4 Incredible Barn Wedding Venues
Your wedding day is likely to be one of the biggest and most important days of your life, so one of the most crucial things to get right is the venue! After working in the wedding industry for a number of years, I’ve had the pleasure of visiting and working at some of the best barn wedding venues around the UK.
Wedding venues can get booked years in advance (especially barn wedding venues), so it’s really important to choose your dream location as early as you can.
My perfect wedding venue checklist:
Looks great in pictures and videos!
Can accommodate the number of guests you want (especially taking into consideration recent Covid19 restrictions)
Captures your personalities
Stunning yet practical location
The ideal wedding venue will add character and style, providing the perfect setting for your day, and will help create amazing wedding videography and pictures too - something I know all too well! My aim is to tell a timeless story, and a venue with character and elegance always helps to set the scene.
I have had the pleasure of working in some stunning barn wedding venues across the country, including several Cripps & Co. sites.
Cripps & Co. currently have eight venues in England, and when I get a Cripps wedding enquiry through, I’m always looking forward to it. I’ve shot at four of these so far, maybe one day I’ll have the full house!
Why I would recommend Cripps and Co. barns for your wedding:
Rustic Charm
Each venue is a restored farm barn, and their rustic charm is just stunning, guaranteeing great backgrounds to my wedding videos. Plus, rustic barn weddings are very on trend so you’re guaranteed to get compliments!
Exclusivity
All of the sites are exclusive-use, giving the couples an intimate day with their friends and families only.
Unique Architecture and Details
Each wedding I’ve filmed at a Cripps & Co. barn has been visually unique, with personal touches and decorations easily added into their spaces for couples to make it their own. The architecture of the barns is beautiful, from intricate details in the brickwork, to grand windows and candelabras.
Outdoor Space
Each wedding venue has a great mixture of indoor and outdoor space. The venues I’ve worked in have fields, driveways, and gardens, which are all great for couple shoots - and if we’re lucky, we might get some beautiful sunsets! The outdoor spaces are adjacent to the venues so the couples don't have to abandon their guests for too long while myself and the photographer work our magic.
Fantastic Staff
The staff Cripps & Co wedding barns know what they are doing and are really helpful on the day. Weddings are what they do best, and they take real pride in their work. It’s always a relief to get a booking at one of their venues - the day always runs smoothly when I get a Cripps barn wedding!
Amazing Food
There is a big focus on food at these barns, infact, the food is some of the best of any of the wedding venues I've been to (and that’s saying something)! From open grills to pizza ovens and barbecues, it’s all high quality. During Covid-19 they've even made some pop-up restaurants on site to allow for social distancing!
Regardless of which Cripps & co barn wedding venue you choose, it will be spectacular, though each venue has its own unique feel and style.
Based on my first hand experience as a Wedding Videographer, here are some of my top picks for the best barn wedding venues in and around the East Midlands.
Cripps Barn - Amy & Will
Located in Gloucestershire
Where is Cripps Barn?
Cripps Barn is a secluded 18th Century Cotswold stone barn located in the rolling hills of Gloucestershire near Bibury in the incredible Coln Valley. I love the gorgeous flagstone floors, idyllic open fireplace and beautiful rustic beams!
Address: Cripps Barn, Fosscross Lane, Bibury, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 5BA
What to Expect from Cripps Barn?
Due to its scenic countryside location, Cripps Barn provides a beautiful backdrop for wedding photography and videography. I’ve been able to get some great drone shots! There’s a lot of variety for couples shots with gardens, fields, and farmland with long grass and wildflowers. This vast amount of space also provides a wide variety of indoor and outdoor areas for your guests to chill out. Another thing I love about this venue is the rustic textures of the gates and stone walls too - there’s a great mix of old and new at Cripps Barn. These rustic features are complemented by the gorgeous glass front of the property.
One other beautiful feature making Cripps Barn perfect for ceremonies, is that there is a window in the ceremony room that guides a shaft of light to illuminate the couple, bringing all of the focus onto them. A spectacular touch to your wedding videos and photos!
Ceremonies At Cripps Barn
Civil Ceremonies
Cripps Barn is a beautiful location available for civil ceremonies with licensing for 120 guests (Covid permitting) in the main stone barn and an additional 30 guests who can be seated in the adjoining Oak Room with a view through to the ceremony.
Cripps barn also offers a gorgeous oak ceremony canopy in the glade next to Cripps for those looking for an outdoor ceremony on a warm, dry day.
Church Ceremonies
I am happy to capture any type of wedding at any venue! If you prefer a more traditional church wedding, you can still book Cripps Barn for your reception afterwards no problem.
Food & Drink
Another amazing thing about Cripps Barn is that they can offer wedding feasts for your guests. These mouthwatering banquets are all created by their own chefs who flame-cook food over the open flames of their barbecues and rotisseries using the finest ingredients. Trust me - they’re delicious!
View Menus: https://crippsandco.com/cripps-barn/food-drink
Local Accommodation
If you and your guests need local accommodation for the big day, there are a range of pubs with rooms available in the area including The New Inn & The Stump, both of which are located close to Cripps Barn. There is also a range of private guest houses available in the area.
View Cripps Barn trusted Local Accommodation: https://crippsandco.squarespace.com/cripps-barn/accommodation
Check out this video from Amy and Will's amazing wedding at the original Cripps Barn in Gloucestershire. Rain, sun, tears, laughter, this one had it all!
Filmed and edited by Taylor Made Videography.
Stone Barn - Claire & James
Located in Gloucester
Where is the Stone Barn?
Stone Barn is located in the gorgeous Cotswold countryside between Burford and Northleach. What I love about this wedding venue is the incredible country backdrop that it provides for couple shots and more.
Address: Stone Barn, Near Upper Windrush, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL54 3RF
What to Expect from Stone Barn?
Stone Barn is set in the countryside and has plenty of space for guests both indoors and outdoors.
A feature that I find really cool about this venue is the open plan kitchen which sits next to a modern and classy dining area. There is so much natural light in this part of the building too - it’s great!
One of my favourite things about this venue is the distinctive corrugated iron fronting which I think adds another interesting texture and background among the bricks, wood, glass, and grass. There is also a cosy and inviting open fireplace, which is ideal for Autumn/Winter weddings.
I would say that the Stone Barn is one of the greener Cripps venues, with perfectly manicured gardens and lawns out the back for your guests to enjoy. There’s a lot of outdoor space to explore for couple shots, and the courtyard and garden areas are lovely too.
If you’re looking for a barn wedding in the Cotswolds, this is without a doubt the option for you!
Ceremonies At Stone Barn
Civil Ceremonies
The ceremonies are held in the main barn which has two large windows that allow plenty of light into the room for the ceremony and speeches, perfect for wedding photography throughout the day.
The main barn here has been transformed with exposed oak beams, eye-catching glass detail and gorgeous candlelit ceremonies
Stone Barn is a wonderful location available for civil ceremonies with a civil wedding license for up to 200 guests with space for a total of 250 guests for dancing.
Church Ceremonies
Stone Barn is also available for wedding receptions, if you choose a more traditional church wedding ceremony. Something I love about this as a wedding reception venue, is that there are so many local churches available within the surrounding area of Stone Barn. You can easily head back and enjoy your night, with good food and dancing with those you love!
Food & Drink
Stone Barn is able to accommodate 200 people for dining (make sure you check if there’s Covid19 restrictions of course), with their in-house cooks using the open flames of our barbecues and rotisseries to prepare amazing meals using the freshest ingredients.
View Menus: https://crippsandco.com/stone-barn/food-drink
Local Accommodation
Stone Barn is a gorgeous location that benefits from many of the local accommodation options within the area.
View Stone Barn trusted Local Accommodation: https://crippsandco.com/stone-barn/accommodation
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Hazel Gap - Emma & Andy
Located in Nottinghamshire
Where is Hazel Gap?
Hazel Gap is a dramatic red-brick barn located on the Welbeck Estate in Nottinghamshire. For me, I love the fact that the Hazel Gap is secluded and sheltered, and surrounded by trees! There is a decent amount of seating for guests, dramatic fire pits and a picturesque fountain for gorgeous photography and videography shots - perfect.
Address: Hazel Gap, Budby Road, Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire, NG22 9EY
What to Expect from Hazel Gap?
Hazel Gap is my local Cripps Barn, just north of Nottingham. It’s perfect for an “unplugged” wedding as it’s secluded meaning it’s not got the best phone signal. This to me, is a bonus. There’s nothing worse than trying to shoot when everyone is just on their phones!
It has a really lovely, peaceful courtyard, with plenty of room for confetti, or sparklers. The outdoor space has some great fields for sunsets shown to me by Pear & Bear Photography, just a two minute walk away. There’s access to some woodland too, giving us lots of variety for locations.
There are separate rooms for the ceremony and wedding breakfast, making for a smooth transition through the day. There’s lots of space for guests to mingle and relax, or get the party started. They have a huge barbecue outside and you can see your wedding breakfast being cooked. The mixed grill there is really amazing. Incredible gravy too!
I can’t big up Hazel Gap without mentioning that driveway - it looks just as spectacular from the air for drone shots as it does on the ground!
Hazel Gap Ceremonies
Civil Ceremonies
Hazel Gap is registered and licensed for civil marriage ceremonies for up to 150 seated guests (plus 100 additional evening guests). Covid19 restrictions may apply.
Church Ceremonies
It is possible to book Hazel Gap as a reception only venue if needed, and it is close to local Churches. I am happy to move from your Church ceremony to Hazel Gap for your reception!
Food & Drink
The food at Hazel Gap is frankly phenomenal. Hazel Gap can provide a wedding feast for 150 seated guests cooked over open flames on their hand-made french rotisserie, and huge outdoor barbecues using freshly prepared ingredients.
View Menus: https://crippsandco.squarespace.com/hazel-gap/food-drink
Local Accommodation
Hazel Gap is perfect if guests require local accommodation with many local pubs, houses and cottages available within the local area.
View Hazel Gap trusted Local Accommodation: https://crippsandco.squarespace.com/hazel-gap/accommodation
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Shustoke Barn - Hannah & Sam
Located in Warwickshire
Where is Shustoke Barn?
Shustoke Barn is an 18th-century red-brick barn set around a private courtyard east of Coleshill and around 20 minutes from the centre of Birmingham and Coventry.
Couples love the main barn (and so do I), as it has beautiful exposed oak beams and breathtaking candlelit ceremonies. Shustoke Barn really is the perfect barn wedding venue in Warwickshire!
Address: Shustoke Barn, Coleshill Road, Shustoke, Coleshill, Warwickshire, B46 2BL
What to Expect from Shustoke Barn?
This was the first Cripps & Co. barn I shot at, so I’ll always have a bit of a soft spot for it. One of my favourite things about Shustoke Barn is that it has a lovely courtyard around the back of the venue, giving lots of space for guests to mingle.They have fire pits in the evening for toasting marshmallows too!
The main function room has large windows that let in loads of daylight for the ceremony and speeches which is fantastic for capturing great videos! It has a really pretty driveway, and there’s access to a field for couples shots too. Again, the brickwork and old walls add a really nice texture and backdrop.
Weddings here always look really spectacular. The venue is out the way allowing for privacy and peacefulness, but not too big that you get lost in it!
A couple that got married at Shustoke Barn recently said that they liked how guests couldn't really run off anywhere and could be kept involved in the day. Perfect!
Shustoke Barn Ceremonies
Civil Ceremonies
Shustoke Barn is a great choice for weddings as it is available for civil ceremonies with a civil wedding license for up to 140 guests with space for a total of 200 guests for dancing (Covid-19 dependant of course!).
Church Ceremonies
Some people choose to opt for a more traditional church wedding and that’s fine! Shustoke Barn can also be booked for wedding receptions - and so can I! With so many local churches available within the surrounding area of Shustoke Barn, you’re able to head back and enjoy your night, good food and dancing with those you love.
Food & Drink
Trust me, the food and drink options at Shustoke Barn are second to none. The barn wedding venue in Warwickshire is able to accommodate 140 people for dining (in ‘normal’ circumstances). The talented in-house cooks use the open flames of the barbecues and rotisseries to prepare the finest meals using the freshest ingredients. Your guests will not be disappointed by the food that's for sure!
View Menus: https://crippsandco.com/shustoke-barn/food-drink
Local Accommodation
There are a wide range of accommodation options available in the area, including private guest houses, B&B’s and local hotels located close to Shustoke Barn.
View Shustoke Barn trusted Local Accommodation: https://crippsandco.com/shustoke-barn/accommodation
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Now that I’ve ticked off these 4 incredible barn wedding venues in the UK, I’m looking to discover more! My wedding videography bucket list is to shoot at every Cripps venue, hopefully I’ll get there, four down, four to go!
If you are considering booking your barn wedding day at a Cripps & Co. venue (or anywhere else for that matter), feel free to get in touch to enquire about my wedding videography services to capture your day.
You won’t be disappointed!