Shane & Abbie – Thursford Collection Wedding | 2nd April 2026
Some weddings are elegant.
Some are relaxed.
Some are beautifully styled.
And then every so often, one comes along that just has a proper atmosphere running through the entire day — something a bit different, a bit unexpected, and completely memorable for everyone there.
Shane and Abbie’s wedding at the Thursford Collection was exactly that.
From the moment we arrived, it was clear this wasn’t going to be a standard wedding setup. The venue itself already sets the tone — part garden pavilion, part museum, part immersive experience — and when you add a couple who fully lean into that energy, you get something really special.
And it all started with a ceremony that felt as good as it looked.
A Stylish Start in the Barn
The ceremony took place in the Barn at Thursford — an intimate, warm space that immediately felt welcoming as guests arrived.
Around 80 guests, a beautifully balanced size for this venue, filled the room quickly. There was already a buzz before anything had even started — the kind of natural energy you hope for at the beginning of a wedding day.
We began with a pre-ceremony set that blended emotion and familiarity:
- I See the Light
- Hallelujah
- L-O-V-E
- When You Say Nothing At All
- You’ll Be in My Heart
A mix of Disney, classics, and modern favourites — exactly the kind of set that brings guests in without overwhelming the space. You could feel people settling, smiling, recognising melodies, and relaxing into the moment.
That’s always the goal at this stage — not background music, but something that gently draws everyone into the day.
A Bridal Entrance That Landed Perfectly
The transition into the ceremony itself was beautifully handled.
The bridesmaids entered to Canon in D, a classic choice that always works — elegant, structured, and instantly recognisable. It set the tone exactly right.
Then Abbie’s entrance.
She chose Can’t Help Falling in Love — and it couldn’t have suited her better.
And yes — she looked absolutely incredible.
Everything about the moment worked. The timing, the space, the music sitting exactly where it should, and that feeling when the room just shifts as the bride appears.
This is where live music makes all the difference. The pacing felt natural, the movement down the aisle unhurried, and the whole moment landed exactly as it should.
No rush. No awkward timing. Just a proper entrance.
A Ceremony Full of Personality
The signing of the register gave us a chance to bring in a slightly more contemporary feel, with:
- Until I Found You
- I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing
- Tale as Old as Time
A brilliant mix — romantic, recognisable, and varied enough to keep everyone engaged.
Then the exit:
This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)
And this is where the energy properly lifted.
It’s one of those songs that instantly changes the mood — guests smiling, turning, reacting — and suddenly the ceremony doesn’t just end, it launches the rest of the day.
Which, at Thursford, meant something quite unique.
Drinks Reception… Inside a Museum
Straight after the ceremony, guests made their way into the museum space for the drinks reception — and this is where this wedding really came into its own.
If you haven’t been to the Thursford Collection, it’s unlike any other wedding venue.
Steam engines. Mechanical organs. Vintage fairground pieces. A full carousel.
It’s not just a backdrop — it’s an experience.
And Shane and Abbie used it perfectly.
As we started the drinks reception set, guests were already moving through the space, drinks in hand, taking everything in. But what made it even better was what happened next:
Guests were actually riding the carousel.
Not just looking at it. Not just photographing it.
On it. Laughing. Properly enjoying it.
And Shane and Abbie right there with them.
That’s the kind of detail that turns a wedding from “nice” into unforgettable.
A Drinks Reception With Real Energy
Musically, this was exactly the kind of set we love to build.
The couple had given us a brilliantly varied brief:
- Disney
- Harry Styles
- One Direction
- Linkin Park
- Luke Combs
- Christina Perri
- Jazz and classics
- Power ballads
- Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Etta James
- Modern covers
Which meant we could create a set that constantly shifted, surprised, and kept people engaged.
One moment you’ve got a stripped-back Disney arrangement, the next a reworked pop track, then something with a jazz feel that fits perfectly with the surroundings.
And because everything is live, we can shape it in real time.
Lift the energy when the room lifts.
Pull it back when conversations deepen.
Keep everything moving without it ever feeling forced.
In a setting like the Thursford museum — with so much visual stimulation already — the music becomes the thread that ties everything together.
And you could feel it working.
Guests weren’t drifting.
They were staying. Engaging. Enjoying it.
That’s exactly what you want.
The Look of the Day
Visually, this wedding was beautifully put together.
The bridesmaids in lavender gave a soft, elegant contrast, while the sage green and grey tones for the groomsmen worked perfectly alongside the venue’s more industrial and vintage textures.
And Abbie — as mentioned — absolutely nailed it.
It’s always worth saying, because it matters:
When the look, the setting, and the atmosphere all align, everything feels elevated.
And this was one of those days.
A Seamless Move Into the Wedding Breakfast
One of the great things about Thursford is how easily the day flows between spaces.
From museum to Pavilion, it’s a short transition — about a minute — which keeps everything tight and connected.
No long gaps. No loss of atmosphere.
We reset quickly in the Pavilion ready for the wedding breakfast, and as guests were introduced, the tone was already set.
Shane and Abbie chose “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” for their entrance — handled by the venue — which worked perfectly to bring everyone into the room.
From there, we took over with a live set designed to keep the energy exactly where it needed to be.
Wedding Breakfast That Stayed Alive
This is where a lot of weddings can dip.
But not here.
We continued with a similar musical mix to the drinks reception — keeping it varied, recognisable, and engaging, but slightly more controlled to suit the seated setting.
The key here is balance:
- Enough energy to keep the room alive
- Enough restraint to allow conversation
- Enough variety to keep guests interested
And again, because everything is live, we can read the room constantly.
If a table reacts to something, we build on it.
If the room settles, we adjust.
If the energy lifts, we go with it.
It means the meal never feels long.
It just flows.
A Couple Who Trusted the Process
What really made this day work was Shane and Abbie themselves.
They gave us a clear musical direction — but also trusted us to shape it.
That’s always when things land best.
Because we can:
- Build a proper musical journey across the day
- React to what’s happening in the moment
- Keep everything feeling natural rather than staged
And that’s exactly what happened here.
Working With Thursford
A quick word on the venue itself — because it deserves it.
The team at Thursford were excellent throughout.
Everything ran smoothly, transitions were well managed, and from a supplier perspective, it’s a venue that clearly knows how to deliver a great wedding experience.
Special thanks to Melissa MacPherson for coordinating the day so effectively.
And yes — easy access, on-site parking, and sensible logistics always make a difference behind the scenes too.
The First Dance to Come
While the first dance was scheduled later in the evening (Amazed – Lonestar), everything leading up to that moment had already built the atmosphere perfectly.
That’s the key with a full-day setup.
By the time you reach the evening, you’re not starting again.
You’re continuing something that’s already working.
Why This Wedding Stood Out
There were a lot of great elements to this day.
But a few things really made it stand out:
- A venue that offers something genuinely different
- A couple who embraced that uniqueness
- Guests fully engaging with the experience (carousel included)
- A strong musical identity running throughout the day
- Seamless transitions between each part
And above all — it felt like a celebration from start to finish.
Thank You
Shane & Abbie — thank you for having us.
It was a genuinely fun day to be part of, and one we’ll remember for a long time.
Weddings like this are exactly why we do what we do.
Planning Your Wedding at Thursford (or Anywhere Similar)
If you’re planning a wedding and want:
- A drinks reception that actually feels like something
- A wedding breakfast that doesn’t lose momentum
- A ceremony that lands properly
- Live music that keeps the day moving
Then this is exactly where a live duo makes the difference.
JAM Duo — Live Wedding Music That Drives the Day
From ceremony through to drinks, meal, cocktail hour and first dance:
Always live. No backing tracks. Just real music that keeps your wedding alive.
If you’re getting married at the Thursford Collection — or planning something a bit different — we’d love to be part of it.
