Botanical, Black Tie Wedding at Rivington Hall Barn

Have you ever seen a wedding reception looking so magical? The beautiful botanical floristry mixed with luxe black tie attire, acrylic candelabras, and ghost chair decor at Rivington Hall Barn really is pin-tastic! Especially with the abundance of candle lights and fairy lights making everything glisten. Bride Kate looks radiant in her Caroline Castigliano gown too. That sweeping train and button back detail is exquisite. And just perfect for the setting. If you like your weddings full of light and love like this one, you should definitely check out our lighting post for more twinkling ideas. But first lets savour all the amazing captures of Kate and Jons wedding day by Lawson Photography.

Our Story

Kate & Jon: Jon and I were together for over 12 years prior to our wedding – in his words, he had to be sure I was the one! We met when we both worked at Rivington Hall Barn wedding and event venue and enjoyed the following years together before we got engaged in the summer of 2015 and married the following year.

Rivington Hall Barn Wedding Venue

My parents also met at a dinner dance at Rivington Hall Barn so there really was no consideration of anywhere else to get married. Having seen hundreds of beautiful weddings there, we knew we would be challenged to find somewhere as special to us both and with such a warm and committed team looking after us.

Botanical Black Tie Wedding at Rivington Hall Barn

We agreed from the off that we didn’t want a colour scheme. Mat from Red Floral Architecture was the only florist we met and having seen his incredible work at a friend’s wedding we trusted him implicitly. We chose an Italian botanical feel with masses of dark green foliage, trees and hundreds of candles. Classic Louis Ghost chairs and acrylic candelabras contrasted against the rustic surroundings perfectly. We chose not to have favors, instead, making donations on all guests’ behalf to Alzheimer’s Society.

Caroline Castigliano Wedding Dress

I had a feeling that the perfectionist in me would make finding my wedding dress difficult – I wasn’t wrong! Having never worn such a dress and the majority of those I’d seen not being to my taste, it took time and lots of appointments with my lovely, and very patient Mum, brother and Man of Honour, Gavin, before finding the perfect dress and veil by Caroline Castigliano in Knightsbridge. I was determined I would choose accessories I would enjoy wearing beyond the day itself. My shoes were Christian Louboutin, and for my jewellery I kept to pearls and a delicate bracelet which I received as my wedding gift from Jon.

Bridal Party

I felt very lucky to be surrounded by Gavin and my four beautiful bridesmaids on the day. The ladies wore super sassy navy backless dresses from ASOS with simple black heels and each of them a different Alex Monroe pendant. Gavin toned in perfectly in a Ralph Lauren Purple Label navy tuxedo. Make up was by the incredibly talented Emily Clarkson and Thembi Mkandla, and hair by LeKa London.

Black Tie Groomswear

We decided on a timeless black tie wedding. Jon wore a velvet shawl collar dinner jacket by Hackett Mayfair with bow tie by Tom Ford and patent shoes by Jimmy Choo. We chose black dinner suits by Marks and Spencer for the groomsmen with shirts and accessories from Charles Tyrwhitt.

Wedding Ceremony

We both look back on our wedding ceremony as truly magical. Walking up the aisle with my Dad is a memory I will treasure forever. It was overwhelming to have everyone we love surrounding us in the Barn, but when the ceremony started it felt like it was just the two of us there on our own. One of our closest friends Georgina, who read ‘I carry your heart with me’ by E. E. Cummings, spoke the first reading beautifully. Tom, my Brother-in-law followed with the heartwarming ‘A Lovely Love Story’ by Edward Monkton, and finally, Jon’s cousin Anna read the evocative ‘Scaffolding’ by Seamus Heaney. Acoustic singer and guitarist Ally Macdonald provided the ceremony and entrance music.

Wedding Reception

We were so very lucky to have a bright and frosty day for everyone to gather on the terrace after the ceremony for music, canapés, and Aperol! We chose long banquet style tables for the reception, which meant Jon and I could see everyone during the wedding breakfast - it was just amazing to see how happy everyone looked and that they were having as much fun as we were. Robin Kershaw (DFC Lancashire) hosted and got the party going with dancing from the moment we sat down. The food from the in-house team at the Barn was outstanding. We had smoked salmon with hollandaise sauce on homemade potato cakes followed by a roasted rib of beef with all the trimmings, and milk chocolate tart or sticky toffee pudding for dessert. Another of our closest friends, Cassie, made our wedding cake, which was such a special and kind favor to us that we will be eternally grateful for. Our first dance was Beyoncé’s Love On Top. We picked it as one of our favorite songs, but also to keep everyone on the dance floor with us, as we didn't want anything too serious! The amazing freestyle saxophonist Al Grant supported the DJ all night – I don't think either of us stopped dancing until it was time to go home.

Wedding Photography

Laura and Pete at Lawson Photography were an obvious choice for us. I detest having photographs taken of me, so when we saw their honest and relaxed images from a wedding of friends they were just perfect. They are just the nicest couple and never stop smiling.

Wedding Videography

Having a videographer was probably the only thing we didn’t agree on from the start; Jon was happy to go with my instinct that I wanted to capture the emotions of the day and have a video of loved ones to keep forever. We chose Sylvia and Niels at Ever After as I was keen to have the same day edit, which again, I had seen them produce for friends so wonderfully. They were such lovely people to have around and filming was so understated, we had no idea they were there!

Wedding Advice

Don’t have sleepless nights over things that really don’t matter. We enjoyed planning our wedding but didn’t let it take over our lives, which I think is so important. Choose the best suppliers you can and you will relax on the day. We had just a couple of minutes on our own whilst waiting for our first dance and the memory of that part of the day and how happy we felt is so special. Finally, forget the rules… I wanted to travel to the ceremony together with my Mum, Dad, and Brother, so I did - and it was the most lovely and memorable car journey of my life! Just do what makes you happy and just by being there with you, your guests will have a ball.