From the first flurry of snow frosting our landscaped gardens, to the Threshing Barn decked in reams of twinkling lights, festive weddings at Southend Barns have a romance all of their own.
Whether you are dreaming of a Christmas wedding day with all the trimmings, or have your heart set on a winter wonderland, our team have combined their wedding day expertise to bring you our top tips and trends for a beautiful December wedding…
Baby, it’s Cold Outside
Winter offers a plethora of décor options for your big day which can be perfectly tailored to the kind of wedding styling you want.
If you have a more formal day in mind, elegant white tapered candles look stunning combined with crisp white table linen, vintage candelabra and paired back silken greenery. Our Elegant Ivory styling option is the perfect base for this, providing everything you need for a refined tablescape.
Greenery also lends itself to more laid-back wedding styling. Wild, natural greenery looks incredible juxtaposed with a scattering of red or white roses and paired with fragrant herbs, wooden textures and candles. Take a look at our Wild & Green table styling option for a wonderful but informal theme featuring lots of gorgeous greenery.
Christmas is a time for all out decadence, so when it comes to wedding décor let your imagination run wild with opulence. Our couples have created incredible scenes, from Narnia-esque styling with rooms flanked with billowing drapes and snow-capped fir trees, to rich, berry clad wreaths and mistletoe adorning every corner – the possibilities are endless. We have even had couples opting for the prettiest dried flowers in place of the more traditional fresh arrangements.
However, a winter wedding doesn’t have to mean fairy-tale styling. Chic monochrome can also make an incredible impact, especially when paired with the warm, rustic tones of our Threshing Barn. Our Magical Monochrome styling option combines stylish black and white with shimmering glass, white roses and foliage, click here to find out more.
Walking in Our Winter Wonderland
Our carefully maintained sculptural trees and rich evergreen foliage help create beautiful wintery outdoor scenes which are perfect for seasonal photos and can be enjoyed from the warmth of our Collecting Yard. With outdoor heaters, cosy rugs and a roaring fire pit, the Collecting Yard allows you and your guests to enjoy the wonderful scenes without feeling the chill.
A staple of the festive season, our outdoor space also lends itself to glorious fireworks! The perfect end to a perfect day, we use Selstar Fireworks for all displays at our West Sussex wedding venue. Selstar produce exquisite firework displays which have minimum impact on our surrounding countryside.
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
With Christmas comes a wide range of festive traditions and customs that can be incorporated into your big day. From mince pies and mulled wine for your reception drinks to adding mistletoe and wreaths to your floral displays, or gifting guests with seasonal treats such as sloe gin or personalised decorations to hang on the tree.
On the subject of trees, our impressive and beautifully decorated Christmas tree is always a hit with our winter couples. Throughout December the tree stands tall in the Threshing Barn adorned with elegant golden decorations and the prettiest twinkling lights. A stunning addition to your winter wedding day.
Dress to Impress
Now, winter wedding styling doesn’t end with decorating the barns. A festive wedding is a glorious opportunity to go all out with your wedding day look. From faux fur wraps warding off the winter chill, to silken gowns worthy of an ice queen, or touches of tartan and pops of red, the ideas for luxe winter wedding styling are endless.
Over the years we have seen couples don a range of glorious festive looks for their Southend Barns winter wedding. Some of our favourites include Alice and Pat’s jewel toned bridesmaid dresses with the softest grey stoles which highlighted Alice’s winter-white bridal look to perfection. Another gorgeous wedding day look was the combination of Adam’s blue suit and the beaded gown worn by Emily for their big day. Both couples embraced touches of jewel-inspired hues which worked beautifully for this time of year.
Have a Cup of Cheer
From the smell of mulled wine filling the air, to a hearty roast complete with all the trimmings or our luxury hot chocolate and s’mores next to the fire pit, winter is all about indulging the senses and what better way to conjure some festive cheer than with food.
Our Roots chefs have designed a winter menu which celebrates the incredible flavours and produce this time of year has to offer. Whether you are supping on a beautifully botanical Christmas cocktail or sampling a delectable beef Wellington, our talented team has spent hours ensuring every single dish is an experience you won’t forget.
Click here to browse our website including our full menu, or contact our team on 01243 641247 to find out how we can make your wedding day dreams a reality.
Photo credits:
Ruby Roux Photography
Stephanie YT Photography
Teri V Photography
Virginia Photography
