You have so much to do...... but do not panic! We are here to help you.
There are lots of Wedding Planning tools in the form of books, diaries and free apps on websites , but primarily be guided by what you want and use your voice to ask us!
Our Wedding food co-ordinator is also on hand To help you.
Your Wedding day is extremely important to us. We promise we will do everything we can to make your day as special and unique as we can.
Your venue hire includes, The Stables, our bridal preparation suite, The Old Dairy Barn, our licensed ceremony barn, The Oak Barn, our large dining and evening barn, complete with the Sty our fully stocked bar.
Darren the owner is very well qualified and has a vast amount of experience in planning events, some of which have been the largest events organised within the United Kingdom. and Northern Ireland, Events for Royalty, Presidents, Prime ministers, International Peace talks, International sporting events, High security events, large scale Music events , are all but a few and not to forget weddings!
You are in safe hands so please do not hesitate to ask for advice.
You can email events@cotonhousefarm.com
Our first advice will always be arrange wedding insurance! (insure your engagement ring too,) We cannot recommend a wedding insurance but it is worth looking at www.moneysavingexpert.com and various other sites. It is not costly and it could be extremely important for you.
Check and book your registrar, or church .... focus on the time you want to get married!
remember this day will go so quickly so make the most of your time.
..... Brand your wedding!
Without a doubt you will have ideas, you will have seen instagram or Pintrest images that have grabbed your attention.
This is your wedding. It is like branding a business, Choose your colours, your text styles, this will help you with everything you are going to decide upon, from dresses, floristry, suits, to stationary.
and finally...relax and enjoy.
This is a celebration and you should enjoy your time preparing for your big day!
Do not get worked up and stressed. Consider taking the worries away by using a planner, or on the day management.
Consider leasing items to dress the venue and use a venue dresser instead of making and having your clan run around on the morning of your wedding. (parents, Aunt's, bridesmaids get stressed too!)
We have attached some documents you may wish to use to plan your day before conversation with your venue and your food coordinator.
We have also included some of our trusted suppliers. These suppliers we do trust. We value and have experienced their services. We cannot take responsibility for any suppliers so even more importance to place your wedding insurance at the forefront of your booking. Do consider the use of a credit card too, as this can afford you some protection under the consumer rights act. https://www.moneysavingexpert.com
They do not pay for us to recommend them, and we do not profit from you using them. We will not book them for you as it will be more cost effective for you to book direct. You do not need to use these suppliers. You can use others. Remember if you do they must supply public and employers insurance liabilities and PAT (electrical safety) certificates,
Your Wedding food coordinator can arrange such things as donut walls, ice cream carts etc. We cannot allow outside food and drink suppliers (other than your wedding cake!) for safety, traceability and hygiene control purposes so please speak to Nikki your food coordinator.
Try to Go Green..... We are 100% a renewable energy venue and carbon neutral in our footprint, so use local, support small businesses, reduce miles, reduce waste.
If you have any questions why not just call Darren and ask......
He doesn't mind.
request a visit, by email, telephone or from our venue website.
01543 432429
Check the availabilty on our wedding venue website
Email your date with your names and address.
Receive your Terms of booking.
Receive your booking fee invoice.
Date is held for 7 days.
Return your Signed Terms of Booking.
Pay your booking fee Invoice.... and start to plan!
We mentioned using a website planning app or a diary. Pick bits you like and discard those you do not ! Often these direct you to use specific service providers that have paid to be suppliers so just be aware that they may not be the best for you. They may lead you down certain paths.
Planning your Wedding is like setting out a methodical and detailed time line for your day. We have included some PDF files that may assist you.
Your date is set, so :-
Start to work out your 'priority' guests. Your numbers for the day and the evening. Draw up a list.... Will you have children attend? Some parents are grateful for children not being invited as they do like a break from the kids themselves..... remember it is your wedding and your decision.
Now...... send out save the date invitations to your guests! Make them yourself, buy from Ebay, have them made. It will all be down to your Style, time, and 'Brand'.
You have your Budget...... You know your numbers.
You know your venue hire costs, you can ask for your food costs by contacting your wedding food coordinator (you have an idea already) and you know your drink package costs. These are fixed so you know where you are going.
Your remaining venue hire is due 20 weeks before your wedding day.
50% of your food around 6 months before your wedding.
around 1-2 months before your wedding your other 50% food and any drinks package is due.
You now need to start booking your services......... Photographer, DJ, Band, Videographer, magician, florist, Wedding cars, honeymoon, Wedding venue dresser, and of course shopping for your wedding outfit, suits or dresses, and your jeweller for rings.
Some service providers can offer a one stop shop which can reduce your stress by providing all the services you need. This can reduce your costs as they have purchase and connection power, giving savings that you probably could not get, so give this some thought.
You can have a wedding planner. these can be incredibly brilliant if you find the right one for you. You can also have On the Day management planners, these too are brilliant at what they do and again remove all the stress and planning you might otherwise worry yourselves with. They can take the strain from you, parents and your entourage.
Wedding Planners or On the Day Management :-
https://www.just-ticketyboo.co.uk
Steph 07989650730
Deb 07855981309
When you book your wedding day with us and have agreed to our terms of booking we pass your details to our exclusive wedding caterer. They will be the only people we pass your details to. This is not for any marketing purposes or passed to any other supplier or company. This is solely for them to make contact with you, be aware of you and fully address your wedding day food requirements.
Who are they?
Our Wedding caterers are Jenkinsons caterers based in Stafford.
https://www.jenkinsonscaterers.co.uk
Wedding catering is an absolute specialist style of catering.
As a venue, throughout the years we have rolled through various catering experiences, and we are fully behind Jenkinsons caterers. A lot of what we do is behind the scenes, ensuring ultimate safety, reassurance to you, providence of food, and standards. We would like to assure you that we do not put our trust in just anyone, and not only do we believe in Jenkinsons caterers as superior in quality, service and value, but importantly in food hygiene and safety.
Locally sourced from Staffordshire, is a key important factor for us securing the highest quality and lowest mileage, and supporting the British farming industry.
Jenkinsons are a family business. Established for over 60 years, and like our business, the staff are loyal, highly skilled, experienced, determine to deliver, go beyond, and are part of their extended family.
Prepared and cooked on site, at Coton House Farm, in our new state of the art kitchens using technology to monitor and trace every component process to deliver only the best product for your wedding.
At about 8 months before your Wedding day you will be invited to attend a food tasting evening. Our Wedding food coordinator will contact you with a date.
At around 6 Months before your Wedding day, your caterers will ask for 50% of your overall food bill. Your caterers will ask for a minimum of 40 day guests for your wedding.
Once you have confirmed your numbers by receipt of your RSVP's you can pay the outstanding balance remaining on your food bill. All food payments go direct to Jenkinsons caterers, and include Vat, Table cloths, service charges, there are no unknown hidden costs to you. Honesty and transparency is paramount to us.
Frequently asked Questions!
Where is the nearest accommodation?
We are so lucky with our location that you and your guests do not need to worry about accommodation, the choice is vast, and being close to such great road networks that you can choose what you want. A choice to suit budget and needs.
We are only 3 miles from the centre of Lichfield City which is covered in many forms of hotels and accommodation. (A 5 min Taxi ride!)
In fact a 3 mile radius covers all sorts of options.
As a venue this is our choice to not have accommodation on site as every couple is different and every wedding guest can make their own decision. We are so close to great amenities, why narrow your options.
Brides and Grooms
Swinfen Hall Hotel
https://www.swinfenhallhotel.co.uk
01543 481494
The George Hotel
https://www.bestwestern.co.uk/hotels/best-western-the-george-hotel-83789
0800393130
St Johns House
01543 252080
Guests/Families/Brides and Grooms
Any of the above hotels are also great for guests and families.
Premier Inn Lichfield City Centre Hotel
https://www.premierinn.com
Premier Inn Fradley Junction, Alrewas.
https://www.premierinn.com
Premier Inn, Tamworth.
Holiday Inn, Wall Island, Lichfield.(& Holiday Inn, Snowdome, Tamworth)
https://holidayinnlichfield.guestreservations.comhttps://holidayinntamworth.guestreservations.com
Peel Farm Luxury Self Catering, Whittington
07970838944
The Dog Inn, Whittington.
01543 432601
Oak Tree Farm Hotel, Hopwas
https://www.oaktreefarmhotel.co.uk
01827 56807
The Hedgehog, Lichfield
01543 415789
The Peel Aldergate Hotel, Tamworth,
01827 67676
Wiggington Fields Farm Holiday Cottages, Tamworth
01827 60809
Wigwam Holidays, Seckington
https://www.wigwamholidays.com
This is by no means exhaustive in its lists and there are many more to consider. There are also plenty of Airbnb properties surrounding us too.
The answer is there are lots.... we are only 3 miles from Lichfield City Centre and less than 5 from Tamworth town centre. You can still use Uber here, as we are so brilliantly located.
We do encourage you to ask guests to share travel by taxi or private hire as this reduces the carbon footprint for your wedding. We do have ample on site parking and cars can be left overnight, but reducing the chances of drink driving with the use of public transport is strongly encouraged. The night will finish at midnight so ask your guests to book their carriage home in advance. Everyone should know no matter where you live, the 'midnight immediately available taxi' is elusive.
Luxury travel - Advanced Journey Chauffeuring
https://advancedjourneychauffeuring.co.uk
07812103589
Lichfield City Cars
01543 254999
Lichfield VIP Taxis
01543 547979
01543 547474
Bennetts Taxis
01827 54444
Acorn Taxis
01827 63333
Negotiate a rate with your taxi company for a number of mini buses for your guests.
Negotiate a rate with a Hotel for accommodation.
Negotiate with your guests to help lift share or taxi share.
Set up a watts app group or website to send out the information and organise in advance.
Absolutely! Dogs can be important members of your family, and often attend the ceremony, taking an active role!
When it comes to your Wedding Day Breakfast and the evening, Dogs are not allowed in the Oak Barn, unless they are guide dogs or special needs dogs.
Obviously someone you arrange could take them home, alternatively there are some local excellent dog kennels who you may wish to use within our village.
https://www.grovekennels.co.uk
Sorry ! The simple answer is No you cannot bring your own alcohol and we do not offer a corkage option.
Why?
Our prices are exceptionally reasonable.
We are a fully licensed venue and as such we take our licensing responsibilities very seriously. We use the Challenge 25 Policy , so if you do have young looking guests please do ask them to bring identification with them if they intend drinking alcohol. Please do just be flattered if asked.
We are truly unique as a wedding venue, we put a great deal of thought into our bar, we do carry an extremely well stocked bar with a minimum of 9 lines and an incredible amount of spirits and wines..... there is not a lot that we do not have. including Cocktails and Whiskey menus
Not many Wedding Venues can be found to have such quality and options, and this is done to get away from the usual poor wedding bars that can be found.
Our wines and drinks packages come with the best glassware..... you do not need to hire in glassware for your drinks!
Our bar is very reasonably priced, and not your usual Wedding Venue prices!
It is the brides and grooms responsibility to ensure no alcohol is brought onto site.
We do have some fabulous drinks packages, but you can bespoke!
We can custom make your drinks packages to exactly the content and style of delivery you might wish for. Bridal party preparation drinks, Gin and Tonic trees, Champagne towers, beer buckets, open bars, limited open bars...
Your Chairs, tables, seat cushions, Chandeliers, fairy lights are all here and not costed separately. You need centre pieces, floristry, post box, seating plan and any additional items you want.
You can dress the venue from 9am of the morning of your wedding and needs to be removed by 10am the following morning. Friends or relatives can dress it too. Often it is more cost effective to use a venue dresser. It will save time, Save stress on you and your family dressing it, avoid mishaps and often cost you less. (you are not left with the items, you do not need to take them away as they will.)
By using a venue dresser professional you are paying for years of experience as well as the items, and this experience can be invaluable.
Based In Staffordshire between Kings Bromley and Alrewas, Deb and Steph of Just Tickety Boo offer Venue Styling, Full Wedding Planning, On the day Management, and arranges Cars, Cakes, Photography, Videography and much more....
Louise has worked at our venue and is local to East Staffordshire too.
Lush occasions are solely venue styling.
Bowl of Corks are a young couple, Abigail and Archie. Based locally in Ashby de la Zouch they offer photography and wedding planning, and venue styling.
Lilly, has been dressing flowers at Coton House Farm from the first Marquee Wedding day here some years ago. Locally based in Burntwood, well respected and experienced at her profession.
Emily is an Artisan Florist and is based here in our village of Whittington. Her flowers are home grown in her garden and are beautiful.
Jem's Floral studio is based in Lichfield. Jemma Jukes is a local Lichfield lady who is passionate about providing beautiful arrangements for you. Jemma has a longstanding history at Coton House Farm having ridden here as a child.
https://www.jemsfloralstudio.co.uk
It may be a lovely day and you may wish your guests to just lounge around on the grass
Yes, we have seen Football , Show jumping, Croquet, Jenga and beer pong!
Not a problem, just ensure the company you use supply insurance and a standalone generator. (preferably silent) There are lots of reputable companies and activities to choose from.
Yes you can.
The Main Oak barn is acoustically lined for this reason. We do not have a resident DJ ,this allows you the freedom to choose.
All live entertainment performers require a certificate of Public Liability and PAT certificate before they can perform. (these are legal requirements and they must send to us.)
Music for your ceremony could be live music or recorded.
Considerations.
If recorded make sure the music is downloaded to your device and not cloud stored. You do not want the cloud going down.
Ask an usher or guest to play and stop the music when required. Use a Boom Bar, these are simple to operate and access via bluetooth, They are relatively cheap to purchase and are loud enough for your ceremony and background music when dining.
Live music is brilliant!
During your ceremony the Old Dairy barn has power points.
For outside canape reception, there are also power points.
For dining there are also power points if required.
For the evening, consider the time you are dining! You probably do not want a band sound checking or setting up during the meal. Ask them to set up before your ceremony or later in the evening.
A band will probably play 2 x 45 min sets. You might not need them to start until 8.45- 9pm. Their last set will usually finish around 11pm, where you then can Disco until midnight.
(If a band starts too early, no one might be listening.)
The Award winning Apollo Soul are are a fantastic band. With options for Apollo Gold too you can be sure to have an ultimate and professional line up of musicians.
The Dave Taylor Duo is an impressive line up. Usually found playing The Jam House.
Cliff is a local singer and also forms part of a band. A well respected Wedding and Events performer.
Piano and Keyboard.
Chris is a fabulous pianist and keyboard player. He is a local professional musician experienced at ceremony playing and dining entertainment.
Ian is a professional DJ. Based in Stafford, Ian is a well known local radio presenter. A delightful and genuine man who is keen to deliver the best evening he can.
mobile 07976236603
George is a local lad.... larger than life and lovely in nature.
George is an experienced DJ in the local area.
mobile 07872011069
Tier 5 - Current advice and guidelines means that we are closed.
We do look forward to seeing you all soon. Keep safe and healthy
Buy Your Horse a treat !