Alpheton Hall Barns in Sudbury, Suffolk, is a rare and inimitable venue; at the very least, because it is a historical, rustic collection of barns set in miles of secluded, English countryside. More so, because of its proprietors, Nic and Carol.

We spent the day there for Fran & Andy’s relaxed, boho wedding, on one of the rare sunny days we’ve had this summer - ideal for a venue with such a stunning woodland ceremony location. Dappled sunlight created unofficial spotlights down the aisle. Fran arrived at the ceremony in a campervan; this, alongside her dress and the crocheted flower garlands hanging from the trees, created a brilliantly vintage aesthetic.

Watch Fran & Andy’s Teaser

They captured the wild and natural essence of Alpheton Hall Barns and mirrored it in the wildflower-style bouquets, Fran’s flower crown, and a fabulous boho dress, to create a cohesive theme that spanned the whole day. The flowers were a pastel-sunset mix of pale pink, peach, and orange - a combination we hadn’t seen before, and that brought an otherwise autumnal colour palette to fresh, summery life. 

Guests played golf on a homemade, personalised, miniature course whilst listening to the early-noughties pop-rock hits that they (and I!) grew up to. The resulting atmosphere was youthful, carefree, and sentimental; everyone collectively nodding along to the music they’d enjoyed so much as teenagers. There’s something poignant about nostalgia when you consider all the things the world has faced in recent years; the era of 15 years ago was welcomed back as if it had never left.

This relaxed vibe set them up well for an evening of energetic dancing and memories of those college, parents-are-away-for-the-weekend house parties - I miss them so much! Their band, Happy Hour, played an excellent selection of noughties pop-rock classics that had everyone dancing like it was 2005 again.

And perhaps it was the good vibes, the Fallout Boy, Panic!, and Sum 41 stomping through the crowd, but teamed with the secluded location, Alpheton Hall Barns became a haven to disappear into and enjoy. 

It was our first time working at Alpheton Hall Barns, but as a family-run venue, you feel immediately at home and at ease. We came away with the unique sense that we were initiated into a secret club, the somewhat esoteric AHB Club, of which no member ever asked to join but were pleased to find out they had. It’s not a club for everyone - you have to accept and appreciate the venue for what it is to find yourself a member. As if created by a child’s imagination, you have to believe in it to be a part of it.

It is a ‘Neverland’ of a venue, a place where no one has to grow up, a shelter from the world. It’s no surprise those in charge of running it have an aura of Peter and Wendy about them.

You need only four things to have a good time (and a good wedding); good food, good drink, good music, and good company. Most of these you can hire. Good company is harder to come by, but is fortunately included with Alpheton Hall Barns. The venue is owned and run by husband and wife team Nic and Carol, who are responsible for making the venue what it is. Very few people, if given this venue, would be able to create something as special as they have. Why? To put it simply, their passion and dedication to providing couples with the most unique wedding days possible (aided by Nic’s love for gadgets).

Nic is the quintessential, eccentric Englishman; welcoming, affable, totally mad. He loves both the very old and the very new, and juxtaposes the seriously old barns with modern, high-tech sound and visual equipment to the best ends. He’s hugely enthusiastic and willing to indulge even the wildest wedding day plans in the most spectacular way possible. He’s incredibly open-minded and a lover of theatrics. Whoever is marrying there can be confident he will help create a day that is both outrageously fun and completely unforgettable.

Nic is the antithesis of his wife, Carol, but these differences are nothing other than complimentary. She is calm, gentle, and friendly, but don’t mistake this for a lack of passion; a brief conversation showed how deeply she cares for providing couples with their perfect day. She is both elusive and ubiquitous, everywhere and nowhere, and you can sense her presence in every smooth-running moment of the day. She is most often a smile in the corner of the room, watching the day unfold with genuine enjoyment and pleasure; perhaps with a sixth sense for the moments Nic’s imagination starts to run away with him, ready to take away the matches before he has convinced a couple to strap themselves to rockets so that they can parachute into their wedding breakfast from outer space (complete with light effects and a fog machine).

Despite showcasing it in different ways, you can tell that Nic & Carol are driven by one goal - ensuring anyone getting married at Alpheton Hall Barns has the best possible experience and wedding day. 

Nick and I were drawn to the venue and attracted by its many charms. We felt an affinity with Nic & Carol, who share our love and passion for fun and unique weddings, and our ethos to provide the best, bespoke service.

If you have read anything about Heartwood, you will know how much we love couples who are unapologetically themselves. Weddings should celebrate all you are as a couple. Individuality makes the world interesting, and the freedom to be yourselves creates an altogether more sincere environment in which to celebrate love - the real love that keeps you together, imperfections included. A venue that shares this mentality so candidly will always go to the top of our list.

You’ll also know how important we feel it is that all suppliers work together to create the best possible experience and results for the bride and groom. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. We were lucky to work with many brilliant suppliers, including Joshua Antsey Photography and Stour Valley Catering (full list of suppliers at the bottom of the page). Nic and Carol’s hospitable and jovial nature creates an atmosphere of instant camaraderie, and as we sat down to eat in the courtyard, we felt more like friends enjoying an evening meal than a group of people who had been thrown together a few hours before.

Overall, we owe Fran & Andy a huge thank you for introducing us to one of our favourite venues and a host of amazing suppliers we hope to have the pleasure of working with again soon. Alpheton Hall Barns is a wonderful, magical place, and we will forever be members of the AHB Club.

Watch Fran & Andy’s Teaser Film here:

Fran & Andy’s amazing suppliers:

Venue: Alpheton Hall Barns

Photography: Joshua Anstey

Makeup: Makeup Artistry by Danielle

Hair: Cambridge Bridal Hair

Dress: The Dressing Rooms Bridal Birmingham

Suits: Moss Bros

Flowers: Wild & Mae

Cake: Marnie’s Bakery

Caterer: Stour Valley Catering

Band: Happy Hour

Mobile Bar: Bar Rumba

Mobile Barista: The Barista’s Shed