Vikki from Your Wedding Friend has joined us today with a review for Furtho Manor Farm in Northamptonshire. If you dream of countryside, barns and lakes, this could well be the perfect venue for your wedding day.

Furtho Manor Farm is a barn and outdoor venue nestled in the Northamptonshire countryside not too far from the A5 and M1. But there’s so much more to this non-traditional wedding venue.

As you arrive on the long sturdy driveway it is obvious that this is a working farm but with consideration for other vehicles, which is very handy if you’re considering how you bus your guests in from hotels in the area. There is very little accommodation available here but you and your nearest can rent a room on a bed and breakfast basis, pending availability. You’ve got views of fields and sheep, and as you pass the industrial units the farmhouse comes into view. No narrow winding mud tracks here, very handy for all manner of wedding vehicles.

Photo Credit: Furtho Manor Farm

The farmhouse is traditional but modernised and well set up for all your wedding day preparations, with a beautiful garden to sit in for your breakfast, weather permitting. Rooms are neat, tidy, clean and a good size. And the owners are a joy and so helpful. The venue proper is literally opposite the farmhouse, so just a very short walk.

You have the choice here of an indoor or outdoor wedding ceremony, both are registered so that your legal ceremony can take place. The venue have also recently developed a smaller ceremony room – which is the perfect addition for those that want a more intimate setting. You’ll also spot the cute little St Bartholomew’s Church, which is only available for a limited number of short wedding blessings each year. The St Bartholomew’s Church is no longer in full use and is currently being maintained by the Church Conservation Trust hence why it can only be used a limited number of times a year – Linda will point you in the right direction to work out if your blessing could be one of these.

The grounds, gazebo and barn are well maintained as is the stunning dovecote and pretty lake. Beautiful, tranquil, with well-kept lawns, the grounds are what sells this venue for the discerning wedding planning couple. The gazebo is perfect for outdoor ceremonies and seating is arranged nearby – bear in mind that this is an outdoor location with uneven paths and grass so think about what footwear is appropriate and plan accordingly. 

Furtho is a truly blank canvas but what a fabulous one. It should really be considered as an outdoor venue with options, perfect for a summer wedding. The grounds and gazebo ceremony area are ideal on perfect summer days, and the barn style reception venue has a huge door leading to a patio area. They also only accept one wedding per weekend, so prime summer dates book up fast. And they allow for at least the day before to set up and the day after to clear away, hence only one wedding at a time. This offer is becoming rarer as many venues struggle to fit every booking request into their calendar. So, make the most of this chance if you’re planning a DIY wedding with lots of elements you’d like to prepare and set up yourself.

Although a summer wedding is the obvious choice, don’t discount the winter wedding option. The barn has been insulated and with the heaters included it creates a lovely, warm atmosphere, perfect for those that want that cosy winter wedding feel.

The barn has a comfortable seated banqueting capacity for up to 150 guests (in normal times!). They have been hosting smaller weddings throughout the pandemic when allowed but are very much looking forward to hosting larger weddings again  ASAP. Long term, if you’re looking to do something smaller you could opt for a mid-week wedding day and look at ways to conveniently divide the large open space up to feel a little more intimate.

Furtho has a small preferred suppliers list of recommended professional wedding businesses they’ve worked with but also the flexibility to work with others as needed. They aren’t tied to any particular caterers, which is handy if you want to provide something a little different. There is a kitchen area, but your catering provider will need to supply everything they need for prep and cooking. A new rustic bar area has been built into the space, which is a great size for the room, and very in keeping. 

The thing about a blank canvas is that the options are limitless. Décor, flowers, entertainment and more are all open to negotiation. You don’t get entirely the same support as you might at a hotel venue, but you get more time and there’s always the option to bring in a wedding day co-ordinator to do all the running around and faffy bits that you just don’t want to do yourself on your wedding day. The freedom to do exactly what makes you happy is a huge part of the draw to a venue like this but the grounds and uniqueness of Furtho puts it above the competition.  

Check out the Furtho Manor Farmfor your DIY wedding, you won’t regret it X

Contact Vikki to chat about help with your wedding planning, or for more advice on picking a venue.
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SEE VIKKI’S OTHER VENUE REVIEWS HERE.