| Frequently Asked Questions |
| |
Venue Questions |
| 1. |
Is your venue available on the required date?
Please call or email now |
| 2. |
Is your venue easy to find?
Yes we are very easy to find, please see full directions on www.theashes-info.co.uk |
| 3. |
Is your venue licensed to carry out civil weddings?
Yes both barns are registered |
| 4. |
If you do hold a license for civil ceremonies, what authority do you come under and can you supply names and contact details for the registrar?
We are under the Leek Registry Office, and their contact telephone number is 08456 036 908 |
| 5. |
Will ours be the only wedding at your venue on our wedding day?
Yes, The Ashes is hired on an exclusive basis |
| 6. |
How many people can you accommodate?
The Ashes can accommodate weddings and parties for as few as 20-30 people, up to 150 guests. |
| 7. |
How many car parking spaces are available?
We have approximately 50 car parking spaces. |
| 8. |
Do you allow confetti to be thrown at the venue?
Yes, we request only biodegradable confetti is used, and in specific areas (we advise your photographer on the day) |
| 9. |
Do you allow candles to be lit in the reception room?
We do allow candles to be lit, but due to safety reasons have to approve them first. |
| 10. |
Do you allow professional firework displays or Sky Lanterns (Chinese Lanterns) at your venue?
Due to our proximity in the middle of the countryside, and being surrounded by farmland with livestock and ponies, we cannot allow fireworks or Sky Lanterns. A great alternative can be something like a lazer display or dove release. |
| 11. |
Do you have landing permission should we want a helicopter to whisk us away after the evening reception?
We have suitable landing areas for helicopters |
| |
Room Questions |
| 12. |
Do you offer the option of a marquee?
No |
| 13. |
Are there separate rooms provided for the wedding, reception, meal, evening reception, etc?
The West Barn is used mainly for the ceremony, and can be used for photographs and a drinks reception if the weather is poor. The main reception and evening entertainment is then held in the East Barn. |
| 14. |
Is there a room provided for the use of 'bride and groom' for the day?
The Old Dairy is for the bride and groom to use. It can be nice to have a quiet space to escape to during a busy day! |
| 15. |
Is there a dressing room that the bride and bridesmaids can use prior to the ceremony?
The Old Dairy can be used for the bride & bridesmaids to get ready in before the ceremony. |
| 16. |
When can we have access to begin setting up the room in terms of decorating it with balloons, flowers, banners, etc? (Morning of wedding, day before, etc?)
You have exclusive access from 10am on the morning of the wedding, to allow for time in setting up and decoration. |
| 17. |
If the evening reception is being held in a room that is being used for something else earlier in the day, do you require the DJ/Band to set-up their equipment beforehand?
It is preferable for the DJ/Band to set up before the ceremony, so no sound check are going on during the ceremony, drinks reception and meal. This obviously depends on whether the DJ/Band is willing to do this. The Ashes has recommended DJ's who always set up in advance. |
| 18. |
Is there an area that could be used as a crèche if needed?
The Old Dairy or West Barn can be used as a creche area, with full supervision being necessary. |
| 19. |
Is there a quieter area for older guests to get away from the noise of a band/DJ?
The East Barn is made of stone, so is very good at controlling the noise levels. The bar area is much quieter, and if complete silence is required the West Barn can be used. |
| 20. |
If rooms are available for overnight accommodation, how many?
There is no overnight accommodation at The Ashes, but we have a sister website
www.theashes-info.co.uk which has a very comprehensive list of local accommodation. |
| 21. |
What are the costs for overnight accommodation?
n/a |
| 22. |
Is breakfast included?
n/a |
| 23. |
What is the checkout time the following day?
n/a |
| 24. |
Do you have a room where you are able to store wedding presents until you are able to collect them and are you insured for any loss or damage to these presents?
The Old Dairy can be used to store presents overnight (storerooms also available for longer periods), and we are insured up to a certain value for gifts, please ask for details. |
| |
Catering Questions |
| 25. |
Do you insist on doing all the catering?
Yes, we have contracted caters who provide all catering at The Ashes. |
| 26. |
Can you supply examples of suggested menus along with prices?
Sample menus can be found on our website page
www.theashes-venue.co.uk/docs/catering_food_banquet_menu.htm
and can all be taylored to suit your exact needs. |
| 27. |
Do you include a cake stand and knife if required?
We can provide either a round (15'' diameter) or square (15'' square) cake stand and knife. |
| 28. |
Do you have a preferred order of service (when and where do we cut the cake)?
The order of the day is flexible, and is arranged around your requirements. |
| 29. |
What time do you offer an alcohol licence until?
The Ashes bar is licenced until midnight. |
| 30. |
What time do you insist the reception finishes by?
The Ashes is licenced for alcohol and music until midnight, and we request all guests have left the premises by 12.30am. |
| 31. |
Do you insist on supplying the wine and champagne?
We have various drinks options available, including supplying your own drinks if preferred. |
| 32. |
If we are able to supply the wine, what do you charge for corkage?
There is a service charge to provide your own wine.
Full details are available on our website page
www.theashes-venue.co.uk/docs/catering_drink_options.htm |
| 33. |
Can you recommend a company to supply our wedding cake?
We can recommend suppliers for all services. Please see our website page
www.theashes-venue.co.uk/docs/our_services_wedding_additions.html |
| |
Extra Questions |
| 34. |
Do you have a Public Address (PA) system that can be used for speeches?
Yes, there is an individual PA system in each barn |
| 35. |
What facilities are available if the weather is poor?
We have plenty of indoor options available for your drinks reception and photographs |
| 36. |
What photographic locations are there?
You have full use of the gardens for the afternoon drinks reception, lake, stone flagged courtyard and inside the barns, all of which lend themselves to many different photo opportunities |
| 37. |
Do you supply or can you recommend a DJ or Band?
We can recommend suppliers for all services. Please see our website page
www.theashes-venue.co.uk/docs/our_services_wedding_additions.html |
| 38. |
Do you have special arrangements with, or details of local hotels for guests to stay at?
Our sister website www.theashes-info.co.uk has a comprehensive list of local accommodation. Some of them will offer free transport to and from The Ashes, and special rates may be available through direct negotiation. |
| 39. |
Do you have any arrangements with local cab companies that offer a reasonably priced and reliable service?
Our sister website www.theashes-info.co.uk has a comprehensive list of local taxi companies. |
| 40. |
Is there any entertainment provided during the void between the afternoon and evening receptions (casino, magician, etc)?
We can recommend different activities to take place during this time.
A very popular option is a fun casino. Please see our website page
www.theashes-venue.co.uk/docs/our_services_wedding_additions.html
for recommendations of suppliers |
| 41. |
What decoration do you supply for the reception?
We supply fairy lights on the balconies in the West Barn, otherwise allow you to decorate the venue as you wish. |
| 42. |
If we begin to run late, how will your staff help us to ensure we are still able to make the most of our big day?
The Ashes staff are available for the duration of your day, and liaise with you and the caterers throughout the day to ensure everything runs smoothly. |
| 43. |
Can you recommend a videographer?
We can recommend suppliers for all services. Please see our website page
www.theashes-venue.co.uk/docs/our_services_wedding_additions.html |
| 44. |
Can you recommend a photographer?
We can recommend suppliers for all services. Please see our website page
www.theashes-venue.co.uk/docs/our_services_wedding_additions.html |
| 45. |
Is it OK for the photographer/videographer to visit the venue beforehand to get an idea of what they can expect on the day?
Yes, if they have not already attended a wedding at The Ashes it is useful to get an idea of where best photos can be taken. |
| 46. |
Can you recommend a company that can supply wedding cars?
We can recommend suppliers for all services. Please see our website page
www.theashes-venue.co.uk/docs/our_services_wedding_additions.html |
| 47. |
What facilities do you provide for a videographer?
We can recommend suppliers for all services. Please see our website page
www.theashes-venue.co.uk/docs/our_services_wedding_additions.html
|
| 48. |
Can you recommend a good florist?
We can recommend suppliers for all services. Please see our website page
www.theashes-venue.co.uk/docs/our_services_wedding_additions.html |
| 49. |
Can you recommend a company who are able to supply favours?
We can recommend suppliers for all services. Please see our website page
www.theashes-venue.co.uk/docs/our_services_wedding_additions.html |
| 50. |
Can you recommend a company who supply decorative balloons?
We can recommend suppliers for all services. Please see our website page
www.theashes-venue.co.uk/docs/our_services_wedding_additions.html
|
| |
Cost Question |
| 51. |
What are the various options and costs for the use of your venue?
Full hire prices can be found on our website page
www.theashes-venue.co.uk/docs/our_service_venue_hire.html |
