Choosing a wedding venue is one of the biggest decisions in the planning process, setting the tone not only for the day itself but for the entire experience around it. For couples searching for a Devon wedding venue, there is much to consider beyond first impressions: how the spaces flow, what your guests experience across the weekend, and whether the setting feels right in every season.
At The Great Barn, many couples tell us they knew very quickly that the atmosphere here felt different – so very peaceful, completely private and deeply connected to the surrounding countryside. Here are our tips on what you should be thinking about when you explore venues for your big day.
Think beyond ceremony space
Many couples focus first on the main ceremony setting, but the best venues offer a series of spaces that unfold naturally across the day. Here at The Great Barn, this begins in the 15th-century courtyard, moves through the gardens and grounds, and continues into the Great Barn itself – giving your day variety, movement and atmosphere.
Why exclusive use matters
When a venue is entirely yours, the pace changes. There is privacy, calm and freedom for your guests to settle in without interruption. At The Great Barn, the entire estate is yours for the weekend, allowing time to arrive, gather and celebrate without feeling rushed.
Consider the setting & the season
A venue should feel beautiful all year round. Spring blossom, wisteria, summer roses and autumn colour all shape the setting differently here, meaning each wedding naturally carries its own character.
seek the hidden spaces
Often it is the quieter corners couples remember most in photographs: greenhouse backdrops, stone steps, tucked-away gardens and open countryside. These smaller spaces often create the images couples return to most.
Think about guest experience
A beautiful venue should also work practically for guests, offering easy arrival, friendly staff to meet and greet, comfort throughout the event, plenty of space to gather, and indoor and outdoor flexibility.
More Than The Day
For many couples, having accommodation on site changes the feel of the whole celebration. It allows the day to stretch naturally into the evening and gives close family and friends the chance to stay within the setting rather than needing to travel elsewhere. At The Great Barn Devon, staying on site adds to the sense of a wedding weekend rather than a single day – more relaxed, more immersive and with time to enjoy every part of the occasion.
Experience matters
A venue’s atmosphere is important, but so is the experience behind it. With more than 20 years of hosting weddings, The Great Barn Devon brings a depth of understanding that helps each celebration feel calm, considered and beautifully managed. From the earliest planning conversations through to the wedding day itself, couples benefit from a team that knows how to support the process while allowing each wedding to feel entirely personal.
A sense of escape, without the journey
Although the setting feels wonderfully secluded – surrounded by countryside, ancient stone and open views – accessibility is often what surprises couples most. The Great Barn feels tucked away in the heart of rural Devon, yet is just eight miles from Exeter, making it easy for guests travelling from across the country while still offering that sense of complete escape and privacy.
Book a viewing
If you are searching for a Devon wedding venue and would like to experience The Great Barn Devon in person, we would be delighted to welcome you for a viewing.
