The Benefits of On-site Accommodation at Your Wedding Venue

Picture this: it’s the morning after your wedding, and you are sitting around a breakfast table laden with delicious food and drink, surrounded by your closest friends and family, reminiscing about the amazing day you shared yesterday. Sounds like a dream, right?!

Well, it doesn’t have to be! If you choose a wedding venue with on-site accommodation, this dream scenario could be your reality. Here at Rivervale Barn, we know how important it is that your loved ones are well looked after, and in this blog post, we’ll explain exactly why we think on-site accommodation will really elevate your guests’ experience.

Unmatched convenience

Booking a wedding venue with its own accommodation on-site is the epitome of convenience. Once you’ve danced the night away and had your fill of delicious food and drink, how wonderful would it be to simply walk a few steps to a comfortable bed? There would be no need to worry about designated drivers, waiting for taxis, or catching the last train; everything you need would be right there on-site. This could be especially helpful for your family and friends who have travelled a long way, as they probably won’t be familiar with local transport options.

Top tip

Start your celebrations early and get ready on-site, too! At Rivervale Barn, you and your wedding party can enjoy preparing for the day ahead in The Pamper Room. The space has been purpose-designed to give you the best start to the day, with hair and make-up stations and lots of natural light. You can even enjoy a bottle of bubbly and grazing boards whilst you get ready.

Unrivalled luxury

On-site accommodation also means a seamless continuation of the venue’s luxury. The comfort, style and décor will match the excellent service of your wedding and make the entire experience feel indulgent and special. Why not give your guests the chance to extend the extravagance a little longer?

Extended celebrations

Nobody wants their guests to leave the dancefloor early, and if they stay on-site, they’ll be able to enjoy every last minute of your celebrations!

Stress-free logistics

Booking a venue with accommodation simplifies logistics for everyone involved. No one has to worry about how they’ll get home after a long day of celebrating. This can be a particular relief for guests who have young children. It also ensures that everyone stays together, enhancing the sense of community and shared experience.

Top tip

Here at Rivervale Barn, we have accommodation for families with children, meaning they can all stay comfortably in one room.

Enhanced guest experience

Your guests will appreciate your thoughtfulness in providing on-site accommodation. It shows that you’ve considered their comfort and convenience, which can make them feel even more special and valued. Plus, they’ll have more time to mingle and enjoy each other’s company without the pressure of needing to leave early.

Finding a venue with on-site accommodation

Choosing a venue with on-site accommodation will elevate your guests’ wedding experience, and in turn, you’ll feel happier knowing your guests are happy.

Here at Rivervale Barn, we’re proud to be launching our very own on-site guest accommodation, Rivervale Lodge. The beautiful new accommodation will consist of nine double bedrooms, one family room, and a breakfast room where everyone can gather the next morning. It will sleep up to 20 adults (plus 2 z-beds for children).

So, whilst you and your partner relax in our luxurious honeymoon suite, The Cornstore Cottage, you can feel confident that your guests are being well looked after right here on site.

If you want to learn more about Rivervale Barn, why not visit us? We would love to meet you and discuss your wedding plans. Book a visit using the button below, or get in touch with us on 01252 413232 for more information.

What’s more, the celebrations can extend into the next day as you’ll be able to gather together in the breakfast room. As you enjoy a delicious breakfast together, you can share stories and laughs about the night before (and maybe recover in solidarity if anyone feels a little delicate!).

Top tip

After breakfast, why not arrange to go for a country walk or explore the local area together before you go your separate ways?

A Photographer’s Point of View: Things to consider when planning wedding photos at Rivervale Barn

Congratulations on your engagement! If you have booked Rivervale Barn already, then well done, and if you have not booked yet, do not hesitate. You will not be disappointed.

Let us introduce ourselves, we are PhotoForrester, we are wedding photographers, and we are delighted to be preferred suppliers at Rivervale Barn.

We are a husband and wife team; Elliott and Helen. After photographing 50 to 60 weddings a year for the last decade, across venues around surrey and Hampshire and beyond, we can honestly say that Rivervale Barn is our favourite venue.

All of the team there are approachable, understanding and highly professional. The food is varied and is cooked to a fantastic standard every time, and the setting is quiet frankly a photographers playground. The grounds and gardens are immaculate, very photogenic, and these are offset perfectly by the vast space that is available in the modern barn.

As professional wedding photographers, we have a very unique perspective of a wedding day. We are positioned nicely between yourselves and the venue. We work closely with the staff behind the scenes to ensure a smooth running of the day. We are going to take this opportunity to relay some useful tips and advice, which we hope will assist you on your big day, and ensure you capture the very best photographs.

1. Find the right photographer for you. Fundamentally all people are different, and that’s the great thing about being human. Everyone’s tastes, likes, and dislikes, vary and that is okay. All professional wedding photographers are selling lovely top quality photographs but try to find a photographer that you like, who you can relate to, and most importantly someone who can make you laugh. Your day should be fun and enjoyable, filled with natural smiles, and you shouldn’t under estimate the importance of your photographer and their ability to make people feel relaxed.

2. Ideally try to find a two-photographer service. We find that having a male and female partnership works really well, as Helen can photograph the bride, whilst Elliott photographs the groom. Two photographers allow greater coverage and means the team can be in two places at once. It also allows you to have more candid images captured through out the day.

3. If possible aim to be getting into the wedding dress about an hour before your meeting with the registrars. This may seem an excessive amount of time, but this factors in things like running late with the make up and hair. If you over run 10-15 minutes its not an issue. Ideally you will be in the dress then your photographer can capture stunning photographs of you before the service. The bride is the ‘main event’ and photographers can use this time fantastically in the Rivervale Bridal Suite. Hopefully you will also have some time to enjoy a glass of bubbles before you walk down the aisle. These timings create a relaxed atmosphere before the service.

4. Try to keep the Bridal Suite as clean as possible and clear of clutter whilst you get ready. There are some amazing and very photogenic bridal prep areas, and it is important to keep these clear so the photographer can snap away without having to clean up and move too many objects. A good tip is to put things in the bathroom, bathtub, and around the fire place as we don’t tend to photograph in these areas. We focus on the full-length mirror, the vanity table and the area around the bed, so prioritise keeping these areas as tidy as possible.

5. Rivervale Barn request that you use biodegradable confetti (flower petals), or you can use bubbles. As photographers we love bubbles as they look great in images and they do not go in your hair or ruin your make up. Whichever you choose, we recommend you supply them, as it is less and less common for guests to bring their own to weddings these days. For best results with bubbles we recommend using a few bubble guns.

6. Put together a short and well-planned group photo list. This is a list of around 10 to 15 combinations of groups, which you require to have photographed. This is usually the key guests, such as the bridal party, parents, and grand parents. We can use this list to make sure we do not miss anyone off, and we can usually get a list this size completed in the courtyard in around 20 minutes.

7. Allow for around 20-30 minutes for the newlywed’s romantic photographs in the garden and around the venue. We aim to be quick and efficient with the romantic images, and it is best to keep this short so it is fun and relaxed.

8. Be honest with your photographer with regards to what you are comfortable with and what you are after, any professional who has worked in the industry will have a thick skin and should have vast experience and skills to fulfil your needs.

9. Always establish a ‘battle plan’ with your photographer. A finalised timetable of events, group list, and a bad weather plan, should always be in place before the day. The staff at Rivervale Barn are fantastic at assisting you with the planning. It is important that everyone is on the same team and plan for the day to run smoothly.

This is all just advice, and of course each day is different. But we hope it is useful and will help you all have a fantastic wedding day.

Elliott and Helen

17 Eco-Friendly Ways To Style A Barn Wedding

We’re all trying hard to make the world a better place right now. From making small, green swaps in our everyday lives to taking big steps towards being more eco-friendly, the environment is high on everyone’s list of priorities. With that in mind, you’ll be happy to hear that it’s super simple to plan a gorgeously green wedding day. Here are some brilliantly sustainable suggestions for decorations and details and they’re all perfect for a beautiful barn wedding.

1. Create your own upcycled wedding signage. Old wooden pallets make excellent signs – all they need is a little paint (eco-friendly, of course) and a little time and you’ll have a great decoration to welcome your guests.

2. Think about your wedding stationery. Aim to work with a stationer who uses recycled or sustainably produced papers and natural dyes. Cut down on waste by skipping individual menus in favour of one large display menu that everyone can see.

3. Give favours that are good for the environment. Packets of wildflower seeds are easy for everyone to sow when they get home or in winter, bird seedhearts are a great alternative.

4. Make a living table plan with pots of flowers, plants or herbs and add sticks giving everyone their seating assignments. Remember to make sure that the plants are taken home once the celebrations are over. Nothing need be wasted!

5. Plan your decorations so that they can be used throughout your day. Move your ceremony decorations to your wedding breakfast for example to cut down on waste and encourage guests to take flowers home at the end of the night – provide brown paper and string for them to wrap their blooms in.

6. Choose seasonal flowers and, if you can, go for British-grown blooms to avoid the crazy carbon emissions of air-freighting. You’ll be surprised at what’s available, even in winter, and your florist will be able to help with suggestions.

7. For autumn weddings, make your own confetti from fallen leaves. With a shaped punch, you can easily make something super personal. Then, simply twist squares of brown paper to make your own confetti cones.

8. Hire rather than buy wherever possible. This means that you won’t be left with lots of things to throw away after your wedding plus a hire company will be able to suggest lots of ace touches for your day.

9. Table plans also look great on blackboards, mirrors and even old windows. You’ll find lots of ideas and tutorials online if you want to make your own.

10. Keep everything as natural as possible. For example, use fabric or papers to create brilliant backdrops for your wedding rather than using gas-filled balloons that can only be used once.

Green ideas for your wedding tables

11. The decorations on your wedding tables definitely bring the wow-factor to your wedding breakfast. From flowers to linens, there are so many ways that you can include lots of eco-friendly details on your tables.

12. Go green with your table centres. You can reuse old bottles or cans as alternative vases or used potted plants and flowers that guests can take home after the big day.

13. Try to avoid using floral foam in your decorations. This non-recyclable material breaks down to release microplastics and is definitely not an eco-friendly choice. Instead, opt for foam-free designs for a natural, organic look that’s perfect for barn weddings.

14. Hessian table runners bring a really rustic look to your wedding and, best of all, this fabric lasts for years and is 100% biodegradable.

15. Get creative with your place cards and go for something natural. We love leafy place cards with each guest’s name handwritten on a pretty leaf.

16. Think about using alternative props on your tables. You can pick up vintage books, vases, models and retro games cheaply at a charity shop and then return them there after the big day.

17. Use frames to hold your table numbers and then after your wedding, you can fill these with photos from your day!

We definitely recommend all of these exceptional wedding suppliers, all of whom love Rivervale Barn. If you’d like to start planning your very own barn wedding, come and visit us! We’d love to show you everything that Rivervale has to offer.

10 Reasons To Have A Romantic Barn Wedding

If there’s one day that’s all about romance and love, it’s your wedding day. To set the scene for the dreamiest day, you need a venue that provides the perfect backdrop and lots more besides. For pure romance, absolutely nothing can beat a barn wedding. Barn wedding venues really do have it all and if you’re planning a day that’s all about love, you’ll fall for the charms of a brilliant barn. Here are 10 reasons to have a romantic barn wedding and they’ll all make your heart beat a little faster.

1. A barn wedding venue, just like Rivervale Barn, means that you can host your whole day on one site. This means no wasted time moving between venues and more time spent enjoying your wedding and trust us when we say that every moment counts.

2. You’ll be spoilt for choice with your barn venue. At Rivervale Barn, you can choose to have your ceremony inside or outside in The Spinney. Outdoor ceremonies amongst the trees really make your day unique.

3. With your barn being exclusively yours, you’re able to decorate it any way you choose. Bring your wedding theme to life throughout the barn and at Rivervale, our neutral colour palette and paired-back décor gives you the chance to decorate in any way you wish. Alternatively, if you like the minimalist look, the natural beauty of Rivervale Barn creates the perfect backdrop. Oak pillars, huge windows, high ceilings and refined, luxurious décor puts a modern twist on the traditional barn interior.

4. A family owned wedding venue, just like Rivervale Barn, is extra special. Every wedding really means something to the team and the owners have built the barn with weddings in mind. Rivervale has, quite literally, been designed for romance.

5. Barns such as Rivervale that are solely used for weddings give you a real sense of exclusivity and you know that the only people on site during the day will be there for you. There are no comings and goings as you’d get at a hotel venue, no areas that are ‘off limits’ as at some stately homes, just the warmest of welcomes and the most beautiful of venues.

6. A brilliant barn wedding venue lets you, and your guests, relax. Yes, barns such as Rivervale are absolutely stunning (just take a look at the Ceremony Barn!) but they’re also warm and inviting with no hint of pretension. No one wants to feel on edge on their big day and a romantic barn offers laidback, carefree calmness to all.

7. The gardens and grounds that surround a barn venue give you the feeling of being away from all of the hustle and bustle of everyday life. At Rivervale Barn, you can wander in the beautiful gardens with drinks and canapes, relax in the Courtyard during the evening reception and simply enjoy the peace (until you hit the dancefloor, of course!)

8. At Rivervale Barn, you’ll love the attention to detail that’s everywhere. From the long mirrors and natural light in the Pamper Room that is your very own haven on the morning of the wedding to the delicious breakfast that’s delivered to the Cornstore Cottage on your first morning as a married couple. From the moment you step foot inside Rivervale Barn, you’ll feel special.

9. Barn wedding venues give you so many options and locations for fantastic photographs. With gardens, hidden romantic spots, spaces for group photos and unique backdrops, such as the Japanese Bridge at Rivervale, you’re guaranteed superb memories of your day.

10. You can enjoy a romantic barn wedding at any time of year. The gardens at Rivervale look perfect at any time of year, the barn is cool in the summer and warm and cosy in the winter. Romance lives here every day.

To find out more about Rivervale Barn, why not request our brochure? However, we’d love to show you just what makes Rivervale the most romantic barn wedding in Hampshire so come and visit us soon. You can book your personal showround here and we’re already looking forward to meeting you.

Winter Wedding Inspiration At Rivervale Barn

Winter at Rivervale Barn is a romantic, twinkly and heart-warming affair that blends wintry landscapes and frosted gardens with a cosy barn serving winter warmers. The barn always sparkles at this time of year, and with a festive spirit in the air, guests are always ready to have a good time.

Here are some of our favourite winter wedding ideas to inspire designs for your big day.

Winter wedding colour schemes

White and silver

White and silver, perhaps with a hint of ice blue or evergreen, looks stunning in winter. It’s seasonal, it’s bright even on a dark day and the touches of silver glitter add a glamorous feel that is reminiscent of frost and snow. Consider white flowers, bridesmaids in silver dresses, a glittery manicure, white chair covers with silver bows and lots of eye-catching wintry decorations.

Jewel tones

Alternatively, opt for rich jewel tones with hints of gold for a warmer look. Deep reds and burgundies, sophisticated emerald greens and even dark sapphire and peacock blues give a really luxurious feel to a wedding. Add plenty of warming textures with velvets, silks, satins and even a touch of tweed if you like. Think large and loose bouquets, bridesmaids in long gowns and lots of candlelight.

Metallic tones

Metallic tones, particularly gold and bronze, look great in winter and warm everything up. You might use metallic details on your table plan or in your stationery. You could tie golden ribbons around napkins, or you might add metallic touches to your wedding signage or wedding cake.

Winter lighting

Nothing creates a warming atmosphere quite like lighting. Our Dining Room Fairy lights are just perfect in winter, to add romantic, twinkling light to the room.

You could fill glass domes with fairy lights which look fantastic when grouped together for added impact. Or hire huge light-up letters for a wow factor decoration.

Warming touches

Including a few cosy, warming touches will be much appreciated and remembered by your guests. Baskets of blankets are always appreciated, especially if you’re heading into the gardens for photos or into the Courtyard for evening food. Cute gloves also make great favours for winter weddings and don’t forget a pair of boots for yourself. Slip these on before going outside for photos to protect your beautiful wedding shoes, and remember that your wellies could even be your ‘something blue’. A big shawl or chunky knit blanket also makes a great prop for those romantic winter photos, too – we like any excuse to snuggle up!

Winter photo ideas

Winter weddings need plenty of mistletoe, and you absolutely must share a kiss beneath it! This is a perfect post-ceremony photo opportunity.

Umbrellas are an often overlooked winter wedding prop that can make for beautiful photographs, particularly with the right backlighting. Head outside for romantic rain shots you’ll both remember for a lifetime.

Festive details

Many couples include Christmassy details in their winter weddings which is a sure-fire way to get guests in the mood for celebrations.

Cosy winter wedding favours are a festive must-have. Candles with a winter scent, candy canes, hot chocolate mixes, homemade marshmallows, crackers, festive chutneys, gingerbread men or even personalised baubles or copies of your favourite Christmas books for younger guests. Wrap them beautifully and add a tag to create a place marker, and your guests will feel as if Christmas has come early!

Get creative with wedding cake flavours and include those that remind you of the season, such as warming ginger spice or a boozy fruitcake. Why not decorate your cake with pine cones, berries or festive figurines for added winter feels?

You’ll always find a huge Christmas tree at Rivervale Barn over the festive period, so why not let this inspire your decorations? Set up a smaller tree as your seating plan with guests’ names written on tags, use baubles to hold place cards, and even include miniature trees in your table centres. For a more contemporary twist, use Manzanita branches and cover them with jewels or sparkling decorations.

Winter foliage

Foliage is a winter wedding must-have. Add lots of foliage to your bouquets and floral decorations, particularly varieties that give that really wintery vibe. You can also look to include pine cones, cinnamon sticks, berries and anything that gives that seasonal look. Wreaths are great decorations, hung on chairs or behind the top table.

Winter wedding food & drink

What is winter without warming food and drink? Our on-site catering team devises the most tempting winter menus imaginable. We love the warming delights of Pimm’s Winter Cup and the indulgent boozy hot chocolate station – both perfect winter warmers. Traditional mulled wine is always popular, or for something a little different, we can certainly recommend warm spiced cider to chase the cold away.

Hearty favourites will keep everyone happy for your canapes, so include small-but-mighty shepherd’s pies, mini fish and chips, mini beef burgers or even mini Yorkshire puddings with roast beef and horseradish cream.

Winter can be such a sociable season too, so continue this theme with a hearty main course, served family style to each table so every guest can help themselves. You could even nominate one of your guests to take on the role of carver.

Get in touch to plan your winter wedding at Rivervale Barn

There’s no doubt about it – winter at Rivervale Barn is cosy, romantic and beautiful. We would love to welcome you to the barn for your personal show round, so do get in touch to book your visit now. We’re also here to answer any questions that you might have on 01252 413232.

Why Rivervale Barns Is the Perfect Outdoor Wedding Venue

Outdoor weddings are becoming more and more popular, particularly here at Rivervale Barn. This year, lots of couples have taken their vows in our stunning outdoor ceremony space, The Spinney, and enjoyed our gorgeous gardens with their friends and family. If you like the thought of an outdoor wedding, you’re going to love Rivervale Barn.

Say ‘I do’ outdoors at Rivervale Barn

For a magical outdoor wedding, we recommend hosting your ceremony in The Spinney. This enchanting and romantic outdoor space is fully licensed for weddings and it really is a wonderful location for your vows.

Set under the trees, The Spinney provides a beautiful backdrop for your ceremony. The arched Ceremony Barn, made from ethically-sourced wood, looks amazing and always provides the wow-factor to outdoor weddings here at Rivervale. Dressed with flowers or left unadorned, it’s simply wonderful. You’ll also love the long wide aisle, the intimate atmosphere and the raised wooden floor is a great, practical touch.

The Spinney is an idyllic location for your wedding and if you love nature or if you’re planning a woodland, rustic or fairytale wedding theme, it’s the perfect setting. You’ll have peace, privacy and seclusion and, as with all weddings at Rivervale Barn, you’re able to create the wedding that suits you best. Also The Spinney can seat 150 guests so all your nearest and dearest will be able to be part of your day and share your ceremony with you.

Given that so much love goes into everything at Rivervale Barn, you won’t be surprised to find out that The Spinney is also a very special place for John and Moyra, the owners of Rivervale Barn. You can read more about the story behind The Spinney here. Prepare for this to melt your heart!

Glorious gardens at Rivervale Barn

Rivervale Barn is also well known for the delightful gardens that surround the barn and these fabulous outdoor spaces are always well used. Wherever you hold your ceremony, the gardens are the perfect setting for your drinks reception. Guests can wander as they wish, sit and chat or just mingle and soak up the atmosphere of the day in beautiful surroundings.

The gardens are also incredibly popular for photos. The Japanese bridge has become a favourite spot for couples’ photos and as the gardens look fantastic all year around, there are a whole host of photographic backdrops available for portraits and group shots. Take a look at our gallery for all the inspiration you could need.

There’s even outdoor space for your evening reception too! The Courtyard is the place to be as the sun goes down as our expert on-site catering team serve mouth-watering evening food from various chef stations. We love seeing guests taking a little time out from dancing here or simply enjoying good company and good conversation with friends and family.

Of course, at Rivervale Barn, we always have a ‘Plan B’ to make sure that your day runs smoothly, even if the British weather doesn’t oblige. As you have exclusive use of the venue for the day, there’s plenty of indoor space that you can use should you need to. However, we love outdoor weddings too so if you’ve got your heart set on being outside, we’ll do everything we can to make that happen!

Now is the perfect time to start planning your outdoor wedding at Rivervale Barn. Contact us to book a visit so that you can see The Spinney and the wonderful outdoor spaces for yourself. We look forward to welcoming you soon!

Rivervale Barn’s 10th Anniversary (Opened 31st July 2009)

Here at Rivervale Barn, we’re celebrating. This year sees our 10th anniversary and what a fabulous decade it’s been. Beautiful weddings, happy couples, wonderful guests and more memorable occasions than we can count. We’ve loved every day of the past 10 years. However, today, we’re taking you back to the start of the Rivervale story. Here’s a little insight into the concept behind our fantastic wedding venue with the creators themselves, John and Moyra Illsley.

“When our son Paul had the most amazing wedding reception here at Mill Farm, as it was then, some 16 years ago, the seed was sown for what was to come. We used the gardens, the lake and the grounds to host what was a very special day.”

And it was a special day in more ways than one because, as John and Moyra have mentioned, it was at this family wedding that they took the first steps on their journey towards the creation of Rivervale Barn, a stunning purpose-built wedding venue that has hosted hundreds of wedding since its creation.

“Mill Farm had been run as a farm for approximately 150 years and had also operated as a water mill, producing flour, for a thousand years so there’s quite a history there. From the outset, our plan was to design a venue where the ceremony room was the focus, closely followed by the dining room, and we wanted both spaces to hold 150 seated guests.”

Rivervale Barn was designed for people and with a real understanding of what couples want on their wedding days. Plenty of space, light, gorgeous details and the ability to use all areas of the venue throughout the day were all things that were high on John and Moyra’s list of priorities.

“We wanted to make sure there was lots of room for guests. For example, the reception room and bar can hold 200 guests and we’re particularly proud of the fact that dining guests are able to stay and relax at their tables if they wish whilst enjoying the evening entertainment on the dancefloor and in the reception areas.”

From the first inklings of their idea, it took John and Moyra five years to realise their vision for Rivervale Barn. And, as you’ll agree, all the work was worth it.

“After much research and huge planning and construction decisions, we produced the most amazing 9000 square foot green oak barn that’s an absolute feast for the eyes. After 10 years, we can truly say that, with space for everyone, everything is in the right place and we can’t wait to welcome more couples to Rivervale Barn over the coming years.”

We would love to welcome you to Rivervale Barn in our anniversary year. Why not arrange a time to come and visit us so that you can see the barn, the gardens, the accommodation and The Spinney, our superb outdoor ceremony space, for yourself. In the meantime, download our brochure to find out more about weddings at Rivervale Barn.

7 Romantic Ways To Surprise Your Partner On Your Wedding Day

When you’ve worked so hard planning your wedding, you know every single detail of the day. That’s why it’s great to include a few surprises and what could be better than a romantic surprise for your partner? Lots of couples love to give gifts to each other on the day and we love these heartfelt presents. However, there are lots of wonderful ways that you can surprise your partner on the big day and here are some of our favourite ideas:

1. Add a surprise into the plans of the day. Speak to the Events Team in secret if this is something that you’re keen to do and see what you can work out together. It might be a champagne and chocolates in Cornstore Cottage at the end of the night or absolutely anything that you know your partner will love. The Events Team can help you arrange everything and, of course, they’ll keep it secret until the big day.

2. Go old school and write a love letter to your partner that they can open on the morning of the wedding. On this special day, ditch the DMs and switch off your WhatsApp and instead, put pen to paper and tell you partner how you feel. If you’re not comfortable with flowery prose, a list giving your partner all the reasons why you can’t wait to marry them will definitely hit the spot.

3. Send your partner a gift to be opened as they’re getting ready for the ceremony. You might like to send jewellery or luxe accessories that they can wear on the day or a more personal present that you know they’ll love. Whatever you choose to send, this will be a gift they’ll never forget.

4. Arrange for some time-out on the wedding day. Speak to the Events Team and arrange to slip away together for a few minutes after your wedding or before your evening reception. This is also a great moment to give your partner a wedding gift face to face in delicious privacy.

5. This is a great surprise to share during the speeches and it will definitely make sure that all your guests feel the love. Put together a slideshow of photos from your time together and play it during your speech or even during dinner. Ask your friends and family for any photos that they have of you both so that even the images themselves will be a surprise for your partner.

6. Prep a secret wedding morning playlist for your partner and fill it with songs that you both love or tunes that are special to you both. Then, send details to your partner on the day or message them with an instruction ask Alexa to play the wedding morning playlist!

7. Arrange for a special guest. It might be that there’s an old friend or distant relative that you know your partner would love to see so get in touch with them before you send your invitations and come up with a plan to surprise your partner. This really does take quite a lot of organisation, but you’re guaranteed emotional moments and huge amounts of love – what could be better?

Enlist some help if you’re not sure what surprise would work best. Speak to your partner’s friends and family to find out what they’d like the most and then get planning!

For more inspiration, why not take a look at these 15 chic bridesmaid proposals your girls will love or, arrange a time to come and see us so that you can speak to the Events Team about any surprises that you have in mind.

Summer wedding colours – 14 Gorgeous colour combos

We absolutely love summer weddings here at Rivervale Barn. The gardens are glorious, light fills the Ceremony Barn and the Dining Barn is ready to be dressed to perfection. To really bring your summer wedding to life, you need a gorgeous colour palette and we’ve rounded up 14 of our favourite wedding colour schemes for you right here. The hardest thing now is deciding which one you’re going to choose!

1. Mint Green

This is such a fresh colour for summer weddings and you can add in other colours for contrast too. Corals, pinks, greys and even hints of gold all work really well with mint green. For a super easy wedding DIY, just paint jars or tins in your chosen colour combo and fill with fresh flowers for cute summer decorations.

2. Blue & Peach

Perhaps an unexpected combination but blue is the perfect foil for pretty peach. Take you pick of blue tones from navy through to pale pastels and create a colour scheme that’s just so summery. Add romance to you day with a bouquet finished with trailing ribbons or keep it seasonal and include fresh peaches in your decorations!

3. Green & Blush

Now this is such an amazingly elegant and timeless colour scheme but it’s probably not one that you’d think of straight away. However, imagine combining lots of lovely foliage with hints of blush pink and you’ll understand why this colour combo is perfect for a summer wedding.

4. Lavender, Blush & Grey

If you’re looking for a vintage inspired colour scheme for your wedding, look no further. This combination works so well for summer and it has such an old-school charm about it. Vary the proportions of colour that you use throughout the day to create different looks that all work together.

5. Lilac & Mauve

Purples have long been incredibly popular for weddings and it’s easy to see why. A lilac and mauve scheme takes two of our favourite shades and brings them together to create something that’s beyond perfect for summer weddings at Rivervale Barn.

6. Corals

Carola has to be one of the best colours for a summer wedding. It’s a little bit stronger than blush and peach but not as bold as hot pink plus you can add in other colours and even metallics for contrast if you’d like. We love seeing bouquets full of coral flowers and cakes covered in more coral coloured blooms.

7. Summer Berries

Berry reds might be popular for autumn and even winter weddings but there’s no reason why you can’t feel fruity in the summer too. Pick the bright colours of strawberries and raspberries and you’ll be absolutely spot on. Don’t forget to include lots of yummy details that your guests will love!

8. Sunshine Yellow

What could be better for summer than a sunshine yellow colour scheme? Even if the weather is a little grey on your big day, this bright palette will soon lift the spirits. Mix whites and green with your yellow details for a look that’s absolutely as fresh as a daisy!

There’s so much more to plan for your summer wedding now you’ve chosen your colour scheme! Come and talk to our Events Team, the wedding experts at Rivervale Barn who love to help you create the wedding of your dreams. Why not book an appointment to come and visit us and you can see what makes Rivervale Barn such a special wedding venue, whatever the season!

Spectacular DIY Wedding Arches

If there’s one big day decoration that everyone’s talking about right now, it’s spectacular wedding arches. These amazing backdrops provide a real focal point in the Ceremony Barn or outside in the gardens for fabulous photos. We’ve rounded up the best wedding ideas for you here so you can create a real statement for your celebrations. And, if you’re a keen crafter, we’ve also got plenty of DIY wedding ideas for you too. Let’s fall in love with arches…

Wedding ceremony arches

For a really modern, minimalist look, you can’t beat copper piping dressed with foliage and flowers. Wedding arches can be created in a really organic way too, using natural pieces to create structure and this boho arch is high on our list of alternative wedding arches right now.

Embrace the trend for suspended decorations and let your arch hang from the ceiling! This creates a really clean look and, if you finish your arch with a few stylish rugs, you’ll create a truly lovely space for your ceremony. The arch over your heads can be created by any shape you like. We’re seeing so many wedding wreaths being used as decorations right now so why not go large? A huge wreath makes a spectacular arch, especially when it’s dressed with candles and other details.

Wedding arches for the gardens

So many couples who choose Rivervale Barn are drawn to our gardens and who can blame them? Perfect for group photos and romantic couple shots, there’s a lot to love outside. If you want to really enhance the outside space, an arch is the perfect decoration as these gorgeous installations prove:

As you can imagine, rustic themes work so well with a barn backdrop and rustic arches are some of our favourite wedding ideas. Rough wood dressed with flowers, some foliage and fabric mixes rustic with romance to create a perfect outdoor arch. Make your arch become part of the gardens by using trees to create the basis of your decorations. Hang fabric swags and lanterns from the trees for a really stunning arch and this is perfect for autumn and winter weddings so that you can get those outdoor photos even when the sun sets earlier in the afternoon.

A simple wooden arch with flowers can really bring the gardens to life. We love seeing couples use flowers that are also in our gardens and you can bring your own colour scheme into this decoration with the fabric that you choose too. If you want to make sure that your arch creates a real statement, surround it with extra decorations. Wooden crates filled with plants and flowers look amazing and bring a really rustic look to your wedding arch.

DIY wedding ideas

Wedding arches can be big structures but there are plenty of brilliant options and wedding ideas for you if you’d like to create your own arch. These DIY wedding ideas would all work really well at Rivervale Barn:

You can create your own metal wedding arch without having to solder anything yourself! Just visit your local garden centre and pick up a pre-made garden arch. From there, you can decorate your arch in anyway that suits you (and you’ll have something for your own garden post-wedding too!) This is a brilliant autumnal idea that’s a relatively simple wedding DIY. Fallen branches, seed heads, grasses and other seasonal additions can be used to create a simple yet effective arch. Practice putting this together at home before bringing it to us for your big day.

If you want to craft your own arch, it can be overwhelming to think about flowers on your big day. However, if you opt for something simple, such as stringing carnation heads on invisible twine, you can bring flowers to your arch without a huge amount of work. Wooden arches make a solid wedding arch and, if you look online, you’ll find plenty of instructions on how to make them. If you want to decorate your arch without the help of a florist, macramé is perfect for a boho wedding and you can add foliage across the top if you’d like too or just snip ivy trails from your garden!

To start planning your own wedding, why not make an appointment to visit Rivervale Barn and see just what makes us so special? We’d love to welcome you and show you around so get in touch to book your visit.