When Debbie told me afterwards that our first meeting had felt "meant to be," it was one of those comments that stays with you. Some couples you click with, and from the moment I spoke with Debbie and Adam, I knew their day would be a lovely one.
Their April wedding at Curradine Barns in Shrawley, Worcestershire, was a relaxed, intimate celebration for around 40 guests, the people who mattered most, and a barn that consistently delivers excellence. I was asked to play during the wedding breakfast, providing live acoustic guitar as a backdrop to the meal. It might be the quieter end of the day compared to a ceremony entrance, but in many ways, it is the part where the music has the most room to breathe and where guests and couple alike actually get to sit and enjoy it.
The Wedding Breakfast
Debbie and Adam were happy to leave the song choices for breakfast largely to me, which I always enjoy. It means I can read the room, watch how the energy in the space shifts as the meal progresses, and choose songs that suit the moment rather than working through a fixed list regardless of the mood.
I played a mix of songs, something for everyone, from Beatles to Ed Sheeran and Disney, which always work beautifully in a barn setting alongside more contemporary pieces. The aim, as always, was to create something that felt warm and present without ever getting in the way of conversation. The music is meant to complement the day, not compete with it. Guests can hear it clearly from wherever they are sitting, but the person next to them does not have to raise their voice to be heard.
The groom's mother came over afterwards to say how much she enjoyed the music, how well the songs blended into one another, and how nicely the sound filled the space. It is exactly the kind of comment that tells you the balance is right. Debbie echoed this afterwards, saying the music had really made the day. That means a great deal to hear.
The Venue: Curradine Barns, Shrawley
Curradine Barns is one of my favourite venues in Worcestershire, and one I return to regularly. It sits in the village of Shrawley, and the barn itself is genuinely beautiful, with exposed timber, natural light, and a character that means couples rarely need to do much to make it look special.
From a musician's point of view, it is an excellent room for an acoustic guitar. The acoustics are warm rather than echoey, which suits fingerstyle playing particularly well, the notes fill the space cleanly without bouncing around, which would muddy the sound. For a wedding breakfast, where the music needs to carry evenly across a room full of tables and conversation, this matters more than people might expect.
I have played enough weddings at Curradine Barns to know the layout well and to set up quickly and without fuss. Emma was the wedding co-ordinator on the day, and she and the whole team at Curradine Barns are excellent to work with, organised, calm, and the kind of team that means the day runs to time without anyone feeling like it is being managed at them. If you are considering this venue, you are in very good hands.
Why Some Couples Choose the Wedding Breakfast Over the Ceremony
The most common package I play is the ceremony and drinks reception. But Debbie and Adam's choice of the wedding breakfast is one I think more couples should consider, and for a very good reason.
During the ceremony, the couple is focused entirely on what is happening in front of them. During the drinks reception, they are often whisked away by their photographer for portraits around the grounds of the venue. The wedding breakfast is frequently the first extended part of the day where the couple actually gets to sit, look around the room, and take it all in. Having live music during that time means they get to enjoy it themselves, rather than hearing from guests later that it was lovely.
Debbie and Adam clearly felt the music as they sat there, which is why the feedback afterwards was so warm. It was theirs to enjoy, not just their guests'.
Suppliers on the Day
- Photography, Paul Willetts Photography
- Wedding cake, Karen, Wedding Cake by Karen
- Evening entertainment, Chamberlain Events
- Makeup, Pretty Please Beauty Bar
- Hair, Francesca Celeste Hair
- Venue co-ordination, Emma and the team at Curradine Barns
Planning Advice for Curradine Barns
If you are planning a wedding at Curradine Barns and you are thinking about live music, a few things are worth keeping in mind.
The barn's acoustics are genuinely well-suited to acoustic guitar, you do not need a large PA or anything that will overpower the room. One well-positioned speaker is usually enough for a wedding breakfast of this size, and the space carries the sound naturally.
If you are planning to have your drinks reception outside on the terrace, which is worth doing in warmer months, let your guitarist know early so the right setup can be arranged. I typically bring additional speakers to cover outdoor areas, but it is something to discuss at the planning stage rather than on the day.
And if you are torn between a ceremony package and a wedding breakfast package, think honestly about which part of the day you most want to be present for the music yourself. That usually points you in the right direction.
