One of the loveliest parts of what we do here at The Great Barn is the people we get to work with. Over the years we’ve built up a Little Black Book of wedding suppliers who we genuinely adore – people who are not only brilliant at their job, but who also understand the feel of this place, the flow of our weddings, and the importance of making every couple feel completely looked after. Whenever a new couple asks us, “Who would you recommend?”, these are the names we share without hesitation.
Our Supplier Spotlight series is our way of introducing you to some of those wonderful faces a little more personally. They’re the florists, photographers, celebrants, stylists and creatives who help bring wedding days here to life – and who feel very much part of the wider Great Barn team.
This time, we’re delighted to shine the spotlight on Frances of Fanfare Ceremonies – or ‘Fan’ as everyone knows her. Warm, witty and wonderfully sincere, Fan has a real gift for crafting ceremonies that feel deeply personal and full of heart. She’s a familiar and much-loved presence here, and we couldn’t wait to share a little more about her and the beautiful work she does…
Tell us a little about yourself…
I’m Frances but everyone calls me ‘Fan’ and I am a wedding celebrant. Wedding celebrants offer couples a wonderful alternative to church or a registrar. Having been married in church myself my style leans towards the traditional combining romance, sincerity and humour in equal measure. Feasting and celebration need a focus point; it’s where a wedding should grow from rather than the other way around.
My role is to ensure that the couples’ personalities are embedded in the ceremony and that they and indeed their guests have the very best modern ceremony experience. To that end my ceremonies are bursting with joy, warmth and sincerity with the couple’s story at the heart and setting the scene for the rest of the day. I am warm, fun, friendly and absolutely love my job. I respect fully the responsibility my clients are entrusting in me in overseeing one of the most important and intimate days of their lives and strive to ensure that they enjoy and feel in safe hands every single step of the way during the very bespoke process.
How did you get started in the wedding industry?
I first stepped into the wedding world through my husband and I running a marquee and event-hire business when we were involved in many, many weddings and parties. After many years we moved away from event hire, my husband returning to his first love farming. I knew I still wanted to stay connected to the industry but in a more personal and creative way. That led me to train as a wedding celebrant in 2016, and I’ve never looked back.
What makes a wedding at The Great Barn so special, from your point of view?
While many barns serve as wedding venues today, few come close to The Great Barn. The Great Barn is, quite literally, great. It holds a gentle sense of grandeur, sophistication and class whilst also not being remotely intimidating. Impressive, cathedral-like, yet incredibly welcoming.
And wow – the acoustics for someone like me who hates using microphones are phenomenal. And let’s not forget Emma and John who are utterly charming and their team is just wonderful.
Do you have a favourite memory from a wedding here?
One of my favourite memories at The Great Barn has to be a February ceremony in 2025. Jack and Catherine adore trees so we included a planting ritual in their wedding. I don’t often use symbolic elements, but during our meetings together this felt completely right for them.
We discussed all sorts of ways we could make it special but in the end we kept it simple (normally the best way) and wearing special wedding gloves and armed with their own “Nelly the Elephant” watering can, they planted a tiny oak sapling together. The Great Barn’s phenomenal lighting came into its own and the result was deeply personal, meaningful and a beautifully grounded moment.
What advice would you give to couples planning their wedding?
To remember that your ceremony is the very reason for your wedding day and it deserves just as much love and attention as the celebration that follows. A beautiful ceremony can set the whole tone, filling the day with warmth, joy, and meaning. If you’re dreaming of something truly personal and unforgettable, think about working with a celebrant – ME! I have the freedom to shape a ceremony that feels like you, full of heart, humour, and those little touches that stay with you forever. And above all, be brave. Make choices that feel right for the two of you, not just what everyone else seems to do. This is your day.
Are there any wedding trends you’re loving at the moment?
Hmmm. I’m not really into trends. However I’m intrigued by the concept of content creators who seem to be all the rage at the moment. I’m certain they won’t replace photographers or videographers but they do offer couples a fast, candid, and socially-ready way to share the story of their day. And as someone who loves storytelling, I’m all for any sort of creativity.
What does a typical wedding day look like for you behind the scenes?
I always take the dogs for a walk before a ceremony. Not a great yomp, just a breath of air to blow away any cobwebs and then get changed. I will have decided what to wear beforehand. It’s odd – I always have an outfit in my mind that will suit a specific couple. It’s normally a pretty dress. Not a wraparound if I’m outside and never too much cleavage showing!
I always leave in good time to arrive at least an hour beforehand. I have a few special songs I listen to full blast to get the adrenaline flowing and energy levels up on the way. By the time I’ve arrived I’m raring to go.
Where can people see more of your work or get in touch?
Spreading the word about what a wedding celebrant actually does is a surprisingly big part of my everyday life. It remains a fairly new concept for a lot of people, and honestly, many couples still need a little gentle convincing that it’s even an option. So I spend a lot of time showing what the role looks like in real life.
Instagram is where I’m most active. I post regularly, sharing a mix of helpful info, lighthearted moments, and plenty of real-wedding snippets. I want people to feel the warmth, joy, and personality that go into every ceremony. I also send out a monthly newsletter – a look back at the month just gone, the weddings I’ve been part of, and my thoughts on whatever’s been happening in the wedding world (or just life in general). And then there’s my website, where I blog twice a month about all things wedding ceremony. I’m always trying to find subjects that will inspire, educate and inform. I’m also rebuilding my Pinterest presence – watch this space!
Across all of these platforms, I really hope what comes through is a true and honest representation of who I am – my personality, my values, and the style of ceremony I create – so potential clients can get a genuine feel for what it’s like to work together. I’d love you to join the ‘fanfare’ community wherever suits you best.
A final word from us…
Fan, thank you for sharing so much of your story with us – and for bringing such warmth, humour and genuine care to every ceremony you lead here at The Great Barn.
We’ve seen first-hand how a celebrant-led ceremony can completely transform a wedding day – making it more personal, more relaxed and more meaningful. With Fan at the helm, couples know they’re in the safest, most thoughtful hands. If you’re planning your wedding and love the idea of a ceremony that truly reflects who you are – rather than fitting into a template – we can wholeheartedly recommend getting in touch with Fanfare Ceremonies. And to all our Great Barn couples: don’t forget that our full, carefully chosen list of trusted suppliers is shared with you as part of your planning journey. We’re always here to help guide you towards the people who will make your day feel effortless and uniquely yours.
If you’d like to start picturing your own wedding here, we’d love to welcome you in for a viewing. There’s nothing quite like seeing The Great Barn in person. Book your viewing here or simply get in touch to get the conversation going.
