Describe the best wedding that happened at Bennetts Willow Barn?
The best wedding that we have ever had at our venue has to be my own! We built our yurt marquee for our own wedding back in 2016. We wanted to celebrate our wedding on our farm, and instead of hiring in a marquee, my husband built us a giant yurt to celebrate in. The day was absolutely fantastic and it worked so well as a venue that we decided to start a wedding business alongside our 5 glamping yurts on the farm. And we haven't looked back!
What is your No. 1 wedding planning tip for couples?
My number one wedding planning tip for couples is to be true to yourselves and focus on what you both want as a couple. You do not need to get caught up in traditions that don't especially matter to you, or try and please every guest who may be coming. This is YOUR day. So make it Your Best Day Ever in a way that reflects your personalities.
What’s your favourite personal touch you’ve seen at a wedding?
I love it when our couples decorate the yurt themselves, bringing in elements from their home and families to their day - perhaps flowers from a Grandmother's garden, place names they have made themselves and table names that reflect somethign fun about their lifetogether. Because of the bunting and fairy lights in our quirky wooden framed yurt, you can keep your styling fairly simple, and it will look amazing! And because our venue hire includes set up time the day before your wedding, you can enjoy this element of the wedding preparation together without time pressures.
Describe Bennetts Willow Barn in 5 adjectives
Fun, relaxed, rustic, quirky and beautiful.
Where’s the best photo spot at Bennetts Willow Barn?
Our living pergola in our garden, with all of its festoon lights glowing around it is probably the most popular spot for photographs, but I adore the golden hour light we get from across the fields out towards the Malvern Hills. You just cannot beat it!
Have you had any celebrity guest or wedding at Bennetts Willow Barn?
I don't think so. But I am not the best at recognising celebrities, so who knows!
What’s your favourite canapé?
I love our grazing pots. I think they are a fantastic way to give your guests a little bit of food after the ceremony.
What’s your favourite midnight treat?
Cold pizza leftover at the side of the dancefloor. Even cold, our stinebaked pizzas are absolutely delicious and a real crowd pleaser!
What is Bennetts Willow Barn most unique feature?
I can't pick just one feature - so much of our venue is genuinely unique. Our yurt was handbuilt by my husband, and so many of our team have been involved in upgrading the yurt canvas and elements in the garden over the years - so muhc of what we do is a real team effort. Our living pergola in the garden is not something I have seen anywhere else, and that is pretty special. But our barn's vintage wagon wheel chandeliers, designed by my husband, painted by me and lit up by our electrician are one of my favourite features in our barn - they really give a wow factor, especially in the evening alongside the lights from our couples' DJs and bands.
What part of your business are you most proud of?
All of it. My venue has been lovingly built and improved over the years by my husband and I, but my absolutely wonderful team bring it to life every weekend with our fabulous couples celebrating their love and starting the rest of the lives together. I love it!