HOW TO CREATE A FUN, MODERN AND INCLUSIVE SOMERSET BARN WEDDING WITH A BRIGHT PINK, LIME AND CHECKBOARD THEME

A lot of people think of barn weddings as being traditional with pastel colours...not this wedding! This inspiration shoot was full of bright, bold pink and lime colours with a huge dose of fun. Organised by Abbie Leigh and shot by Honey and Heather Photography at the Tythe Barn in Nailsea Somerset. The LGBTQI+ friendly shoot was an explosion of colourful romance with black and white checkboard details, gorgeous flowers, wedding newspaper backdrops, disco balls, pearl decor and an audio guest book.

With a barn venue, you often have a ready made romantic setting, the Tythe Barn in Nailsea is no exception. It's a listed building and it's thick brick walls and tall windows really add to it's charm. It's a gorgeous blank space which allows you to be really creative. Abbie used checkboard columns to add height to the flowers created by Jenna from Bloom Street, which were a stunning mix of reds, pinks, peaches and creams. The tablescape mixed the bright colours with stationery, disco balls, pearl strings, iridescent tinsel, a black table cloth and black candle holders to make the pink and lime candles and other details really pop. I created bespoke wedding newspapers with 'wedding details', which the team used as a backdrop and prop for the couple, as well as a pink telephone audio guest book. Other indoor decor included stand alone signage, fairy lights and disco balls.

The venue also boasts an outdoor courtyard which we used to pimp up the Land Rover Defender with flowers and using it as a prop for photos and a backdrop to the colourful smoke bomb and confetti shots.

There was a subtle Japanese twist with food and drink in the shape of sushi and Asahi, which was complimented by lilies in the floral bouquets and displays. The cake by Tara Katie added a little drama too, it was half black and half white, with a simple kitsch style icing, letting the monochrome contrast do the talking.

The model couple [Amy + Brogan] wore monochrome outfits to fit in with the decor, but also add a romantic twist. Brogan wore a simple relaxed black suit and white shirt combo with trainers and a colourful oversized statement buttonhole to bring life to the outfit, while Amy wore two romantic styles, a short tulle dress with sparkles and a long satin dress with a huge side split and puffed sleeves. Amy also wore bright pink heeled shoes and a stunning pearl veil from W Collective.

How to create a colourful, fun + romantic barn wedding

For the ceremony, think big floral aisles, colourful or checkerboard plinths/columns and freestanding backdrops. If the venue has big features, windows or walls, consider this as a backdrop too, but think about the lighting for your photographs too and maybe ask your photographer if you're not sure.

With a blank space barn venue, you can really get creative. You don't need to be confined in a 'traditional' box, you can go all out with any theme or colours you wish. Fill the space with standalone details which add height and depth like giant disco balls, columns, signage and floral displays. When it comes to the tables, go big with bright colours for candles, menus etc because it gives it a really fun twist.

Welcome or table plan signs always add to a barn space and can be a great focal point to let guests know what's going on or have a bespoke phrase to give the vibe of the day, along with other details like an audio guest book, fairy lights and smoke bombs.

Barn spaces are also a great party space, often with a large dancefloor space for that epic after party to celebrate your marriage. Think signature cocktails, hours of dancing, Japanese food a banging DJ and silent disco so you can party until the early hours!

Think modern romance vibes for your outfits, classy but timeless, nobody likes dated photos! Short sparkly or long elegant dresses and simple suits with a shirt, barely there make up and simple sleek or soft wave hairstyles. Add colour with fun and relaxed trainers, bold high heeled shoes and oversized jewellery or buttonholes.

You can't go wrong with a simple kitsch monochrome wedding cake with on trend piped icing...it's such a vibe. But go big and bold on flowers if you can within your budget, make your bouquets, table centres and statement decor massive and showstopping!

somerset barn wedding ideas + Inspiration

A rustic barn/listed building Somerset wedding venue
Outdoor space for confetti + smoke bomb photos
A fresh and bold colour palette of pinks and limes
Checkboard decor/plinths/columns and stationery
Sushi and Asahi for Japanese inspired food
Disco balls
Colourful fabric ceremony/decor back drop
Lots of flowers in bold and complimentary pinks, creams and peach for bouquets, oversized buttonholes, statement decor and table centres
Black tablecloth and candlesticks with colourful flowers, candles and fresh limes
Pearl strings and tinsel used for decor around the venue and on tablescapes.
Fairly lights
Free standing welcome or table plan signage
Kitsch wedding cake with monochrome colours and piped icing
Fun, personalised wedding newspapers [from me]
A pink audio guest book telephone
Lots of colourful confetti and smoke bombs
A Land Rover Defender for transport and photo opportunities
Natural or soft styled hair and barely there make up
Black suit and white shirt outfits with relaxed trainers
Romantic dress styles with sparkles or puffed sleeves, bold colour high heels and a pearl veil