Wedding Options & FAQs

Packages, Guest Numbers, Prices and Planning Information

Open: All year for a Garden Ceremony (weather permitting) and choice of indoor ceremony rooms.

Find the Right Wedding Option for You

This page contains the full details of our ceremony-only, elopement, micro-wedding and exclusive-use wedding options, together with information about guest numbers, ceremony spaces, catering, drinks, payments and practical arrangements.

On This Page

• Cider Barn Private Escape — Ceremony Only
• Romantic Elopement Stays
• Last-Minute Weddings
• Micro-Wedding Weekend — Sleeps Up to 16
• Full Exclusive-Use Wedding Stay — Sleeps Up to 26
• Larger Celebrations by Arrangement
• Ceremony Spaces and Capacities
• Access and Wedding Weekend Timings
• Planning Support and On-the-Day Venue Coordination
• Catering and External Food Suppliers
• Drinks, Bar and Couple-Supplied Alcohol
• Payment Schedule
• Wedding Insurance
• Legal Ceremony and Notice of Marriage
• Deliveries and Storage
• Booking Terms and Conditions

Cider Barn Private Escape — Ceremony-Only Package  From £799  

Designed for couples who would like a beautiful, simple ceremony without booking a full wedding stay or reception.  Perfect for couples who want:

• A romantic licensed ceremony venue
• A beautiful countryside setting
• A simple, elegant and cost-conscious wedding
• A smaller guest list
• A ceremony followed by photographs and a fizz toast
• The freedom to celebrate elsewhere afterwards, perhaps at a local pub, restaurant or private family gathering

Available Times

Ceremony-only weddings are available by prior arrangement on selected:

• Mondays
• Wednesdays
• Fridays
• Between 10am and 3pm

Times carefully chosen so the site can be managed properly, respect other resident guests and keep Forest Barns peaceful for everyone.

What’s Included

The Cider Barn Escape Ceremony-Only Package includes:

• Private use of the Cider Barn during your agreed ceremony time 10.0am : 3pm
• Use of the immediate ceremony garden area during your booking
• Our wooden ceremony arch in the ceremony room
• A beautiful, light-filled barn setting overlooking the meadow and wooded valley
• A post-ceremony fizz toast with either Prosecco or Forest Barns’ own Falcon Fizz from our vineyard
• Support with planning your ceremony arrangements
• On-the-day co-ordination to help everything run smoothly
• Bespoke ceremony arrangements agreed with you in advance
• Photograph opportunities in the agreed ceremony areas
• The option to invite close family and friends by agreement

Guest Numbers

• Suitable for just the two of you — we can act as your witnesses by prior agreement.
• Suitable for small ceremonies of up to 20 people in total, including the couple, unless a different number has been agreed with Forest Barns in writing.
• Additional guests, where agreed, are charged at £50 per person.

+ Registrar fees apply

Romantic Elopement Stays – Perfect for:

• Just the two of you we don’t mind being your witnesses
• a small number of close family or friends, usually 4 to 6 guests
• a relaxed legal ceremony or blessing
• a peaceful countryside setting
• a simple wedding without the pressure of a larger celebration
• Couples who want beautiful photographs and time together
• Dog-friendly elopements by agreement

Cottage Options

Depending on availability, elopement stays may include:

• Brambles — sleeps up to 2 guests, plus an infant under 2
• Meadow Byre — sleeps up to 4 guests and is dog friendly
• Orchard Barn — sleeps up to 6 guests and is dog friendly
• The Manor - sleeps up to 8 guests and is dog friendly

An Elopement Stay May Include

• Luxury self-catering cottage accommodation
• A private hot tub at your cottage
• Use of an agreed licensed ceremony space, priced separately unless included in your written booking
• A simple ceremony, photographs and fizz toast
• Time to enjoy Forest Barns as your wedding stay and mini-moon
• Optional extras by agreement, such as flowers, catering suggestions, drinks arrangements or extended celebration space
• Registrar fees are not included and must be booked and paid directly with the Registration Service

Elopement Ceremony Space and Private Dining

For elopements and very small micro-weddings, the cottage stay and licensed ceremony space are usually priced separately, unless they have been included together in your written booking.

As a guide, licensed ceremony space hire for a very small wedding is usually from £450. This may include up to 2 hours' use of the agreed ceremony space for simple set-up, the ceremony, photographs and time for a glass of fizz afterwards.

If you would also like a small wedding breakfast or celebration meal after the ceremony, the Apple Store may be available by arrangement as a private dining space. Room hire for this would usually be from £350, plus catering costs.

For some very small weddings, it may also be possible to enjoy a simple wedding breakfast in your holiday cottage, depending on the cottage booked, the number of guests and the style of meal.  For example, The Manor has a larger dining table and may suit a small family meal for guests staying there.

This can work well for a simple family wedding breakfast, afternoon tea, fizz and cake, or a small private meal after the ceremony.

This option must be agreed with Forest Barns in advance, as we need to make sure the guest numbers, catering arrangements, parking, timings, clearing away and use of the cottage are suitable for the booking.

All timings, catering, drinks, set-up, clearing away and use of spaces must be agreed with Forest Barns in advance.

Children are very welcome, and we have plenty on site for younger guest too.  Please contact us before booking if children will be attending, if you would like a ceremony space, or if you are hoping to use the Apple Store for a small wedding breakfast afterwards.

Please note that registrar fees are not included. Couples must book and pay the Gloucestershire Registration Service directly for the legal ceremony.

Elopement Ceremony Space and Private Dining

For elopements and very small micro-weddings, the cottage stay and licensed ceremony space are usually priced separately, unless they have been included together in your written booking.

As a guide, licensed ceremony space hire for a very small wedding is usually from £450. This may include up to 2 hours' use of the agreed ceremony space for simple set-up, the ceremony, photographs and time for a glass of fizz afterwards.

If you would also like a small wedding breakfast or celebration meal after the ceremony, the Apple Store may be available by arrangement as a private dining space. Room hire for this would usually be from £350, plus catering costs.

This can work well for a simple family wedding breakfast, afternoon tea, fizz and cake, or a small private meal after the ceremony.

All timings, catering, drinks, set-up, clearing away and use of spaces must be agreed with Forest Barns in advance.

Last-Minute Weddings – perfect for:

Last-minute weddings may be possible where we have suitable availability and where the couple can meet the legal notice requirements for their ceremony.

This option may suit couples who want:

• to marry soon; notice must usually be given at least 29 days before the ceremony
• a romantic elopement;
• a small wedding with close family;
• a quieter weekday wedding;
• a mini-moon stay in a luxury cottage; or
• a relaxed alternative to a large wedding.

Please contact us for last-minute dates. Couples should also contact Gloucestershire Registration Service before relying on a short-notice date.

 

Micro-Wedding Weekend -  Sleeping Up to 16, with Up to 10 additional day guests  - perfect for:

✓ Small weddings with close family and friends
✓ Up to 16 overnight guests for 2 nights
✓ A relaxed 2-night weekend wedding stay – 3pm departure Sunday
✓ Couples who want more than an elopement
✓ Families who want time together
✓ A self-catering wedding stay with beautiful surroundings
✓ A smaller alternative to full exclusive use of the whole hamlet

What’s Included

Our Micro-Wedding Weekend Stay may include:

✓  Accommodation for up to 16 overnight guests
✓ Use of Manor + 6/7 seater hot tub
✓ Use of Stables + 6/7 seater hot tub
✓ Use of Brambles + 2 seater hot tub
✓ Use of the Apple Store function room as a ceremony space, or Manor Lawn
✓ A 2-night weekend stay for your wedding group with 3pm departure Sunday
✓ Time to relax, celebrate and enjoy the cottages together

✓ Private hot tub with each cottage

✓ Pets* and child friendly - * fee applies

This is priced as a weekend wedding stay, rather than as a standard 2-night holiday cottage booking.

Additional Day Guests

For your wedding day, you may add up to 10 additional day guests by prior agreement.

Additional day guests are charged at £50 per person.

This means your micro-wedding can include:

✓ Up to 16 overnight guests
✓ Plus up to 10-day guests

Day guests do not have overnight accommodation included and must leave the site by the agreed finish time unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Choose to add the Cider Barn for your Ceremony

Some couples may wish to use the Cider Barn for their ceremony or celebration.

Use of the Cider Barn is not automatically included in the sleep 16 Micro-Wedding Weekend Stay.

The Cider Barn can be added by prior arrangement for an additional use fee.

This gives you flexibility:

✓ Keep things simple with the agreed cottages and ceremony space
✓ Add up to 10 additional day guests if you would like a slightly fuller wedding day
✓ Add the Cider Barn if you would like a more complete wedding venue experience
✓ Choose the level of wedding space that suits your plans and budget

Please Note

A Micro-Wedding Weekend Stay includes only the accommodation, ceremony space, guest numbers and facilities agreed in your booking.  It does not automatically include all cottages, all licensed spaces, the Cider Barn, the function room or exclusive use of the whole hamlet unless these have been specifically agreed.

A standard holiday cottage booking cannot be used as a wedding reception, drinks party, wedding breakfast, after-party or wider celebration space. Weddings and wedding-related gatherings must be booked under the correct wedding package so that we can manage the site, our licence responsibilities and other resident guests properly.

Full Exclusive-Use Wedding Stay — Sleeps up to 26 - Perfect For:

• Couples who want the whole hamlet reserved for their wedding.
• Larger family wedding stays.
• Up to 26 overnight guests.
• Up to 18 additional day guests by prior agreement.
• Up to 44 people in total on the wedding day, where the full overnight and day guest numbers are used.
• A two-night exclusive-use wedding stay.
• Use of all five cottages with hot tubs.
• Use of the Cider Barn and main licensed wedding spaces.
• A relaxed countryside wedding with accommodation included.
• Couples who want everything agreed as one clear package.

What’s Included

Our Full Exclusive-Use Wedding Stay includes:

✓ All five Forest Barns cottages
✓ Accommodation for up to 26 overnight guests
✓ Use of Manor
✓ Use of Orchard Barn
✓ Use of Stables
✓ Use of Meadow Byre
✓ Use of Brambles

✓ Use of Apple Store (function room)
✓ Use of the Cider Barn
✓ Use of the agreed licensed ceremony areas
✓ Use of the agreed function/event spaces
✓ Use of the agreed gardens and grounds
✓ A private hamlet setting for your wedding stay
✓ Time to relax, celebrate and enjoy Forest Barns together

This is our fullest wedding stay option and is designed for couples who would like the accommodation and wedding spaces included together as one exclusive-use booking.

Overnight Guests

The Full Exclusive-Use Wedding Stay includes accommodation for up to 26 overnight guests across our five cottages.

This allows your closest family and friends to stay on site and enjoy the whole wedding stay with you.

The cottages are self-catering, giving you and your guests the freedom to settle in, relax and enjoy the hamlet together.

Additional Day Guests

For your wedding day, you may add up to 18 additional day guests by prior agreement.

This means your wedding can include:

• up to 26 overnight guests;
• plus up to 18 day guests;
• up to 44 people in total on the wedding day.

Day guests do not have overnight accommodation included and must leave the site by the agreed finish time unless otherwise agreed in writing.  Day guests are limited to 18 unless a larger celebration has been specifically agreed with Forest Barns in writing.

Day guest numbers, arrival times, departure times and use of the site must be agreed with us in advance so that we can manage the venue, our licence responsibilities and the comfort of everyone on site.

✓ Day guests are charged at £50 per person

The Cider Barn & Wedding Spaces

The Full Exclusive-Use Wedding Stay includes use of the Cider Barn and agreed licensed wedding spaces as part of your package.

Depending on your plans and the arrangements agreed, this may include:

✓ A ceremony in the Cider Barn
✓ A ceremony on Manor Lawn
✓ A drinks reception
✓ A wedding breakfast
✓ A fizz toast
✓ Use of the function/event spaces
✓ Photographs in the gardens, valley and agreed grounds
✓ Time to enjoy the site as a full wedding group

This package is ideal for couples who want the simplicity of knowing that the main wedding spaces and all accommodation are included together.

Why Choose Full Exclusive Use?

A Full Exclusive-Use Wedding Stay gives you the most complete Forest Barns experience.

You can:

✓ Gather your favourite people in one place
✓ Stay together for the wedding weekend
✓ Enjoy the cottages, gardens and celebration spaces
✓ Use the Cider Barn as part of your wedding plans
✓ Keep the hamlet reserved for your wedding group
✓ Avoid guests needing to arrange lots of separate accommodation elsewhere
✓ Create a relaxed wedding stay rather than a wedding day that disappears too quickly

It is a lovely option for couples who want their wedding to feel like a shared countryside escape with the people who matter most.

Please Note

A Full Exclusive-Use Wedding Stay includes only the accommodation, guest numbers, timings, spaces and facilities agreed in your booking.

The maximum number of overnight guests is 26.

Additional day guests are limited to 18 unless a different arrangement has been specifically agreed in writing.

Day guests are wedding-day guests only and do not have overnight accommodation included.

All guest numbers, supplier access, drinks arrangements, catering arrangements, music, timings and use of the site must be agreed with Forest Barns in advance.

Although the hamlet is reserved for your wedding stay, Forest Barns staff or approved contractors may need access for venue management, safety, maintenance, hot tub care, guest support or licensing responsibilities.

 

Larger Weddings — Up to 60 Guests

Our standard full exclusive-use wedding stay accommodates up to 26 overnight guests, with up to 18 additional day guests, giving a total of 44 people.

For couples wishing to invite more guests, Forest Barns can host a larger wedding for up to 60 people in total by individual arrangement. The larger-wedding option must form part of a full exclusive-use wedding stay.

Our clear-sided wedding canopy is positioned across the front of the Apple Store and provides a beautiful covered space for the wedding breakfast and celebration. More than 50 guests can dine beneath the canopy itself. For a wedding of up to 60, the dining layout can extend into part of the Apple Store, with the Apple Store then becoming the dance floor for the evening celebrations.

Every larger wedding is planned individually. The final guest numbers, ceremony setting, dining layout, catering, bar arrangements, toilets, power, parking, staffing, music, waste arrangements and timings must all be agreed with Forest Barns in writing.

The Forest Barns wedding canopy is provided and erected by us. If a couple requests a different marquee, tipi, stretch tent or other temporary structure, it must be approved by Forest Barns before it is booked. It must be professionally supplied and installed, with appropriate insurance, risk assessments, method statements and any other documentation we require.

Additional venue, facility, equipment, staffing or supplier charges may apply. All arrangements and charges will be confirmed in writing as part of the couple’s larger-wedding proposal.

 

Ceremony Space and Capacities

Forest Barns has a choice of licensed indoor ceremony spaces and outdoor ceremony areas.

Apple Store - licensed for ceremonies for up to 38 seated guests.

Cider Barn - licensed for ceremonies for up to 46 seated guests.

Manor Lawn - outdoor ceremony space, weather permitting.

White Poplar Lawn - outdoor ceremony space, weather permitting. situated past the spiral beech hedge and the water well with its stone roof.  Gently sloping lawn to the five-bar gate on the opposite side.  Proceed through to the White Poplar Lawn.

Outdoor ceremonies are subject to weather conditions and the registrar’s decision on the day.

Wedding-day guest numbers may be up to 44 people for our standard full exclusive-use wedding stay, or up to 60 where a larger celebration has been individually agreed with Forest Barns in writing. The number attending the legal ceremony must still be suitable for the licensed ceremony setting selected and agreed with Forest Barns and Gloucestershire Registration Service.

Forest Barns will set up your chosen ceremony location and provide an agreed pre-ceremony interview space for the registrars.

Access and Wedding Weekend Timings

Hire - Exclusive full weekend rental (2 nights) accommodation across our collection of 5 cottages.

Our full exclusive-use wedding stay is normally a two-night booking across all five cottages.

Access is usually from 2.00pm on the day before your wedding, giving time for arrival, settling in and agreed setup.

Departure is usually by 3.00pm on the day after your wedding, allowing time for a relaxed morning, final clear-down and departure.

Supplier access, decorating times and any earlier access must be agreed with Forest Barns in advance.

Planning Support and On-the-Day Venue Coordination

Forest Barns gives couples the freedom to create a wedding that feels personal to them, while we provide support with the practical arrangements relating to the venue.

During the planning stages, we can help you with:

• choosing the most suitable ceremony and celebration spaces;
• agreeing guest numbers and timings;
• planning the layout of the venue;
• arranging access for approved suppliers;
• discussing catering, bar and drinks arrangements; and
• agreeing how the cottages, function rooms, gardens and grounds will be used.

Before your wedding, we will agree the main venue arrangements with you so that everyone understands what has been planned.

On the day, a member of the Forest Barns team will be available at the agreed times to oversee venue-related arrangements and assist with questions concerning the ceremony spaces, buildings, grounds and facilities.

Forest Barns does not provide a full wedding-planning service, toastmaster, master of ceremonies or personal wedding coordinator unless this has been separately agreed. Couples remain responsible for organising their suppliers, decorations, wedding-day schedule, guest management and the running order of their celebration.

Food and Drink

Catering and External Food Suppliers - Private Chef from £35 pp (minimum spend may apply) 

Catering for your wedding may be provided by one of our recommended catering partners, or by another professional food supplier approved by Forest Barns in writing.

External Caterers and Food Vendors

You are welcome to propose an alternative caterer, pub, food truck, mobile kitchen or other professional food supplier. The supplier must be approved by Forest Barns in writing before it is booked.

For 2026, our standard third-party catering facility fee is £8 per person catered for, subject to a minimum charge of £350 per event.

Different charges may apply to self-contained evening food suppliers, delivery-only arrangements or suppliers selling food directly to guests. Any applicable food concession fee or alternative charge will be confirmed in writing before the supplier is approved.

Additional agreed charges may apply where Forest Barns provides staffing, kitchen or equipment use, refrigeration, electricity, crockery, cutlery, clearing, recycling, waste disposal, extended access or additional cleaning.

All external food suppliers must be appropriately registered and insured and must provide any food hygiene information, allergen procedures, risk assessments and other documentation we reasonably require.

The couple remains responsible for all Forest Barns charges unless we agree in writing that the supplier will pay us directly.

For a list of recommended caterers and confectionery suppliers, please contact us.

Drinks, Bar & Couple-Supplied Alcohol

Forest Barns is an alcohol licensed venue with its own bar, and we want couples to have flexibility whilst also ensuring that drinks are managed safely and fairly during weddings and celebrations.

Guests staying in the cottages may, of course, bring their own drinks for normal self-catering use within their accommodation.  However, any alcohol brought into the ceremony areas, lawns, function room, wedding breakfast area or shared celebration spaces is treated as wedding/event alcohol and must be agreed with us in advance.

This applies to any alcohol not supplied by Forest Barns, including drinks purchased by the couple, brought by guests, or supplied by another drink’s provider.

Your Drinks Options:

Couples usually choose one of the following options:

• Option A - Forest Barn Bar / Drinks Package

Drinks can be supplied by Forest Barns, either through a paid bar, a couple’s tab, or an agreed drinks package. This is the simplest option and means there is no BYO drinks fee or corkage.

• Option B - Couple-Supplied / BYO Drinks

We are happy to discuss couple-supplied drinks for your reception, wedding breakfast, and toast only, such as wine, fizz, beer or cider.  After speeches/wedding breakfast, the bar takes over.  

Because Forest Barns has its own licensed bar, any alcohol not supplied by Forest Barns for use in the wedding/event areas may be subject to a BYO drinks fee or corkage. This reflects venue oversight, our licensing responsibilities, additional clearing and recycling, and the fact that couple-supplied drinks replace bar sales.

• Option C - Full BYO Wedding Drinks

By prior agreement, couples may bring their own drinks for the wider wedding celebration. A per-adult BYO management fee applies. This will be confirmed with you in advance and must be agreed before the wedding.

For safety and licensing reasons, self-service spirits, shots or bottles of spirits on tables are not permitted unless agreed in writing as part of a managed drinks arrangement.

• Option D - Third-Party Bars, Bartenders or Drinks Suppliers

Any third-party bar, bartender, brewery, drinks supplier or caterer wishing to supply, serve or sell alcohol at Forest Barns must be approved by us in writing before the supplier is booked. No alcohol may be sold, served by a third party or supplied as part of a paid service without that approval.

As part of the approval process, the supplier may be required to provide evidence of insurance, risk assessments, licensing information, age-verification procedures and any other documentation we reasonably require.

Where a third-party bar, bartender, brewery or drinks supplier is approved, our 2026 external bar operator or concession fee starts from £18 per adult guest, subject to a minimum charge of £350 per event.

This applies where an outside supplier attends to operate, staff, serve or sell alcohol, whether drinks are paid for by the couple or sold directly to guests.

Where alcohol is supplied from outside Forest Barns for service or consumption at the wedding, but the outside supplier does not operate a bar, an external drinks charge, including corkage where applicable, may apply instead.

Additional agreed charges may apply for Forest Barns staffing, chilling, glassware, electricity, clearing, recycling, waste disposal or use of venue equipment. All charges and operating arrangements will be confirmed in writing before the supplier is approved.

Where the same third party also supplies, serves or sells food, the separate third-party catering terms and charges set out in the Catering section will also apply.

Responsible Drinking

We want everyone to enjoy the celebration safely.  Forest Barns reserves the right to pause or stop the consumption or service of alcohol if we believe a guest has had too much to drink, or if behaviour could affect safety, licensing objectives, other guests, neighbours or the property.

We will always discuss drinks arrangements with couples in advance so that everything is clear before the wedding day.

Booking and Practical Information

Payment Schedule

To secure your wedding date, we ask for a staged payment schedule as follows:

✓ 10% booking fee to secure your date
This payment is non-refundable and non-transferable. Easy payment plans may be available by agreement.

✓ 10% due 18 months before your wedding date
This payment is also non-refundable and non-transferable.

✓ 80% remaining balance due 16 weeks before your wedding date
The remaining hire fee balance is due 16 weeks before your wedding date and is non-refundable and non-transferable once paid.

✓ Ceremony fee due 8 weeks before your wedding date
Any ceremony fee is payable 8 weeks before your wedding date.

Bookings Made Within 18 Months

For weddings booked within 18 months of the wedding date, 20% of the total hire fee is required to secure the date.

This represents the initial 10% booking fee plus the 10% payment that would otherwise have been due 18 months before the wedding.

All payments are made in accordance with our wedding booking terms and conditions.

We can also discuss payment arrangements if helpful. A booking payment is required to secure the date, and the remaining balance can sometimes be paid in agreed stages or monthly payments, provided the full balance is paid by the required due date.

Wedding Insurance

We strongly recommend couples consider taking out suitable wedding insurance as soon as their wedding booking is confirmed.

Wedding insurance can help protect you if something unexpected happens before or during your wedding, such as serious illness, accident, supplier failure, extreme weather, venue issues, lost or damaged wedding items, or other events covered by your chosen policy.

Please remember that our wedding booking fees and staged payments are non-refundable and non-transferable, as set out in our booking terms. Wedding insurance is therefore worth considering from the point you secure your date, not just nearer the wedding.

Every policy is different, so please check carefully that the cover is suitable for your wedding plans, guest numbers, suppliers, accommodation, ceremony, reception, public liability needs, marquee or outdoor elements, and any pre-existing medical conditions.

We cannot advise on or recommend a specific insurance provider, but the following links may help you compare options and understand what to look for.

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Useful wedding insurance guidance links

• MoneyHelper — What is wedding insurance?
  A plain-English guide to what wedding insurance usually covers, including cancellation, supplier issues and damaged or stolen items.
• MoneySavingExpert — Wedding Insurance Guide
  Helpful for understanding how to work out the level of cover needed and why couples should read the policy wording carefully.
• Financial Ombudsman — Problems with wedding insurance