Barn renovation is a real family affair
Most brides find the endless list of organisational tasks in the lead up to their big day stressful enough, but for Becky Cunningham and husband John, getting ready involved six months of property renovation alongside sorting out the likes of caterers, invites and cake design.
The couple had their hearts set on holding their celebration at Barff House, the East Yorkshire Georgian farmhouse owned by John’s parents, but key to it all was the complete renovation of an original barn at the property which was destined to host their evening reception.
And little did they know at the time that their wedding plans would spawn an entire new business venture
A labour of love
Becky and John spent almost every weekend grafting at the site, right up until a week before the wedding. I know it probably sounds like a lot of hard work, said Becky, a self-employed performing arts teacher. But it was really lovely the way our preparations brought the whole family together, because we were living and working together on such a big project.
Becky’s dad Peter and brother Thomas, both photographers, now live in New Zealand and came over to help out the week before the wedding. Her mum, who lives in Derbyshire, was involved, too.
As a result, there was no awkwardness at all by the time the wedding came around, because everyone had got to know each other so well beforehand, added Becky.
Barff House can be found in the rural village of Brandesburton. The site makes for an idyllic countryside wedding the farmhouse’s Georgian frontage is framed with wisteria and roses, the large grass lawn is surrounded by flower beds and woodland, creating an enchanting backdrop of foliage that also houses dens for children to play among as well as a firepit for guests to gather around.
The couple were married at a nearby register office a few days before their celebration at Barff House. A beautifully dressed marquee courtesy of Village Farm Marquees accommodated their sit-down wedding breakfast meal and they rounded things off with a knees-up in the barn.
A team effort
The barn was a bit of a tip, said Becky. It was dirty and full of old machinery. Working with John’s parents, we got rid of it all, knocked down a partition wall and painted the interior.
Many other aspects of the wedding preparations were a real family affair too, with talented relatives covering off photography, cake creation, and craftsy decor and dressings.
Becky said: They were all amazing. They made a beautiful aisle for us to walk down from the house to the marquee, adorned with a flower arch.
The lovely August Saturday began with all the guests’ chairs out on the gravel in front of the house and marquee. John’s aunt conducted a civil ceremony to kick things off, followed by two readings by John’s mum and Becky’s best friend. They marked their union by ‘hand fasting’ with ribbons, as they had already exchanged rings at the register office, and read out their own vows to one another. John’s sister, a trainee teacher, serenaded them with a specially written song accompanied by her ukulele.
They then had their photographs taken in the garden, which features a gorgeous old wooden swing festooned with flowers and fairy lights, followed by their wedding breakfast and speeches in the marquee. They chose barbecue sharing platters and the overall feel was one of boho country chic. Becky wore her hair down and curly, topped off with a flower coronet, and her two little bridesmaids also wore flower coronets.
They managed to keep to a fairly tight budget, buying their own wine and prosecco in bulk then hiring experienced bar staff to serve it. Louisianna’s Mobile Bar company provided a wider range of drinks, including exotic cocktails.
John, a film-maker, proposed to Becky during a four-month round-the-world trip, and so they projected poignant photographs from their travels onto the barn wall. Their music was provided by Manchester’s ‘Twisted Tubes’ New Orleans-style brass band, again inspired by their travel experiences, and the dancing continued long into the night.
There wasn’t any part of the wedding that someone in our family hadn’t contributed, said Becky. And that made it really, really special.
The couple, who live near Oldham, honeymooned in the Lake District.
Spreading the joy
But the story doesn’t end there.
Inspired by Becky and John’s unforgettable day, John’s parents have now decided to offer other couples and families the chance to make unforgettable memories at their picturesque property, and Barff House is now available to hire as a marquee-and-barn-based wedding venue complete with overnight on-site accommodation.
Managed via Louisianna’s Weddings, enquiries can be made via the company’s Facebook page.
Photos: Beyond the Frame; plus Becky’s dad and brother Peter and Thomas.
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