Samantha's Real Wedding at Villiers Barn, Essex
- Laura Daly
- Mar 25
- 4 min read
The perfect barn backdrop for an elegant celebration - 3 years in the making!
We all put so much of our lives on hold during the pandemic. And we had to be extra patient as we came out of it with so many services, and industries still catching up with the backlog. Weddings in particular were hit pretty hard. So many couples were made to endure huge wait times for their venue to become available again, not to mention the correlation of all their other suppliers. It was a nightmare time, and we applaud both those who managed to pull it off during the pandemic. And those willing to wait to ensure everything was just right.
Our bride Samantha was one of those happy to wait and tie the knot in her chosen venue - and you can't blame her! Villiers Barn is a stunning wedding venue surrounded by acres of beautiful gardens, tranquil lakes and spectacular views of rural Essex. A wonderfully picturesque setting, and the Grade II listed barn venue ain't bad either!
As you'll see from the images below, Villiers Barn provided the perfect backdrop for Samantha's classic vision for the day. A celebration filled with fresh white flowers, dark greens and candles everywhere. Minimal decor to compliment an already beautiful wedding venue.
The Real Wedding of Samantha at Villiers Barn in Essex
Escape your weekday workday and enjoy the real wedding of our bride, Danielle.
How did you two meet?
We first met at a wedding, although nothing happened during our first meeting. We met again, both single, at a party a few years later, and we've been together ever since! Just over 7 years.
How did you get engaged?
We were just out of lockdown, and it was our first date in so long. The two of us went down to the coast, and he proposed on the beach. We then went for fish and chips and had a glass of champagne to celebrate.
What was your favourite moment(s) from the wedding?
It’s so difficult to choose, every moment was so amazing! Getting ready with the girls in the morning was really special, and walking down the aisle to Adam was the happiest moment of my life. But all the photos, and speeches, throwing the bouquet, we had sparklers and our first dance... and the last dance, the whole day was simply the best. My venue staff were just wonderful and made sure there was nothing for me to worry about on the day. And during the (nearly) 3 year build up from when we first booked Villiers Barn.
Tell us all about your wedding dress!
Honestly, my dress, I’ve never felt so beautiful.
During my appointment, I tried on a few dresses from my wish list, styles that I'd picked out before online. But my dress, wasn't one of them! As soon as I tried it on though, my mother-in-law and maid of honour both starting crying, so I knew it was the one! The lace detail, the way it fitted all of my curves and flattered my figure, I wish I could wear it every day.
What was the general decor for your big day?
It was very classic, lots of white florals and candles everywhere. Black tuxedos and beautiful dark green dresses for the bridesmaids. It was minimal, and chic because the venue was already just so incredibly beautiful on its own.
Do you have any advice for future Bellissima Brides?
Honestly, go in with an open mind and try all of them on. I had such an idea of what I thought I wanted before my appointment, and was almost stubborn against peoples advice. Because I didn’t think I would change my mind. But actually, I’m so glad I did and that I trusted the girl who dressed me and the loved ones I had with me.
My advice would be to not have too many people with you for your appointment, and try to push yourself out of your comfort zone a little. Nobody will care about your arms when you're in your dream dress.
Do you have any local suppliers you would like to recommend?
Wedding venue - Villiers Barn
Wedding photography - Shianne Mercer Photography
Hair - Hair so Boho
Make Up - Amber Harlow Makeup
Flowers - C Taylor's Floristry
DJ - DJ Samuel Hann
Games - Simply Rustic
Wedding Dress from Julietta Bridal by Mori Lee
Bridesmaid Dresses - Club L London
Suits - Moss
How was your Bellissima experience?
My experience at Bellissima was a dream. I felt instantly welcome and like the little girl who dreamed about her wedding dress. The girls at Bellissima were so lovely, so patient and kind.
Dale genuinely has the most beautiful soul and really went on a journey with me during my fittings. He made me feel so at ease and altered my dream dress to fit to my body perfectly.
I wish I could just come back to try on wedding dresses for fun! It was such a lovely experience and I will forever recommend Bellissima Weddings to any bride-to-be's in my life.
