Private Houses for Weddings

What’s the difference between wedding venues and wedding accommodation?

Having facilitated over 10,000 bookings including hundreds of weddings across 16 years, wedding venues (licensed properties) host legal ceremonies, usually in specific licensed rooms or outdoor spaces. They often include event coordinator services, tables/chairs, and exclusive use for the day and evening of the event. Costs typically run from £3,000 to £12,000 or more to cover the venue fee plus per-person catering.

With wedding accommodation, you get a house for your whole wedding weekend, with beautiful sleeping quarters and shared spaces but it might not be licensed for ceremonies. In this case, the wedding ceremony happens elsewhere (in a nearby church, registry office, or hotel venue), while the house provides a base for bridal party accommodation, rehearsal dinner location, or a recovery spot for the day after.

In some cases, a property is both a wedding venue and wedding accommodation with licensed ceremony space plus extensive accommodation. One couple celebrated with us at a property where “we had our ceremony in the gardens, reception, and dancing in the barn, and dinner in a marquee. We also had a glamping village for guests. There aren’t many places you can create a festival like this.”

The most popular option is to book wedding accommodation purely for somewhere to sleep. About 40% of our wedding bookings use houses for accommodation and get wed elsewhere. 30% do full venue packages where the ceremony, reception, and sleeping all take place on site. The remaining 30% use houses for receptions or parties with the wedding taking place elsewhere.

How far in advance do we need to book for weddings?

Peak wedding season (Saturdays in May to September) requires 12 to 18 months advance booking for popular properties.

Shoulder seasons (April and October) need 8 to 12 months. Winter weddings (November to March) often book 4 to 6 months ahead. Midweek weddings offer more flexibility and availability.

If you have a fixed date in mind and your heart set on a specific property, you need to get in there the earliest. We’d recommend at least 18 months ahead to avoid disappointment. If you’re more flexible on date, day of the week, or location you have the advantage of being able to find great properties with just 6 to 9 months’ notice. At short notice (anything under 6 months), you might get lucky with a cancellation or a midweek date.

Can we put up marquees for receptions?

Many large houses welcome marquees and will recommend the best spot on the property for you to set up. To give you an idea on price, a basic marquee for 60 to 80 guests costs between £2,000 and £4,000. This includes flooring, lighting, tables, and chairs. Luxury marquees with linings, chandeliers, heating, and dance floors run from £5,000 to £10,000 or more.

Here are some practical things to think about if you’re considering marquee hire. Properties usually require a professional marquee company to handle the installation and deinstallation for insurance reasons. No DIY jobs. And the property owner or manager will need advance notice to coordinate access. Most marquee companies will set up Thursday or Friday and take down on Monday, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the space. Some properties charge a marquee setup fee of £200 to £500 to cover the cost of coordination and access, others include it in the rental. Be sure to check with your property when you book.

Now, because this is the UK, having a backup in case of bad weather is a smart idea. Marquees handle rain absolutely no problem, but extreme wind can cause an issue. It’s well worth making indoor contingency plans with your venue and suppliers, although we hope you won’t have to use them. If anything, it just gives you the peace of mind that you have a Plan B should the unexpected happen.

What about catering for wedding events at houses?

The huge benefit of hiring a wedding venue house is that you get access to their list of tried and tested caterers. These teams know the property’s kitchen, equipment, and access so your wedding is sure to go smoothly. Costs vary depending on what you’d like to serve. A simple buffet comes to around £25 to £35 per head, whereas a sit-down wedding breakfast costs more like £60 to £90 per person. If you’re thinking of more premium caterers with canapés and multiple courses, you’re looking at £100 to £150 per guest.

Some properties will allow you to bring in your own caterers if they are professional and insured. Others ask you to stick to their approved lists of companies they have longstanding relationships with and who they know are compatible with their space and equipment. Check with the property owner before you book.

And there’s not just the wedding breakfast to think about when you’re spending the weekend together. For rehearsal dinners or post-wedding brunches, groups often self-cater or hire private chefs for around £55 to £85 per person for three courses. One wedding group noted the value of professional catering for bringing quality and ease to their celebration: “We had a beautiful meal cooked and served for us. The team were really friendly but also very unobtrusive and the food was outstanding.”