When Amy got engaged in August 2023 she knew she wanted to get married on the family farm and started looking into options for marquees etc. Amy quickly realised that planning a wedding from scratch on a blank canvas was a lot of work! That’s when she had the idea to help other brides by offering a complete wedding package so they too could take advantage of the stunning setting in the heart of Rutland without having to do all the searching, planning and negotiating themselves, and so the Haybales Farm Wedding Venue was born. I was lucky enough to visit on a glorious morning in early May and witnessed for myself the exceptional venue on offer.
Haybales Farm is a fully working farm with livestock and arable land and the business is truly a family affair. Amy and her fiance Will are heading up the wedding venue side of the business whilst Will’s parents continue to run the farm as they have for decades. This farm setting is absolutely central to the wedding experience - the three tipis which can comfortably seat 120 guests with the option of 200 people for an evening party, are set in the heart of the stunning countryside yet are just a few miles from the beautiful market towns of Oakham and Stamford. Further to this, Amy and Will ensure their business is truly sustainable by being virtually paperless (all information can be found online), offering reusable tableware and banning single use plastic. Whilst couples are free to choose their own caterer, Haybales recommend the incredibly local Farmer Lou for events. Specialising in Hog Roasts and Festival Food, by choosing Farmer Lou you can be sure of the highest standards of animal welfare and the lowest possible environmental cost to your wedding ‘breakfast’.
Whilst Haybales is not yet a registered wedding venue, couples are spoilt for choice when it comes to performing the legal part of their wedding. There are local churches - Exton (Church of England) is just next door to the farm, Normanton (decommissioned now registered for Civil Marriages) is less than 6 miles away and Oakham is the location for the Rutland Registry Office. A popular choice for couples is to perform the legal part in the simplest of ceremonies perhaps earlier in the week and then enjoy a completely bespoke, personalised celebrant-led ceremony as part of their wedding celebrations. Amy and Will have lots of contacts to help you choose the celebrant that is right for you.
It is not just the ceremony that will be bespoke - Amy and Will pride themselves in offering every single couple a truly personalised service; they recognise that no two weddings will be the same and will work with you to ensure your day is perfect. You have access to the site all weekend (there will only ever be one wedding in any weekend and midweek weddings are an option too) You are free to have whatever music you choose, if the weather plays along you can have your ceremony outside if you prefer and Amy will advise on styling your event, unless of course you have family and friends to help with this. You don’t have to worry about hiring facilities in - the posh loos, the generator, trestle tables and bar are all part of the package - this really does take the heartache out of organisation. One of my favourite features of this fabulous venue is that they allow camping on the field; they can even recommend glamping bell tents complete with proper beds so if you want the full festival experience, Haybales can provide.
Whilst Haybales Farm is already a magnificent venue, there are plans for even further expansion next year and if you want the Haybales experience but prefer to use your own site they have tipis for hire as well. I loved my visit to Haybales and would be thrilled to offer a ceremony on this unique site.
By Catrina Young, Leicestershire Heart-led celebrant, Marking Life’s Moments.
© Hardingstone Ceremonies, May 2024.
Photographs by Amanda Forman Photography
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