A group of enterprising local and regional women have joined together to promote the Upper Horton as a destination for the classic country wedding. The group bring expertise in floral arrangements, on-the-day coordination, wedding cakes, hair and beauty, catering and photography, together with the country charm of the Village Hall and Sports Club grounds in the village of Upper Horton.
Upper Horton is a very small village beside the Horton River in the Horton Valley between Barraba and Bingara. The Sports Club is the social centre of the village. The Club grounds provide a peaceful riverside setting for outdoor ceremonies and parties, and in the grounds there is a historic bush church which adds to the atmosphere. The Village Hall is a rustic building that can be used for indoor aspects of events, as can the Club premises.
The collaboration has been named “Upper Horton Functions and Events” and is made up of Cobbadah Flowers, Carla Yeo Photography, Homestead Road Bridal Co, Lush Hair and Beauty from Bingara, Whisk and Spoon, The Balloon Creative, Linda McDouall – The Rural Celebrant and the Upper Horton Sports Club. Marnie Crowley is Cobbadah’s creative florist with a well known love of all things weddings. The Balloon Creative is the business of Peta Middlemiss, who uses balloons to add something special to events. Georgina from Whisk and Spoon provides special occasion cakes, and Bingara’s beauty queen, Skye from Lush Hair and Beauty Haven takes care of all things beauty for the bridal party. Jo from Homestead Road Bridal Co specialises in luxury bridal gowns, both custom made and pre-loved. Carla Yeo is a Tamworth based photographer who does a range of photography types. The Club provides equipment and venue hire, catering and bar services. Linda McDouall will ensure the knot is tied and all official happenings are taken care of.
Recently the group of entrepreneurs got together and put together a styled wedding shoot to showcase their businesses as well as the Horton Valley setting as a picturesque wedding venue. Tamworth photographer Carla Yeo captured the day. Sophie Hardcastle posed as the bride and Jason Mack as the groom. Carla Yeo’s photographs are designed to give people considering wedding plans a taste of the possibilities the venue and vendors can provide.
Local woman Brianna Mack explains, “Marnie Crowley (from Cobbadah Flowers) and I have been wanting to showcase what Upper Horton has to offer for some time now. We believe people would love our little hidden gem. People are unsure of what we and other local businesses have to offer, so by putting together the small business collaboration we have not only showcased what Horton has to offer but have enlightened our future weddings and events clients of the amazing services available right at our door steps!”
Brianna says Lindsay Hagan from The Upper Horton Sports Club needs the credit for pitching the whole idea. “Lindsay is always pushing for events to happen down at the Horton, which is fantastic.” By Jane Harris
