Wedding Essentials

Your Ceremony

Once you have booked your wedding with us, the next thing you need to do is book your ceremony, whether it is here onsite or at church. If you choose to get married at church, do speak to one of your wedding coordinators as they will be able to work out the best ceremony time for the flow of your day.

ONSITE CIVIL CEREMONY

If you choose to get married onsite you must contact Harrogate Registry Office as they are the only council who can legally marry you here at Priory Cottages. You can get married here anytime, it is usually dependant on what the registrars have available. We find that 1.30pm (or as close to) works perfectly.

A ceremony here can take place either upstairs in the barn, outside in the courtyard or downstairs in the barn if you have smaller numbers.

An outside ceremony is only available between 1st April - 31st October and is very weather dependant. The final decision on whether the ceremony can go ahead outside has to be made the afternoon prior and agreed by the venue. If you like the sound of an outside ceremony you must let the registrars know at time of booking as you need to sign an additional document.

Ceremonies must run to time as the registrars will have another ceremony to go to after yours. If you run past your allotted ceremony time you may not be able to get married that day. Please make sure you book all hair and make up earlier enough to give you ample time for any pre-ceremony photos you want to take, as if you are running behind schedule these may not be able to take place.

We find that if you aim to be fully ready an hour before your ceremony time this gives you time for any last minute touch ups and photos before your meeting with the registrars takes place.

The hour before your ceremony should look something like this:

  • 1 hour before your ceremony - everyone to be fully dressed

  • 45 minutes before your ceremony - registrars arrive

  • 30 minutes before your ceremony - registrars meet with one half of the couple to run through the wording of your ceremony and check nithing has changed since you gave notice.

  • 15 minutes for your ceremony - registrars meet with the other half of the couple to run through the wording of your ceremony and check nithing has changed since you gave notice.

    • Guests to take their seats

  • Ceremony to take place at allocated time.

    • The ceremony itself takes between 15-30 minutes depending on how many readings you choose. All music and readings must be non religious and of a secular nature.

    • No food or drinks ca be consumed in the ceremony room.

The registrars have the discretion not to proceed with the ceremony if any of the party or either of the couple is threatening, abusive or seemingly under the influence of drink or drugs.

The day before

Access for set up is at 12pm, please speak to Serena, Amy or Kat for confirmed timings. Your wedding coordinator will be on hand to help with set up and to answer any questions that you have.

Ceremony Rehearsal – If you are having a ceremony with us onsite we will do a quick ceremony rehearsal with you. This usually takes place at 3.00pm and only takes 15 minutes. Ideally the following guests need to be there: The wedding couple, the person giving anyone away, bridesmaids and best man.

After the ceremony rehearsal we will give you a key to the front door and show you where the light switches are and how to use the sound system. The barn is then available for you to use for the evening.

Guests staying in the cottages should park in the gravel car park - follow signs to priory cottages.

We do have a couple of extremely friendly canine residents here. They do usually stay out of site but may come and say hello from time to time. If you or any of your guests have a fear of dogs then please make us aware.

If you would like to get any food or drinks delivered for the night before the wedding, feel free to deliver them directly to us anytime from 12pm the day before your wedding so they are here for when you arrive.

Looking for something to do the night before your wedding, but don’t want to stay onsite? Here are some local recommendations for food / drinks:

Food Pubs

Restaurants

Bars

Takeaways

On the day

If you are having one of our iconic confetti shots please make sure that the confetti is biodegradable and all confetti stays within the barn area.

For guests who are not staying in the cottages, they are to park in the overflow car park in front of the barn.

Please be aware that we are only licensed to play music and serve alcohol until midnight. At 11.30pm we will call last orders and the party will end at midnight. The venue will be closed and locked after this time.

Music

We have a separate sound system in both the barn and the marquee which can connect to a phone / ipad / laptop.

Playlists

  • Pre ceremony (1 hour)

  • Ceremony – 1 song to walk down the aisle, 2 songs for when signing the register and 1 song to walk out to

  • Drinks reception (1.5 hours)

  • 1 Song to walk into the marquee to for when you are announced in

  • Wedding breakfast ( 2 hours)

  • Please make sure all playlists are available off line and are fully downloaded.

Venue decorations

Naked flames / candles are permitted across the entire venue, the only thing we require is that they are in some form of container and candles are not placed directly onto any surfaces.

If you are wanting to attach anything to the marquee lining (bunting, hanging lanterns etc) please can you use the plastic clips opposed to safety pins https://www.paperlanterncompany.co.uk/acatalog/Clips-for-Hanging-Paper-Lanterns---Clear-Crocodile-Clips.html

Letters for the beam - The gap is 23cm wide.

Confetti – must be biodegradable.  https://properconfetti.com/collections/all-confetti a medium bag would be perfect.

The venue closes at midnight. For guests needing a taxi at the end of the night please make sure they pre-book this. Due to our lovely rural location there can be quite a wait for taxis.

Local Taxi’s

  • Amber (Leeds & Local): 01937 582532

  • Blue Line (Harrogate): 01423 530830

  • Elite Taxi’s (Harrogate): 01423 538509

  • Wetherby Taxi’s : 01937 222888.

  • Bridge Private Hire: 01937 834126

  • Wetherby Cars: 01937 588611

  • Bramham Private Hire: 07939136978

  • Dougies Door 2 Door: 07795086754

  • Streemline: 01904 656565

Additional Accommodation for your guests

·         Tickled Trout https://www.tickledtrout.co.uk/bedrooms

·         The White Swan Wighill www.thewhiteswanwighill.co.uk

·         The Bridge at Walshford https://www.thebridgewetherby.co.uk/bedrooms/

·    The Days Inn at the Wetherby Services https://www.guestreservations.com/days-inn-wetherby/booking?msclkid=a37e7c7b792511a502b2189f058825db

·         The Castle Inn Spofforth https://www.thecastleinnharrogate.com/sleep

 The day after

Members of the Priory team will be onsite from 8.30am. Check out of the cottages and the venue is at 10.30am, by this time all personal and decorative items need to be removed. We may have a wedding party coming in after yours, so it is important that timings are adhered to.

Additional Information

 Suppliers

On the timeline there is a supplier section which we require you to complete with their contact details, so we can get in touch with them with regards to logistics and if we require any documentation from them. If your suppliers have any questions, feel free to give them our contact details so they can get in touch directly.

Top tips to make your day run as smoothly as possible

Make reserved signs for those who you definitely want to be seated at the front.

Reserve a space for those doing any readings, ideally at the end of the row. Why not print out a copy of the reading to be ready on the chair in case they forget it.

For the ceremony music put each different section into a separate playlist to avoid any confusion. For example. Playlist 1. Walking down the aisle, Playlist 2. Signing the register, etc.

We will provide you with a ceremony table, why not use one of your main table decorations as the ceremony table decoration too and we will move it back during the drinks reception.

For all decorations going on the tables (place names, favours, table numbers…) put each tables items into a separate box and label, this will make setting up much less stressful.

What the venue provides

All chairs for the ceremony and wedding breakfast (we have white washed Chiavari chairs as standard)

Tables – We provide all tables for the wedding breakfast, cake table, present table and your ceremony table. If you require any additional ones for things such as sweet tables please do make us aware as soon as possible, so we can order some if necessary. Please note that the venue does not provide any table cloths, all linen is to be provided by your caterer.

Wooden easel – we have two onsite. Sizing wise, if your stationary is printed portrait then it needs to be A1 or bigger. If you have chosen landscape then it needs to be A2 or bigger.

Sound system in both the barn and the marquee for back ground music.

2 handheld microphones for speeches. Any other AV required for speeches such as TV’s you need to hire these in. We recommend a company called AV matrix https://www.av-matrix.com/

Heating / aircon in both the barn and the marquee if required

On the day coordination – we will be on hand from start to finish to make sure your wedding day runs smoothly.

Cottage Details

Cottage number 1.       Agnes Cottages – Sleeps 3 (1 x double, 1 x single) - fully groundfloor

Cottage number 2.       Goldesburgh Lodge - Sleeps 3 (1 x double, 1 x single) - fully groundfloor

Cottage number 3.       Alice’s Cottage – Sleeps 5 (2 x double, 1 x single)

Cottage number 4.       Isabella’s Cottage – Sleeps 5 (2 x double, 1 x single)

Cottage number 5.       Fitz Simon Lodge – Sleeps 4 (2 x double)

Cottage number 6.       Alina’s Cottage – Sleeps 4 (1 x double, 1 x twin)

Cottage number 7.       Christiana’s Cottage – Sleeps 5 (2 x double, 1 x single)

 Check in is at 3pm, we will display the cottage listing that you provide so that guests know which cottage they are staying in.

FAQ’s 

Furnishings and Equipment - will our cottage contain everything we need?

All of our holiday cottages are equipped to the same standard. We aim to provide everything you need on a day to day basis that you would use at home. Hence us being known for a ‘home from home’ experience. All cottages also have cleaning products under the sink if you wish to use them. And also a hoover, iron, ironing board, washing machine, clothes horse, heater and washing basket will be found under the stair case/next to the main door. In your kitchen you will find a microwave, toaster, kettle, oven, hob and grill, please use these with care. Manuals for the appliances can be found in the kitchen area of your cottage. Each of our cottages also have an outdoor patio with garden furniture so you are able to relax and enjoy the summer months in your garden.

 Pets - Can we bring our pets with us?

Of course! We love pets here at Priory Cottages, all shapes and sizes are welcome. We just ask that they stay off the beds and out of the bedrooms, and to ensure all dog excrement is cleaned up from the surrounding grounds. When you are in communal areas please keep your dog on a lead.

 Linen - what is provided?

We provide all the cottages with all bed linen and towels. If you would like a camp bed in your cottage we can provide this and linen for the camp bed - please note, we only have 2 available. However we DO NOT provide linen and bedding for travel cots.

Arrival and Departure – what time can we arrive and when do we have to leave?

Check in time is from 3pm for the cottages. When checking in if you could please park sensibly in the gravel car park. When you enter the courtyard you will find your cottage with the key in the front door. When departing, before 10:30am, if you could please ensure you dispose of the rubbish in the bins in the bin store which is situated in the gravel carpark and leave the key back in the front of the door.

Cottage bins - do you have separate recycling?

Each cottage has 2 bins, if you can use one for general waste and the other for glass and tin. If you then leave in the bin store when you depart we can sort out the recycling.

Is there free wifi we can use?

Yes - please feel free to connect to either

Name: Syningthwaite Password: priory1163 or Name: priorybarn Password: priory1234

 Cottage Extras

Here at Priory Cottages we want your stay to be as comfortable as possible so we have all the items listed below available to borrow complementary during your visit.

Accessible Items

Non-slip mats suitable for baths and showers

Portable grip rails

Children’s Items

Cots and Highchairs

Plastic cups and cutlery can be found in the bottom draw in the kitchen

Footballs and nets are in the field just help yourself!                                                                      

Pets

To ensure your four-legged friends have a comfortable stay with us, we provide water and food bowls, dog blankets and treats. Please note that dogs are not allowed in the bedrooms. Please ensure all dog excrement is cleaned up from the surrounding grounds. When you are in communal areas please keep your dog on a lead.

Other

If you require any tea, coffee or sugar topping up, please just let us know in the office, tea towels and bath towels can also be changed on request.

We provide 2 toilet rolls per bathroom.

Postcards

If you would like some complimentary postcards to send to friends and family, please speak to Serena, Amy or Kat in the office.

 Health and Safety

We take your safety very seriously here at Priory Cottages so it would be great if you could take the time to read through this information.

Firstly, the instruction manuals for all the electrical appliances are located in your cottage in the bottom draw in the kitchen. Please read through these if you are unsure how to use the appliances.

Please be aware that there are tiled floors in the kitchen area, downstairs bathrooms and upstairs bathrooms. Tiled floors can be slippy when wet.

Please ask if you require grip rails, rubber bath mats or an extra cotton floor mat.

Water from the hot taps may be HOT.

There are a variety of domestic cleaning products in the cupboard under the sink. Please supervise children when using any of these products.

There is a water feature in the central courtyard, please supervise children as the water can be deep.

The cottages are open to the orchard/grassed area to the rear and eventually to fields and the farmyard, children must always be supervised in the areas surrounding the cottages.

We are Grade 1 listed heritage site, paved pathways are uneven. Please take caution.

There are sharp knives in the cutlery draw, please use with caution and please always supervise children.

Cleanliness has always been our top priority. It’s even more critical as we all aim to reduce the spread of infection. According to the CDC, it’s possible for someone to contract COVID-19 by touching a contaminated surface—like a doorknob or light switch—and the virus may live on some surfaces for several hours or even days. That’s why we make sure to clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces often, especially between reservations.

If you notice anything that requires attention please let reception know

 Fire Safety

The use of candles are not permitted in any of the cottages.

Please make sure you read the fire safety instructions located on the back of the front door in the case of an emergency. Each cottage has an individual fire procedure. Please ensure you read through this information. In the event of a fire please ensure you leave the building via the patio doors. Make your way round the site perimeter to the assembly point in the car park. Each cottage has a fire extinguisher and fire blanket. Be sure to keep fire exits (the main entrance and patio doors) clear of obstructions.

Before retiring to bed, you should know:

  1. The nearest means of escape

  2. The nearest fire alarm, call point and how to use it

  3. All doors to and from corridors are to be kept closed

Any person discovering a fire by DAY should:

  1. Vacate the room ensuring the door is shut behind you

  2. Operate the nearest fire alarm

  3. If you hear the fire alarm go immediately to the nearest fire assembly point using the nearest exit.

Any person discovering a fire by NIGHT should:

  1. Make sure all others in your room are awake

  2. go to the assembly point using the nearest exit

DO NOT RUN

DO NOT STOP TO COLLECT PERSONAL BELONGINGS

DO NOT RE-ENTRE BUILDING UNTIL SAFE TO DO SO

Contact Numbers

  • For any maintenance questions please call David on: 07860962033

  • All Emergency Services - 999

  • Tadcaster Fire Station - 01937 832 223

  • Tadcaster Police Station - 0845 606 0247

  • Harrogate District Hospital - 01423 885 959

  • York District Hospital - 01904 631 313

  • Emergency Dentist - 0845 46 47

  • NHS Direct - 0845 46 47

  • Vet - 01937 582 025 

Liabilities of Priory Cottages

Priory Cottages shall not be liable for the personal injury to any person named on the rental or any other person at the property.

Any valuables left at the property are left at your own risk.

Smoking

Smoking / vaping is not permitted anywhere other than in the patio and courtyard areas. It will set off our fire alarms. If you require an ash tray for outside please let us know. Cigarette ends must be cleared away and not left lying around. Take care to extinguish all flames.

Complaints

We sincerely hope there won’t be any.

However, we do not accept responsibility for the breakdown of the supply of water or electricity or any general maintenance issues, though we will do everything possible to arrange for any such problems to be resolved with the utmost speed.

Please do inform us of any complaints immediately