Wedding bells could replace the sound of cow bells at one Kelbrook farm as it continues to diversify.
Richard Wilson, of Brook Farm in Harden Road, has set up a new venture to hire out one of his fields as a venue for wedding receptions.
Mr Wilson (48) was approached by a couple of friends in 2012 for a wedding reception and held another in the summer.
Having grown up rearing cows and sheep all his life which are there to stay, Mr Wilson is getting used to hearing “I do” rather than the than the more familiar “moo” around the farm.
Mr Wilson said: “Some close friends asked if they could use the field for a marquee reception two years ago and then another couple turned up at the farm asking if they could hire the field, so we hosted them in July.
“Everyone kept coming up to me and saying what a fantastic location it was, and how they’d had such a fabulous time, so I thought I’d have a look at promoting it as an official venue.
“Within a month of setting up a website and Facebook page, we’d had dozens of enquiries and two confirmed bookings for 2015, so it looks like it’s going to be popular.
“Hopefully the ‘wedding field’ will be a success – it just gives couples a bit of freedom to do what they like.
“The field is a blank canvas and they can design their own day any way they want and make it a bit unique.”
In 2009, Brook Farm diversified with the opening of a children’s day nursery and now Mr Wilson hopes to put it on the map as a wedding reception venue too.
The farm is hosting “A Wedding in the Dales” event from 11am until 3pm on Sunday, November 2nd, organised by a newly-formed network, called Bolton Abbey Weddings, made up of wedding professionals from across Lancashire and Yorkshire.
Visitors can follow two couples as they are preened and pampered by expert beauticians, jewellers and outfitters, along with their bridesmaids and page boys.
There will be a chance to observe different styles of personalised ceremonies, such as hand-fasting, sand ceremony and unity candles and brides and grooms-to-be can experience a range of top quality wedding stationery, cakes, floral displays, music, entertainment, venue accessories, headwear, photography and food.
There will be goody bags and a free prize draw on top of that. For more information, visit www.weddingfieldhire.com or www.boltonabbeyweddings.co.uk.