Pete & Megan – Hazel Gap Barn Wedding | 4th April 2026
Some weddings don’t need to push for atmosphere.
They have it naturally.
The setting, the timing, the people — everything comes together in a way that just feels easy from the start. Pete and Megan’s wedding at Cripps Hazel Gap was exactly that.
A clear spring day. Soft, neutral styling. A calm, well-paced schedule. And a couple who clearly wanted the day to feel relaxed, personal, and quietly enjoyable for everyone there.
We were there to provide live music for the ceremony and drinks reception — shaping the feel of the day without ever overcomplicating it.
And it suited the venue perfectly.
A Venue That Does Simplicity Beautifully
Cripps Hazel Gap has a very particular feel.
It’s refined, but not formal.
Stylish, but not over-designed.
A space that allows everything else — the people, the music, the moments — to come through naturally.
The ceremony takes place in the barn, with the drinks reception flowing out into the courtyard and bar area.
On this day, with the weather on our side, guests moved easily between inside and outside — drinks in hand, conversations unfolding naturally in the sunshine.
That indoor-outdoor balance is one of the venue’s strengths.
And it works especially well with live music.
A Calm and Considered Start to the Day
Guests began arriving from 1pm, with a 1:30pm ceremony.
From our position at the back of the barn — opposite the bridal entrance — we were able to set a gentle tone as people took their seats.
The pre-ceremony music reflected exactly the feel Pete and Megan were after:
- Yellow – Coldplay
- Can You Feel the Love Tonight – Elton John
- How Long Will I Love You – Ellie Goulding
- Forever – Lewis Capaldi
- A Thousand Years – Christina Perri
It’s a lovely balance — familiar, understated, and quietly emotional without ever feeling too heavy.
You could see guests settling comfortably into the space, recognising songs, and easing into the moment.
That’s always the aim at this stage.
Not to dominate the room — but to bring it together.
A Simple, Effective Entrance
For the bridal entrance, Megan chose:
Forever After All – Luke Combs
A strong, contemporary choice that worked beautifully in the space.
There’s something about country-inspired songs in a setting like Hazel Gap — they sit naturally, without feeling overly formal.
The entrance itself was simple and well-paced.
No overproduction. No unnecessary layering.
Just a clear, confident moment that felt entirely in keeping with the day.
A Ceremony That Felt Personal
The ceremony itself carried that same tone — relaxed, sincere, and well balanced.
During the signing, we moved through:
- Beautiful Crazy – Luke Combs
- So Easy to Fall in Love – Olivia Dean
- Unwritten – Natasha Bedingfield
A mix that gently lifted the mood without shifting the feel too dramatically.
And then the exit:
Dancing in the Moonlight – Toploader
A perfect choice.
Light, familiar, and just enough of a lift to bring everyone out of the ceremony and into the next part of the day.
A Small Detail That Made Everyone Smile
One of the quieter highlights of the ceremony was Archie — Pete and Megan’s Labrador — who was there throughout.
It’s a small detail, but one that adds something genuinely personal to the day.
And in a setting like Hazel Gap, it fits perfectly.
Nothing forced. Nothing overly staged.
Just part of the day.
Drinks Reception in the Courtyard and Bar
After the ceremony, guests moved out into the courtyard and bar area for drinks and canapés.
With the sunshine holding, many stayed outside — creating a relaxed, open feel that worked beautifully with the venue.
From a music perspective, this is exactly the kind of setting where a live duo works best.
Not intrusive.
Not competing with conversation.
But always present.
We positioned ourselves in the bar area, allowing the sound to carry naturally into both indoor and outdoor spaces — something that’s particularly important at Hazel Gap, where amplification outdoors is limited.
A Drinks Reception That Felt Easy
Pete and Megan’s drinks reception playlist gave us a wide palette to work from:
- Love Story – Taylor Swift
- All the Small Things – Blink 182
- Together in Electric Dreams
- At Last – Etta James
- Sweet Disposition
- Marry You – Bruno Mars
- Come What May
- Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)
- Bitter Sweet Symphony
- Dreams – Fleetwood Mac
- Accidentally in Love
- Africa – Toto
And many more.
What worked particularly well here was the variety.
A mix of:
- Light classics
- Indie and pop favourites
- Subtle acoustic moments
- A few slightly unexpected choices
All arranged for piano and cello in a way that suited the setting.
Nothing felt out of place.
Nothing felt too much.
Just a consistent, easy atmosphere that carried the drinks reception naturally.
Understanding the Space
Hazel Gap is a venue where understanding the space really matters.
With restrictions on amplified sound outdoors, the natural acoustic of piano and cello becomes a real advantage.
It allows:
- Music to travel without overwhelming
- Guests to move freely between spaces
- A consistent sound without needing volume
And on a day like this — with guests spread between courtyard and bar — that balance is exactly what you want.
A Smaller Wedding That Felt Complete
With around 62 guests, this was a more intimate wedding.
And that changes the dynamic slightly — in a good way.
Everything feels closer.
More connected.
More personal.
Music becomes part of the space rather than something separate from it.
And that was very much the case here.
A Couple Who Kept It Clear
Pete and Megan’s approach to the day was simple and effective.
Clear timings.
Thoughtful song choices.
A focus on atmosphere rather than over-complication.
That always works.
Because it allows everything else — the venue, the people, the music — to do its job properly.
Working With Cripps Hazel Gap
Cripps venues are always well organised, and Hazel Gap is no exception.
Even without a single named contact until closer to the day, the events team were responsive, helpful, and clear throughout.
From access to setup to sound considerations, everything was straightforward.
And that always makes a difference behind the scenes.
Why This Wedding Worked So Well
There wasn’t one single standout “moment” here.
Instead, it was the consistency of the day that made it work:
- A venue that suits a relaxed style
- A couple who kept things clear and personal
- A natural flow between spaces
- Music that supported rather than dominated
And above all — a sense that everything was exactly as it should be.
Thank You
Pete & Megan — thank you for having us.
A genuinely lovely day to be part of, and one that captured exactly what a spring wedding at Hazel Gap can be.
Relaxed, thoughtful, and beautifully put together.
Planning a Wedding at Cripps Hazel Gap
If you’re planning a wedding here, the key is simple:
Let the venue do what it does best.
And use live music to support the flow of the day — from ceremony through to drinks reception.
You don’t need to overfill the space.
You just need to get the balance right.
JAM Duo — Live Music for the Moments That Matter
Ceremony and drinks reception, fully live:
Piano & cello, no backing tracks, and a sound that fits the day.
