Rachael & Steve’s Autumn Barn Wedding at Donington Park Farmhouse

Rachael & Steve’s September wedding was everything we love about early autumn celebrations. Rich tones, soft candlelight, and rustic textures that felt completely at home within the character of the barn. With a warm autumnal colour scheme running throughout, their day showed how a few well chosen styling details can completely transform a space without overcomplicating it.

Donington Park Farmhouse is a venue that naturally suits barn wedding styling. The exposed beams, darker wood, and cosy atmosphere create a lovely backdrop for seasonal colours, so we focused on enhancing what was already there rather than adding too much. The result felt warm, relaxed, and cohesive from start to finish.

Ceremony styling

For the ceremony, we kept the look clean and pared back.

The end chair of each row was dressed with a white chair sash, which stood out beautifully against the moodier rustic tones of the barn. Each sash was tied with a simple burnt orange ribbon, adding a subtle pop of colour that nodded to the autumn palette without overwhelming the space. It was a small detail, but it created lovely consistency down the aisle.

White lanterns and white petals lining the aisle and helping guide guests towards the front while softening the space with candlelight. This combination worked particularly well in the barn setting, adding warmth and structure to the ceremony area.

At the front, the focal point was our hexagonal wooden arch, styled with a soft fabric drape, pampas grass, and faux foliage for texture. Finished with the neon sign reading “it was always always you”, it framed Rachael & Steve perfectly for their vows. The mix of natural materials and gentle lighting felt relaxed and romantic while still in keeping with the rustic surroundings.

Wedding breakfast styling

After the ceremony, the celebration moved into the wedding breakfast space, set within the venue’s characterful Pig Sties. It’s such a unique area and a great example of how rustic wedding styling can work with the architecture rather than compete with it.

We carried the same chair styling through from the ceremony to keep everything consistent, repeating the white sash and burnt orange ribbon detail. Using the same elements across both spaces helped tie the day together visually.

Long trestle tables were dressed simply with an orange fabric runner down the centre, adding warmth and colour without crowding the tables. Along the runner, we placed white bud vases filled with dried florals, bringing in texture and soft autumn tones. The combination felt relaxed and seasonal, and worked beautifully with the natural finishes of the room.

The finishing touches

We also styled a rustic wooden table plan, finished with a burnt orange fabric drape to tie it into the rest of the décor. It’s the kind of area that’s easy to overlook, but guests naturally gather here, so giving it a bit of attention makes a big difference.

The same goes for the welcome sign. These small styling moments at the entrance or in transitional spaces help the whole day feel thought through and connected, rather than just focusing on the main tables.

A cohesive autumn look

Rachael & Steve’s wedding is a great example of how sticking to a clear palette and repeating a few key elements can create a strong, cohesive look. White, burnt orange, wood, and soft textures were used consistently throughout, allowing the venue’s character to shine while still feeling styled and polished.

It was a pleasure to bring their vision to life at Donington Park Farmhouse and to show how simple, seasonal details can work beautifully within a barn setting.