There are small spaces, large spaces and utterly beautiful spaces, each with their own natural beauty which has only been enhanced further by the incredible creative team. I love the pops of colour, the heartfelt hand-embroidered ribbon, the romantic stretch tent on the water’s edge and of course the 1920s glamour. But most of all, I love the beautiful intimate dance at dusk.
It’s worth pointing out (because it piqued my interest!) that Johnny Depp filmed some scenes from Chocolat on the riverbank here – where the ‘river rats’ moored their flotilla of little boats. Such a picturesque location and a little nod to even more glamour rooted in this exceptional venue.
Enjoy, I know you will…
Gail says…
Fonthill Estate sits in 9,000 acres of rolling Wiltshire countryside and offers three venues for weddings. Bake Barn is a restored shooting lodge licensed for wedding ceremonies and fully equipped for dining and dancing; Quarry Wood is an impressive site overlooking the lake, remote and private for those with an imagination to create something different; and Deer Park Barn is a more intimate setting, with a walled courtyard ideal for micro-celebrations.
The overall theme was the roaring 1920s and 1930s, the bohemian socialites; the ‘Bright Young Things’, and the glamour of Downton Abbey with Fonthill Lake in the middle of the estate at the heart. At Bake Barn we laid tables for dinner in the main hall, the pale stone walls with such a wealth of natural light gave it a fresh feel. Ceremony spaces were decorated inside the Beater’s Loft and outside under The Loggia. We wanted to embrace the natural fabric of the building, the stone and the wood. The style here was clean and classic, then at Quarry Wood we used more colour and pattern to echo the decadence of the era, and finished off at Deer Park Barn for an alfresco supper, carrying this richness through but now in the texture of a blue velvet runner, pearl-edged plates and an abundance of blooms and foliage.
There was a bright pop of colour with fresh oranges along the table, but the colour palette for the tables was blue and white. Dutch pottery, jugs and vases stuffed with blossom; cornflower blue water tumblers provided by Fabulous Company and bespoke stationery from Penelope Margot Design. These were all influenced by a botanical silk thread wrapped round a bouquet of blue delphiniums, created and embroidered by Sophie at A Lover’s Thread embroidered with the words…”night breezes seem to whisper I love you”.
Two dresses from A Lover’s Thread were featured, and one from Tara Bradley Birt. Tara also provided the stunning lace capped veil. Accessories were provided by Victoria Fergusson; tiaras, earrings, crystals and pearls. Beautiful hair was styled by Natalie Forsbrey and timeless make-up by Caroline at Amazing Face. The shoes were supplied by Esska Shoes, their Valerie vegan platinum platforms and a second pair in powder blue suede. Heavenly.
The styling and the decor was all down to Rosie Barrett Events. Rosie had a couple of images in her head which she was determined to recreate and based the whole day’s shoot around them. Lady Mary’s wedding in Downton Abbey and Cecil Beaton’s portrait Bright Young Things.
Suzanne Kennedy and Faye Allen of Milston Flower Barn in Amesbury were our florists. They created displays for the ceremony, the fireplace and the outside loggia ceremony area then packed all our borrowed blue pottery with spiraea, daisies, white lilac, ammi majus and the blossom, adding three types of eucalyptus and masses of foliage. Generous yet fresh looking tables, green and white only but then the bride’s bouquet was a simply simple hand-tied bunch of blue delphiniums.
We wanted to host this shoot at Fonthill to demonstrate the versatility of all that we have to offer. Small spaces, large spaces, beautiful spaces needing no decoration and gorgeous spaces able to carry lots of colour and imagination. Essentially we have three blank canvases and encourage couples that whatever their budget and style, to be bold with the areas that matter to them most – is it opulent tableware, is it generous flowers, is it rugs, runners, colour and texture? Have confidence and take inspiration from the books, films, photographs you love.
Venue & Planning Bake Barn
Photography Angela Ward-Brown
Concept & Styling Rosie Barrett Events
Furniture DP Marquees
Stretch Tent Q&R Events
Tableware Fabulous Company
Florals Milston Flower Barn
Candles Smith and the Magpie
Stationary Penelope Margot Design
Cake Table Matthew Burt Studio
Accessories Victoria Fergusson Accessories
Dress Tara Bradley Birt
Vintage Gowns A Lover’s Thread
Shoes Esska Shoes
Car Modbox