Autumn Cotswolds wedding at Stone Barn

Mel and Ged met at work. Mel interviewed Ged for a job and after 3 years of working side by side and discovering that they were both Midsomer Murders fans – They entered the wedding breakfast to the Midsomer Murders theme – they finally got together in 2006. I asked them why they had chosen to have their wedding at Stone Barn. They told me they just loved the Cotswolds and wanted their wedding photos to reflect the area and time of year; Roaring fires, stone cottages and beautiful countryside. Stone Barn is an amazing place for us Cotswolds wedding photographers. I’ll let Ged tell you about the wedding…

Stone Barn Wedding Photographer

“Mel and I love the Cotswolds and it seemed like the perfect excuse to have the ultimate weekend there with our family and friends. Stone Barn was our 3rd venue viewing and we fell in love with it so much I cancelled the other 5 viewings we had that afternoon.”

“The catering was on site provided by Cripps, cooked on the biggest indoor BBQ in the UK. Part of the reason we went for Stone Barn was the food option, we went for the Sirloin Brick, which gives you the option to nominate a carver at each table. We kitted them out with an apron and hat and they all loved their role. It was great fun, and was a great ice breaker for people that didn’t know each other. Our cake was a show stopper, a Krispy Kreme tower…218 doughnuts in total. People were pushing me out of the way to get a picture with it.”

The Details

“My theme was like my dress, crisp and elegant, you could say I used The White Company as my inspiration. I tried on 55 dresses over 5 shops, and after starting to despair that I’d never find the right dress, I tried on my beautiful Jenny Packham “Fern” gown in The Wedding Shop, Colchester. It was the perfect size and the striking, elegant style I’d been after all along. My shoes were Jimmy Choo and my earrings were borrowed from a work colleague who had worn them on her wedding day a year prior. They were the perfect compliment to my dress.

The suits were from Jack Bunney’s in Barking, Essex. Mel’s check waistcoast and tie were custom made. We gave the ushers and Dad’s pocket watches as gifts so they could wear them on the day. They really topped off their look. The Bridesmaids were in multi way dresses from Victoria Lou. I went for Dove Grey Tulle to match the chaps ties and pocket squares. The girls could wrap them how they wanted them and if they wanted a different look later in the day, then they could. The grey also complimented the detail on my dress. I think its important that the bridesmaid dress colour suits the bride too.

Not many people knew, but in my boquet was a little Westie dog; a gesture to my family’s pet that is sadly no longer with us. I kept it a secret until the day and showed my parents and sister on the wedding morning, it was funny and a little emotional.

Music is very important to Mel, the one thing he wanted was a live band for the evening entertainment. We chose Electric Soul Club. They did a great rendition of Zoom by Fat Larry’s band for our first dance. Mel loved it; he felt like it was just us in the room. ”

Advice for other couples plannng their wedding

“Always remember that its your day. It can easily be forgotten in the planning and preparation. Photography is more important that you think. Do your research, don’t go for the first option. The photographs are the only things that last from the day.”

“We are so happy with our photos, they capture so much emotion and are like a story book of the events on the day. I loved the fact Kevin and Carol were a partnership, it opens up the opportunity of much more photos and the engagement shoot was incredibly helpful to feel more comfortable on the day. I researched our photographer more than I did anything else and I am so pleased I made the choice I did. Thank you so much.”  – Geraldine & Melvin

We love Stone Barn and are happy to be preferred suppliers for Stone Barn wedding photography

Wedding Dress by Jenny Packham from The Wedding Shop, Colchester
Shoes by Jimmy Choo
Earrings from Carat
Bride’s hairdresser was Chris Fordham
Make up by Harriet Cook
Photographers – Kevin and Carol Belson
Band Electric Soul Club
Flowers by Beth Cox
Cake by Krispy Kreme
Favours – Cancer Research pins
Bridesmaid Dresses by Victoria Lou
Suits by Jack Bunneys, Essex
Catering by Cripps Stone Barn
Coach for the guests- Denwell Coaches
Table plan and table names by Project Pretty
Bridal party stayed at The New Inn, Coln St Aldwyns

See more winter weddings