As these stunning photos show – winter weddings at Cooling Castle Barn have a real ‘wow’ factor!

Megan and Scarlett Welling-Rodd had a November wedding in 2018, timing it to make the most of our amazing Christmas decorations which can be used as a backdrop for any wedding booked around those dates.

Megan said: “We both love Christmas, it’s our favourite time of year - we’d seen photos of the Christmas decorations the year before and I was sold on the venue before we even viewed it, the decorations looked so beautiful!

“Our bridesmaids had tears in their eyes when they saw how the amazing the Barn looked for the first time and my dad was really emotional after he saw it, as well. It has a real ‘wow’ factor. It also means you don’t have to worry about decorating it more, as it’s all done for you!”

While the weather can sometimes put off couples from opting for a winter wedding, Megan couldn’t disagree more.

She said: “It was November and was cold outside, but you were having such a good time, you don’t care. The ‘buzz’ warms you up. It didn’t rain and the photos have a lovely, crisp feel to them.

“We think it’s a perfect time of year to have a wedding!”

Looking back on their special day, the couple have some lovely memories and things to say.

Megan continued: “We had singing waiters and they did the lifts for us for the Time of our Lives while everyone danced and watched. We also had sparklers in the evening.

“The Moat House is the perfect place to get ready in the morning. It’s beautiful. For a winter wedding the whole barn interconnects and you don’t even have to go outside if you don’t want to.

“The staff are incredible from start to finish – all our guests couldn’t speak highly enough about them.”

All winter weddings at the Barn have use of a snow machine – guaranteeing a truly memorable end to the celebrations.

Megan added: “We finished on Wonderwall by Oasis and it was a wicked end, we didn’t tell anyone there was going to be a snow machine – it was like a blizzard! 

“It was a really magical end to the whole day, with everyone singing and dancing and snow covering everyone!”

For more information about our winter wedding packages, drop us a line today!

Photos by Tiny Cactus Photography

Christmas just around the corner; the hint of excitement in the air; soft snow falling; Christmas trees and decorations lighting up all corners: what could be more magical than a winter wedding?

At Cooling Castle Barn, we REALLY love winter. It’s the perfect time of year to get creative - and if you choose the right dates, snow is even guaranteed! 

With our stunning Christmas trees and decorations already up in the barn, couples opting for a wedding during the winter weeks can use them as their own backdrop, adding their own twist to proceedings, if they wish.

Jody and Keith Poynton-Brewis added huge displays of log slices and foliage, with fake snow in different areas, for their December wedding three years ago.

Jody told us: “I’m a massive Christmas-crazy person and I loved the look of the extended barn at this time of year. We had a huge tree as a centre piece, massive displays of log slices and foliage and fake snow around the bar.”

Many brides think having a hot sunny day is important for a wedding. Our winter wedding couples disagree!

Jody continued: “With a winter wedding you know what you are getting. So many brides stress about the weather, but if you go for a winter wedding, you are expecting to be inside. We had a crisp day with a bright blue sky and you have the anticipation of Christmas coming, it’s very magical.”

Jody chose a dress that was perfect for the venue and time of year.

She said: “I went for a silver dress that looked a bit lilac-y in a certain light. It was a beautiful, heavy fabric with roses embossed into it. I wanted a big dress, but I saw this and it jumped out on me.

“I loved it, although a few days later had a bit of a panic! But we went to an amazing seamstress called Together Forever Brides and she transformed the dress. She created a big silver bow for the back – the bow in itself was so unique.”

For food at this time of year, think warm and inviting – with lots of flavours.

Jody continued: “The Barn chef was experimenting at the time and we had a pulled pork croquette or a scotch duck egg, with little soldiers, for starter; main, was guinea fowl Christmas dinner or rolled leg of lamb and dessert was sticky toffee pudding or a chocolate pudding melted in the middle. It was amazing!”

There were plenty more memories from the day, of course.

“We had a caricature-artist going around in the drinks reception which gave the guests something tangible to take away,” she added. “We also did a DIY photo-booth - we made it really wintery and hung it up alongside a polaroid camera.

“As it’s a barn, it has a lovely warm, rustic feel. There’s plenty of space that flows through. You are supported from day one and it’s a relaxed vibe, but everything’s under control. There’s no stress on the day. The team are amazing. They blew my mind how good they were at what they do. Everything runs like clockwork.

“We managed to get in two Christmas songs to finish on – one by Michael Buble and The Fairytale of New York - and the Barn’s snow machine made it a really magical end to the night!”

Want to find out more about our winter weddings? Contact us today!

Photos courtesy of Kate Hennessy Photography