Finding the right venue for your wedding day can be tricky, however it took couple, Hannah and Amy, just one visit to South Farm before deciding our Cambridgeshire wedding venue was right for them! We still remember their special day like it was yesterday, so we caught up with the Mrs & Mrs, to find out what it was that made South Farm their choice of venue and how they enjoyed celebrating their love for one another.
Date of wedding: 5th July 2017 Time of ceremony: 2pm
How and when did you meet?
We met on the off chance in a pub one day, my football match had been cancelled and one of my friends wanted to meet up with a friend who was down from Manchester. This friend was Amy’s sister. We went to the pub for a drink and instantly got on well. After a Facebook request, a few nights out and months of friendship we became a couple and never looked back.
Which areas of South Farm did you use for your special day?
We got married outside in the beautiful summer house. We used The Tudor Barn for the wedding breakfast and party in evening, including the Horse Barn as a snug/chill out area to escape the live band if it became too loud for any of our guests. We also used The Old dairy for tea and coffee and made use of the Barnyard, Courtyard and Gardens throughout the sunny day. Our guests enjoyed the lovely accommodation offered by South Farm, including the gypsy caravans and camping facilities. We also used the bed and breakfast that they own down the road.
Were there any colours or themes to your day?
Our theme was rustic-country and we designed and made all our decorations to suit. Our wedding colours included dusty pink, chalk and grey and all of these colours featured in our bunting. Our bridesmaids wore lavender grey dresses and we incorporated lavender into the decorations too. The groomsmen wore grey with tweed waistcoats and lavender buttonholes.
We liked the idea of a barn and an exclusive venue which we would have to ourselves. We love animals and are passionate about food, so with South Farm’s very high standards, it was the perfect choice! South Farm was the only wedding venue we viewed and instantly fell in love with it and booked it! Accommodation was also important for us – having a large family to put up.
How did you feel on the day?
It was the best day of our lives! We were so happy and loved every single moment, that we wouldn’t have changed a thing. Our family and guests also genuinely enjoyed the day.
Tell us about your special day
I stayed overnight with my bridesmaids at South Farm the night before and Amy stayed with her family down the road, at the bed and breakfast. I got ready in the Bridal Suite on the morning of the wedding with my family and bridesmaids. I organised a vintage car as a surprise to collect Amy and her bridesmaids that morning.We walked with our fathers across the gardens to Ed Sheeran’s ‘Tenerife sea’ to meet at the Summerhouse. We then had a beautiful ceremony in front of all our guests who needed umbrellas for protection from the glorious sunshine.
We exited the Summerhouse to ‘What you don’t do’ by Lianne La Havas. We were applauded and covered in confetti made from dried flowers. We then went straight to the vintage car to go for a short drive together to soak it all in.
On return, we met all our guests for drinks in the garden and then went through to the Tudor Barn for our wedding breakfast – where we had some funny and emotional speeches. Afterwards we were met by our evening guests for tea and coffee in the Old Dairy. The band, ‘Hipster’, arrived to set up, before we cut the cake. We then took to the dance floor for our first dance, with Ray LaMontagne’s, ‘Trouble’ and then partied the night away.
Was there one particular moment that stood out for you?
Seeing Amy for the first time and saying our wedding vows to each other.
Who did you have in your wedding party?
Close friends and family. We only had people close to us in our lives who we believe will always be a part of our life.
What did you wear?
We both wore wedding dresses. We didn’t know what each other were planning to wear but they both had a vintage feel.
How did you decide who would walk down the aisle?
We both walked down the aisle together with our Dads and the South Farm team helped us with our options.
Were there any traditions that you chose to adhere to?
Not seeing each other the night before our wedding and we followed a typical structure to a wedding day. We cut the cake and had a first dance.
Do you have any top tips for other same-sex couples?
Your wedding day can be whatever you would like it to be. You can have all the traditions you wish; it can be the same as a ‘normal’ wedding day, or it can be totally different. Surround yourself with people who love you and you are comfortable around. Let yourself go, be open about your love for each other and show it. It’s your day to celebrate.
Where did you go/where do you plan to go on honeymoon?
We have not been yet – we did a little mini moon to Norfolk in a safari tent. We plan to go to South Africa for a Safari when we can.
Suppliers – who did you use?
Venue and catering: South Farm, Shingay-cum-Wendy, Royston, Cambridgeshire, SG8 0HR
- Photographer: Alexandra Wallace Weddings
- Your Dresses: The Wedding Room, Peterborough
- Attendants’ outfits: Summer dresses and suits
- Cake: The Little Cake Kitchen
- Hair: Kersty Chantelle Holt
- Makeup: Natalie Dams Beauty
- Flowers: The Daisy Chain Florist
- Transport: Drives of Yesteryear
- Entertainment: Hipster
A big thank you to Hannah and Amy Flatters for sharing their beautiful wedding with us.
One of the best things about a same-sex wedding is that you can get really creative and make the day truly your own. This is what we are passionate about here at South Farm – we want to ensure that every wedding is unique.
You will be spoilt for choice at our exclusive family-run wedding venue, which includes a spectacular Tudor Barn, beautiful Farmhouse, Summerhouse with idyllic gardens and charming Old Dairy. When coupled with additional lovely features, such as our barnyard of rare-breed animals, romantic Romany Caravans and authentic Thai Tuk-Tuk, these really do make our venue like no other.
Our friendly and dedicated team work tirelessly to ensure that your Big Day is perfectly tailored to you and your requirements.
And then there’s the all-important food! You’ll think you’ve hit the jackpot when you discover that South Farm provide outstanding food, that is widely-acclaimed, largely organic and home grown, offering extensive menu choices and flexibility…perfect!
We’re also proud to mention that we’re a green-wedding venue too!
For the perfect LGBT wedding, come and see the South Farm Difference for yourself by arranging a visit with our team on 01223 207581.
Civil ceremonies can be held in the Garden Summerhouse at South Farm between 1st March and 31st October at the discretion of the Registrars and are always dependent on the great British weather on any given day. At South Farm, we also have a choice of indoor ceremony spaces should there be a need to go inside due to the weather on the day.
