Keeleigh and James and a relaxed start
I arrived super-early, although the wedding was already running around two hours behind. However, it did not feel stressful. Everyone was enjoying the sunshine, the outdoor space and the breeze.
The Barnsdale gave guests plenty to enjoy while plans shifted. Also, the mini-golf was honestly one of the best I have seen at a wedding venue.
Eventually, setup started later than planned. Because of the delay, some quick decisions had to be made. So, the lighting rig was scaled down slightly, but there was still plenty in place for the party.
Keeleigh and James in The Barnsdale barn
The new barn at The Barnsdale is beautiful. The bi-fold glass doors look out across Rutland countryside, and they frame the room brilliantly. Even so, the barn had no air conditioning.
With the doors open, the view was lovely. However, there was very little flowing air. Therefore, venues with these features need careful thought. Heat, airflow and comfort can affect the guests, the timings and the flow of the day.
For more thoughts on this, I have written about guest creature comforts.
Keeleigh and James and a late first dance
The first dance began around 9pm, with Keeleigh and James choosing Pointless by Lewis Capaldi. Afterwards, everyone joined them for Can’t Take My Eyes Off You by Frankie Valli.
From there, the room was ready. Their list leaned into 2010s favourites, with classic wedding choices mixed through it. As a result, the floor had real energy very quickly.
There were moments for sparklers and street food, so the dance floor naturally dipped. However, that was about the only time it quietened down.
Keeleigh and James had picked music that suited their guests, from ABBA and Bruno Mars to Drake, Nicki Minaj, Queen and Toploader. The final planned song was Champagne Supernova by Oasis.
It felt like one of those weddings where people could have carried on well into the early hours. For more examples, visit previous weddings or view the Classic evening dj package.
