Southend Blog

We are so excited to launch a new project we’ve been working on…

Mama Lou is our new Shepherd’s Hut, which we’ve been renovating for the last few months to give couples and guests an additional accommodation option. Set in the alpaca’s grazing field, the hut has lovely views and has been restored to offer a super luxurious, relaxing and unique setting.

Here we speak to Mariella about the story and inspiration behind Mama Lou.

The history of the hut…

Many decades ago there used to be a shepherd’s hut on the farm, which was used for when we still had a lot of livestock. This hut fell into disrepair and we always talked about replacing it with a new one. It is called Mama Lou as my favourite programme when I was little was about Pipo and Mamalou who lived in a shepherd’s hut. It was meant to be my hideaway but somehow I don’t seem to have enough time to hide away yet, so we decided to add it to the Barns so that other guests can enjoy it.

How did you come across the hut?

William gave it to me as a surprise present for my special birthday (I’ll let you guess which one!). He has a habit of thinking outside the box for birthday presents – for my previous ‘big birthday’ I was delighted to receive my Alpacas. Over a decade later, Alfie is still with us and is now joined by Oreo and Jack. The Alpacas are next to the shepherd’s hut, so if the weather allows guests will be able to enjoy their breakfast hamper on the terrace overlooking the alpaca meadow.

What was your design inspiration?

I wanted guests to get that surprise luxury feeling when they enter the shepherd’s hut, not a camping experience, our guests are going to a wedding after all! It has a fridge filled with Prosecco, Nespresso coffee machine, an iPad with Netflix, Victorian radiators, a wood burner, a bathroom with nice hot shower and an Alpaca shower curtain. My design inspiration for the paint colours came from the sea. The main colours are different shades of aquamarine (Little Greene paints). Having adopted the latest hobby of wild swimming in lockdown, I can’t get over how the sea displays different colours of blue every day I go. The gold painted woodwork, brass fitting and sumptuous velvet cushions are just a cheeky nod to the roaring 20s, which I hope we are just about to enter again.

Were any local materials or suppliers used?

The hut was built by Roger Parks as a one-off, he’s based just North of Chichester in Ashling. We used local craftsmen for the careful restoration and bespoke furniture.

What is your favourite bit?

The lovely cosy wood burner, it used to be the only mode of heating in a hut like this but we have some Victorian radiators now so it is a bit more comfortable in those winter nights.

Photos by Ruby Roux Photography

We are thrilled that we have been featured in Hitched’s latest article with their predictions for wedding trends in 2022! Covering everything from Earthy Nature-Inspired Palettes, Drag Queen Balls and Vegan Wedding Food.

Our talented executive chef, Dan Clarke, has been quoted with our predictions on what couples are going to be looking for when it comes to their wedding day drinks offering.

We’ve already seen an increased interest in creating a drinks menu that lives up to the food – from bespoke drinks and gin bars to pimp your prosecco stations. We are now also creating lots of non-alcoholic menus that offer just as much excitement and flavour.

We’ve already seen this become more popular over the last year and brands have picked up on the trend, with the launch of delicious and indulgent drinks that are free from alcohol.

Here at Southend Barns, we’ve created a bespoke menu of mocktails and non-alcoholic drinks such as a classic G&T using a spirit from Pentire in Cornwall, which is made using traditional gin methods but with no alcohol. We also offer Three Spirit which has an eclectic mix of herbal and fruity flavours.

Another trend we’ve picked up on since the pandemic is that couples have been embracing the great outdoors and this looks like a theme that is going to stay. Many of our couples are making plans to utilise the outside space more, whether that be outdoor ceremonies in the Secret Garden, alfresco dining under the canopy for smaller celebrations or cake cutting outside. We’ve recently introduced a new fully-stocked outside bar which has been a big hit with guests who want to mingle in the fresh air.

When it comes to food we have seen an increase in people wanting more canapes and small bites to extend the drinks reception so the couple and guests can chat and mingle. There has also been an increased demand for healthier options too which puts a lovely fresh challenge on our chefs at Roots. Another new trend making a comeback is sharing options. After 18 months of being apart, the sharing boards and menus are not only visually stunning and delicious, but they also symbolise coming together with friends and family. Something we have all missed!

Click here to read the full article on Hitched for more inspiration for your special day.

By Toast Live

From 19th July , there will no longer be limits on the number of guests allowed at weddings in England, meaning a welcome return to big traditional weddings.

What does this mean?

Guests will no longer be required to practice social distancing, and there will be an end to the one metre plus rule. Face coverings will no longer be mandatory for guests, the couple or the officiant. Restrictions on singing, dancing and live performances will be lifted too.

So where to start?!

Here’s our top tips for a memorable wedding day full of live and entertaining moments!

1. First impressions
   Why not line up a live act such as a harpist, guitarist or pianist to welcome guests to the venue to create the ambience you envisage? Ensure your chosen act have learnt your aisle song to aid the impactful and emotive entrance you deserve!
2. Drinks and photos
   Following your vows, why not add some live music to your drinks reception. String quartets are a traditional favourite and steel pannists are super popular for bringing a sizzling caribbean flavour to a summer wedding. Another regularly booked choice are acoustic duos who will play familiar covers that will have guests humming along with a drink in hand.
3. Have you thought of everyone?
   You may have some younger guests who would appreciate some interactive options such as traditional lawn games, fun fete stalls or a photo booth. Others might enjoy watching the clever trickery of an illusionist or magician, especially during the Wedding Breakfast when there are little gaps between courses.
4. Hello dance floor, it’s time.
   The moment we’ve all been waiting for. Our experienced DJs and live bands cover a multitude of genres and know exactly how to read the crowd. Whichever style of act you choose for your evening party, they will have guests out of their seats and partying hard. From Pop to Rock and Motown to Jazz, get inspired by visiting our website where you’ll see loads of handpicked, high quality acts to choose from.
5. Prioritise the experience
   More than ever, entertainment is at the forefront of couples’ minds when it comes to planning an awesome wedding. We love to support you at every step of your day – from the moment your first guest arrives to the last one to leave. Basically, everyone needs to have experienced something enjoyable, emotive and memorable and that’s what live music and entertainment is there for.

What next?

Whether planning a macro-wedding or an intimate affair, we would love to inspire you and be on the journey with you. Feel free to pick up the dog and bone or drop us an email as we’d love to hear all about your plans and understand your vision.

www.toastlive.co.uk
hello@toastlive.co.uk
Call us on: 01243 937 138

We recently organised a beautiful boho styled shoot to showcase some of the stunning ways couples can embrace a smaller wedding.

Using our Collecting Yard – which is ideal for all seasons with its screens, overhead canopy and fire pit – we set up an intimate, outdoor wedding breakfast with a boho vibe using details such as pampas grass and peachy florals by The Floral Artisan. Other details included macramé by Handmade to Hire and elegant gold-rimmed glassware from Crystal Hire as well as copper risers crafted by Wedding Metal Art. We also had lots of sweet treat inspiration with delicious hanging pretzels and macaron favours, created by Queen Bees. The end result was a relaxed and romantic setting, which was captured beautifully by Hana Venn Photography.

The aim of the shoot was to conjure up a natural and whimsical feeling and inspire those couples who have chosen to have a smaller wedding that alfresco dining for an intimate group would be truly magical at the barns.

Click here to find out more about out boho styling selection.

The wedding cake is always one of our favourite features of your big day and as with every part of your wedding, there are lots of different options for you to choose from. Here at Southend Barns, we have seen wedding cakes ranging from the traditional tiered fruit cake through to fun and flamboyant donut walls – a deliciously different alternative!

The wide variety of options can be daunting – so with the help of our in-house chefs at Roots Catering, we have put together some of our favourite wedding cake ideas to make your decision that little bit easier.

Do we have to pick one flavour?

Simply put, no. Some couples still opt to keep the traditional fruit cake for the top tier (so that it can be cut again on their 1st anniversary), but each tier can be handcrafted to a flavour of your choice. Keep it personal, choose the flavours that you and your partner like to eat – after all, you are the most important guests!

We’ve seen wedding cakes in all different flavours, ranging from biscoff and white chocolate to strawberry and champagne or a deliciously zesty lime and coconut cake plus many more. Make sure you go on a cake tasting with your preferred suppliers so that you can be sure of your decision ahead of your wedding day.

Themed cakes

A themed cake can be a fun addition to your day and can be something unique to you and your partner. Be imaginative or keep it simple, the choice is yours. We have seen everything from beach themes and bohemian floral cakes to superhero inspired cakes.

Does it have to be a cake?

Many couples choose to go with something other than the traditional wedding cake and we love seeing these new ideas. One of our favourites is the ‘cheese tower’ – where you and your partner can build your perfect savoury cheese ‘cake’. Our chefs at Roots make an incredible cheese tower complete with figs, grapes and extra garnishes.

Another option is to go for a macaron tower or pair a traditional cake with macarons. Queen Bees has created some fabulous macaron masterpieces for our couples here, in a variety of colours, flavours and some with personalisation too.

Our executive chef’s speciality, the croquembouche (or a profiterole mountain) is a truly spectacular wedding day indulgence. The light pastry, fluffy cream filling and deliciously rich chocolate topping is definitely a showstopper.

We have been very busy behind the scenes here at Southend Barns to ensure that everything is in tip top shape for all our couples this summer. Whether weddings are big or small, we are committed to delivering a day that is perfectly executed, right down to every last detail. This is all made possible by our incredibly dedicated team who go above and beyond for all our couples.

As a venue with lots of outdoor space including a courtyard, rose garden, kitchen garden, a plethora of flower beds and of course our Secret Garden ceremony area, it is important that we keep these areas looking beautiful all year round.

Here, Gemma discusses her role as our new gardener and what her future plans are for the gardens here at the barns…

Tell us about your career so far

I had never considered gardening as a job for myself originally, although I had always enjoyed gardening and being outdoors. I studied criminology at university and tried a variety of jobs before taking on a year long gardening apprenticeship at a private estate. During my 3 1/2 years there I had the opportunity to go on different courses and learn from the skilled team I worked with. I now couldn’t imagine doing anything else!

What have you been working on in the Southend Barns gardens?

I have been working on all the flower beds, getting to know the planting schemes, and growing vegetables in the kitchen garden. One of the first jobs that needed doing was weeding, adding plants, top dressing and bark, to one of the large beds in the car park. It has been fun seeing the area develop.

What are your future plans for the gardens?

I hope to improve the kitchen garden by making the area more efficient, to grow plenty of produce next year.

What is your favourite part of the gardens?

I have found it interesting seeing the flower beds develop over the summer here at Southend Barns. My favourite area is near the kitchen and formal lawn where lupins, alliums, roses, lysimachia, mint, tulips, alchemilla, nepeta, and large grasses grow, amongst many others. There’s so much colour and texture.

Who are you inspired by?

I am inspired by visiting other gardens and seeing different ways of using plants. I recently visited RHS Garden Wisley which gave me lots of ideas! I also find talking to other gardeners and hearing about the gardening they are passionate about, a great way to learn.

Our first wedding of 2021 was undoubtedly a special one. The day after lockdown, Samantha and Matt had a beautiful and intimate ceremony here at Southend Barns and we were honoured to be part of it.

We are over the moon that Coco Wedding Venues has featured the day on their beautiful blog. From the delicious canapés and running through the fields to dancing back up the aisle, be sure to check it out for some inspiration for your own wedding day!

Click hereto visit the blog

Photo by Sophie Jane Photo and Film

 

One week before your big day? Welcome to the final countdown! We’re sure excitement levels are in overdrive right now as you make final preparations for your long-awaited wedding. To help ensure this last week is as enjoyable as possible, we have put together some suggestions on what you and your partner can be doing to make sure your day is as joyous and memorable as you’d always imagined…

Beauty prep

Go for a manicure or pedicure and be sure to purchase the chosen nail polish colour to bring home with you so that you can fix any accidental chips.
Why not get a treatment such as a relaxing massage or hair-conditioning mask to help you relax and feel amazing for your big day. We would avoid any new treatments or facials though, just in case of reactions.

Final dress fittings

Ask your maid of honour to join you in a final dress fitting. It is important they can get to know your dress, ask questions about your gown, and learn how to help make it look its best. What if it creases, can it be steamed or ironed? If it gets a stain, how can I remove it? How can I bustle the dress? How does it fasten, could you show me? No question is a silly question here!

Be sure to bring along your wedding shoes, jewellery, veil, and handbag to the fitting to ensure it all works together.
You also must remember to move around in the gown to get used to how it feels and don’t forget to break in your wedding shoes!

Final crafting for DIY bits

If you have chosen to craft any wedding favours or décor, now is the time to complete these projects and have them boxed up and labelled with instructions ready to drop off to our team.

Pack your overnight bag:

It is important to be prepared so that you don’t forget anything. We have compiled a list of a few bits that we think are essential in your overnight bag!

• Makeup remover/ cotton pads
• Flat shoes
• PJs
• Phone charger
• Wedding night lingerie
• An outfit (for the day after)
• Painkillers
• Toiletries
• A few snacks in case you need some sustenance during hair & makeup
• Makeup bag
• Hairbrush
• Perfume
• Gifts/cards for your bridal party and partner

Clean your engagement ring

Make sure your ring is glistening, it is going to be centre of attention on your wedding day and the photographer is going to want to take a picture of it with your new wedding band! Take the time to visit your jeweller to give it a good clean.

Write a card for your partner for the wedding morning

One of our favourite wedding traditions is the exchange of a wedding card between partners. Keep it personal and speak from the heart, it is something you will both love to look back on.

We hope you enjoy preparing for your wedding in this very exciting week, we can’t wait to see and celebrate with you soon!

We are excited to reveal our new-look bridal suite, which has been decorated throughout with a fresh, neutral colour palette and stylish decor in keeping with the contemporary feel and rustic charm of our venue.

Set within a private courtyard with a picturesque garden complete with its own water feature, we wanted to create a relaxing haven for couples that combines the very best in comfort, style and luxury with plenty of little details to make the space feel extra special for our guests.

The refreshed interior includes lovely new lighting, plush bedding and soft furnishings to create a tranquil and luxurious atmosphere whilst also making a stunning backdrop for those important wedding morning photos.

The Milking Parlour now also includes a newly installed smart TV with Spotify and a Nespresso coffee machine so couples can enjoy a delicious caffeine fix alongside our complimentary homemade breakfast which also includes mouth-watering chocolate truffles supplied by Roots Catering.

If you would like to book the bridal suite for your wedding night, please contact us.

To celebrate World Cocktail Day we shared one of our favourite signature cocktails, the much-loved Mojito using our Executive Chef, Dan Clarke’s special recipe:

50ml Havana 3 year old rum
4 x lime wedges
10 mint leaves
15ml brown gomme
Fever Tree soda
Crushed ice
Mint sprigs

• Take a high ball glass and add the brown gomme, squeezed limes wedges and smashed mint.
• Muddle these ingredients together using a muddler, wooden spoon or rolling pin.
• Fill the glass half full of crushed ice.
• Pour in the rum over the crushed ice.
• Take a spoon and mix vigorously so that the lime, mint and rum is all mixed together.
• Top up with more crushed ice to the top of the glass.
• Top up with soda, add a straw and a sprig of fresh mint.

Enjoy!

We had a fabulous time on Saturday at our first menu tasting event of the year. It was wonderful to see lots of our couples and serve up delicious food made by our talented team of Roots chefs.

The outdoor tasting took place in our Collecting Yard with patio heaters and blankets available to help keep guests cosy. Couples had the chance to try a variety of canapés including Satay Chicken Skewers, Beef Croquettes and Heirloom Nutbourne Tomato and Beetroot Tarts.

We also had taster courses, freshly made Garlic and Rosemary Focaccia bread with flavoured butters and a range of mouth-watering dishes such as Duck Confit Croquettes, Roasted Butternut and Sage Gnocchi, Rump of Lamb with Celeriac Dauphinoise and Chicken Katsu. Not forgetting our delectable desserts: Vanilla and Ginger Panacotta and Biscoff Cheesecake finished off with teas, coffees and truffles served from our new Coffee Cart.

As well as the fabulous food, brides and grooms could also find plenty of styling inspiration with the Threshing Barn dressed in our beautifully Boho styling selection with flowers by The Floral Artisan.

Here’s what our guests had to say:

“Absolutely stunning evening! Thank you so much for the most delicious food and for being so attentive! We cannot wait to be back!”

“The tasting experience earlier today was AMAZING! Thank you so much!”

“Just want to say a massive thank you for the beautiful tasting evening it’s got us so excited for the big day!”

“We attended the taster evening last night and the food was amazing! Really looking forward to our wedding food now.”

“I just wanted to say a HUGE thank you to your team yesterday for such an amazing food tasting evening. It was SO amazing. Felt so safe and welcome and the fact we could see the venue again made it that little more special.”

Photos by Ruby Roux Photography

Are you planning your wedding and still searching for the perfect venue? Come and join us on Saturday 15th May from 10am – 4pm for an Open Day where you can explore Southend Barns, including our outdoor ceremony area, luxurious bridal suite and tranquil gardens. We will be running one hour time slots throughout the day which must be booked in advance.

To find out more or make an appointment please email enquiries@southendfarms.co.uk.

We’re taking every precaution to make sure that our viewings are safe and in line with the latest Government advice. That’s why we kindly request the following:

1. Only one household is permitted per booking
2. Provide names, addresses and contact details for those attending prior to the day
3. Sign in on arrival using the NHS track and trace app
4. Masks must be worn throughout the inside areas of the venue

Photo by Ruby Roux Photography