Abby & Sean’s October wedding at South Farm was the perfect blend of romance, fun and classy touches. From their intimate wedding ceremony in the Old Dairy, with its beautiful terracotta tiles and rustic charm, to golden hour portraits in the gardens and a nightclub-style party in our fabulous Horse Barn – Abby & Sean’s day was pure magic!
With chic autumn styling, unforgettable food, and even some cheeky piglets stealing the show, their day was filled with laughter, love and memories to last a lifetime. Read on to hear the full love story of their unforgettable day at our eco-conscious wedding venue…
Date of your wedding: 11th October 2024
Time of your ceremony: 2:00pm
Location of your ceremony: The Old Dairy
We’d love to hear how and when you first met?
We actually first met in secondary school but didn’t start dating until Sean went to College and I went to Sixth Form when we were just 17! Got engaged 12 years later, on a beach in Cornwall with our little pup Bailey in tow, then married a year after that.
Which parts of the venue did you use for your big day?
We wanted to make use of the entire venue for our big day, since every spot has its own unique charm. We got married in the Old Dairy. We’d fallen in love with the terracotta tiling on the floor and how it felt more of an intimate ceremony.
Lucky for us, it was pure blue skies and sunshine on our big day, so we were able to make use of the gardens for our drinks reception. It was nice to switch it up, and everyone loved how beautiful the gardens were.
For dinner, we opted for two long tables in the Tudor Barn. Sean and I sat front and centre of one, so we really felt part of the party. Couldn’t have us missing out on all the laughs!
We used the Horse Barn for our dance floor. I really wanted the evening to feel more like a nightclub, and it was perfect for this. It was also nice to have this smaller space so no one felt self-conscious on the dance floor!
Which was your favourite spot for wedding photos?
Definitely in the gardens during golden hour. We got some really special portraits out there when the sun was lying low.
Tell us about any special colour schemes you had for your wedding day and how you styled your big day?
We wanted to go romantic and classy, with a hint of Autumn! Groomsman’s wore tuxes, bridesmaids in burnt peach silk dresses, and our bouquets/flower arrangements featured toffee-coloured roses.
For décor, we had opted for white draping on a wooden arch and draping flowing down some wooden boxes with some pillar candles to add to the romantic feel.
It was all quite minimal, which was what we were aiming for.
How did you first hear about South Farm and what made you choose our venue for your wedding day?
I first saw South Farm on Google while sitting as a passenger on a trip home from holiday. The second I saw the yellow Farmhouse and pigs, I was sold! It gave me the romantic, French chateau dreams I’d been searching for. This was solidified even more when I saw how gorgeous the food was!
After we left from our first show around, we knew it was the one. South Farm doesn’t feel like a corporate wedding venue – it feels like it’s run by a family. I also really liked that it felt like you were getting married at a house and celebrating in the back garden.
How did you feel on the day?
A whole host of emotions. Very calm throughout the morning and by the end of the day, we couldn’t stop grinning – it was the PERFECT day.
What was your most memorable moment from your wedding?
The whole day was memorable – but oh my, we still can’t stop thinking about the food! Weddings later and it’s still the best wedding food we’ve ever had. Honestly, the South Farm reviews speak for themselves with the amount of mentions on how good the food is, but it’s honestly true!
How did you choose your ceremony and first dance music?
Our ceremony music was a mixture of different songs that meant something to us, including some of the Lord of the Rings soundtrack because it’s epic! We exited the ceremony to ‘This Will Be’ to give us that end of a 90’s movie vibe.
We both really like the film ‘About Time’ – so we had to include ‘How Long Will I Love You’ in there somewhere. And the slowed down version was the perfect fit for our first dance!
How many Bridesmaids did you have and how did you ask them to be your Bridesmaids?
I had two Bridesmaids, my sister who was Maid of Honor, and my friend Niamh. To ask them, I made Bridesmaid boxes, with PJ’s for the big day and some beautiful dried flowers.
How did you pick your Best Men and Ushers?
Sean’s been in a band since he was 18 – so we of course had to have the whole crew (four, including Sean) as part of the wedding – we’re all basically like family now! His brother also joined them as joint Best Man.
How many speeches did you have and do you have any advice for anyone giving a speech?
We had four speeches. Two Best Men, Father of the Bride and Groom. If we’re to give any advice, it’s keep them short and funny! We were crying with laughter at ours, one of the Best Men even brought out a prop (Cough – the book ACOTAR – Cough) to use during his speech to roast the Bride which was a crowd pleaser!
What did you wear?
I wore a liquid satin white Mori Lee dress with a slit down the side (great for dancing!). Sean wore a tux for the fancy vibes.
Is there anything you would have done differently?
There isn’t anything we’d change from the day. It was perfect! Everything from the lead up (the South Farm staff were so attentive and always on hand to answer our questions), to the food which as we mentioned, was AMAZING. We had so many people telling us it was the best wedding food they’d ever had – beyond wedding food we also heard it was a best steak that ever eaten (better than restaurants)!
Also – the pigs were a crowd pleaser. We had some little piglets on site when we got married, and they were giving everyone quite the show with their mad half hours.
What are your top tips for other couples?
Don’t over think it. We were so chill throughout the whole process. And if something on the day doesn’t go exactly to plan, don’t worry – it will honestly be the best day of your life with all your nearest and dearest there to celebrate with you.
Where did you go on honeymoon?
We travelled around Thailand for a bit over three weeks in December. So much great food, lovely people, and beautiful sunsets!
Suppliers |
Photographer: Laura Vieceli photography
Videographer: Mooncast films
Dress: Mori Lee
Grooms & Groomsmen outfits: Moss
Bridesmaid dresses: Six Stories
Cake: Shannons Cakes
Hair: Bridal Hair Design
Makeup: Makeup by Faye Neill
Flowers: Simply Stunning Flowers
Styling: Miss Carlyse and Co Events
Entertainment: DJ Gary
Thank you Abby & Sean, for sharing your beautiful love story with us! We’ve absolutely loved reliving your romantic wedding day at South Farm and are so thrilled it was everything you dreamed of. Wishing you both a lifetime filled with love, joy, and happiness.
If you are looking to book your dream Hertfordshire garden wedding venue for your wedding day please get in touch. We’d love to hear all about your wedding plans and to show you around our countryside wedding venue, rustic wedding barns and stunning gardens. Our fantastic choice of ceremony and reception spaces is perfect for weddings all year round. There are so many gorgeous spaces to choose from and we offer exclusive use for your wedding day, guaranteeing you total privacy on your special day. What’s more, our friendly, experienced team will make sure your dream wedding day runs perfectly to plan in our beautiful barn wedding venue.
