With Monks Barn's character and intimate charm, Chris and Paul created a day that moved seamlessly from a heartfelt ceremony to a vibrant, bold and personality filled celebration that perfectly reflected their story.
Real wedding
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What made you choose Monks Barn for your wedding, and how did the venue fit your vision for the day?
We didn’t know where to start, only that we wanted a setting that was stylish and elegant yet intimate and informal, somewhere our guests could relax and be a little impressed. Meeting Laura and Sophie at Monks Barn sealed it. They immediately understood our vision: a day that ticked the traditional boxes and still burst with fun and personality. The barn’s character was the perfect backdrop, and Shane and the Maples Flowers team, who know the space inside out, guided us from the start to create an epic look with a fresh, memorable first impression.
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Your wedding was full of energy and personality! How did you set out to create such a fun atmosphere, and how did the Monks Barn team help bring your vision to life?
From the start we planned a day of two halves: all the lovely ceremony moments and tradition first, then a full-on celebration of our friends, family, and 14 years together. After booking Monks Barn, our very next booking was our drag queen host, the amazing Cherry Bomb. The Monks Barn team handled the logistics so we could keep layering on the fun, from Kylie tributes to inflatables to sing-alongs. Everything ran so smoothly, and we simply could not have packed in that much joy without a team calmly steering the ship.
You had a drag queen and a Kylie Minogue impersonator, amazing! How did these performances add to the experience for you and your guests?
Everyone has parts of their life they want to share, and for us the drag scene has always been one of them, so Cherry Bomb was non-negotiable. She hosted perfectly, greeted guests, looked after everyone, and made the whole day feel unmistakably “us”. Paul is a MASSIVE Kylie fan, so she was always going to feature. We kept that as a surprise for most people, and when she appeared the room erupted. She had everyone dancing, and the energy never dipped after that.
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Those colourful flares made for some spectacular photos! What inspired that idea, and how did the team help ensure you got the perfect shot?
We spotted them on Instagram and thought, “that looks fun, let’s try it”. After a bit of research and a couple of test runs, we found flares that would work for us. The team helped coordinate the moment so it felt natural, got involved (a little nervously), and, crucially, kept everyone’s outfits safe. In the end we nailed it, and the photos are some of our absolute favourites.
Looking back, what were your favourite moments from the day? Any surprises or unforgettable memories?
So many. A big highlight was during the ceremony when three close friends spoke about us instead of doing traditional readings. We asked them not to tell us in advance so we could be surprised, and what they shared was the perfect mix of love and humour, which is very us. Other standouts: the amazing food, the impeccable service, and the impromptu Irish sing-along that had everyone belting it out together. Unforgettable.
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What advice would you give to couples planning a wedding at Monks Barn, especially if they want a celebration as unique and vibrant as yours?
Make sure everything you plan genuinely adds to your day, for you and for your guests. Think about how people will feel at each stage and build in moments that keep things engaging, from little touches to big surprises. Do not forget your evening guests, give them just as much love as the daytime crew so everyone leaves feeling part of something special.
Photography: Emma Hurley Photography
Florist: Maples Flowers
Caterers: Kingfisher Caterers
Staging: WA Carr & Sons
DJ: Jewel Entertainment
Drag Performer: Call me Cherry
Evening Singer: Rogue Minogue