Why choose The Barn?
When Hannah Gee began to panic that her original wedding plans were snowballing out of control, her fiancé Aron Heartfield calmed her down with a trip on his motorbike to Botley Hill Farmhouse, a favourite haunt of his when he was younger.
One look at the view across the North Downs and the couple decided there and then to switch their wedding location to The Barn at Botley Hill.
At that time, early September last year, The Barn hadn’t been built, but Hannah says: “I knew instantly that this was it. The location is just right and the views are so beautiful – it was nothing like any place we had visited.”
Aron proposed to Hannah on a skiing holiday in the Alps
Since Aron’s proposal on a skiing holiday in the French alps in March last year, the couple had been busy planning their wedding but, says Hannah “it was turning into the wedding I didn’t want – I wanted something unique and really different.”
During their visit to Botley Hill, they spoke with Sheila Benson, one of the driving forces behind the unique venue, who explained the vision for The Barn. Hannah says: “It was as if she had got inside my head as everything she was saying about the plans for The Barn were exactly what I wanted.”
“The theme of my wedding will be true to The Barn as everything I need to create that contemporary rustic look is there, plus it has the views and gardens outside – it’s going to look stunning and I can’t wait to see people’s reactions. I think they are going to be quite envious.”
Hannah, 35, an account director for a major publishing company, believes there are three things that make a wedding – the venue, the food, the music.
“We don’t have to worry about the venue as it is in a beautiful setting, and we are having the amazing Kalm Kitchen looking after our catering.”
The couple have chosen a Surrey-based DJ to round off the day – having both grown up in Surrey – where they still live – they have been keen to support suppliers from the county.
As soon as they decided onThe Barn at Botley Hill, Hannah says she hasn’t found organising her wedding at all stressful. “The Barn team have been incredible and have been quick to answer any questions I’ve had. To be honest, it has been a lot less stressful than I thought it would be.”
Hannah and Aron will be having their wedding reception at The Barn in July 2019
Hannah is a thoroughly modern bride: she and Aron, 39, a tattoo artist, met via online dating and her invites are a link to the couple’s wedding website.
That said, the wedding will be a family affair. The couple will be tying the knot at the local church where Hannah’s mum and dad were married over 40 years ago. One hundred close friends and family will be watching, among them Hannah’s brother and Aron’s parents and four sisters. And, instead of bridesmaids, Hannah will be supported by a Man of Honour, her long-time friend Daniel Kohler.
The newlyweds hope to arrive at The Barn in a London black cab and during the reception a family friend will sing Frank Sinatra hits.
But what Hannah is looking forward to the most is this: “Being outside with the firepit and sofas, looking at the fabulous view, with a glass of bubbly in hand and all my close friends and family around me.”
Tie the Knot at Botley Hill Barn
The Barn at Botley Hill is a brand new luxury wedding venue on the Titsey Estate, within easy reach of London. This new Surrey wedding venue enjoys spectacular views of the North Down.