Elopements, Micro-Weddings, Ceremony-Only & Exclusive-Use Stays

Your Day, Your Way

Forest Barns offers a choice of wedding options, from a simple Cider Barn ceremony to a romantic elopement stay, a micro-wedding weekend, or a full exclusive-use wedding stay across the whole hamlet.

Each option includes different spaces, timings, guest numbers and facilities, so this guide will help you choose the wedding package that best suits your plans.

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

 

Find the Right Wedding Option for You

A beautiful countryside setting where pets and children are welcome in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire.

Use the guide below to find the option that best suits your plans.​

Wedding Options at a Glance

• Ceremony-Only Package - Cider Barn Private Escape —  - A beautiful ceremony-only option in our licensed Cider Barn.  From £799.
• Romantic Elopement Stays – For couples who would like a heartfelt ceremony followed by time together in your cottage with a private hot tub. 
• Last-Minute Weddings – for couples who may wish to marry quickly, elope quietly, or take advantage of a late availability date we may have the perfect last-minute option for you.
• Micro-wedding stays sleeping up to 16 close family and friends and 10 day guests - For couples planning a small wedding with close family and friends  Our Micro-Wedding Weekend Stay offers a lovely balance between a simple elopement and a full exclusive-use wedding.  
• Full Exclusive-Use Wedding Stay — Sleeps up to 26 - for couples who would like the whole hamlet reserved for their wedding celebration + 12 day guests.  This package includes all five cottages and hot tubs, with accommodation for up to 26 overnight guests, use of all our main licensed wedding spaces Cider Barn, Apple Store, Manor Lawn and White Poplar Lawn, and the freedom to enjoy Forest Barns grounds as your own private wedding hamlet for the stay.
• Drinks, Bar & Couple-Supplied Alcohol - 
• Payment schedule

 

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 don’t mind being your witnesses
• Small guest numbers - up to 20 guests included + bride & groom 
• Additional guests up to 20 in total, depending on the date and arrangements agreed
• Additional guests at £50 per person

 

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, drinks supplier or caterer wishing to supply, serve or sell alcohol must be agreed with Forest Barns in advance.

They may be required to provide insurance, risk assessments, licensing information and any other documentation we reasonably request.

No alcohol may be sold, served by a third party, or supplied as part of a paid service without our prior written agreement.

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.

 

 

 

Access

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

• From 2pm on the day prior to your special day.  Allowing ample time for setup and decorating to ensure everything is just as you envisage.
• Extend the magic to the day following your celebration until 3.00pm.  Allowing for a relaxed post-wedding get-together to reflect on your unforgettable moments and a relaxed departure.

(2 nights)

Dedicated Team

Throughout the planning process, you can count on our dedicated and experienced venue coordinator to support you every step of the way.  From the initial planning discussions to seamless coordination with your selected suppliers, our team ensures a stress-free experience.  On your special day, we take care of all behind-the-scenes logistics and oversee front-of-house operations to ensure everything runs smoothly.

We can host up to 45 guests (+ registrars), with overnight accommodation for 27 across our five on-site luxury cottages. 

Hire

Exclusive full weekend rental

(2 nights) accommodation across our collection of 5 cottages including a function room* alternatives fees may apply.

• From 2pm on the day prior to your special day.  Allowing ample time for setup and decorating to ensure everything is just as you envisage.
• Extend the magic to the day following your celebration until 3.00pm.  Allowing for a relaxed post-wedding get-together to reflect on your unforgettable moments and a relaxed departure.

Your Day, Your Way

Weddings at Forest Barns are designed with your vision in mind.  We offer on-site accommodation and the flexibility for you to assemble all the content of your dream wedding from: caterers, hair and make-up, florists, to photography and entertainment in our indoor and outdoor ceremony facilities whilst staying on site in our five luxurious cottages.

Let us help you create memories which will last a lifetime.  Book a viewing of this wedding hamlet to discuss an exclusive and customizable wedding experience.

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

We offer three options for your two-night wedding celebration:

• Full Hamlet Package – 5 Luxury Cottages – Sleeps up to 26 guests
• Smaller Gathering Package – 3 Luxury Cottages – Sleeps up to 16 guests
• Elopement

Exclusive Use Wedding Pricing – 2026

Enjoy your own private hamlet for a two-night wedding celebration and ceremony.
Five luxury cottages – 13 bedrooms, 11 bathrooms – sleeping up to 26 guests.
Includes use of two licensed ceremony rooms and two outdoor ceremony lawns.

Elopement

For intimate celebrations, our cottages are available to book individually or together see each cottage calendar (in real-time). 

The ceremony room can be reserved for a 3-hour hire at £500, which includes:

• Exclusive use of the ceremony room for your celebration
• Tables, chairs, and setup as required for your ceremony
• A dedicated on-site team to assist with arrangements
• Access for pre-ceremony decoration and preparation

Please note: For elopement weddings, attendees must be resident guests to use the ceremony facility.

Additional costs:

• Wedding Compliance Officer (a legal requirement) from £200
• Registrar's fees (payable directly to the Registrar)

Let us help make your special day stress-free and memorable. For further details or to discuss your requirements, please get in touch with us.

 

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.

 

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
  Useful because it reminds couples to check cancellation, supplier failure, public liability and exclusions carefully.
• FCA Financial Services Register
  Couples can use this to check whether an insurer or broker is authorised. The FCA describes the register as a public record of firms and individuals authorised by the FCA or PRA.

Comparison / provider links couples can investigate

These as starting points, not recommendations:

• MoneySuperMarket — Wedding Insurance comparison
  A comparison route for wedding insurance, with information on cancellation, supplier failure, photos, personal/public liability and optional extras.
• Protect Your Family — Wedding Insurance comparison
  A comparison tool where couples can enter wedding details and compare policies side by side.
• CompareWeddingInsurance.org.uk
  A wedding insurance comparison site with a comparison table of policies from listed suppliers.
• Wedinsure
  A specialist wedding insurance provider offering different cover levels; their site refers to cancellation/rearrangement, supplier failure, personal liability and cover for items such as attire, gifts, rings and photography.
• Dreamsaver Wedding Insurance
  A specialist wedding insurance provider; their site refers to cancellation cover, public liability for the couple and supplier failure cover.
• Emerald Life Wedding Insurance
  Their wedding insurance page explains that policy suitability depends on the couple’s needs and says couples should read cover levels and policy wording carefully.
• WedCover
  Their site refers to UK/Europe wedding event insurance with cover for cancellation, wedding rings, suppliers, photographs and ceremonial clothing. 

 

 

Ceremonies

The Apple Store - licensed for ceremonies 38 seated guests,

The Cider Barn - licensed for ceremonies 46 seated guests.

Outdoor lawns.  Outdoor is weather dependant - Registrar's deccision on acceptable weather on the day (they are very helpful about this).

Manor Lawn - Situated directly in front of the Manor House

White Poplar Lawn - 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.

Forest Barns will set up your chosen location for your ceremony, as well as a pre-ceremony interview space for use by your registrars.

Ceremonies are to be arranged from midday onwards.

Elopement. For elopement ceremonies, guests must be resident to use the ceremony facility. When booking single cottage(s) rather than the entire site, an additional fee applies for the ceremony room and the Responsible Person for the Ceremony (legal requirement). See below.

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Legal Ceremony & Notice of Marriage

If you are planning a legal civil ceremony at Forest Barns, you will need to arrange this directly with Gloucestershire Registration Service.

Giving notice of marriage or civil partnership is a legal requirement. Each of you must give notice in person at the register office for the district where you live. If you live outside Gloucestershire, please contact your own local registration service for guidance.

Please make sure you have made a provisional ceremony booking before booking your notice appointment, as notice is venue-specific and normally valid for 12 months.

For full details, including documents required, fees, appointment times and booking information, please visit the Gloucestershire Registration Service website.

Contact: ceremony@gloucestershire.gov.uk
Telephone: 01452 425060, option 3

Registration Service website:  https://gloucestershireregistrationservice.co.uk/planning-your-ceremony/notice-of-marriage-or-civil-partnership/

 

Forest Barns can help with venue details, but the legal ceremony booking, notice appointments, registrar fees and documentation are the responsibility of the couple.

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Ceremony Only Hire 

Ceremony-only hire available by arrangement (usually short notice). Please contact us to discuss.

3 Hour Hire available Tuesday - Thursday | £500 ceremony room + Wedding Compliance Officer (legal requirement) + Registrar's Fees

2025/6 (October - March)

3 Hour Hire available Saturday | £550 + Registrar Fees

Excludes Easter, Christmas and half-terms - Rates for high season are available upon request. Please contact us to discuss.

60 minutes pre-ceremony | 30 minutes for ceremony | 90 minutes post ceremony for photos and pre-ordered drinks

Forest Barns will set up the The Cider Barn for your ceremony, as well as a pre-ceremony interview space for use by your registrars

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Ceremonies are to be arranged from 11:00 - 15:00 | Please note the Registrar fee is excluded 

Contact: ceremonies@gloucestershire.gov.uk or 01452 425060 (option 3) to book

For more information on Civil Ceremonies, visit Gloucestershire Registration Service

 

Catering

Catering for your wedding can be provided for by one of our experienced catering partners who use fresh, local produce cooked to perfection. Contact them directly to obtain your bespoke quote:

We are happy for you to choose an alternative catering supplier - please get in touch too if you wish to discuss this option.

Please note that all food must be provided for by an accredited catering company, who hold the relevant insurances and Food Hygiene Certificates.

For a full list of suppliers and confectionary please get in touch.

Beverages

 

Deliveries & Storage

Floral Arrangements

• Floral arrangements are to be delivered during the above times when you are available to receive them.

Cake

• Cakes are to be delivered when you are here to receive it and we suggest your wedding cake be unboxed by your provider.

We are not able to store your cake, sponge or cheese, at any point during/after the day.

Storage

• Forest Barns is not responsible for the safe-keeping of food or items (decorations, gifts and equipment).

• Forest Barns has no facilities for storing chilled food or space to store items during the wedding day (items can be stored in each individual cottage).

• Please make arrangements for items to be stored elsewhere (cars/accommodation) where necessary.

Please note that if hiring linen for your top table, refer to the dimensions above as one cloth alone may not be suitable. Generally, 2 cloths are required when using one table (seats up to 7 guests) and 3 cloths are required when using 2 tables (seats up to 10 guests). Please check individual cloth dimensions.