It feels like 2021 both flew by and dragged its feet! Similarly to 2020, it was a very unique year for the wedding and events industry, with circumstances that we had never seen or navigated before.
2021 also provided us with plenty of highlights and opportunities to do what we do best here at The Waltham Barns – help couples create the wedding day they’ve always dreamt of.
Keep reading to read about our wedding highlights of the year…
Wedding restrictions being lifted
We began 2021 feeling a bit stuck in the mud, as the national lockdown meant weddings couldn’t go ahead and that couples had to rearrange, sometimes for the second, third or fourth time.
It was heartbreaking to see so many couples have to push back their special day, and our team sincerely missed hosting weddings.
Things started to look up when on 12th April, micro-weddings with 15 people could go ahead, and slightly bigger celebrations with 30 people could take place from 17th May.
We absolutely love hosting small weddings, and although it was different to what some of our couples originally envisioned, every couple that had an intimate wedding in 2021 had a wonderful, memorable and personal experience.
The biggest day on the wedding and events calendar was 19th July, as this was when all wedding restrictions were finally lifted, meaning no rules on numbers etc. It was an emotional day for all in the industry, not to mention the couples who had been waiting for this good news for so long!
The 19th of July is also slap back in the middle of the UK’s wedding season, so we knew things were about to get very busy indeed.
Photo by Instinct Wedding
Lovely couples finally getting to tie the knot
On that note, one of our top highlights of the year has to be seeing so many lovely couples finally get to say “yes” and celebrate with their beloved friends and family.
A wedding is always a touching event, but it felt even more so after being away from loved ones for months. Our wedding team gets to know each and every couple on a personal level, so it definitely touched our hearts to see their heartfelt celebrations and joy.
Seeing guests enjoy our outdoor spaces at The Waltham Barns
Our new wedding garden was completed in June 2020, but it really came into its own this year.
The first couple of 2021 to make use of the beautiful space was Wendy and Stuart in May, and it was great to see the couple plus their guests enjoying the sunshine, catching up and celebrating together in stunning surroundings.
The first BBQ of the year was also a highlight. It was at a time when guests were only allowed to dance outside, but this meant there was a wonderful festival-esque atmosphere, helped by the lovely weather and our delicious barbecue food!
We’re always grateful for our outdoor spaces at The Waltham Barns, but we felt especially appreciative this year.
Open Days and Wedding Fairs
We’ve loved being able to both host and attend wedding open days in 2021. They’re a fantastic opportunity to speak to new couples, answer their questions and give them a taste of what it’s like to get married at The Waltham Barns.
Our open days in September and November went down brilliantly, and the casual, “drop-in” style worked very well.
We also attended “The Largest Wedding Show in Essex” at Chelmsford City Racecourse, again in September and November. These are always fun and busy days full of plenty of chatting and Q&As.
Our next open day at The Waltham Barns will be on 16th January 2022, 11am-3pm. Make sure you’re following us on Facebook for updates and more info!
New members of the team
Last but by no means least, we had to give a shoutout to our two new additions to the weddings and events team, Morgan and Georgina.
When asked what is the most rewarding aspect of their role, Morgan said: “Witnessing the journey from the very first meeting to the end of the night on their wedding day, and knowing they’ve enjoyed one of the most important days of their lives” and Georgina said: “Seeing the big day come together and everyone enjoying themselves”.
We’re very lucky to have such a dedicated, passionate and friendly team at The Waltham Barns, and Morgan and Georgina have settled in perfectly.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from The Waltham Barns
If you’d like to find out more about getting married at The Waltham Barns in 2022 and beyond, don’t hesitate to get in touch on [email protected].
We wish you a very happy Christmas, and all the best for 2022.
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