I love instagram, it is such a visual tool for sharing images of our bunting up and decorating a room or venue. I thought I'd spend the next couple of weeks putting a spotlight on some of my favourite venues in Northumberland, just while we sit and wait for the world to recover from COVID-19 pandemic.
This week the spotlight is on Doxford Barns. I'm starting here because I have a strong affiliation with Doxford Farm itself. The Shell family have owned Doxford Farm for years. I remember taking my children when they were very little to the Doxford County Store after a day at the beach. We'd have cake and drinks and then go and see the piglets in the sty. It was such a rustic and charming place and no commercialism at all. It was relaxed and friendly and just a lovely spot. Sadly, everything changed after the foot and mouth outbreak.
On the farm were two large unused barns. It was Richard's idea to transform these into two incredible barns and redevelop the whole farm area to create the beautiful Doxford Barns. I remember attending wedding fairs as a supplier, hearing Richard talk so passionately about the new wedding venue he was developing near Alnwick. His passion and love of the farm and the project was what enabled him to take wedding bookings before the project was actually finished. The first wedding was 25th July 2015.
I attended, as a supplier, one of the first wedding fairs at the new Doxford Barns in March 2016. I fell in love with the place completely. I am so often asked can I recommend a wedding venue. It's one of the most difficult questions ever. Each wedding venue needs to suit each wedding couple's style and personality. If you are looking for a Boutique Hotel with glitz and glamour, then Doxford Barns is not for you. It is for someone who is looking for a stunning rural venue with lots of space to entertain and lots of on site accommodation. As it is family run, the staff still care about the property and go out of their way to make you feel welcome. That goes for us suppliers as well as wedding guests. The food is sensational and each time we are there as "Emma Bunting" at a wedding fair or open day, the chef always spends time chatting to us explaining the menu. These little touches are what makes a wedding venue great, not that the chef is letting us sample his food [although that is always good when you've spent hours on your feet as a supplier at a wedding fair], it is more that it shows how passionate he is about his work and his food.
Over the years, the venue has changed subtly, so our bunting now is probably best suited at the front of the building and down the walkway to the side. It does actually look very pretty hung along the gantry in the Threshing Barn, however, the Threshing Barn is such an incredible space it is beautiful on its own. The inside of the Great Hall also looks good with bunting down each side. Our gold sequin bunting works very well and sparkles through the day and into the evening.
Doxford Barns is a truly rural idyll and we cannot wait to be back there decorating with our bunting. If you want to see our prices, we have a full page dedicated to Doxford Barns, please go to www.emma-bunting.co.uk/doxford-barns
A lovely little clip from Top Table Films video from Emma & Dave's day. I love how the newly weds are walking under photos of their beloved dogs.
If you want to find out about weddings at Doxford Barns, please visit their website www.doxfordbarns.com
We are delighted to be a recommended supplier at this beautiful farm venue, and very much looking forward to getting back to weddings once this COVID-19 is under some sort of control.
Thanks to the following photographers for their images: