Jessica & Patrick – A Vintage Country Celebration
Setting an April wedding date and deciding on a religious ceremony, Jessica and Patrick were looking for a beautiful venue in Cheshire. It was important for them to choose the ideal setting, close to their church where Jessica’s parents had also married and with a rustic, vintage style.
“The barns are just gorgeous and the style really suited our personalities,” explains Jessica. “As dairy farmers, the vintage look with a clean, modern finish fitted in with our passion for farming. Sandhole offered everything we needed in one place.”
Setting the Scene
Adopting a country vintage theme, the happy couple embraced the countryside with bright colours and channelled their creativity. Milk churns and wellies were filled with flowers, bunting hung from the tables and crates were filled with cards and plants.
Tables were adorned with hessian and lace and favours included homemade jam and chutney.
All About Flowers
Jessica’s mother used to be a florist, so flowers were always going to play an important role in this special day.
Wellies filled with flowers lined the aisle in the church alongside other beautiful arrangements. These were then brought back to Sandhole Oak Barn after the ceremony.
For the table centrepieces, small arrangements sat on top of milking units. Flowers also adorned the archway to the barn and even the table plan featured a backdrop of blooms.
‘All the flowers were a mixture of colours with a country meadow theme,’ says Jessica. “We used several herbs and included thistles as we currently live in Scotland.”
Bridal Style
Jessica had an idea of the dress she was looking for and quickly found ‘the one’. Her tea-length dress suited her and the vintage style perfectly.
“The bodice was lace with a sweetheart neckline,” explains Jessica. ‘The skirt consisted of a floral pattern and two pockets where I could keep my ‘something borrowed’. I absolutely loved my dress and couldn’t have imagined wearing anything else.”
The stylish bride accessorised with a short veil, pearl jewellery and peep-toe shoes.
Jessica’s five bridesmaids were elegant in floral vintage-style dresses in a delicate pink. Meanwhile, Patrick looked the part in dark beige trousers with a white shirt, tweed waistcoat and pink tie to coordinate with the bridesmaids.
Wedding Day Details
Following their romantic ceremony at St Oswald’s Church in Lower Peover, drinks and canapés were served back at Sandhole Oak Barn while guests mingled on the terrace.
Moving in to dine, chicken breast stuffed with spinach and sundried tomatoes was followed by a delicious trio of desserts.
“The food was to die for,” says Jessica. “The flavour in the chicken was just amazing and a lot of guests commented on how good the canapés were.”
Evening Celebrations
As the sun went down, a live band played, followed by a DJ. Jessica and Patrick danced their first dance to ‘Everything I Do’ by Bryan Adams.
“We didn’t choreograph our dance,” smiles Jessica. “We just swayed around the dance floor doing the odd spin to show off my dress with the gorgeous skirt!”
Cheese and biscuits was served along with the wedding cake – the perfect evening menu… and the happy couple and their guests danced the night away!
Jessica’s favourite moment:
“If I had to pick one moment, it would be how excited I was standing at the top of the aisle walking down to stand by Pat. I’m so glad I can now finally say I’m his wife!”
Advice from the Bride
“Do exactly what you want, be organised and plan everything well in advance. Enjoy being the centre of attention for this one day when it is perfectly OK to be the centre of attention!”
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 events team to discuss your plans, receive a brochure or arrange a visit.
Photography courtesy of © Joanna Eardley Photography