The Roth Bar Galleries
Set in the heart of Somerset countryside, The Roth Bar in Bruton provided a relaxed, rustic chic setting for Anna and Matthew’s summer wedding. This historic barn venue with its exposed stone walls and rafters was the ideal backdrop for their charming, laidback celebration.
The Venue
The Roth Bar is located on Lower Farm in Bruton, surrounded by fields and woodlands. Converted from 18th-century farm buildings, the venue retains original features like brick and stone walls, timber beams, and tiled floors.
Some key details about The Roth Bar for weddings:
- Spacious barn – The main event space accommodates up to 120 guests for a seated meal. Floor-to-ceiling windows and double doors open to the gardens.
- Outdoor area – Guests can also gather in the pretty courtyard strung with festoon lights.
- On-site accommodation – The property has shepherd’s huts and the Farmhouse sleeping up to 34 guests.
- In-house catering – The Roth Bar’s experienced chefs use local fare to create bespoke, seasonal menus.
- Rustic decor – With its neutral palette and natural textures, the space requires minimal additional decor.
- Ample parking – Gravel parking lots provide plenty of room for guest vehicles.
- Convenient location – Just 10 minutes from Bruton town center and train station.
- Disabled access – The venue has ramps, accessible washrooms, and ground floor accommodation.
With its blend of rustic charm and modern comforts, The Roth Bar provided an ideal setting for Anna and Matthew’s wedding.
Flowers and Decor
Anna envisioned a relaxed, natural look for the wedding flowers and decor. The floral designs featured an abundance of greenery with pops of color from seasonal blooms.
Some details about the floral decor:
- Centerpieces – Low arrangements of roses, dahlias, scabiosa, and astilbe in antique vessels graced the reception tables.
- Ceremony arch – The couple said their vows under a simple archway woven with vines, ferns, and white blooms.
- Bouquets and boutonnieres – Anna carried a loose bouquet of peach roses and foliage. The bridesmaids had smaller versions accented with dahlias. The men wore boutonnieres crafted from rosemary and thyme.
- Aisle markers – The stone aisle was lined with lanterns holding trailing greens.
- Reception decor – In addition to the floral arrangements, the space was decorated with glass vessels filled with wildflowers and flickering candles.
The abundant greenery and natural colors perfectly complemented the venue’s rustic backdrop.
The Wedding Party
Anna and Matthew had an intimate wedding party made up of close siblings and friends:
- Bridesmaids – Anna’s two best friends stood up with her, wearing flowing peach chiffon gowns and carrying seasonal flower bouquets.
- Groomsmen – Matthew had his brother and the bride’s brother by his side. The groomsmen wore light grey suits with ties and boutonnieres matching the color palette.
- Flower girl – Anna’s adorable young cousin scattered rose petals down the aisle.
- Best man – Matthew chose his closest friend to serve as the best man.
Keeping the wedding party small allowed the focus to remain on Anna and Matthew’s commitment to each other.
The Timeline
The timeline allowed the bride and groom to soak in the laidback vibe of the day and mingle with loved ones.
- 11 AM – Bridal party arrived to get ready in the onsite cottage.
- 12:30 PM – Guests begin arriving at the venue.
- 1 PM – Ceremony commenced in the courtyard.
- 2 PM – Cocktail hour with drinks and light hors d’oeuvres in the barn and courtyard.
- 3 PM – Garden games like croquet and cornhole set up for guests.
- 4 PM – The wedding party takes photos around the property while guests enjoy the cocktail hour.
- 5 PM – The reception begins with the couple’s introductions and first dance.
- 6:30 PM – Dinner service, followed by toasts and cake cutting.
- 8:30 PM – Dancing and s’mores around the fire pit.
- 11 PM – Sparkler exit to cap off the night.
The relaxed schedule ensured Anna and Matthew could savor quality time with their loved ones.
The Guest List
Intimate and informal, Anna and Matthew’s wedding guests list focused on those closest to them. It included:
- Immediate family – Parents, siblings, grandparents, and a few aunts and uncles made up about 30 guests.
- Close friends – The couple invited around 20 of their dearest, long-time friends.
- New friends – They also included 10 friends made more recently through work, hobbies, or their community.
- Wedding party – With 4 attendants each, another 8 guests joined the list.
The smaller guest list enabled Anna and Matthew to connect meaningfully with each person there to celebrate their marriage.
Entertainment and Music
Anna and Matthew brought in talented musicians to fill the day with live music:
- Ceremony – A solo cellist played instrumental covers of popular songs as guests arrived and during the processional.
- Cocktail hour – An acoustic guitar duo welcomed guests with a folksy setlist.
- Reception – For the introductions and dances, a live band played upbeat covers punctuated with some slower ballads during dinner.
- Late night – After the dance floor opened up, the band’s DJ took over playing sing-along hits.
Relying on live musicians rather than recorded tracks gave the event a warm, intimate feel the couple adored.
The Menu
Working with The Roth Bar’s catering team, Anna and Matthew crafted a menu of rustic fare with seasonal ingredients.
Guests feasted on:
- Canapes – Mini crostinis topped with tomato jam, goat cheese, and basil.
- Starter – Burrata with roasted beets, orange segments, and beetroot crisps.
- Mains – Choices of seared salmon with Swiss chard or roasted chicken breast with rainbow carrots.
- Sides – Treviso salad, herb-roasted new potatoes, and summer vegetables.
- Dessert – Alternating tiers of lemon cake and chocolate ganache cake with edible flowers.
- Late-night snacks – Wood-fired pizzas, s’mores at the firepits.
Using fresh, local ingredients, the cuisine reflected the setting and season perfectly.
Standout Details
Though unfussy overall, Anna and Matthew’s wedding incorporated special personal details:
- Camp vibes – Outdoor games like croquet, cornhole, and giant Jenga encouraged a playful, relaxing atmosphere.
- Dessert bar – Along with wedding cake, they served an assortment of pies, macarons, and whoopie pies.
- Signature cocktails – Named after the bride and groom, featuring their favorite spirits.
- Family-style dinner – Shared platters promoted an intimate, communal vibe.
- S’mores – Guests roasted marshmallows over the firepits for late-night sweets.
- Sparkler exit – Much like camp, they closed out the night with a sparkler send-off.
These unique touches made the event fun and lighthearted.
The Photographer
To capture laidback photos suiting the vibe, Anna and Matthew hired wedding photographer Michael Gane of The FX Works.
They appreciated that Michael:
- Has over a decade of wedding photography experience.
- Uses a photojournalistic approach focused on authentic moments.
- Is familiar with outdoor, rustic wedding settings.
- Willing to hike around the property to get great shots.
- Understands how to coordinate essential portraits within the schedule.
- Brings an assistant and backup gear.
With his emphasis on relaxed, natural shots, Michael perfectly matched the wedding’s laidback farm vibe.
Conclusion
Anna and Matthew’s charming countryside wedding at The Roth Bar perfectly captured the couple’s unfussy, romantic vision. Surrounded by natural beauty and dear friends in a comfortable setting, the day remained focused on their love. Each detail, from the abundant greenery to fireside s’mores, lent to the laidback camp atmosphere. Laughter and joy shine through their wedding photos, evidence of a purely fun, heartfelt celebration. With its relaxed vibe and rustic chic style, their wedding kicked off a lifetime adventure as partners.