The Great Tythe Barn in Gloucestershire is a top choice
It seems that having your wedding in a renovated barn is a trend that is not going anywhere anytime soon. Why would it? I mean it’s pretty cool right? I think it’s also the type of venue that continues to evolve. I’ve seen some really rustic weddings inside barns (think hessian, chalkboards, flowers in tins etc) and I’ve also seen some all-out bling. So, really there’s no limitations to how you envisage your wedding to look, it’s all possible in a barn! Well, nearly anyway. A barn venue is never going to be a grand banqueting hall let’s face it. There are always some points to consider when looking at saying yes to a barn as your wedding venue. I popped along to one of my favourite venues, The Great Tythe Barn in Tetbury, to meet Wedding Co-ordinators Rebecca and Lauren and asked them some all important questions.. just for you! In this series of wedding venue blog posts I aim to help readers make informed choices on all things wedding related. I’ll be writing specifically about some of the outstanding wedding venues I believe you should consider. Hopefully, by offering some inside information, this will help you make an informed choice on where to spend that most important day of your life.
How did you first get involved with weddings?
Lauren – I was introduced to weddings and events through a family friend 9 years ago when I was living in Devon. Initially I helped out at wedding fayres and the odd wedding. I enjoyed it so much I started coordinating and planning weddings more frequently on the side of my main job as Events and Marketing Coordinator for Thomson Reuters. I then moved to the Cotswolds and decided weddings was my forte hence ending up at this stunning barn.
Rebecca – I actually fell into this role totally by accident, I was working as a pharmacy manager in Boots and got fed up with everyone I saw on a day to day basis being ill and miserable. I felt that I needed to be in a role where it was much more positive role where it was acceptable for me to be permanently excited and full of energy. I got sent to the Barn by and agency and Julian (the owner here) took a chance on my personality as I had no experience in Events. Luckily it paid off and I have been here 5 years now.
Tell me about one of the most memorable weddings at The Great Tythe Barn.
Lauren – well I’m going to have to say MINE! I got married here May 2015. I can honestly say it was the most incredible day. The barn was everything we wanted and more. For us having the accommodation on site was crucial as all of our guests had to travel. My partner is South African and my family and friends are not local so we wanted to make a weekend of it. We had a Braii (South African for BBQ) on the Saturday with the wedding on the Sunday which worked perfectly. We Married at the beautiful Holy Trinity in Long Newnton and came back here for the wedding reception. We wanted a really intimate day so only invited 60 guests, (and singing waiters) with an additional 60 in the evening for a jolly old knees up. Our evening reception was literally awesome from the Soul & Funk band and the Braai, to my 89 year old Grandpa and family doing a flash mob dance to the amazing surprise firework display. We could not have asked for a more perfect day.
Rebecca – Aside from Lauren’s (obviously), we had a lovely couple called Jess and Paul. They booked their wedding for August and everything was going well until Paul’s sister found out she was due to have a baby –the week of the wedding! Jess and Paul decided that rather than risk family not being able to make the wedding they would change the date and moved it 6 months earlier – as you can imagine taking 6 months off of the planning time was a stressful time for both of them, but we all got stuck in helping them as much as possible and they were just the most lovely couple so countless phone calls, emails and meetings followed and they ended up having a wonderful day and everything was just perfect. We were very sad after their wedding as it meant we didn’t get to speak to them every day.
How far out should a couple pay a deposit to secure your venue for their wedding day?
We recommend at least a year in advance however at the Barn peak dates get booked up 18 months – 2 years in advance, we already have some 2018 bookings to ensure people get the date they want.
What is included when a couple books your venue for their wedding?
The Barn Hire covers the use of the gorgeous Barn for the whole day, it also covers the use of the lawns for photos, drinks, canapes etc, the fairy light canopy, tables, chairs, staff, the bar – we don’t believe in hidden charges here, we are upfront and honest so people can budget at the beginning of the planning and not have the worry of spiralling costs (not from us at least, we can be responsible for the 12 piece band and Jenny Packham dress!).
How do you help couples customise their wedding?
The Barn has a very distinct look to it, it is a very old Barn so it has a lot of character already – people often fall in love with it as they walk through the door. We do help with decoration ideas if people get stuck by the wonders of Pinterest most people already have a vison of how they want to decorate the Barn. We have a number of wonderful suppliers covering everything our couples need to have the perfect wedding.
What’s one interesting fact about The Great Tythe Barn?
The Barn was originally built in 1596 and was the original Tythe Barn for Tetbury. A tithe(Tythe) barn was a type of barn used in much of northern Europe in the Middle Ages for storing rents and tithes — one tenth of a farm’s produce which was given to the Church.
What do you have planned for the future?
To continue to be one of the most reputable and recommended wedding venues in Gloucestershire. We have a very ‘can do’ approach to weddings and people that get married here have such fun, wedding planning shouldn’t need to be stressful and most of our couples end up as friends.
How many guest can you accommodate?
90 adults across our 10 self Catering Cottages, Tythe House and 12 B&B rooms
What makes a wedding at The Great Tythe Barn unique?
It is one of the largest Barn’s locally, not many original Barns can seat up to 200 guests. Another reason is that all of the accommodation is built into the old farm buildings so it has a lot of character. The Barn is the only local venue that isn’t a hotel that can sleep that number of guests.
LOOKING FOR A GLOUCESTERSHIRE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER?
Thinking of getting married at The Great Tythe Barn or looking for a Gloucestershire wedding photographer? I’d love to hear more about you and your wedding day plans.
