If you keep an eye on our movements here at CW, you’re probably aware that we recently moved from “The Big Smoke” to “The Sticks”. (They’re not actual places, but you get the picture). As the UK’s leading modern luxury wedding planner, we are always on the lookout for new venues that get us excited.
Without being dismissive of our new neck of the woods (Hertfordshire if you’re interested) we weren’t overly confident that we would find a super stylish wedding venue that really matched our ethos and vision.
Step up to the plate The Barns at Redcoats as number two in our series of Hidden Gems.
The venue is already known as a top level restaurant, but just across the courtyard are the 18th Century barns that have recently been fully restored to their former glory.
Ah. A barn. We know what you’re thinking – not really the “go to” venue for a modern luxury wedding – but bear with us on this one. From the minute you walk through the door it is clear that this place has really given the styling some thought. Eclectic yet modern, classy yet welcoming, there are so many features that CW loved from the second we saw them.
Let’s talk about the bar area first. You are greeted by two unforgettably fun portraits looking down on a chesterfield that just needs to be lounged on. The area is light and welcoming, whilst still retaining the character of the barn. There’s a great selection of spirits and beers at the gorgeous bar, perfectly positioned to grab a swift one before heading into the barn.
Able to hold 120 guests, the space has been converted so sympathetically with all the original timbers still exposed, and the ceiling height creating a really spacious feel. But….the 21st century has been well and truly merged with the 18th with a state of the art sound system, top quality soundproofing, a bespoke lighting set up and underfloor heating all meaning there is no lack of luxury for you and your guests.
The spaces are completely flexible – you can have your ceremony in the barn, or come outside and take advantage of the secluded garden area. The barn can be turned from ceremony to reception in a flash (well, quickly), while your guests move to the bar area or the garden for your drinks reception/cocktail bar/whisky lounge (get creative!).
Being so close to a highly respected restaurant, the food options for your big day are unsurprisingly epic. At The Farmhouse the freshest local produce either from their own kitchen garden or sourced from nearby friendly farmers, fishermen and local traders is at the forefront of what they provide. Go for bowl food, sharing platters, a three course sit down or whatever takes your fancy. The modern luxury ethos of CW is that quality can take many forms, and The Barns at Redcoats share this approach.
The Barns themselves offer 15 newly developed bedrooms to complement the existing 12 bedrooms in The Farmhouse. The new rooms are all high spec, and display the same clean, modern style as the rest of the venue. The rooms in the farmhouse are more traditional, but still full of character and luxuriously comfortable.
So, CW loves this venue. As a modern luxury wedding planner it’s all about the style for us, as long as it is matched by the substance, and this is precisely what we have here. We are so pleased to find a barn venue that isn’t afraid to do things a bit differently – we see here that the juxtaposition of old and new can work perfectly when approached with care. Our couples are all about quality, but they also want a venue that is unique, and designed for the 21st century.
It’s a hidden gem, but be warned, it won’t stay that way for long! A stylish, modern, luxury wedding venue in a gorgeous location is always going to be in demand. We can’t wait to work with this fab venue – just contact us for more information.