Wedding FAQ’s

Does the package number of included guests include the bride and groom?

Yes, the Bride and Groom need to be included within the package number of included guests.

What is the best time to have our wedding ceremony, what time shall we eat, and what time shall I invite our evening guests?

Take a look at page 14 of our wedding brochure for suggested orders of the day.

The Wedding Preparation Room is not included in my package. How do I book it, and how much is it?

The wedding preparation room is only included within the midweek, winter, Friday & Saturday package. If it is not included, you can book this at the final meeting. The cost is stated in your wedding price list.

Can I get married outside?

Yes, you can get married outside in our gardens. We use the lawn overlooking the roaches, with 40 seats, and the remaining guests standing. Please ensure you inform us at your final meeting, and you will be required to inform your registrar beforehand. Please note there is an extra charge to us for this service, as this is not included within any of our packages. We will also be prepared to set up indoors for the service in the event of poor weather conditions!

How many guests can fit for the civil ceremony?

We can get up to 120 in half of the function room (including the balcony) with the curtain closed. Nowadays, we would use the whole room, and the ceremony would take place in front of the star cloth.

Is wedding confetti allowed?

Yes, but we ask that this be thrown on our lawns so that our lawnmowers can easily pick it up. The confetti must also be biodegradable. Confetti bombs are not allowed!

Can I use my own venue dresser or dress the room ourselves?

Yes, you can use your own venue dressers (instead of Enchanted Venue Dressing); however, they can only have access to the room after 10 am on the day of the wedding and must ensure that everything is removed the following morning before 10 am. We would never recommend that guests decorate the room themselves, as this can be time-consuming! We are happy to place any pre-made table decorations onto the tables for you. You would just bring the items made up the day before, place them into our storage and then we will take care of it the next day.

Are tablecloths & napkins included?

Yes, we provide white tablecloths, which are included; you can upgrade to ivory or black if you wish. The napkins included are high-quality plain ivory, but you can also upgrade to various coloured linen napkins. If you would like to upgrade either tablecloths or napkins, please mention this at your final meeting. Any other table decorations need to be arranged with your venue dresser!

Can we use candles during the service and/or on the tables during the wedding breakfast?

Yes, but during the service, open flames on candles are not allowed; the flames need to be either protected or battery-operated. On the tables, candles are allowed, but tea light candles need to be in a holder where the flame is protected or battery-operated.

Do you have an easel for my guest list and table plan?

Yes, we do (as long as the table plan is not too heavy or too big!). You do need to provide the table plan yourself.

Can we have large “love” or “Mr & Mrs” Letters?

Yes, not a problem! There are certain places we would recommend these being placed, such as on the balcony or at the bottom of the function room by the small windows. We suggest not putting them behind the top table, as this space is needed in the evening for your buffet table (or band, if having one!)

Are there any limitations on venue dressing?

You are pretty much free to do what you want without knocking down any walls or ceilings! All we say is consider how much venue dressing you have; sometimes less is better than more!
Also, consider any items that need to be moved after the ceremony, before the wedding breakfast. This can be a very busy time for us; we are happy to move your chairs and flowers, but any more takes valuable time away from us to prepare for your wedding breakfast.
Be careful what you put behind your civil service table, as this can block access to the gardens and fire doors. Any large items such as moon gates will need to be moved by your venue dresser immediately after the ceremony, so they will need to be aware of this.

Do you provide a cake stand & cake knife?

Yes, we have a round or square antique silver cake stand base and knife to use free of charge.

Can I have a fresh cream wedding cake, pork pie wedding cake or cheese wedding cake?

Unfortunately, due to health and safety regulations, any high-risk fresh food items, such as fresh cream, pork pies or soft cheeses, cannot be left out of refrigeration for more than 2 hours, including any transportation time out of temperature control.
Cheese wedding cakes are allowed, as long as all the cheeses are hard & fully pasteurised. We can provide plates, knives and accompaniments at an extra charge.
If you wish to decorate your cake with fresh fruit, this is not a problem, but be aware that we cannot store items in our fridges beforehand.

Am I able to bring the cake the night before?

We prefer that wedding cakes be delivered and built by a supplier or yourself on the morning of your wedding. However, we understand that sometimes cakes are made by close friends or family and need to be delivered the day before. This is OK, but please be aware that our storage is limited, and we cannot be responsible for any damage. No items can be stored in our refrigeration due to limited space. We strongly advise that cakes made with butter, icing, chocolate, or any other product that may melt are not stored in our storeroom due to the room being too warm and should be brought on the day of the wedding!

Can I bring fresh flowers the night before?

Due to limited space for storage and refrigeration, all fresh flowers need to be delivered on the morning of the wedding.

Do I need to put out my own name cards and favours?

No. You would either get your venue dresser to do this or we would take care of it for you on the day. At your final meeting, we will explain how to organise this for us. You must provide the name cards and favours yourself!

What is the maximum number of guests?

For a sit-down meal, depending on table plans, we can sit around a maximum of 122.

For an evening reception, the room can hold a maximum of 220 guests, as many guests in the evening do not require a seat at the same time.

What is the maximum number of guests per table, and how many tables will I need?

The top table (3.6m – 5.5m in length) holds a maximum of 12 guests. (This table can be made smaller for a maximum of 7 or 4)

The round tables (1.68m diameter) that hold a maximum of 10 guests

• • The room can hold a maximum of 11 round tables (1x top table + 11x rounds = max 122 daytime guests)
  • The top table will remain the same.
  • For 123 – 150  daytime guests, we have other options.
  • The maximum evening guests remain at 220, as many guests in the evening do not require a seat at the same time.

The number of tables depends on your table plans and the number of guests. As a minimum (not for small weddings on the Intimate package), use a minimum of a top table, plus 4 round tables.

Do I have to have a top table?

No, if you don’t want one, we recommend that you both sit on one of the round tables with other guests, central to the room. We can also provide a smaller round table (love heart table) for just the 2 of you on your own or with a few close friends or family.

Can the cross-back chairs be dressed?

The cross-back chairs can either be

• • Left as they are, undressed.
  • Dressed with a single sash and brooch.
  • Dressed with a stretch chair cover and sash
  • or speak to your venue dresser about more possible ideas.

Do you provide high chairs?

Yes, we have 3; any more than this, you would need to provide yourselves. You also still need to factor in high chairs as a space on a table.

Can I provide my own alcohol, and if so, what is the corkage?

If you wish to provide your own alcohol, we would have to charge you a corkage of £20 per bottle of wine and £25 per bottle of Champagne. Miniatures of alcohol as favours are allowed, as long as they are below 50 ml per guest, and we won’t charge a corkage on this.

At what age do you count as a child?

We normally define a child as anyone aged 14 and under, but this may vary depending on whether the child will be eating a child or adult portion. Babies that do not require meals or wish to share their parents’ meals will not be charged, but they do need to be included as a space on table plans! For the menu, you can either give them the same starter as the adults or if you think they will not want the starter, we can serve all the children their child’s main course immediately after we have served all the adults their starters, so they are not waiting too long! We can then offer the same dessert as the adults or offer ice cream.

Do you offer gluten-free options for coeliacs and other dietary requirements?

Some of the dishes for our starters and main courses are already gluten-free; if they are not, we can modify them to be gluten-free. Our menus state what allergens are in each dish and some dishes can be modified. Please ensure you know of any food tolerances or allergies to inform us at your final meeting.

Can we provide Singing waiters, live musicians, magicians, cartoonists or any other entertainers?

Yes, not a problem. You would need to arrange and book yourself, or if you don’t know anyone, contact the entertainment agency we use mjemanagement. Inform us at your final meeting. We will require a copy of their Public Liability Insurance and P.A.T. Certification (if applicable) Documentation.

Can we have a bouncy castle?

Yes, if you book a bouncy castle yourselves, they would use the top lawn behind the function room. We do have a power supply they can use. We would recommend that they do not set up until the afternoon, as you may want to use that lawn for photographs. We will also require a copy of their Public Liability Insurance and P.A.T. Certification (if applicable). Documentation

Do we need to leave the function room in the afternoon to allow us to prepare for the evening?

No, we will tidy up around your guests from the daytime to prepare for the evening.

Can I order less food than the number of guests going for the evening reception?

We would highly recommend that your final numbers for food in the evening be as close as possible to the exact number of evening guests coming, including the day guests. We will only cater for and put out the number of plates for the final number of guests that you tell us; it looks very bad on our part if we run out of food because you have not told us the correct number of guests.

What time will the bar open in the function room?

This will open between 7pm and 7.30pm as your evening guests start to arrive. If your daytime guests require any more drinks on top of the drinks you have already provided, the front bar is open all day from 11am.

Can we provide Photo booths and/or casino tables?

Yes, not a problem if you book a company for photo booths or Casino tables.

• • We normally place the photo booths in the balcony area.
  • Casino tables would be placed in similar areas. Depending on the total number of guests in the evening and what other large items you are having, you can normally fit a blackjack table and/or roulette table.
  • Consider how many large items, such as love letters, photo booths, casino tables, sweet carts, etc., you have on the balcony, as this can take valuable seating and standing space away from your guests!
  • We will require a copy of their Public Liability Insurance and P.A.T. Certification (if applicable), and inform us at your final meeting.

Can we have candy carts, popcorn carts, ice-cream carts, chocolate fountains, etc.?

Yes, you can book external companies and like above, most will be placed on the balcony. We will require a copy of their Public Liability Insurance and P.A.T. Certification (if applicable) Documentation. We do not allow you to provide any high-risk foods such as fresh cream cakes, soft cheeses or pork pie wedding cakes.

Are fireworks or Chinese lanterns permitted at the venue?

Due to us being located in a rural area and not wanting to upset our farming neighbours and their livestock, fireworks or Chinese lanterns are not permitted. Sparklers are Ok outside, but please provide a sand bucket for the used sparklers.

Is it possible to use our own DJ instead of the included DJ, and is there any price adjustment?

Our DJ is included in the package. You can supply your own DJ, but they would need to provide their own equipment/lighting, and they would have their sound levels monitored with a cut-out system if too loud. We will require a copy of their Public Liability Insurance and P.A.T. Certification Documentation. There would also be no discount, as we pay our DJs a salary.

Can we have live entertainment or a band in the evening?

Yes, if you don’t know anyone, contact the entertainment agency we use mjemanagement; the agency will also advise on timings, sets and costs. The entertainment would work alongside our DJ, the Dj would start the party going, then the band (with a 30-minute rest where the DJ will fill in, if having 2 sets), and the DJ would end the night. Please inform us at the final meeting, and we will need a copy of their Public Liability Insurance and P.A.T. Certification Documentation. You can also hire our stage, which we will assemble in the afternoon after the wedding breakfast. Prices are stated in your price list.

What time does the evening end, and can we extend this?

The bar closes for everyone (including residents) at 11.30pm. The evening ends at midnight. We advise that you inform guests to pre-book taxis for midnight, as taxis in our area are hard to get last minute! Unfortunately, we cannot extend the time past midnight due to our licence.
We do have a lounge area in the bars that a small number of residents can only use past midnight; just make sure you get extra drinks at last orders. Unfortunately, non-residents cannot stay in this area past midnight!

I have someone arriving in a wheelchair; where do they arrive?

Anyone arriving in wheelchairs will need to enter the building via the reception entrance. Access to the function room is via the gardens from the main dining areas. For more details, see our accessibility statement.

Where are the disabled toilets located, and are there ramps for wheelchairs?

The disabled toilets are located within our main dining area and are best accessed via the gardens. For more details, see our accessibility statement and discuss with us at your final meeting.

How many rooms do you have, what are the prices, and is there a discount?

We have 20 in total available for wedding guests, divided into 4 different categories.

• • Are pub rooms the cheapest, located above the function room? Then we have classic, superior & four-poster superiors.
  • To view the price of our rooms for wedding guests, click here.
  • If your guests book in advance of 6 months of your wedding, via the link we send you in your confirmation, they will receive 10% off the room rate for one night. Bookings within 6 months of the wedding day will need to be booked directly on our website; the discount will only be available on any remaining pub rooms!
  • Our Garden rooms (5 in total) with outdoor cedar hot tubs are reserved for guests only on spa break packages. Why not take advantage of your discount on our spa packages and stay an extra night in a garden room on a spa break, the perfect mini-moon break to reflect on the day before! Click here for more details.

Can our guests book a room the night before the wedding?

Yes, we have a 2-night rate available as well. However, this is limited to 5 superior rooms, so as to stop weddings from booking too many rooms the night before on someone else’s wedding day. At 6 months to a date, unsold rooms are put on general sale, and you can then book more than the 5 rooms for the night before.

What time is check-in & check-out for the bedrooms?

Check-in is from 15.00 hrs; to ensure our rooms are fully cleaned, rooms will not be available before this time.

Check-out is at 11.00 hrs.

When do I need to tell you about any details of the day, final numbers and menu choices?

We will contact you closer to your wedding to arrange a final meeting about 4-6 weeks prior to the wedding. At the meeting, we will discuss your final arrangements, such as:

• • • Final numbers
    • menu choose
    • Require any pre-orders, if having option 2
    • Drinks Packages
    • Explain how to do your seating plans
    • Discuss what will happen on the day, step by step, with estimated times.
    • And answer any further questions you may have.

When are payments due, and can I pay more in advance?

We require a £1000 deposit initially. Then, 12 months before your wedding date, we ask for a further £1000 deposit to be paid via BACS transfer. If booked within 12 months of a date, we ask for this further payment to be made 2 months after you made the booking. Then the remainder of the package value is due by the time of your final meeting, 4-6 weeks before. You can also pay any extra before the final meeting if you wish to do so. All large payments need to be paid by bank transfer. Any extras over the package value are paid for the following morning after the wedding at the reception by card.

My Wedding Venue Has Cancelled; Do You Offer Last-Minute Weddings?

We understand how stressful it can be if your wedding venue unexpectedly cancels. Our team will always do our best to support couples in this situation and may be able to offer availability for short-notice or last-minute weddings, subject to date availability.

If you find yourself needing an alternative venue quickly, please contact our wedding team as soon as possible. We can check available dates, discuss package options, and guide you through the next steps to help ensure your special day still goes ahead smoothly. Our experienced coordinators are here to make the process as straightforward and stress-free as possible.

We recommend calling us directly for urgent enquiries so we can respond promptly and explore all available options with you.