A RUSTIC barn setting with hay bales covered in blankets, a bouncy castle and human hungry hippos all combined for an ideal place to get married for one happy couple.
Kenyon Hall Farm played host to the unusual nuptials last month as Sam Cain, 29, and Jade Hampson, 34, tied the knot, ten years to the day since they first got together.
The happy couple, who are from Bolton and now live in Atherton, share their memories of their special day and tell us why the Croft farm on Winwick Lane, was the perfect venue to celebrate with family and friends.
When and how did you meet?
Jade: We met in 2011. Both of us moved down to the Isle of Wight for a job in an outdoor activity centre and bonded over our ‘northernness’.
We soon discovered that we might have crossed paths before as Sam’s dad owned the newsagents I would shop in as a child.
What did you think of each other when you first met?
Jade: We had an instant friendship. There were so many people called Sam working on the site that I gave them all nicknames. Sam became happy Sam.
Where and when did you get engaged?
Sam: We got engaged on August 6, 2017. We were in the middle of our second round the world trip and had returned home for a few weeks to see family and friends.
We organised a BBQ at Jade’s house with both sides of the family and after taking a group photo I got down on one knee and proposed.
Jade: It was beautiful. Many people were convinced he would pop the question in Paris, up the Eiffel Tower, or in Sydney, by the Opera House, or a beach in Borneo, but Sam said we had created some many memories just the two of us that he wanted to share that special moment with our family.
What was the date of the wedding and reception?
Jade: We got married legally on May 13 but had the reception on May 14. Sam and I got together on May 13, 2012 so we decided to get married exactly ten years to the day.
What was the location of the wedding and reception?
Sam: Wigan Life Centre for the marriage and Kenyon Hall Farm for the reception.
How were you feeling on the morning of your wedding?
Jade: So excited! We had spoken about the day for so long. It was a chance to catch up with friends we had met on the Isle of Wight and around the world. After 11 years of knowing each other and 10 years together, it already felt like we were married really.
How would you describe your wedding?
Jade: Rustic and fun. Kenyon Hall Farm very kindly allowed us to use their barn and field for a DIY wedding. Days before the wedding the barn was still filled with tractors as it is used throughout the year to store vegetables harvested on the farm. With the help of family and friends - some who were very jet-lagged - and Kenyon Hall staff, we created something unique and beautiful. The drapes that hung from the ceiling were the flags of the world from all the places we visited (my mum sewed them together), our seating was picnic benches and hay bales covered with every blanket we could borrow, we strung lights around small trees and almost emptied my mums plant nursery of potted flowers to add some colour. Michelle Whalley from Fly Events brought her mobile bar in a horse box which added to the theme.
On the field The Fun Experts from Preston set up a bouncy castle, human hungry hippos, total wipeout sweeper arm and a cork gun shooting range complete with ridiculous prizes. Around 25 of our guests camped overnight on the site. Chris and his wife from CASA Events and Hire set up a beautiful yurt for me and Sam to sleep in.
How many guests did you have?
Sam: 75 adults and 22 children
What did your guests eat?
Sam: We served them pizzas from Stonebakers woodfired pizza van. We then added some extra sides and salads from The Snug Coffee shop in Atherton. Later that night was got a delivery of Carrs pasties.
Did you have a first dance?
Jade: It was Three Rounds and a Sound by Blind Pilots. This was a song we heard on an advert in New Zealand. The lyrics start with “They’re playing our song. They’re playing our song. I hope we dance tonight.”
Musician Mark Griffith then played into the night on his guitar.
Did you have speeches? How did they go?
Sam: It wasn’t the traditional speeches. The mother of the bride did one, my two best men, Jade’s sister, the maid of honour Kim, and then Jade did one. Kim surprised us all by performing I’m Yours on the ukulele with one of Jade’s close friends. They had spent the last five months secretly meeting up to practice.
What are your favourite memories of the day?
Jade: Watching my mum, who is 69, my uncle, who is 73, my auntie, who is 74, and my 28-year-old cousin on the total wipeout sweeper arm game.
Sam: My favourite moment was seeing Jade and our daughter Riley walk down the aisle.
Tell us a little bit about your outfits on the day?
Jade: I found the dress on the first try! The reason I fell in love with it was because it was embroidered with flowers and bees. It really suited our farm-themed day. The groomsmen all wore green tweed suits and the maid of honour and flowers girl wore green dresses.
Did you go on honeymoon?
Jade: We went to Vancouver Island Canada for our honeymoon. Sam and I lived there for two and a half years. Many of our Canadian friends couldn’t make it to the wedding and so we decided to use our honeymoon to visit everyone and introduce them to our daughter.
Tell us why you love each other and wanted to get married
Jade: Sam and I bonded over our northernness and soon developed a strong friendship. We discovered a passion for travelling together and spent five years seeing as much as we could. Sam and I always say we challenge each other to be the best people we can be.
Is there anything else you would like to share with us about your day?
Jade: We want to say a huge thank you to Kenyon Hall Farm, especially James, who took a punt on us and gave us the opportunity to create such a unique day. It’s not a wedding venue but we were lucky to have the one-off event there.
If you've recently got married or are planning your big day for later this year, email heidi.summerfield@newsquest.co.uk for more information about being part of our wedding day features
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