16th July 2016 was and will always be an important date for us. Having been together for 16 years, my now Husband and I decided this was the perfect date for our wedding.
Amongst many other things to research and plan, the search for the all important perfect venue began. This was made a little challenging for us as we live in Singapore and had to rely on the Internet. We found a few that we thought would be ideal for our Kentish Countryside Summer Garden theme and scheduled viewings during a visit to the UK in October last year.
With a couple of places viewed, not having our date available and not being quite right for our theme, we felt somewhat deflated when we arrived for our viewing at Frasers. However, this was quickly replaced with happiness and excitement. From the moment we stepped through the door to the gorgeous main barn on Coldharbour Farm, we were met by Lisa, the owner, with smiles, a hug and the warmest welcome. A nice cup of tea with home baked cookies and we started to share our ideas. Lisa immediately got us and understood what we were after. We hadn't been chatting for long before food menu ideas started to fly around mixed with lots of other suggestions for our theme, decorations, ceremony and recommendations of other suppliers. This was a big relief for us to suddenly have from one source and a real person instead of multiple websites. We spent a long time chatting with Lisa as we had quite specific ideas and requests and wanted to be sure that the Frasers Team could deliver on the day. We didn't book there and then. You never really do, do you :-) but we had not even reached our car in the car park before we looked at each other and said "that's our venue"...... Lisa got a call from us the same day to confirm our booking.
Leading up to the weeding day, we exchanged countless emails and phone calls with Lisa and Jo and each step of the way, our ideas and plans came together with their valuable help and support. Whilst Frasers were able to provide most of what we needed and for the things they didn't supply, each of the recommended suppliers delivered exactly what we asked for. A testament to a strong network of reliable and qualitative suppliers. One thing we did stress a fair bit over was our flower arrangements, especially as we had a very clear vision of what exactly we wanted and this was almost impossible to organise from Singapore. Lisa offered to do them for us as she had recently completed courses and added floristry to her business as well as working together with a specialist in this field. As we felt completely at ease with everything else we had asked Frasers to handle, we agreed and WOW did they deliver! We think the pics speak for themselves..! Just stunning.
We arrived ourselves on the Thursday before our Saturday wedding and we were immediately made very welcome as we checked into the gorgeous Blenham Suite. Our parents arrived the same day in the afternoon as they were part of our legal ceremony on the Friday morning and Frasers had arranged a private taster menu dinner for us the night before. Unfortunately that evening was not to go as planned, but to absolutely no fault of anyone at Frasers. Due to an issue at an EDF sub station, we had a power cut from early afternoon, but Lisa and her Team did not rest until they had ensured that EDF installed a generator and we had power again the morning after. Fortunately the main building with the kitchen had its own generator so dinner was still on. However, just as we were about to start the delicious dinner Lisa's Chef had prepared, my father fell in. So much so that we all got quite worried as my father could hardly move, speak and didn't really know where he was. Lisa immediately stepped in and whilst my father didn't want to see a doctor or be taken to the hospital, she did not leave his side. She sat in my parents room and chatted with them until we were as sure as we could be that he would be OK with some rest and sleep. Lisa continued to look after my parents, ensuring they had what they needed at all times, drove them to wherever they needed to be and even sent them home to Denmark with a stash of Frasers homemade honey that my father had fallen in love with. She went way beyond her call of duty and we really can't thank her enough for that.
On the wedding day itself, we were served breakfast in our room whilst the Frasers team finished the setting up in the barn and marquee. It was a glorious sunny day so we changed our mind with regards to our ceremony and asked them to move it outdoors into the garden to a specific spot by a beautiful luminous green tree. Again we were met with a "yes we can attitude". Decorations, tables, 66 chairs and other furniture moved at short notice. No issue! A few guests arrived late and literally just as we were walking into the ceremony. Lisa sprung into action and ushered them in by the side and got them seated before we reached the front. As we exited the ceremony and walked through a cloud of confetti, Lisa waited for us with two glasses of yummy bubbles which we gulped down. In fact, earlier whilst we were getting dressed and ready with nerves on the highest level, Lisa had knocked on our door with two glasses of the very same champagne from the local Chapel Down Vineyard and they did just the trick. We felt so relaxed throughout as we knew everything was taken care of.
After post ceremony drinks and delicious Frasers canapés on the lawn, official photos taken and lawn games, it was time for dinner and we were called to the marquee which had been set up and decorated in the most spectacular way. We could hear the wows from our guests as they walked in whilst we waited outside. The wows continued when the food prepared by Frasers Chef & Team was served. All based on sharing platters with locally sourced produce. As we couldn't decide on just one desert, they had prepared a plate for each guest with no less than three deserts (tarte au citron, eton mess, chocolate mousse) Needless to say that our own and our guests' tastebuds were given a treat. All served together with very tasty wines from the local Hush Heath and Chapel Down Vineyards in Kent. Throughout the day and dinner, the service was faultless as there was always a member of the Frasers team on standby. After a fun party, lots of dancing in the barn, cakes and sparklers, we walked to our room in the happiest and most content state of mind and with a bottle of wine in hand. A perfect day!
The day after, we had arranged a brunch at Frasers with our nearest family and friends and had 40 guests who all enjoyed a scrumptious spread with anything from organic cereals, fruit, yoghurts to home baked croissants, fabulous Danish pastries and of course a complete Full English fried breakfast. All enjoyed in the marquee which had been cleared overnight and set up again in totally different configuration and opened up into the gorgeous garden and fields around it. Relaxed and perfect end to our most perfect wedding weekend at Frasers Coldharbour Farm.
Thank you Lisa and Frasers Team! You made a very important and special day that bit extra special. We look forward to visiting you again and hope one day to be living close enough to frequently stop by for dinners, afternoon teas and lots of wine tasting. Matt & Jan xx