FAQ's

A long top table for up to 10 persons, plus 8 rounds, 1 of which would be put on the stage, assuming it is not needed for musicians. These tables can also seat up to 10 persons. If however your numbers are lower you have greater flexibility as to where the tables are placed. Tables can be placed in the garden room, with the central doors opened between rooms there is ample room for higher numbers and all are in full view of the top table.

Unfortunately not, we only allow purely natural petals, this is to protect our ducks from the hazard of eating substances that get stuck in their throats!

Yes, tea lights are fine for the wedding breakfast, as are pillar candles in flower displays or vases,  however, if you wish to have any type of candle on the tables for the evening reception, these all  must have the flame COMPLETELY contained within a glass bowl or such like.

Yes, we can accommadate 1 in the garden room, and 1 in the cartlodge or if you hire the garden pavillion room for the evening you could have 2 tables in the same room

The bar will close at 11 30 pm, Disco or Band will finish at 11.45pm.

Yes. You would have to obtain third party Public liability Insurance for a bouncy castle or something  similar, can be no bigger than 4m x 4m, and we advise that you should have a responsible adult supervising at all times.

Sorry, no ball games

Yes, we offer card facilities to make venue payments,  for drinks packages and bar tabs for the bride & groom  or their parents. Card payments cannot be taken as payment for customers drinks at the bar. ( A surcharge of 3% will be added to any credit card transaction, there is NO surcharge for debit card payments.) 

Yes a sweet table is fine. Please ensure all sweets are UNWRAPPED and jars are not set too high on a table (we cannot have children climbing to get them)

Yes, you can bring in your own wine for the wedding breakfast, but there will be a corkage charge on each bottle and limit's will apply.

We can supply Alcohol Miniatures for favors.  

NO. We are sorry but we cannot allow helium balloons inside the barn, past experiences posed many problems with guests releasing them from their weights, and letting them go. The ballons then end up in the very high eaves of the barn, and we are unable to get them down! Health & safety regs state that a cherry picker would have to be hired to get them down, at considerable expense. which would have to be passed on to the hirer. We also have to allow for the fact that if there is another wedding the following day, they would not be happy with the remnants of the previous days table decorations hanging in the eaves!  

Yes, you can have fireworks provided that they are supplied and set off by Dynamic fireworks in Colchester. The display MUST be low noise to avoid causing distress to our neighbours horses.

Under No circumstances must you bring your own fireworks onto the premises, this includes normal and table sparklers.

Yes you can leave cars overnight, but we will need them to be picked up by 11am the following day.

Under no circumstances can anyone camp on the gounds overnight including caravans and motorhomes.

Unfortunatley, due to the nature of how the barn is set out, and the lack of plug sockets, we have to say "No" to this. Health & Safety states wires are not allowed to trail across floors, and as the barn is very crowded with tables and staff carrying meals, it would be dangerous. However, if you have room on the top table you may set up a wireless laptop, or use the stage area for the same if it is not needed for other reasons.

Yes,  We will allow you a 2 hour period which will give you ample time for photographs after the ceremony . Also reception drinks are available if you require them

No, you are quite welcome to bring in your own DJ or band, they will need to provide us with a copy of there public liability insurance, and all equipment will need to be  PAT tested

Sorry No, we have no high chairs, you will need to bring in your own if required

No,  You can have as little or as much as you wish, you may like to have a bar-b que, hog roast, buffet hot or cold , one of our brides offered their guests a lovely plougmans lunch. It is all down to the individuals budget