The owners of Deighton Lodge asked me whether I would become one of their dedicated co-ordinators and I was only too happy to oblige, as I love a good barn venue.

At this venue, on the day co-ordination comes as part of the package for couples who book there so couples are welcome to meet with me whenever they feel ready. By chance, Chris and Laura who live in London, happened to suggest a weekend, where I was actually visiting the capital so it was exciting to meet them somewhere new.

I helped them firm up their timeline but they were well underway with all their suppliers so all I had to do was wait.

The use of the barns was a brand new thing for this venue and whilst they are licensed to hold weddings in the garden, we all know the British weather cannot be relied upon so it was a nervous wait for me on the run up to the day in case the room would need several changes from ceremony to reception to night do. The couple however were extremely optimistic and had ploughed on with setting up the inside of the barns ready for the wedding breakfast. Luckily for us all, their gamble paid off and the sunshine came through, meaning they had the most beautiful ceremony outdoors – a huge rarity for me.

Canapes, fizz, photos and garden games all followed before heading into the barns where guests were wowed by the couple (and their army of helpers) had created a beauty of scenes.

Tables were based on different pig breeds with lovely gold miniature piggy’s as name places. I have to say I breathed a sigh of relief seeing it done so stylishly having just that week watched ‘don’t tell the bride’ where the groom had forced his fiancé to marry on a pig farm much to her horror…what a contrast!

Food was a beautiful indoor picnic supplied by Taste the Love with speeches and then cake cutting, which was made by Laura’s talented dad.

The music followed in the form of a Ceilidh which required all the tables packing away…cue the amazing army of helpers again. I have to say I’m normally apprehensive when couples tell me their ushers are going to help as, in my experience, by dinner time they’re well and truly enjoying the bar and not easy to organise….. I had to eat my words on this occasion as they were by far the most efficient, friendly and helpful bridal party I’ve ever worked alongside and I had to tell the couple to thank them for me quite a few times.

It was a total pleasure to work alongside Kieran Paul Photography for the day who has kindly supplied these images.