We don’t want to tempt fate… but it would appear that weddings are back! Huzzah!
At time of writing, we’ve enjoyed four uninterrupted months of matrimonial mayhem here at The Normans, and we’re now ready to bring you the best bits by way of blog. That's right: you can now look forward to regular posts showcasing the super celebrations of our couples - many of whom have stuck with us, having had to reschedule their 2020 wedding dates.
First up: Charlotte and James. This radiant duo finally married at The Normans this summer (one year later than planned) and their wedding sparkled with sunshine and oh-so-in-love vibes...
If you love to getting glittered up (guilty!), then you’re bound to love Charlotte’s True Bride gown - an intricately detailed dress, encompassing sparkling gemstones, from Doncaster’s It’s Bliss.
“I knew [the dress] would look lovely against the lights in The Ceremony Barn,” says Charlotte. “I’ve always loved the dresses the ladies wore in the 1920s and I think it had a bit of a Gatsby vibe.
“The bridesmaid dresses were actually just from Debenhams. I initially wanted a pale yellow but thought the pale blue went well with the white flowers and greenery and the boys’ suits.”
The suits! Let us not forget the strapping Simon, who looked the part – together with his groomsmen – in matching blue suits, from Limehaus. “Our waistcoats were racing green … for a bit of a country feel, as I’m from Yorkshire,” says Simon.
A simple colour palette of green and white, with lots of flickering candlelight, set a romantic backdrop to the couple’s nuptials in the Ceremony Barn, with blooms by Kate Mell.
“Because the venue is so stunning you can keep décor very simple,” says Charlotte. “I went for lots of eucalyptus and greenery in the Ceremony Barn, and I loved the cluster of three vases with floating candles in, which ran down the aisle.”
Once they were officially wed, the couple and their guests mingled outside in The Courtyard, supping champers and making the most of The Hog & Apple’s generous canapes (among them, miniature steak pies served with miniscule ‘pints’ of ale), before heading into The Grain Shed for a three-course feast. The menu? Ham hock and egg to start, a steak main - “for a fancier spin on a Sunday Roast, which we love,” says Charlotte - and a dessert trio of chocolate brownie, Eton Mess and profiteroles.
Inside The Grain Shed, both round and long tables were used to create a real restaurant feel - offset with yet more greenery and candlelight. “I had seen the layout when I came to look round the venue,” tells Charlotte. “I just loved it: I thought it was something different and I've never been to a wedding where dining tables had been set out like that.”
“I think the greenery on the gantries by Kate Mell Flowers and the hanging tealights just suit The Normans so well: simple yet effective!” says Charlotte.
Pillar candles formed the centrepieces on the couple’s circular tables, while each place setting was marked with a personalised tipple of sloe gin.
Happily, the harvest-friendly climes allowed the loved-up couple to steal some time alone on The Normans farmland - where the talented Chris Milner Photography captured those all-important couple photos. Here are a just few of our favourites…
“So many of our guests have said The Normans is the most amazing venue ever – my grandma says she can’t actually describe it to people, because it’s so beautiful! I just wish we could do it all again!”
