Kim & Matt
Sept 2022
As the weather turned from grey and wet to sunshine constantly we held on to the warmth at least! This couple had a few planning bumps to conquer but they did and it was a super wedding. Hats off to the catering team for some great food, served with a smile and the entertainment kept everyone bouncing!
Some words from the couple…
Why did you pick BITF?
“We always knew we wanted a Lake District wedding. The lakes is a huge part of our life and we wanted to show all of our friends and family that too.
We searched online and for a while thought we’d never find a place that worked for what we needed, we were hit with small spaces or expensive marquees on land hidden away. And then we saw Barn in the Fells…The intrigue of a brand new venue in between our favourite Lake District towns Ambleside and Grasmere was too hard to turn down a visit. Right from the off, booking in with Annabel was so easy, informative and made us very giddy.
We unfortunately lost my Grandad the week we were due to go and almost cancelled, but knowing he’d want us to continue our wedding search we made the journey in his memory. As we drove up to the breathtaking barn we were greeted with a warm and friendly welcome from Sharon the barn owner. Sharon told us she was a Wilson too, (just like my grandad) and we both knew this was the sign that we needed and this was the place.
Walking around the farm felt like it’s own little Lake District village in its self, a real hidden gem. I visioned all of our guests walking down the road with music surrounding them and this came true perfectly on our day.
We loved that the barn had been kept with as many of its original features as possible and that it didn’t feel like a traditional ‘white wedding venue’ but also with the courtyard at the back giving it chic Italian vibes. It was just the perfect combination in every way!”
What space did you love the most?
“In all honesty it it wasn’t just one space in particular for us but the vast amount of space the venue offers. When viewing nothing had been added yet so we had to use a lot of imagination but we loved that with the barn, courtyard and undercroft we had so much space to add our personalities to with options for all weather conditions.”
How was the BITF team for you?
“Just incredible. From start to finish.
Nothing was too much trouble and we feel so lucky that we got to be a part of their brand new wedding venue journey.
If you want a team who, let you bring your ideas to life freely, but who also get excited with you about your ideas then Sharon, Hogg & Annabel are the ones for you!
With Sharon’s relaxed approach and creative eye along with Annabel, keeping things in check and keeping you sane throughout all the planning, they weren’t just members of staff they were a part of our wedding and we loved that!”
How did you find planning a DIY wedding?
“It was one of the reasons we loved the barn so much, it was a completely open space to bring our ideas to life. We enjoyed watching the venue grow over the year as more things got added and spaces filled with personality. It was a gamble but it paid off. DIY isn’t for everyone, and there’s A LOT that comes with it but to be honest, Annabel has you covered from the beginning and shares with you everything you need and from there you can decide it DIY is for you.”
Any advice for those venturing into DIY wedding planning?
“Marry someone who loves a spreadsheet!
Jokes aside, there’s a lot to consider. Dealing with many different suppliers can be challenging so you need to be really organised. Go through everything you’d possibly need and then check again. Have a set budget and set some aside for the little things you might have missed, think napkins or cake stands etc. But DIY doesn’t always mean more money, we chose to do our own canapés and table decorations because you can do that here, it’s great! The team at BITF are all really close to the local suppliers and can help with advice on everything. But mostly, enjoy it! If the thought of DIY doesn’t make you feel giddy, it’s probably not for you.”
Would you recommend this venue?
”We can’t recommended it enough. There is not a single person who didn’t comment on how unique and different it was. The space, the team, the location, the character - just perfect. Come and see for yourselves, you won’t be disappointed we promise.”
Thanks to:
