Frequently Asked Questions
Is there baby changing facilities
Yes, in the disabled toilets which is located in The Courtyard of The Coach House Barn. Gale Cottage is also available should you require this for naps.
Does the church have bells & an organ?
Yes, there are six bells which can be rung after your wedding ceremony takes place. Please liaise with the church to discuss these arrangements and costs.
What time do we have access on the wedding day?
The Coach House Barn & Grounds are generally opened at 8am on the day however this does depend on the setup you require and your timings. We can arrange an earlier time should this be required. But don’t forget a planner is there on the day to do all your setup, and make sure all your deliveries and decorations are in the right place. All your decorations can be delivered earlier in the week, this time slot will be confirmed at your Interim date (which is 4 weeks before your wedding). This will allow you to relax and not worry on the day, and enjoy the time getting ready!
When do we need to pick up our decorations?
At the end of your wedding our team will take down all your decorations and pop them back into their boxes. These will be taken over to Gale Cottage for you, so the next morning you don’t need to worry about taking all your decorations down. We do ask you take all your decorations away by 10am, so do arrange for a couple of extra cars to be available to help you. You’ll be surprised how much space the flowers take up!
Availability & deposits?
When does everything need to be finalised for the big day?
Everything in your planning document needs to be finalised by your interim date. This is 4 weeks before your wedding. You will receive this date at booking, and can also be found on the front of your planning document. All questions should have been asked before this date. All meal options, seating plan etc. is to be finalised by this date.
Can we bring candles?
Yes, we just ask that they are in something higher than the flame – for example a lantern. If you do decide to bring tea lights make sure they are 8+ hours so they can last throughout.
Where do guests park?
Guests can park to the left of the main black gates, just before the garden centre. It’s always advisable to allocate ushers to help greet guests. Although this will be clearly sign posted by our team, it’s always nice for your guests to be welcomed by a familiar face! Roughly 250 car parking spots are available. Guests should not leave valuables in their cars, we accept no responsibility for loss or damage. Cars can be collected the following morning.
Can we book a coach or double decker bus?
Yes, this can really help with the logistics of transporting your guests. This is usually used when you have a large proportion of guests all staying at the same hotel, coming from the same area or if you’re getting married offsite. Do make sure this information is in your planning document so your planner can make sure cones are used to help them turn around. The drop of point is to the left of the black gates – which is the same location for car parking. Guests can then walk up the drive and admire the beautiful entrance. Sign posts will be provided to direct your guests. See our supplier page.
Is there access for disabled guests?
Yes, please do discuss your requirements with your planner. Depending on the areas you are using will depend on the route used for disabled guests. Church lane can be used for direct access to The Church, The Coach House Barn & The North Lawn. The Coach House Barn has disabled toilet facilities on the ground floor.
Where can the bride get ready?
This does depend largely on your timings. Included within your facility fee is Gale Cottage for the day & evening of your wedding – Gale Cottage is situated within the courtyard of The Coach House Barn itself. Ideally located. Check in is from 12pm on the day, which is earlier than most hotels. About 4-5 months from your wedding date if the night before is available this will be offered to you on a 1st refusal basis. For pricing see your wedding summary.
What does it mean when the house is open to the public?
The Main House is open to the public throughout August & the bank holiday Sunday & Monday in May. Different entrances are used by your guests and the public to keep you separate. The North Lawn, Stretch Marquee, Coach House Barn and Courtyard are available for drinks receptions and wedding breakfasts during this time. The Main House itself is not available for Civil Ceremonies, Outside ceremonies or drinks receptions only during this time.
Is their a noise limiter?
As we don’t have any immediate neighbours there isn’t a specific noise limit.
Can we book our own band or DJ?
Yes, you are free to source your own band and/or DJ. We always recommend booking a band and/or DJ that are able to set up within an hour – So you and your guests aren’t waiting for them to set up. They are more welcome to set up earlier in the day should they need & if logistics permit. Some bands and/or DJ’s may charge extra for this. You can discuss the logistics in more depth with your planner who can tailor your requirements. They will need to provide proof of public liability insurance and PAT testing for their equipment. SEE OUR SUPPLIER PAGE FOR HELP
Where does the dancefloor go?
Included within your facility fee is a wooden dancefloor. During your planning stages we will go through a floorplan as to where you would like this. This does depend on your table set up and preference. Generally it would go underneath the main back wall, but can go in the middle of the room. Please ask your planner if you would like to look at upgrading your dancefloor to a white sparkling LED.
What are the hidden extras?
We don’t believe in hidden costs! We try and be extremely transparent with our pricing, so you do not have any surprises during your planning journey with us. This really helps for your budgeting. Your experience is very important to us! Your wedding summary will follow you throughout your journey and this pricing is fixed, which protects you against price increases. It also allows you to go through this before you book and understand all the costs. The wedding summaries are flexible in the sense that you can change your guest numbers, your food or drinks packages etc as stated within the summary. Each time you sit down with your planner your summary will change to reflect your new requirements.
Minimum guest numbers apply for different days & months, which can be seen at the top of your wedding summary or in the brochure. This mean you’d be charged for food & drinks packages for this amount of adult day guests as a minimum. If your numbers are lower, you would have more of an allocation of food & drinks for your guests. Please note canapés & evening food are calculated on top of this.
Why is a wedding planner included?
Simply because we want to make sure your wedding is flawless, and exactly how you’ve been dreaming it since being a child! Not only do we strive to make sure you have the best day but we also strive to make sure your guests have the best day too! Guest comfort plays a huge roll within the planning.
Your planner will be allocated around 6-8 months before your wedding. At this point we will go through a 15-20 page planning document which dissects every little element you wish to happen.. or concerns that you wish not to happen. From timings, to decorations to supplier help and of course food & drink. Your planner is there to bounce ideas off and make sure everything is logistically possible, and if not what will be put in place to make sure it is!
Do you have a cake cutting charge?
Nope, our kitchen do not charge to cut up and serve your wedding cake.
Are sparklers, sky lanterns or fireworks permitted?
Sparklers can create some beautiful photographs, especially in winter months when the sun sets earlier. However If you choose to have sparklers there is a clean up fee (see summary), as they do get dropped anywhere & everywhere. You will also need to provide buckets with sand.
Sky Lanterns are also very beautiful, however as they have a detrimental effects to the local wildlife they are not permitted.
Fireworks can scare local wildlife with the sound & sudden lights therefore are also not permitted. Which will save your budget!
Are we able to get married in the church on-site?
You’ll need to discuss your personal requirements with the vicar directly. The Church of England do have prerequisites to be able to get married in a church in the UK:
Can we bring our own caterer?
The Coach House Barn
We are very fortunate enough to have our own in house catering team. This allows us to maintain the highest of standards for you. From taste to a level 5 food hygiene rating! It allows you to have full flexibility with your menus. You can either choose from our menus on our website or we can completely re-design the menus to have something closer to your hearts. Our culinary team have been in the industry for many years and with that come with extensive experience of how best to prepare and serve dishes for your guest numbers. While still making sure your meat is succulent! It’s an art we pride ourselves in & look forward to you trying all the yummy treats we have to offer! EXTERNAL CATERERS ARE NOT PERMITTED
Can we use confetti?
Yes, this will need to be natural petals only. Any foils, papers or non biodegradable confetti will be charged a clean up fee – see wedding summary.
Food Tastings?
Food tastings are generally booked 3-4 months before your wedding date. So it’s fresh in everyone’s minds. These tastings are midweek as we have events at weekends. These are chargeable – see wedding summary. They are great fun but not compulsory. They are completely bespoke for you both and designed around your requirements. You would choose a selection of canapes, + 2 more than you’d have for the big day. 2 x starters, 2 x mains, 2 x desserts + wine pairing. If you decide to have a 2 course meal you would choose a selection of 3, either starter & main, or main & dessert. (NOTE: Tastings are not available in the evening or at weekends).
Can we bring our own drinks?
The Coach House Barn.
Yes, corkage is available on wine & bubbles. This is charged per 75cl bottle. Your planner can help recommend how many bottles we expect you will need, plus a buffer so you don’t run out! We recommend how many bottle based on each section of time, and your guest numbers. At the end of the night, your barman will count how many bottles are being returned to Gale Cottage, the office will then credit you accordingly after your wedding. All beers, spirits and cocktails would be provided by ourselves from our menus or we can source you something else should you require. For more information on drinks see here.
Do we have access into The Main House?
This is additional – see wedding summary. The Main House can either be used for a ceremony or drinks reception location.
Is there a bar?
Yes, and it’s fully stocked! The amount of barman will depend on your guest numbers but are included. The bar is located within The Coach House Barn. You can either put a card behind the bar for guests, or asks guests to pay for their drinks. The bar accepts card only, but not amex. There is no minimum spend on the bar. If you have a lot of evening guests we do advise to pre-order some drinks for their arrival at the front of the house.