanks to its solar panel and biomass generated underfloor heating. Built in 1702 and beautifully renovated with some stunning original features, yet adapted efficiently to provide a comfortable space and offer weddings whatever the season.
Grounds
Tucked away in rolling Cotswold countryside, on a working farm, this wedding venue has ample parking, space for catering vans, a landscaped courtyard and firepit, along with access to a phenomenal private garden for your photographs.
Facilities
It’s also well equipped, with a spacious Artist’s Studio to get ready, a state of the art commercial kitchen and luxurious toilet area, plus Chiavari chairs if you want them for your wedding set up. Cotswold Event Solutions are on hand for any other furniture requests and The Watering Hole manage the bar for them. There’s only one wedding a weekend so you’ll have the time to decorate and enjoy your day without feeling rushed.
Service
With 4 years experience under their belts, this family run business have got the right mix of flexibility along with advice if/when couples require guidance. They offer a relaxed and friendly service partnered with a wonderful space that they are continuing to improve and evolve.
Space
This year their offering will include the expansion of additional barn space (The Milling Barn) which will give an extra area for the drinks reception and disco. In addition, they are converting a 3 double bedroom cottage for accommodation later this year.
Conclusion
Oxleaze Barn is certainly an up and coming venue to watch out for. Plus it seems that it is one that is responding to couples’ requirements and developing their offering.
WEDDING VENUE FACTS Type of venue: barn Find out more:http://www.oxleazebarn.co.uk/ Location: Filkins, Gloucestershire, GL7 3RB Wedding season: year round Guests: 120 in The Barn Marquee option: marquee permitted Ceremony: Licensed inside from £250 Venue hire: from £1000 Nearest church: St Peter’s Church, Rouses Lane, Filkins, Lechlade, Gloucestershire, GL7 3JF (0.0 miles) Wedding breakfast: bring in own catering suppliers Accommodation: 3 double bedroom cottage from February 2018 Wedding fairs: Open Day in February and October Other things worth a mention: warm all year round
Inspired by Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Jules Verne (published in 1864, featuring an expedition to Iceland with exploration through volcanic tunnels), this modern winter barn wedding shows the stunning hidden interior of volcanic rock in the form of slick agate and timeless marble. Planned and designed by Hanami Dream and beautifully captured by Squib Photography.
Acres of gentle, ethereal and floaty tulle were placed wonderfully alongside tactile sheep skin rugs and the tendrils of delicate air plants (a wonderful evolution on the succulent trend) in glass suspended baubles.
The industrial style lighting pairs wonderfully with relaxed seating, exuding hygge with its intimate vibe. Set in a tucked-away Gloucestershire barn with year-round warmth thanks to its solar panel and biomass generated underfloor heating.
An impressive moongate wreath backdrop surrounds the cool blue 1700s barn door, with hints of blue featured in all the details, using the Pantone Spring 2018 colours of grey, blue and lilac, alongside gold and white accents.
Plus, this wedding continues the quest of Hanami Dream to present novel alternatives to paper wedding stationery – this time with name places on geode slices, along with modern script style calligraphy in gold.
Oxleaze Barn was a great location for this wedding – beautifully renovated with some stunning original features, yet adapted efficiently to provide a comfortable space. It offers year-round weddings which made it perfect to showcase a winter wedding. Tucked away in rolling countryside, with a landscaped courtyard and firepit, along with access to a phenomenal private garden. The ladies got ready in the spacious Artist’s Studio before making their way across the courtyard and into the wonderfully warm barn.
The ceremony took place on one side of the barn with rustic willow chandeliers hanging above the guests (from Oakwood Events). From each chandelier clear baubles hung down, all holding their own delicate air plant.
The aisle was lined with Chiavari chairs covered with chiffon vertical drops (from Everything Covered), then tied up simply and elegantly with a few stems of dried lavender (courtesy of Enchanted Floristry).
This led to the impressive moongate (by Enchanted Floristry) which was adorned with moss, an amazing asymmetric floral display and bedecked with lavish succulents and stunning air plants.
The flowers, berries and silver green foliage were echoed around the room in the table displays, buttonhole and bouquets (all by Enchanted Floristry) which filled the room with a beautiful fragrance of eucalyptus. Florals included avalanche white roses, asparagus fern, brunia berry, eucalyptus silver dollar, eucalyptus small-leaf gum, eucalyptus baby blue, dusty miller, dried lavender, leather leaf, birch twigs (sprayed white), eryngium, sea holly and thistles. But the stars of the show were all the wonderful air-plants dotted around the barn (supplied by www.andysairplants.co.uk).
The bride was dressed to impress in a mix and match bridal gown by Lilly with its dual layered style to combine an intricate, beaded tulle overlay with an elegant satin slip-dress underneath. She was escorted by her attendant in an exquisite powder blue prom dress which fitted the colour theme flawlessly. (Both dresses from Fairytale Occasions.)
Their make up used shimmering iridescent colours to echo the ethereal vibe and the hair was captured in a cascading braid (exquisitely executed by Blushing Brides Hair and Make Up).
Standing spectacularly tall was the four-tiered marble cake (with different tier heights) embellished with edible gold leaf (which really enhanced the grain of the marble) and a dramatic sugar flower cascade. The cake was festooned with replica air plants, ivory roses, succulents, brunia berries, thistles and dusty miller leaves which complemented the dusky green/grey marble perfectly and mirrored the real flowers seamlessly. Another masterpiece courtesy of The Pretty Cake Company.
The other half of the barn was laid for a banquet style wedding reception, complete with grey galley shade loft-style chandeliers (from Oakwood Events) above solid wooden tables and benches (crafted by Cotswold Event Solutions) lined up in front of the roaring open fire. The beautiful heart cut outs in the tables echoed the ceremony thrones and, for extra comfort, sheep skin rugs (from The Witney Blanket Hall) were placed over the benches for a luxurious feel.
Wedding stationery (designed by Emerald Paper Design) embraced the geode style with a watercolour invitation with gold accents, an information card, an RSVP card and an RSVP envelope all tied together with gold thread and a little monogrammed tag. The menu was in the same style as the invitation with exquisite gold calligraphy.
Guests could find their tables by referring to the geode style table plan tabs with gold accents mounted on a rustic pale blue barn door. At the table, the geode style watercolour place names had gold edging and modern calligraphy to represent slices of agate. (All by Emerald Paper Design.)
Down the centre of the tables ran swathes of pale blue organza table runners (from Everything Covered) for a light and airy feel. Topped with exquisite floral displays (by Enchanted Floristry), along with modern gold cutlery, plain clear champagne coupé glasses, plain clear glass candlesticks with 32cm tapered white candles, along with blue glass bottle vases and glass salt bowls (all from Vintage Gold China) giving a simple, striking and delicate tablescape.
The gorgeous ladies wore stylish jewellery (by We Three Kings) including an 18ct yellow gold, tear drop pearl and half carat, old cut diamond earrings with a matching pendant by the bride. The wedding ring was 18ct yellow gold with scattered, flush set diamonds. Whilst the bridesmaid wore an 18ct yellow gold pendant with three, coloured, fine quality sapphires and a selection of 18ct yellow gold and coloured sapphires stacking rings.
The magnificent expanse of the picturesque garden provided a fantastic backdrop (including a great maze-like area) and the evergreen emphasised how wonderful the outside space is regardless of the season.
It’s the little details that bring any event to life and this was made possible by the wonderful local suppliers who provided their time, services, venue and products for free. Together we have showcased the amazing talent that our part of the UK has to offer the wedding industry.
This festival wedding was a real break from tradition – full of alternative ideas for couples to get inspiration for their big day. It showcased an abundance of hanging greenery and was really tactile using different materials such as denim, macrame, paper, wood and terracotta details.
The colour palette had a 70s vibe full of Fall 2017 colours of a pale blue Bluebell, a soft Copper Tan coral, Navy Peony blue, brown and white. It was planned and designed by Hanami Dream and fantastically captured by Cat Stephens Photography.
On Sunday 17th September 2017, Cogges Manor Farm held a festival styled Wedding Open Day that Hanami Dream helped to organise. But this was not a traditional wedding fair – the Barn was dressed as if it were a real wedding.
Think dream catcher favours, festoon and ribbon drape lighting, oversized letter lighting, paper flowers, food van, chill out area and fire bowl. It was a different take from the norm to provide options and open people’s eyes to the huge spectrum of ideas to bring their dream to life.
For example, there weren’t any real flowers at this wedding. They were either paper flowers or house plants showing couples that they can achieve this look by making (or borrowing) things themselves – this is great for any diy wedding couples.
Plus, all the stationery was embroidered on to denim rather than traditional paper – menus were on the napkins, name places were sleeves around the milk bottle glasses, table plan labels were hung on Portuguese laurels plants.
It was a relaxed and informal open day showcasing a truly personal wedding option – not a cookie cutter approach at all. Take a look at some of the testimonials from the day.
Cogges Manor Farm was the ideal location for this wedding as it offers the perfect blank canvas to add personalised details. It is nestled in the lovely market town of Witney and offers two stunning seventeenth century barns as well as a beautiful walled garden, stunning grounds and an impressive Manor House as a remarkable backdrop.
The festival vibe was hailed from the entrance with impressive towering festival flags (from Event Flag Hire) – signalling the way to the party.
Couples walked in to the Wheat Barn down a tree lined aisle. The vintage mismatched chairs (courtesy of Linda’s Vintage Hire) were beautifully decorated with macramé chair coverings (from MacrAmy’s Macrame) and the Portuguese Laurels (kindly provided by Bampton Garden Plants) guided the way right to where the ceremony would take place under a stunning macramé backdrop (wonderfully created by MacrAmy’s Macrame) and framed by two beautiful olive trees (also from Bampton Garden Plants).
One side of the barn was decorated as a seating area to enjoy a sumptuous wedding breakfast. The vintage tables and chairs (from Linda’s Vintage Hire) were laid out below an impressive array of trailing plants in spectacular hanging macramé holders (from MacrAmy’s Macrame) and under spectacular festoon lighting (from Oakwood Events).
They were set with denim napkins (gorgeously embroidered by Little Pickle Creations) containing the menu, mini macramé favours (from MacrAmy’s Macrame), milk bottles (from Mabel & Rose) acting as drinking glasses with an embroidered denim name place (by Little Pickle Creations), placed inside were stripy straws (from Little Cherry), plus amazing natural biodegradable tableware (also from Little Cherry) – a perfect accompaniment to our street food reception.
The tables were also decorated with more terracotta pot plants and impressive paper flowers (from Pretty Big Flowers) that lit up for an incredible atmosphere.
The delicious ombre ruffle cake (by The Cake Element Bakery) echoed the colours of the denim stationery and sat beautiful on a vintage barrel (from Mabel & Rose) and amongst a display of framed absent friend photographs, crates and potted plants. The wonderful props from Mabel & Rose really brought the place to life and were dotted around adding features to every area including the bar which had a vintage tin bath and giant wooden barrels.
The other half of the barn was dedicated to the entertainment and dance floor – lit to accompany a party – including an impressive 7 square metre lit paper flower wall (constructed by Pretty Big Flowers).
Over the dance floor hung a white chandelier adorned with coral and denim ribbons and a 4-point drape star that flowed to the dance floor (from Oakwood Events), along with 4ft tall light up LOVE letters (wonderfully contributed by Gilt Edge Events).
There was also a chill out area complete with a comfy brown leather sofa, bales of hay as well as more vintage chairs (from Linda’s Vintage Hire). These were strewn with gorgeous lambswool wide-herringbone throws in mandarin and azure (from The Witney Blanket Hall).
Outside the party continued with a firepit to sit around, garden games and chalk boards highlighting the events of the day.
There was a real festival vibe with macramé, hanging plants, dream catcher favours, festoon and ribbon drape lighting, oversized letter lighting, paper flowers, food van, chill out area and fire bowl.
Thank you to all the wonderful suppliers that made this such an amazing wedding open day. It was lovely to meet excited couples in the midst of wedding planning – all the best with your special days!
It’s the little details that bring any event to life and this was made possible by the wonderful local suppliers who provided their time, services, venue and products for free. Together we have showcased the amazing talent that our part of the UK has to offer the wedding industry.
Designs
Well, if you’re looking for the WOW factor, turning in to the long drive way and getting a first glimpse at this wedding venue will get your jaw dropping and have your guests in awe.
Location
