The First 2021 Wedding at Southend Barns

It’s so good to see our gorgeous venues filled with life, love and happiness once again and this rustic day is a corker. With a pretty-in-pink summer palette, a dreamy buttercream cake and lots of galloping in fields. Celebrating love is back at this Sussex barn!

Samantha + Matt say…

Southend Barns is so beautiful and we particularly loved the outdoor space, especially the private rose garden. Chichester is very special to us as we both went to university there and this is where we met. Matt also proposed at Chichester Marina so having our venue around the corner was just extra special!

Matt and the groomsman wore a suit from Next. Sam wore the Diana dress from Wed2B. And the bridesmaids wore a beautiful and flattering multiway dress in dusty pink, from Jacqueline Louise Bridal.

As we only had our ceremony this year, we did not have any styling or theme as such. We love the feel and style of Southend Barns just as it is!

Our florist was Meg from Hedge Rose, based in Chichester. All the men attending had a simple button hole with a pink spray rose, piece of lavender and a small amount of greenery. The bridal bouquet was a tightly wrapped simple arrangement, with dusky pink roses, lavender, purple Veronica, chamomile daisies and a mixture of foliages.

Roots catered our delicious canapés which included a guacamole macaron and pea, mint and feta risotto balls, and our cake was a two tiered lemon sponge made by Sweet Pea Bakes. We also had some beautiful gluten free cakesicles made to match the cake!

Our lovely photographer Sophie, from Sophie Jane Photo and Film, helped make the day even more special! She has been so accomodating and helpful when our plans had to change. As we didn’t do our first dance, Sophie suggested we play our song from a phone and have a little dance alone when taking photos in the field. Every single one of our guests has commented on how lovely and relaxed Sophie was on the day and there has been many happy tears shed over her beautiful photos.

Best part of the day

The best part of the day was when we walked (and danced a little!) back up the aisle as Mr and Mrs Kennedy. Our exit song was Mr Blue Sky by ELO, and just as it started playing, the sun came out! It was so magical.

From one couple to another…

Don’t feel the need to have a huge wedding. We had originally planned for about 80 guests, but because of restrictions, we only had 12. This meant we got to spend quality time with our closest loved ones, and time with each other too. A smaller, more intimate day made it even more special!

Venue Southend Barns

Photography Sophie Jane Photo and Film

Dress Wed2B, Brighton

Jewellery + Accessories Aura Vida

Hair + Makeup Head Turners

Suits Next

Cake Sweet Pea Bakes

Flowers Hedge Rose

Stationery Daisy Dots

Catering Roots

Wedding Rings Goldsmiths, Crawley

Confetti The Real Flower Petal Confetti Co.

Bridesmaid’s Dresses Jacqueline Louise Bridal