Wedding venue ventures

When I got engaged I didn’t know where to start! I knew the photographer was the most important thing to me so I book them first – Rustic Love Birds Photography – who are incredible and I’m so excited for them to document our special day. I decided that the venue should be the next thing to plan because that will inspire everything else.

I had two avenues i wanted to explore – a glamorous stately home wedding with a black, white and gold colour scheme; very classical and beautiful. Or a rustic more laid back wedding in a barn with pastel colours and no particular scheme or way of doing things. I decided a rustic wedding would suit our personalities better and it would give me more opportunity to put my own stamp on the day.

The first hurdle I came to was the fact that I live in Manchester, one of the greatest cities in the world but hardly rustic. There were no barns for miles and if I wanted to have a barn reception then I would need to get married at the venue too. I didn’t want a civil ceremony as I’d always dreamed of getting married at St. Mary’s, my family church and a place which holds so many amazing memories. So I was at a bit of a stumbling block with the reception venue.

I eventually found a venue which was unbelievable and in a reasonable driving distance for guests but the venue hire itself was our entire wedding budget, something I couldn’t justify even if I wanted to. Then we stumbled across an absolute gem.

Our wedding venue is an old grammar school which has been restored to its former state. It has stunning beams and original stone floors. There is a balcony upstairs which at one end of the school will host our photo-booth and guest book station; and the other end of the room has been sealed with sound proof glass, allowing guests to see the dancing and antics but in a cosier and quieter setting, perfect for my 90 year old Nanan and my little nephew to chill out.

There is a bar which we can choose the booze for, so it will stock all of mine and Jack’s favourites! And the dining options were perfect for us. I didn’t want a three course set meal because its not really our ‘scene’ so we’re having a hog roast, spit roast chickens with lots of salads and breads, perfect for a summer day!

I have an incredible venue dresser booked who it going to work her magic making my scatter brained vision a reality – Betsy Button – I love her! Because its such a beautiful building I don’t want to over face with too many things. Candles and flowers are going to be the main feature of the wedding décor.

I’m so excited to share MY photos of the venue after our special day!

Jess x

#wedding #churchwedding #betsybutton #oldgrammarschool #rusticlovebirds