One of the things we’re most proud of here at The Great Barn Devon is the flexibility we offer when it comes to your wedding day, and your wedding ceremony is certainly one huge aspect of that. Every couple is different, and your ceremony should feel entirely true to you – whether that means saying your vows beneath the beams of our 15th-century barn, walking down the aisle of a beautiful local church, or exchanging promises in the gardens with birdsong all around you.
At The Great Barn, we welcome a range of ceremony styles, each offering something unique. Here’s a closer look at the different options available to you when you choose to celebrate your wedding with us.
Civil Ceremony
If you’re considering a civil ceremony or civil partnership, you’ll be pleased to know that The Great Barn is fully licensed for both indoor and outdoor ceremonies. The barn itself is breathtaking – steeped in history, with soaring beams and beautiful natural light – while the arbour in our picturesque walled garden offers a peaceful, romantic setting for those dreaming of an alfresco ‘I do’.
To book your Civil Ceremony, please contact Devon Register Office at srexeter@devon.gov.uk or call 0345 155 1002.
There were so many reasons that we loved the Great Barn from as soon as we visited. The incredible barn itself! It’s such an amazing space that had a church like feel for the ceremony which we really loved. The Great Barn is the furthest thing from an impersonal wedding factory, which was so important to us. – Alice & Ryan
Celebrant-Led Ceremony
More and more couples are choosing a celebrant-led ceremony, and with good reason. This option allows for a completely bespoke and deeply personal celebration of your relationship. You can include your own vows, readings, rituals or cultural traditions, and shape the ceremony to truly reflect your story, values, and personalities.
Celebrant-led ceremonies are not legally binding in England, so if you choose this route, you’ll also need to complete the legal part of your marriage separately—usually a short civil ceremony at a local register office. Many couples find this a simple and straightforward process, and it allows your main celebration to be exactly how you want it, without any legal restrictions.
Ceremonies with a celebrant can take place anywhere on our grounds or within the barn itself, offering full freedom to create something truly meaningful and memorable. We can recommend some wonderful celebrants who are familiar with our venue, and come highly recommended, such as Fanfare Ceremonies and Claire Austin.
We worked with a wonderful local celebrant who helped us make our ceremony personal, fun and authentic. The ceremony was absolutely wonderful and our celebrant made it so special. – Catherine & Jack
Church Ceremony
For couples who would like a more traditional or religious wedding service, we’re fortunate to have several beautiful churches nearby, each with its own character and charm.
Most popular with our couples is St John the Baptist Church, located just a few minutes’ walk from our venue. This historic church is listed as one of Britain’s top 1,000 churches and offers a truly atmospheric setting for your vows, with its ancient stonework, stained glass, and picturesque churchyard. Many couples find it incredibly special to walk from the church back to our venue afterwards, surrounded by their guests and the idyllic Devon countryside.
There are also a number of other churches in the surrounding area, should you have ties to a different parish or prefer a different denomination. To find out more about St John the Baptist Church, please contact Rev Ruth Frampton on 01647 252845. And of course, our team is always on hand to offer support and guidance with this part of your planning.
We have so many fond memories of the day. Having our dream church wedding comes high on the list – our vicar from St Matts in Exeter conducted the service for us and it was so personal and so us. Our friends played cello, keyboard and lead worship and it was a beautiful moment. – Zoe
Other Options
We know that no two weddings are the same, and we warmly welcome all kinds of ceremonies here at The Great Barn. Whether you’re planning a religious blessing, a non-religious ceremony, a Chinese tea ceremony, or a fusion of traditions, we’re here to support you in creating a day that truly reflects you as a couple. Our venue lends itself beautifully to intimate, heartfelt celebrations of all kinds, and we’d be honoured to play a part in yours!
Whatever you’re imagining for your ceremony, we’d love to hear about it. The Great Barn is a place where you can truly make your day your own – from the first vow to the last dance. If you’d like to find out more about holding your ceremony here or arrange a private viewing of the venue, we’d be delighted to welcome you.
