Mar 27 2020
Over the last few weeks you may have noticed we have been a little quieter than normal on our blog and social media channels. Quite simply, it has just not felt appropriate or correct to continue posting in our normal fashion until we got through the first steps of our ‘COVID-19 plan’ – something we very much hoped to not have to put into action. At this stage, everyone the world over has had their world turned upside down due to the current health crisis, and so many celebrations are sadly now on hold. Our priority over the last fortnight, has been communicating with our couples getting married in the coming weeks and months. Together, we have put some contingency plans in place, striving to make this difficult process as easy and seamless as we possibly can, all the while reacting to rapidly changing government plans and advice and working to protect our business for the long, and short-term.
Our hearts are absolutely broken for all of you who have been affected by this, and we remain fully committed to helping you create your dream day. Sadly, weddings across the country are unable to take place at this time, and we very much look forward to seeing the barn and gardens at Larchfield Estate filled with love and laughter for days on end as soon as we are advised it is safe for us to reopen.
We cannot thank our couples enough, who have been patient and understanding at a time when we are very aware you are extremely upset and concerned. At Larchfield Estate we strive to take the stress out of wedding planning, and it is so difficult and genuinely upsetting for us to see how things are unfolding, with control taken out of our hands to a degree. Should any of you have any concerns, thoughts or questions about your wedding or event, please do pick up the phone or drop us an email. As always, we are here (at our dining room tables!), and more than happy to chat. We understand fully how confusing and worrying a time this is, and our priority is helping our couples create the most memorable day, despite it perhaps being a little later than originally planned. Good news in that it appears some wedding insurance companies are starting to step up which also should help couples.
It is at times like this that we realise just what amazing suppliers we have, confirming our faith in recommending them. Our thanks goes to so many of the incredible wedding providers out there, who have been so dedicated to helping couples along the way. All of whom have also been navigating their way through concerns around staffing and overall business security – postponing dates and offering alternative options where possible. From caterers such as Old Barn, French Village, Jane’s Kitchen, Yellow Door & Foodie Folk, to photographers (too many to mention!), florists, celebrants, and last but not least Neil Boylan and the entire team at NJB – never a man to let anything keep him down! You have all been incredible, and have made our jobs much easier through fantastic communication and willingness to help. There are simply too many people to thank and mention, but please do know your flexibility and kindness does not go unnoticed.
This is such a difficult time for all, and for the wedding and hospitality industry (as with every other) the effects have been unprecedented. We will weather the storm together, and we will come out the other side stronger and even more resilient. Celebrations and parties will be bigger and more important than ever, and we know that we can’t wait to see our barn dance-floor filling once more! Standing together, we will find our way through this!
Whilst our events team are working remotely, Gavin and Sarah the estate owners continue to man the fort (barns) and look after our furry friends on site. Learning some new IT skills along the way (video conference calls in our slippers!), we are all very much looking forward to getting back to the countryside and can’t wait for the celebrations to kick off once more.
Wishing you and your families all the very best at this difficult time.
Stay safe and well,
The Larchfield Estate Team x
