From the moment Rachel and Norman began planning their wedding, they had just one thing in mind – fun and lots of it! They dreamed of a fantastic band, rocking out at their vintage wedding venue, and a fully stocked bar, just steps away from the dance floor. There was no doubt that their wedding would be one to remember.

The Venue

With the atmosphere of the day being so important, it was critical that the pair found the right relaxed wedding venue. They wanted somewhere beautiful yet welcoming, simple and not too formal, and a vintage wedding venue with a stunning setting.

Rachel and Norman found all they were looking for at Sandhole Oak Barn. “We loved the setting. The lake and grounds were so beautiful and the converted barn was perfect for our vintage wedding day,” says Rachel. “Best of all, we had full use of all the bedrooms in the wedding accommodation – so we knew our day would be just about us and no one else.”

The Styling

One of the things that appealed to Rachel and Norman about the converted barn wedding venue was its natural, simple style. Because of this, they decided to keep things simple in terms of styling too – using flowers such as lavender throughout their décor. “We also added yards and yards of vintage-style bunting, made by my poor mother,” laughs Rachel. “Fairy lights, twisted around the beams, added that special twinkle come night,” she adds.

The Dress

To complement their vintage wedding day, Rachel opted for a lovely lace gown. Her off-the-shoulder gown, designed by Sottero & Midgley, featured a small train and champagne coloured ribbon, which was tied at her waist. A simple fingertip veil and pearl hair comb finished off Rachel’s elegant look.

The Ceremony

Rachel arrived at the venue in true vintage-inspired style in a white Morris Minor. However, her arrival was a little later than expected due to an issue with the guest transport. “We hired a vintage bus to transport our guests but it ended up blocking the lane near the church,” laughs Rachel. “We had to park behind it, gather up my dress, squeeze past the bus and walk the last 500 yards to the church.”

Despite the initial complications, the ceremony ran to plan – leaving the couple to enjoy and celebrate their newlywed status at Sandhole Oak Barn.

The Celebrations

Rachel and Norman’s celebrations began with a delicious food feast, cooked by their chosen caterers. They chose a salmon and haddock fishcake starter, a lamb and mash main and a trio of desserts to finish. “The delicious desserts included a brandy basket with berry compote and clotted cream, chocolate brownie, and a lemon tart with raspberry coulis and mascarpone cream,” says Rachel.

With the formalities of the day over and guests’ appetites satisfied, it was time for the real celebrations to begin. “Our amazing band, Funk Soul Family, kick-started the evening with a performance of John Legend’s All of Me,” says Rachel. “It was our first dance song and was played and sung so beautifully.”

The rest of the celebrations were all about the music, the dance floor and having fun – before retiring to the Barn’s on-site accommodation.

Rachel’s Top Tip:

“Try your dress on at home beforehand and make sure you’re comfortable in it. I couldn’t get the bustle of my dress to fall right when I shortened it for the evening. The result was a lumpy dress line – which you could see in the first dance photos. It wasn’t a big deal but could have been prevented with practice.”

Photography courtesy of ©Robert Leons Photography

Micaela had been dreaming of Sandhole Oak Barn wedding venue for years. Being local to the Cheshire wedding venue, she knew a little about its offerings. So, once Garry proposed, a visit to the Barn was top of her list.

A barn wedding venue was also suited to the light-hearted spring wedding that the couple had in mind. They wanted all their guests to have a memorable and enjoyable experience and were keen to create a fun, laid-back atmosphere.

The Venue

The couple’s first visit to Sandhole Oak Barn wedding venue certainly didn’t disappoint. “It was more beautiful than we could have ever imagined,” smiles Micaela.

In fact, the couple were so desperate to get married at Sandhole that they booked the venue right away! “We had only been engaged for 10 days but the Barn was simply perfect,” adds Micaela.

The Styling

Micaela and Garry already had their dream barn wedding venue, so they wanted to bring out its beauty in their styling. Taking inspiration from previous spring weddings held at the barn, the couple styled the venue with hanging lanterns and fairy lights for an ambient, rustic finish.

Other rustic touches added by the pair, included tree log centrepieces complemented with freshly picked garden spring flowers. “I wanted everything to have a natural, rustic vibe,” explains Micaela.

The couple also opted for a neutral colour palette, using touches of dusky pink throughout the wedding party attire and their décor. “Garry wanted a red-themed wedding after his favourite football team, Manchester United, but we agreed on neutrals after much discussion!” laughs Micaela.

The Dress

While much of the wedding planning process came easy to Micaela and Garry, finding the perfect wedding dress was a little harder. After months of searching, Micaela eventually settled on an Amanda Wyatt gown in stunning ivory and gold. “It was a dress I never imagined I’d choose, but it was perfect,” says Micaela. “On the day I felt like a princess – as every bride should.”

The Ceremony

Micaela and Garry decided to tie the knot at Sandhole Oak Barn too, rather than their local church. With this in mind, Micaela arrived at the venue early to get ready. “I made sure the bridal party had optimum preparation time but still ended up being late,” laughs Micaela.

Despite keeping Garry waiting, the couple’s wedding ceremony was everything they’d dreamed of. Before they knew it, they were man and wife.

The Celebrations

Top class food set the tone for the couple’s wonderful celebrations ahead. Their wedding menu featured classic delights. The pair started with a sharing platter of pâté, before moving on to a roast chicken dinner. For dessert, they enjoyed a trio medley, with apple crumble, chocolate brownie and New York cheesecake. “We were unable to decide on a single dessert – they were all so tasty!” adds Micaela.

Singing waiters livened up the occasion and helped begin the party in style. “Everyone was up dancing and singing along with them – I think even the waiters were shocked!” laughs Micaela.

A night of partying followed by even more delicious food. Fish and chips and burgers and fries were served to all guests among a number of other classic fast food favourites to bring this Cheshire spring wedding to a memorable finish.

Micaela’s Top Tip:

“Make the most of every second. I wish we could have stopped the clock so we could have had a few more hours to share our amazing day. It went by far too quickly.”

Photography courtesy of ©Carpe Diem Photography

Videography courtesy of ©Perfect Day Production

Lauren and Danny wanted to plan a celebration of a lifetime. They planned to tie the knot and party in one place before retiring to honeymoon accommodation nearby. An all-in-one venue was top of their list and a must for a perfect wedding day.

The Venue

Lauren and Danny drew up a shortlist of venues and planned to visit every one. Their first venue visit, which was to Sandhole Oak Barn, made their decision simple. “We instantly fell in love with the Barn,” smiles Lauren. “We loved its natural beauty and peaceful setting by the lake and the Barn was beautiful too,” she adds. “It was so bright and welcoming – we felt right at home.”

The Styling

The couple accentuated the natural feel of the barn with rustic wedding styling. They used navy and white stripes for the bouquet, buttonholes and table runners and pastel colours for their spring flowers.

The wedding breakfast tables were dressed with vintage jugs filled with blooms and a picnic basket was used to collect the cards. As their wedding was on Easter Weekend, they gifted eggcups and chocolate eggs as favours. The eggcups also doubled up as table place names.

The Dress

To complement her vintage and rustic wedding theme, Lauren dressed in a vintage-style gown. Her gown, designed by Intuzuri, featured a fully embellished top and a trumpet shaped lace skirt. Lauren’s bridesmaids and groom dressed in the couple’s wedding colour of navy blue.

The Ceremony

Lauren and Danny decided to tie the knot at the Barn before partying the night away at the barn wedding venue in style. Keen to ensure the morning ran as smoothly as possible, the couple stayed in the on-site accommodation for the night before. “We stayed at Sandhole Farm B&B. This meant that on the morning we just had a short walk to the Barn,” explains Lauren.

The Celebrations

Once the formalities were over, the pair got to enjoy the perfect celebration with friends and family. “There were so many comedy moments – from one of my bridesmaids taking a group selfie in the middle of the official photos to the best man’s hilarious speech,” smiles Lauren.

A three-course wedding breakfast followed with a soup starter, stuffed chicken breast main, and a white chocolate and lime cheesecake dessert. “Catering was provided by Top Table and was delicious,” adds Lauren.

The celebrations continued with a jam-packed dance floor and yet more foodie delights from the couple’s caterers. After the party, Lauren and Danny didn’t need to travel far as they retired to the four-star on-site wedding accommodation.

Lauren’s Top Tip:

“Keep it simple and remember what the day is all about. There’s no point worrying about all the little details. At the end of the day, they don’t matter.”

Photography courtesy of © Mr and Mrs W

Saying their vows in December, Victoria and David planned a romantic seasonal celebration with a sweetheart table at Sandhole Oak Barn. Love is in the air!’

The Perfect Venue

When planning their winter wedding, Victoria and David were on the hunt for that perfect venue – somewhere that would look fabulous on a chilly December evening.  “Sandhole Oak Barn immediately felt special,” smiles Victoria. “We loved the exclusivity of the venue and felt super relaxed in the knowledge that, with such an experienced team, everything would be under control on the day.”

Theme of the Day

When it came to wedding style, the happy couple planned their dreamy winter wedding, bringing warmth in to the beautiful venue with warm fairy lights around the beams, an abundance of candlelight and gold baubles hanging from the ceiling. The colour scheme of gold and navy gave a warm, festive vibe.

All About the Dress

Victoria wore a dress by designer Justin Alexander, with a simple skirt and sparkly top. “I tried it on at a wedding fair,” says Victoria. “Even crammed in a flimsy dressing room, I felt amazing the moment I put it on. When I came out of the dressing room and my mum welled up, I knew we were on to a winner!” Victoria had the dress sleeves removed to create a sweetheart neckline, and used the sleeve embellishments to make bracelets for her bridesmaids and corsages for the mums. “I love that people each have a little piece of my dress to treasure,” she says.

Victoria kept her accessories simple yet stylish, wearing a Tiffany bracelet from David and her Nanna’s ruby earrings. “I also wore a veil which was a mistake,” she laughs. “I had never wanted one but felt that I perhaps should. On the day, it caught in the sparkles of my dress and I couldn’t wait to take it off. Top tip – if you don’t think you want a veil you probably won’t miss it on the day!”

As for the Groom and the Bridesmaids…

David looked the part in a navy blue suit from French Connection with a burgundy tie and tan Oliver Sweeney shoes, and his ushers wore the same.

Victoria’s closest friends, Anna and Orla, wore pale pink floor length gowns from Jarlo with a sweetheart neckline to match the bride. Alongside the simple bracelet made from the beading of Victoria’s dress, they wore their own necklaces and silver knot earrings from Victoria.

Beautiful Blooms

The bride’s bouquet had that ‘just picked’ look and featured white and blush roses with burgundy dahlias, tied with gold ribbon.  The bridesmaids’ posies were smaller versions of the same, and similar flowers were used in the table centerpieces. On the tables, flowers sat in gold vases surrounded by candles, the perfect décor for a winter’s afternoon.

The Wedding Breakfast

Following their civil ceremony, guests were treated to bubbles and warming canapés including mini cottage pies and sticky sausages. While they had planned to stay inside, the weather was dry and guests took the opportunity to wander outside and enjoy the picturesque surroundings and outdoor space.

Moving in to dinner, the Oak Barn looked stunning. The gold baubles hanging from the ceiling made a wonderful first impression, and each guest received a gold bauble with a tag as their place setting. Victoria and David really wanted to have a sweetheart table, dining for two, so they made that wish come true. “It was amazing to just sit and chat about the day and look across the room at our guests,” says Victoria.

For the wedding breakfast, guests had a choice of starter and could also choose between roast turkey and beef and ale pie for the main course. Pudding was sticky toffee pudding. ‘While I ate every morsel of my main course, David had my dessert’ says Victoria. ‘Very little stands in the way of this man and a sticky toffee pudding!’ she laughs.

Let Them Eat Cake!

Two aunties made the wedding cake, making it extra special. The three-tier chocolate fudge cake was finished in gold and featured two kissing penguins as the cake topper. “I love penguins,” explains Victoria. “David proposed on Boulders Beach in Cape Town surrounded by penguins, so it was important for us to include them in the day.”

Evening Celebrations

As day turned to evening, the newlyweds danced to ‘Love is Easy’ by McFly, accompanied by exploding confetti canons! DJ Jools from Hipswing filled the dance floor with a great playlist which delighted the guests all evening. And to eat… delicious pork baps and chips with stuffing and apple sauce!

Victoria’s Top Tip

“Be a diva and do exactly what you want! Break the rules – I’m so glad that we had a sweetheart table, and that my brother and granddad saw me before the ceremony. There were so many special memories created that would have been lost if we had chosen to follow tradition.”

Photography courtesy of © Mark Williamson Photography

From meeting at primary school at the age of five, to walking down the aisle years later, the winter wedding of Kirsty and Richard at Sandhole Oak Barn is as romantic as can be.

The Perfect Venue

Kirsty worked at this wonderful Cheshire wedding venue as a teenager and she and Richard went to secondary school together just down the road, so it seemed like the perfect venue for their wedding!

“When we visited Sandhole together for the first time, we instantly loved it,” says Kirsty. “From the lakeside setting to the beautiful oak features. It felt warm and relaxing – the place for us.”

Theme of the Day

Setting the date four days before Christmas, a wintery theme with a hint of festivity seemed like a lovely idea.

“We loved the natural beauty of the Oak Barn and its surroundings,” says Kirsty. “With that in mind, we tried to complement nature with simple touches such as lights around the oak beams. We didn’t want to ruin the natural charm of the venue.”

The theme of birds and hearts was introduced on the invitations and throughout the rest of the stationery and décor. Kirsty made the stationery and most of the decorations herself, spending her weekends and evenings being creative as the wedding day approached. Painted, personalised wooden hearts hung on the back of each chair as a wedding favour and she also painted wooden bunting and wooden table confetti. Pine cones were incorporated in to table lanterns to add to the wintery theme, and there was a ‘festive photos’ props box to add in a little fun! When it came to colour, luxurious purple and silver gave that dreamy winter style.

All About the Dress

Kirsty’s beautiful gown was from Mori Lee.

“My sister spotted it, and I fell in love it from the moment she sent me a link to it,” smiles Kirsty. “Within a week, I had tried it on, and I loved the style and the beautiful back detail. When I found out that Mori Lee is based in New York, it seemed even more perfect – we got engaged in New York in 2015!” To complement her dress, Kirsty wore crystal earrings, and a necklace that Richard gave her the day before the wedding. “I made my Swarovski crystal and pearl bracelet myself, and also made matching designs for the bridesmaids to add a touch of winter sparkle.”

As for the Bridesmaids…

Kirsty had four bridesmaids – her sister, Richard’s sister and two flower girls, Amy and Emma.

“Pip and Katie, our sisters, wore purple, while the flower girls wore white dresses overlaid with silver embroidery.” Kirsty explains. ‘
“They all accessorised with silver shoes and faux fur ivory jackets. They looked gorgeous!”

Grooms Style

In keeping with the bridesmaids and the colour scheme, Richard and his ushers wore grey Pierre Cardin suits with silver detail and purple ties.

Beautiful Blooms

The bridal bouquet consisted of Kirsty’s favourite flowers – ivory and purple freesias, ivory roses and Calla lilies. ‘Freesia’s remind me of being little and visiting my great grandmother’ she smiles. The bridesmaids carried smaller versions of her bouquet, while corsages featured ivory roses with a sparkly brooch. As for the buttonholes… an elegant ivory rose with a purple freesia. Wonderful flowers around the venue included a large arrangement for the top table, another for the cake table and a third for the sweetie table.

The Wedding Breakfast

A drinks reception in The Oak Barn with Champagne, mulled wine and non-alcoholic fruit punch kept guests cosy on a chilly winter’s day, while a pianist set the scene. For the wedding breakfast, Kirsty and Richard wanted a menu that reflected the season and also included some of their favourite foods. With that in mind, they started with fishcakes, moving on to roast chicken with dauphinoise potatoes. To finish, a trio of desserts included sticky toffee pudding, white chocolate cheesecake and a warm chocolate brownie.

Let Them Eat Cake!

The wonderful three-tier cake was adorned with sugar flowers in varying shades of purple, with two purple birds as a cake topper. Tasting as fabulous as it looked, the top tier was lemon cake, the middle victoria sponge and the bottom a chocolate cake with chocolate ganache.

Evening Celebrations

Let the party commence! A DJ entertained guests throughout the evening and filled the dance floor. When it came to food, guests were treated to delicious crispy bacon barm cakes, cheddar and onion paninis and chip cones with salt and vinegar. Romance was in the air as the newlyweds danced their first dance to ‘Everything’ by Lifehouse.

Kirsty’s Special Moments

‘The ceremony, being surrounded by our family and friends and being greeted by beautiful afternoon sunshine as we left the church.’

Photography courtesy of Dark Peak Photography

Rebecca and Graeme introduced beautiful spring colours to their February wedding at this idyllic wedding venue in Cheshire, with delicate hues of ivory and pink. Love was in the air!

The Perfect Venue

Having visited a few venues, Rebecca and Graeme fell in love with Sandhole Oak Barn straight away.

“The surroundings and the lake are simply stunning, along with the wonderful barn. Its neutral tones were a real blank canvas to bring our vision to life,” says Rebecca. “I only discovered the amazing bridal dressing room on our second visit – that would have been enough to seal the deal for me!” The couple loved the team at Sandhole and at Top Table catering immediately, and started to put their plans in place.

Theme of the Day

The happy couple chose a classic, elegant and pretty wedding in shades of pale pink, ivory and cream.

“While our wedding was in February, we wanted to welcome in spring rather than choosing wintery colours,” explains Rebecca. “Sandhole just oozes romance without having to try, so we decided to enhance it with some elements from different styles.” Beautiful floral arrangements and candles adorned the Oak Barn, alongside a few more personalised extras such as photographs of Rebecca and Graeme over the years, love letters and bunting.

All About the Dress

The bride wore a dress from Mori Lee, classically beautiful with its ball gown style, but with a layered skirt and dramatic beaded back lending a contemporary edge.

“I knew Graeme would love its simplicity,” says Rebecca. “And he really did love it!’ Vintage style Swarovski jewellery was the perfect accessory, alongside shoes from Jenny Packham.

As for the Groom and the Bridesmaids…

Graeme and his ushers wore dark blue suits from Debenhams, chosen for their elegant style and the fact that they will hopefully be worn again. The navy blue was a lovely complement to the pale pink Mori Lee dresses worn by Rebecca’s adult bridesmaids, her two sisters. As for the flower girls…

“They wore dresses from BHS and really stole the show,” smiles Rebecca. “Especially with their faux fur-lined Rocha John Rocha boleros and pink flower crowns!”

Beautiful Blooms

The fabulous flowers were a combination of tulips, roses and anemones in shades of ivory, cream and blush pink. The bridal bouquet was hand-tied and finished with blush ribbon and pearl pins, while the bridesmaids carried smaller versions of the same arrangement. A collection of garden blooms made up the buttonholes, while the venue looked simply stunning. Two urns on plinths decorated the ceremony space, with an eclectic mix of bottles, vases, tea lights and fresh flowers adorning the registrar’s table. For table centres, some tables featured tall vases filled with foliage and blush and ivory blooms. Around the base of each vase were glass tea lights standing on a mirror plate. Other tables were decorated with a selection of pretty containers from jam jars to bowls filled with flowers. ‘It was truly stunning’ says Rebecca. ‘The room took my breath away on the day.’

The Wedding Breakfast

Following their reception with drinks and canapés, guests sat down to the wedding breakfast. Farmhouse cheddar and broccoli soup started the meal, followed by steak and ale pie and a trio of desserts.

“We wanted some heartwarming food as we knew it was going to be a cold day,” says Rebecca. “Top Table Catering were superb.”

Let Them Eat Cake!

Pink and ivory cup cakes decorated with roses looked pretty as a picture, with a small top layer cutting cake. The mouthwatering fillings included vanilla, New York cheesecake and cherry bakewell.

Evening Celebrations

The DJ from Hipswing created a fabulous party vibe, also entertaining guests with large light up love letters, a sparkly dance floor and casino tables. ‘A photo booth from Drunken Monkey was another highlight’ smiles Rebecca. After the first dance to ‘You Make it Real’ by James Morrison, guests danced the night away. A selection of warm meats and rolls, a delicious cheese board and hot chips was a great choice for informal evening dining.

Rebecca’s Top Tip

“When you’re planning your wedding, cherish every moment and trust your instincts. If something feels right, don’t be afraid to go for it. Book the venue, buy the dress that gives you ‘that feeling’ and enjoy every second!”

Photography courtesy of © Mick Cookson Photography

The October wedding of Lorna and Paul embraced all that is wonderful about tying the knot at Sandhole Oak Barn. With delicious food, beautiful décor and their family and friends… it was a romantic day to remember.

The Perfect Venue

With friends and family travelling from all over the country, Lorna and Paul were on the lookout for a venue where the ceremony and reception could be held under one roof and where there was accommodation nearby. “Sandhole Oak Barn was just perfect,” says Lorna. “Close to major road links but set in beautiful countryside with just sheep in the field next door for neighbours… it really felt like our own hideaway!”

Theme of the Day

The happy couple decided to embrace the autumnal season and use natural materials to bring the outdoors in. Shades of golden yellow, burnt red, oranges and greens were introduced throughout, predominantly using wood, leaves, pumpkins and flowers.“For our table centres, we used slices of tree trunk,” explains Lorna. “Paul’s dad grew a bumper crop of pumpkins which we then hollowed out before giving to the florist to fill with flowers. I also made leaf lanterns by collecting glass jars and sticking leaves to them.” Ribbon and fairy lights adorned the barn beams to add extra colour and Lorna’s mum dried pretty leaves, which were then scattered around the tables along with some conkers. To complete the look, two beautifully carved pumpkins (created by a neighbour) sat in the entrance with lit candles after dark.

Paul and Lorna’s passion for mountain biking also added to the theme of the day, through the stationery and cake design.

All about the dress

Lorna wore ‘Bia’ by Pronovias, a stunning princess dress with shoulder straps, a tulle skirt and applique lace detail.

“I absolutely loved my dress!” she smiles. “It was one of the first dresses I tried on and it felt great. I especially loved the neckline.” To show off this elegant neckline, Lorna decided not to wear a necklace. Instead, she wore pretty pearl drop earrings from her mother, and a delicate gold bracelet that had been a gift from Paul. In the evening, she added a diamante belt for a little sparkle.

As for the Groom and the Bridesmaids…

Paul wore a completely bespoke suit from Frank Roston, with he and Lorna choosing the material, colour and cut together. “The level of personalisation was great,” says Lorna. “He even has the date of our wedding embroidered inside the suit jacket!”

Lorna didn’t have any official bridesmaids, but her friends Katie and Lisa were there to help every step of the way and organised her amazing hen party.

Beautiful Blooms

The wonderful flower arrangements were created by a family friend, sticking to the autumnal colour scheme. Lorna’s bouquet featured roses, cockscomb and eucalyptus leaves and were hand tied to create that ‘just picked’ look. All the ladies in the wedding party had matching corsages with roses, berries and leaves. The buttonholes were a real favourite of Lorna’s with a burnt orange Calla lily combined with a thistle, leaves and berries.

The Wedding Breakfast

Following the civil ceremony, guests enjoyed welcome drinks and canapés in The Oak Barn, spilling out on to the lovely courtyard overlooking the lake. An abundance of delicious canapés were served, before guests sat down for dinner. For the main course, Lorna and Paul wanted to encourage interaction on the tables, especially where some guests had never met before. “We chose chicken and leek pie, which was served whole to the table,” says Lorna. “There was a designated ‘chef’ on each table who then served the rest of the guests.” For pudding, a trio of tempting desserts was a winning choice.

Let Them Eat Cake!

“My mum’s friend made the cake, and it was amazing!” smiles Lorna. The three tiers consisted of fruit cake, chocolate cake and an orange cake – all delicious. When it came to design, it was adorned with sugar leaves and pumpkins, and given a mountain bike theme with the addition of two metal bikes as a cake topper.

Evening Celebrations

Keen to get everyone on the dance floor, the newlyweds entertained guests with a DJ in the evening. Treating the taste buds once again, bacon sandwiches were served, with halloumi panini’s as a vegetarian option.

And Another Thing…

Thoughtful favours gave a personal touch. Lorna and Paul made chili-infused oil and tomato chutney from homemade ingredients. As well as looking delicious in their pretty jars, the colours suited their wedding theme perfectly!

Lorna’s Top Tip

“Take your time to walk down the aisle. I was in such a rush, Dad and I were at the front before the music had really got going!”

To see how beautiful Sandhole Oak Barn can look in the winter as well as autumn, check out Victoria and David’s Winter Wonderland Wedding. There’s plenty in there to get you inspired!

Photography courtesy of © Andrew Wade Weddings

Alison and Joseph’s spring wedding at Sandhole Oak Barn was a wonderful combination of rustic style, creative décor, delicious food and happy guests!

“We wanted to be able to make the day personal to us and we fell in love with Sandhole Oak Barn on arrival. While we visited other venues, Sandhole was always going to be the place where we wanted to celebrate our wedding day.” – Alison

The happy couple chose a rustic wedding theme to complement the feel of the venue and their own home style. This meant plenty of hessian, chalk boards, lace and pretty pastels.

“Joseph and I decided to involve our families in the planning. My brother made the table decorations and, with the help of my mum and bridesmaids, we designed all the floral arrangements for the day.” – Alison

Even the place names were a labour of love – finding a photograph of each individual guest and painting their name on the bottom.

When it came to colours, as Alison is from Scotland, her family tartan was introduced in shades of navy and green. In addition to this, a more delicate hue of nude pink was chosen for the bridesmaid dresses. Of course, we mustn’t forget the elegant wedding cake, a three-tier delight adorned with wedding flowers and the family tartan and offering a tier of chocolate, one of lemon and another of fruit.

Looking the part

Alison found her dream dress at Swan Brides in Congleton. Having visited four boutiques and tried on a number of gowns, she chose a design by David Tutera.

“The dress wasn’t dissimilar to others I had seen on Pinterest but it had more sparkles! It’s good to try on something you might not have naturally chosen.” – Alison.

The stylish bride completed her look with a pearl bracelet and earrings and shoes by Rainbow Club at John Lewis. Delicate nude-coloured dresses with silver embroidery were chosen for the bridesmaids, who looked stunning on this pretty spring day.

“My sister has beautiful, natural red hair and I wanted a colour that would show this off.” – Alison.

Finally, the striking tartan was introduced in the groomswear. Joseph looked the part in a navy suit with waistcoat and tie in Alison’s family tartan, while his ushers wore the same colours but with plain waistcoats.

“They looked almost as good as my bridesmaids!” – Alison.

Wedding day details

Following the ceremony at St Peter’s Church in Prestbury, the newlyweds and their guests arrived at Sandhole Oak Barn – the guests in a London Routemaster bus and the happy couple in a cool Campervan!

They were greeted with delicious canapés, Prosecco and a ‘Pimp Your Prosecco’ stand with strawberries, mint and cordial. Moving in to dine, caterers Top Table delighted with a delicious menu of goats cheese salad followed by fillet of beef with dauphinoise potatoes and a trio of miniature desserts.

“Joseph and I have different tastes when it comes to pudding – so the trio of desserts was perfect!” – Alison.

As day turned to evening, a band called ‘PYT’ filled the dancefloor and Top Table served a selection of cheeses alongside carved meats, breads and chutneys.

Alison’s top wedding tip:

“Enjoy all of it – even the planning, even when you’re stressed! It will all be worth it. When the day comes, savour every moment and be sure to take a minute with your new husband to just step back and take it all in.”

“I know most people say this but I wouldn’t have done anything differently. It was just how we wanted it to be. I just wish we could do it again!”

Photography courtesy of © Joanna Eardley Photography

Dreaming of a summer wedding where they could spend a magical time with their friends and family, Emily and Kyle planned to look around a number of potential wedding venues in Cheshire. Sandhole Oak Barn was the first they visited.

“The minute we saw the beautiful barn next to the picturesque lake, we knew it was the one.” – Emily

Visiting two other venues on the same day, they just didn’t get that same special feeling again.

“Without a doubt, the highlights of Sandhole were the layout of the oak barn and the lakeside country view.” – Emily

The July wedding date was set and the planning began!

Setting the Scene

Emily and Kyle decided on a woodland theme and spoke to their florist, Rachel from Lily’s of Bramhope, about how to keep it light and pretty for a summer wedding. Flowers in blush and cream sat alongside elegant shades of burgundy.

“Our florist sourced long branches for the top table which she then decorated with fern, tea lights and pine cones. Each table centrepiece was a log cross section, on top of which sat pretty flowers in vases, tea lights and more pine cones.” – Emily

Other than flowers, the décor was simple, highlighting the beauty of the barn and the great outdoors.

Looking the part

The beautiful bride chose her dress at Berketex in Manchester. Having tried on a number of styles, she found her perfect gown by opting for a skirt and bodice from their ‘mix and match’ range. The ‘Malena’ tulle gathered skirt was the perfect complement to the ‘Marita’ corset-style bodice with lace up back.

“I was originally sceptical about having a strapless dress as I didn’t want to spend all day pulling it up! It fitted like a dream.” – Emily

A delicate veil, teardrop necklace and lace heels completed the look.

Kyle chose a grey three-piece suit with pale blue lining while his groomsmen wore the same but without the waistcoats. Ties and pocket squares were chosen in blush pink to co-ordinate with the bridesmaids.

After searching high and low for the perfect bridesmaid dresses, they were eventually found in House of Fraser. Emily’s three bridesmaids wore long tulle dresses in blush pink from Little Mistress.

“I hope if I’m ever a bridesmaid, I’ll look as amazing as they did!” – Emily

Wedding day details

Following their civil ceremony, canapés and fizz were served while guests mingled and chatted. Adding some delightful musical entertainment, Craig from The Live Piano Experience played during the ceremony and up until the end of the wedding breakfast.

Bruschetta with three different toppings made a great starter before moving on to prosciutto-wrapped chicken for the main course. For dessert, guests enjoyed a delicious trio of sorbet, white chocolate and lime cheesecake and Prosecco jelly.

“We chose the food based on what we love. We also made sure the vegetarian options were just as tasty as ours.” – Emily

Evening celebrations

As day turned to evening, the newlyweds danced their first dance to ‘Still Into You’ by Paramore, inviting their guests to join them on the dance floor after the first verse.

“It was so much fun! Everyone commented on how nice it was to be part of such a special moment.” – Emily

Pulled pork sandwiches proved to be a great success, as the party continued at the finale of this fabulous summer celebration.

Emily’s favourite moment

“Walking in to the ceremony with my dad. It was so overwhelming to see everyone smiling at me. Then obviously seeing Kyle at the front of the aisle. When you first see each other, it’s the best feeling!”

Emily’s Top Tip

“Lean on your bridesmaids! Mine helped with all the little DIY things like favours and name cards.”

Photography courtesy of © Will Mason-Jones Photography

Laura and Andrew celebrated in style at their Sandhole Oak Barn wedding.

Giving themselves plenty of time to plan their special day, Laura and Andrew first visited Sandhole Oak Barn in 2015, two years before their June 2017 wedding. They were looking for a Cheshire wedding venue that could accommodate 100 guests during the day and an extra 50 in the evening and where they could also choose many of their own suppliers. Sandhole Oak Barn ticked all the boxes!

“The barn was picture perfect. When we were shown the breakfast room at the end of the viewing, overlooking the wedding barn and the lake, my mum and I burst in to tears! I turned to look at my future husband and we smiled – we knew we had found our special place.” – Laura

Having bed and breakfast accommodation just next door to the barn was an added bonus – especially with guests travelling from as far away as South Korea. And, of course, the beautiful Granary Cottage for the newlyweds.

“We actually cancelled a future viewing at another barn wedding venue as we knew in our hearts that nothing would compare to Sandhole Oak Barn!” – Laura

Setting the Scene

The happy couple chose a romantic theme with ivory and gold as the main colours, alongside pastel coloured flowers.

“With a summer wedding date, I was hoping for a beautiful sunny day to show off the gold beautifully – a natural bit of sparkle!” – Laura

Spectacular candelabra floral arrangements sat on the tables, alongside Wedding Day fragrance candle favours. Laura made the seating plan using a large gold-framed mirror.

Looking the part

The beautiful bride wore ‘Elana’ by Ronald Joyce, a stunning gown with lace-capped sleeves on a fishtail silhouette.

“If it wasn’t for the girls at The Confetti Box, I would never have tried on a fishtail style. When I tried it on, I didn’t want to take it off!” – Laura

With an intricate neckline, Laura didn’t need to wear a necklace. Instead she chose crystal drop earrings and a diamond tennis bracelet, her something borrowed from her mum. To complete the look, Laura wore a hair vine by Rachel Chaprunne, a mid-length veil and ivory satin shoes with silver platform from Rainbow Club. She carried a hand-tied bouquet of peonies, spray roses and lisianthus in delicate shades of blush pink and ivory.

Andrew also dressed to impress in a navy suit with tweet waistcoat and navy tie.

To complement the gold and ivory colour scheme, the bridesmaids wore floor length gold sequin gowns by Jenny Packham at Debenhams.

Wedding day details

Following their civil ceremony, drinks and canapés were served alongside delicious canapés before the newlyweds and their guests moved in to dine. The light and airy barn was filled with beautiful flowers and candles, greeting guests as the wedding breakfast was served.

“We both love food and wanted to offer a choice so opted for a menu that provided a couple of options. The rack of lamb main course was perfection!” – Laura

In keeping with the romantic theme, the stunning five-tier cake had ruffles, lace stencilling and beading.

“It stood on a beautiful glass cake stand and really finished the look. All the flavours went down well but our guests were very pleasantly surprised by the salted caramel tier!” – Laura

As day turned to evening, a live band played ‘Wherever You Will Go’ by The Calling for the first dance.

“The dance floor was always full – we knew we had achieved what we wanted, keeping our guests happy and on their feet having a smashing time!” – Laura

Laura’s favourite moment:

“We enjoyed every moment, but my favourite would have to be when Andrew and I snuck off after the first dance. We went for a walk and sat overlooking the lake, taking it all in and chatting about the day together.”

If you are considering Sandhole Oak Barn for your celebration, we would love to show you all this wonderful venue has to offer. Please get in touch with our friendly team to discuss your plans, receive a brochure or arrange a visit.

Photography courtesy of © Wayne Langley Photography