The Reception

Number of guests

• The panelled aptly-named Oak Room can take up to 70 guests for your wedding breakfast and/or evening event.
• The Conservatory Restaurant can accommodate up to 32 people. It offers spectacular views and includes the original farmhouse well, some thirty-feet deep.
• We don't normally make a room charge which makes our rates very attractive compared to hotels, but we do reserve the right to levy a charge if your party size is small.
• Your guests may like to make use of the rest of the Inn later which includes The Shoehorn Bar and The Pickles Room, small and intimate, named after a former landlord, whose parents were married by Branwell Bronte.

Marquees
For large parties, we can arrange a marquee off the Conservatory Restaurant where we can cater for groups of up to 200. The price of a marquee is dependent upon the size and style selected. We can discuss this with you should you be interested.

The management of your big day

The following are some helpful hints for the planning of your big day.

Who does what?

The bride
Her responsibilities include choosing the type of service, picking the bridesmaids, selecting the wedding dress, booking hair appointments, ordering bridal flowers, compiling the wedding present list and choosing the music for the ceremony.

The groom
His job is to choose the best man and ushers, hire the morning dress if required, book the church or registrar, order the rings, book the honeymoon, order flowers and gifts for the bride, mothers, bridesmaids and best man, the buttonholes for himself and the best man, and to prepare a speech!

Bride's mother
Traditionally the person who compiles the guest list, sends out the invitations and receives the replies. She will arrange clothes for the bride and help her dress as well as take charge of the bouquet during the ceremony. She is often the person best suited to plan the seating arrangements. The bride's mother and father normally receive the guests.

Bride's father
Gives the bride away and receives guests at the reception.

The best man
His role is to take charge of the wedding rings, organise transport from the church if it is used, prepare his speech and help to ensure everything runs smoothly on the day.

Invitations
You will probably wish to prepare your own invitations, printed menus and place names. We'd be happy to display the menus and place names for you.

Decorations and linen
You may want coloured tablecloths, napkins, or swags in the marquee to co-ordinate with your bridesmaids' dresses or the bride's bouquet. We can help you with this and their respective costs. You may even want to decorate the room yourselves.

Flowers and Balloon Artistry
There are a number of local florists who will provide you with fresh flowers according to the season and your preferred colour scheme which you can use to decorate the rooms. Alternatively, balloons to any colour scheme can be planned including sculptured displays such as balloon arches.

Hairdressers
We've included details of local hairdressers on our local suppliers page.

Music
Maybe you'd like some live music before and after the ceremony. The choice of local live musicians could include a flautist or string quartet, even a traditional Yorkshire brass band. Naturally there are DJs available locally for evening functions and if you utilise a marquee you might even consider a caller and band for a traditional barn dance or country dancing. We can provide you with names and numbers. If you wish, we are happy for you to use your own DJ or band.

Photography
You probably have a photographer in mind. If not, our list of local suppliers will give you contact names and telephone numbers.

The Reception & Wedding Breakfast

Receiving your guests
A welcoming drink can be provided such as Champagne, Bucks Fizz, sparkling wine, mulled wine, punch, Pimms or sherry. A selection of canapés or dips might also be requested. Where guests bring presents we would be pleased to receive these and display them for you.

Seating plan
We'll discuss a seating plan with you and display your name cards at every placing. Traditionally, weddings have a top table where the Bride and Groom take the centre places. To the left of the bride sits the bride's father, then groom's mother, then the best man. To the right of the groom sits the bride's mother, then groom's father, and then chief bridesmaid. You can, of course, vary this as you wish.

The wedding cake
We're happy to provide a cake stand and knife for your wedding cake. We suggest the cake is cut after the meal and before the toasts. Whilst your guests listen to the speeches, your cake will be cut ready for your guests.

Toastmaster
We would be delighted to co-ordinate your day for you or you may wish to organise your own toastmaster or you might wish to use a uniformed toastmaster.
The toasts begin with one to the bride and groom proposed by the bride's father. In his response the groom would propose a toast to the bridesmaids. Finally the best man would then respond with a speech on behalf of the bridesmaids and read any special greetings cards to the guests.

Evening function
You can extend the day with an evening meal in the dining room or marquee. We can arrange a hot or cold buffet or sit down meal for your evening function.