Choosing Your Wedding Venue

Choosing your wedding venue can be a daunting task as there are so many things to consider. It can also be time consuming visiting each one, so it often helps to find out a bit more information about each one before viewing.

Below we have put together a list of questions to ask venues as well as answering any you may have about Thirsk Lodge Barns!

Is there availability in the month or year we would like to get married?

This is the first thing you need to establish, the most popular dates at most venues get booked years in advance and falling in love with a venue that has no availability is not ideal.

You can see all available dates at Thirsk Lodge Barns by visiting our availability calendar here. This is updated whenever a date gets booked so you can keep an eye on it!

Will our wedding be the only event that day?

When you book your wedding at Thirsk Lodge Barns you have exclusive use of the venue. This means that there will be no other weddings or events happening here on your wedding date – the venue and grounds are all yours!

Can we set up the day before, and when would we need to collect decorations etc?

Planning a wedding is a huge task, and often you spend months thinking of every last detail so we think it is hugely important that you get time to set things up yourself.

All our couples and their chosen suppliers are welcome to come along the afternoon before their wedding to set up, meaning you can go to bed knowing that everything is ready and without worrying about how the decor might look. So grab your friends and family and get them organised with set up tasks!

If you are getting married onsite, we often like to do a run through of who is walking down the aisle too. More information can be found in our ‘Tips For A Stress Free Set Up Day’ post!

The day after the wedding we ask that all items are collected by 11am, but don’t worry we will gather everything together for you so you just need to load it into your cars.

Are you licensed for onsite ceremonies and is there an additional charge for this?

This is such an important question as a venue must be licensed for civil ceremonies and approved by the council if you wish to have a legal ceremony on site.

Thirsk Lodge Barns has a civil ceremony licence – this is a non-religious legal marriage ceremony performed by a registrar. There is no additional fee to get married in the Barns however you will need to book the registrars yourselves, more information can be found on the North Yorkshire County Council website here.

Can we have a church wedding?

How many guests can we have?

Thirsk Lodge Barns can accommodate up to 140 people during the day for your ceremony and the meal. A maximum of 60 further guests can then join after for your evening drinks and dancing.

As a relatively large venue, we are sadly not suited to weddings of less than 40 guests.

We have a 60 guest minimum on both Thursdays and Saturdays however you are welcome to have a more intimate wedding on a Monday or Tuesday.

Are staff included?

This is such an important question, as some venues don’t include staff in their quote until you know your guests numbers, which can come as as bit of a surprise once you have booked.

At Thirsk Lodge Barns the Barn Hire price includes all Bar staff needed for your event, and Wedding Coordinators who will be there on your wedding day to coordinate with your chosen caterer, florist and entertainment etc., as well as ensure the timings of your day fit with your requests; so you can relax and enjoy every minute without any worries!

Do you allow confetti and can we have real candles?

Yes! We LOVE a confetti moment, however we do ask that only biodegradable confetti is used. If the weather means that you can’t throw confetti outside, then fear not as you can also have your confetti thrown inside the Main Barn!

We do also allow real candles, they add such a lovely atmosphere to weddings! The only restriction we have on candles is that they are not placed along the aisle or on the floor where (from experience) they often get knocked over and smashed.

What happens in bad weather? Will there be room for all of my guests inside?

Whilst we all like to imagine a beautiful, sunny wedding day, it is always good to ask about a venues ‘wet weather plan’. We are in the UK after all!

At Thirsk Lodge Barns we have plenty of indoor space, and having a separate Dining Room means that your guests do not have to wait outside or be held in a small area whilst we turn rooms around.

Our main Bar area is spacious enough, and has plenty of seating for an indoor drinks reception. Our beautiful bi-fold windows run the length of the Bar, so even if you can’t go out into the Courtyard, you still benefit from the beautiful views of our olive tree!

Is the venue wheelchair accessible?

The venue is all on one level, with smooth flooring. Accessible entry is via our trade carpark, where you can drive right up to the rear doors leading in to the main entrance hall.

We also have an accessible loo!

Can our dogs be involved in our wedding day?

Yes, we love dogs and totally understand that they are part of the family! Dogs are welcome to come for your ceremony and for a few photos afterwards however we do ask that they leave before any canapés are served.

Please note that sadly we can’t allow any pets in the accommodation.

We hope you have found this list of questions and answers useful, if there are any other questions you may have then please contact the team at enquiries@thirsklodgebarns.com. We are always happy to help!