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A ‘GIANT’ Celebration

The Wedding of Mr & Mrs Graham

We had the absolute pleasure of hosting the unforgettable wedding of Mr & Mrs Graham at Southend Barns—a day filled with love, laughter, and truly incredible moments. Their celebration was a perfect reflection of their love story, bringing family and friends together in the most magical way.

A Dreamy Beginning

Threshing Barn Setup

Zoe’s vision for the décor was simple yet stunning—there could never be too many candles!

The day started bright and early as our fabulous layup team transformed the Threshing Barn with six-foot round tables dressed in sleek black linen and a stunning long top table.

The tables were beautifully styled with bespoke black napkins, hired from Crystal Hire, and paired with elegant smoke grey tumblers, goblet chalices, and matching charger plates, adding depth and drama to the overall look. Gold-rimmed wine glasses and our signature Southend Barns gold cutlery provided a luxurious contrast that really made the table settings pop.

The floral arrangements, created by the incredibly talented See Rose Floral Design, were a striking mix of black and beige pampas intertwined with exquisite black and white fresh florals. To complement the centrepieces, black tapered Southend Barns candles cast a soft, intimate glow over the tables.

Adding a personal touch, the stunning stationery, including place names and table numbers, was designed by the amazing Birdhouse 197. Each guest was also treated to a beautifully crafted biscuit from Baked by Steph, shaped like a cupid’s angel to complement Zoe and Rory’s love story.

The Driveway & Entrance

The entrance to Southend Barns was nothing short of enchanting. The long driveway was decorated with pumpkins in warm autumnal hues and glowing lanterns, creating the perfect first impression.

As guests made their way into the Collecting Yard, tiered lanterns filled with flickering candles lined the steps, setting a beautifully romantic tone for the day ahead.

Pre-Ceremony Delights

The celebrations began with pre-ceremony drinks served from our Roots Terrace Bar in the picturesque Collecting Yard.

Guests sipped on chilled Prosecco and refreshing Elderflower Spritz while soaking up the relaxed yet exciting atmosphere.

The sun was shining, the drinks were flowing, and the air was filled with anticipation for the ceremony.

The Stunning Ceremony

A Magical Setting

The Dairy Barn was transformed into an intimate and elegant haven.

Dramatic black drapes cascaded from the original oak beams, providing a striking contrast against the barn’s soft, neutral tones. The aisle was lined with a breathtaking abundance of candles, leading to two grand floral podiums overflowing with roses and lush greenery—a picture-perfect backdrop for Mr & Mrs Graham as they exchanged their vows.

The combination of flickering candlelight and fragrant florals created an enchanting atmosphere, making it a moment to remember.

A Feast for the Senses

Culinary Excellence by Roots Catering

A huge shout-out to our incredible Roots Catering chefs, who truly brought Zoe and Rory’s vision to life with a spectacular menu.

Guests enjoyed a delicious selection of canapés, including Roots pork belly nuggets, pea & mint risotto balls, and Thai fishcakes, all perfectly paired with Prosecco and Elderflower Spritz from our Southend Barns drinks package.

The Wedding Breakfast

Zoe and Rory wanted their wedding breakfast to be a nostalgic nod to the 80s—a retro-inspired feast with all the classic flavours. Our chefs had so much fun bringing their vision to life with a menu that truly delivered on flavour and nostalgia:

• Starter: Classic prawn cocktail with brown bread and fresh lemon wedges
• Main: Roast sirloin of beef with all the trimmings, complete with lots of gravy jugs
• Dessert: Vanilla & tonka bean crème brûlée

And the verdict? Simply delicious!

Guests raved about the food, with many saying it was one of the best wedding meals they had ever had.

Evening Delights

As the evening unfolded, guests were treated to a fun and vibrant cocktail hour, featuring personalised cocktails crafted by our expert Roots Bar Team.

Mr & Mrs Graham chose two of their favourites:

• The Apple-Kraktwister, a fun twist on the classic Dark & Stormy
• The Mojito Piña Colada, our signature house cocktail and a crowd favourite, served with a personalised Alice in Wonderland topper—Zoe’s childhood favourite, adding a sentimental touch.

Meanwhile, in the Collecting Yard, the fire pit crackled as guests gathered around our interactive s’mores bar. With giant pink and white marshmallows, melted chocolate sauces, and biscuits, it was the perfect sweet treat for a cosy autumn evening.

A Night to Remember

The Threshing Barn Party

As the sun set, the Threshing Barn was transformed into the ultimate party space. With live entertainment taking centre stage, guests danced the night away under the rustic beams, celebrating love.

Outside, the scent of wood-fired pizzas filled the air as our outdoor kitchen served up delicious Roots BBQ Chicken & Chorizo and Roots New Yorker pizzas—perfect for guests to grab a slice and keep the party going.

Fireworks Finale

To round off the night in spectacular fashion, Selstar Fireworks lit up the sky with a breathtaking display, adding one final touch of magic to an already perfect day.

Heartfelt Words from Mr & Mrs Graham

“Every aspect of our wedding, from start to finish, was handled with professionalism and care. The team went above and beyond to bring our vision to life. From the stunning décor to the delicious food, everything was perfect. We couldn’t recommend Southend Barns enough – thank you for making our day so special!”
Mr & Mrs Graham xx
Rag n bone man & Zoe

A Grateful Farewell

Mr & Mrs Graham, it was an absolute honour to host your incredible wedding day at Southend Barns.

Every moment was a joy to bring to life. Wishing you both a lifetime of love, happiness, and unforgettable memories!

2025 Wedding Fair

Planning your dream wedding and in need of a little inspiration? Well, look no further, we’ve got you covered! Join us for a fun-filled day of wedding magic at our Annual Wedding Fair on Sunday 23rd February 2025 from 10.30am to 3pm.

We’ve handpicked a fantastic group of top-tier wedding suppliers, all ready to help you turn your vision into reality. Every vendor has been tried, tested, and loved by our past couples, so you can trust you’re in great hands!

At our Southend Barns Wedding Fair, you’ll get to explore everything you need to make your big day extra special. Wander through the Dairy Barn, Threshing Barn, and Bridal Suite, where you’ll discover everything from stunning photographers and videographers to mouthwatering cakes, live music, and jaw-dropping styling ideas.

Our expert team will be on hand to answer your questions, offer advice, or just share a friendly smile to help you with those important decisions. And while you’re exploring, feel free to purchase a glass of bubbly, a refreshing Tinwood, or a warm cup of tea or coffee from our Roots Terrace bar and take it along with you.

So come along and book your place at our FREE ticketed Wedding Fair. We can’t wait have a chat, gather some ideas, and help you bring your dream wedding to life.

 

 

Thank you for the best day of our lives!

Newly wed couple stroke the alpaca at our Sussex wedding venue

Our whole team work tirelessly to ensure that every couple who celebrates their love at our wedding venue has the day of their dreams. So we are truly delighted when we receive wonderful feedback like the below. What a beautiful wedding – congratulations Mr & Mr Beckett-Frost!

Dear Southend Barns,

We want to say a MASSIVE thank you to everyone involved in our special day, you all made it truly perfect. We wouldn’t have changed a single thing. It’s making us all emotional writing this to send back to you.

All of the staff were incredible and made the day run so smoothly and feel so relaxed, they made us feel so comfortable and at ease all day long. We want to say the biggest thank you to our wedding planner, who was simply incredible and went above beyond for us and we are so thankful. We couldn’t have done it without her!

The venue, food, everything was utterly incredible and you made sure every detail was perfect, even the smallest of details!!! We simply cannot say thank you enough!

So many of our friends and family have not stopped talking about the wedding and said it was THE BEST WEDDING EVER, and we could not agree more! We wish we could do it all over again! Maybe in 5 years when we renew our vows just to have the incredible venue, food and staff all over again!

We can’t thank you enough!

Thank you for the best day of our lives!

Mr & Mr Beckett-Frost

Newly wed couple stroking the alpaca at our Sussex wedding venue

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