These Questions & Answers are based on clients’ previous questions. If something’s not covered below, please do get in touch!
Ceremonies
Are we able to have our legal wedding at Cott Farm?
Yes. We are licensed by Somerset Council to host legal marriages and civil partnerships.
May we have a celebrant-led ceremony instead?
You are welcome to choose a celebrant to conduct a symbolic ceremony at the farm. Please note, unlike registrars, celebrants aren’t able to conduct legal ceremonies in England.
Can we insist on an outdoor ceremony, whatever the weather?
We will always try to make everything happen as you want it on your big day. This includes your preference to have your wedding outside, but unfortunately the weather is one of the things we cannot control. However, we do have the perfect back up plan in place as the barn itself is licensed for ceremonies.
There’ll be no other weddings taking place anywhere at the venue, so we can leave the location decision until the last possible moment, with all our fingers crossed, but please note the Registrars may insist you have your ceremony inside if the weather is awful, and we can’t overrule them. Please do trust our experienced team – we will always try and work to your wishes and will help you make a decision in the best interests of everyone!
Capacity
What is the capacity of the barn?
The barn can seat 60 to 150 people for your meal, and has capacity for 80 to 250 guests in the evening.
We offer a stretch tent hire option to create additional covered space for events with more than 150 daytime or 250 evening guests.
Pricing
How much does The Barn at Cott Farm cost?
The cost will depend on your specific requirements, including the venue hire duration, the exact number of guests you choose to invite, and your food and drink choices. Please do request our brochure if you haven’t already; it includes very clear pricing. We host a limited number of weddings and events over spring and summer, and we are proud we are not a wedding factory. You’ll have the privacy, space and dedicated staff you deserve without intrusion from members of the public, other wedding/event guests, or even another bride or groom(!) at our venue, but this means our pricing structure is different to venues hosting other guests and multiple events daily.
What other costs should we consider?
We ensure our venue hire, menus and optional services cover everything you might possibly need from your venue, and our transparent pricing means there should be no extra fees payable to us. However you will need to consider the following costs:
You are strictly required to obtain wedding/event insurance (around £100) as part of your booking.
An additional fee (around £470) is payable directly to Somerset Council for legal marriage ceremonies.
You might also like to budget for additional suppliers, for example a band for live music, photographer and florist – you’re free to choose these yourselves, but can see our recommendations for local suppliers.
Do summer dates cost more?
No. Our lovely outdoor space means we are mostly a summer venue, and we don’t hike our prices up for ‘peak’ seasons.
Catering & Bar
Can we bring our own caterers?
Similar to a hotel or restaurant, we have our own team and all food and drink consumed on the premises must be provided by the venue. We do not offer ‘dry hire’ under any circumstances.
The menus in our brochure are examples of popular dishes, but you are welcome to write your own menu instead. Just let us know what you’d like to eat and we can provide a bespoke quote.
What is provided by the venue for the tables?
Our menu pricing includes tableware for your chosen menu and drinks, including serviettes, cutlery, crockery and glasses. We also provide salt & pepper, water jugs, serving equipment and wine coolers for each table, and we will lay and prepare the tables for your meal.
Do you have a licensed bar?
Yes. Our licensed, staffed and fully-stocked bar has a good selection of local and popular drinks, which are reasonably priced. The bar is a ‘cash bar’, meaning guests buy their own drinks, but you are able to provide drinks tokens or a bar tab, should you wish. The bar accepts cash and card payments.
The bar closes at Midnight on Saturdays, 11pm Monday to Friday and 10pm on Sundays.
We do not permit outside bars or ‘bring your own’.
What time must the party finish?
All music or entertainment for the event must cease at the bar closing time at the very latest. Your finish time will depend upon your booking with us but this will be no later than one hour after the bar closing time, when all guests (including your suppliers) must leave the venue and grounds. These times cannot be altered.
Decorations
Can I decorate The Barn?
The venue is beautifully decorated, furnished, and lit (including fairy lights on the beams and paper lanterns for the roof lights). For a full weekend wedding you will have access to the venue all day on Friday to decorate and set up (and until Sunday lunchtime to remove your belongings).
Are candles permitted?
Candles and lanterns are permitted with caution. Measures must be taken so that no wax will drip. Candles must be extinguished before departure.
Are we able to set off Chinese lanterns and/or fireworks in the grounds?
Sorry, no. Due to our rural location, there are too many risks with livestock, as well as thatched cottages in the area.
May we use confetti in the grounds?
You may use real flower confetti outside but please notify your guests that we do not allow any synthetic (including that labelled ‘biodegradable’) confetti anywhere within the grounds, including ‘table confetti’ inside the barn.
Camping
Can guests camp in camper vans or caravans, as well as tents?
If you have booked our glamping & camping option, your guests are very welcome to bring campers etc. Please note the campsite is laid to grass and we do not have electric hook up facilities.
Sorry, but we do not permit overnight stays by anyone if you have not booked our glamping & camping option.
Accessibility
Is The Barn wheelchair accessible?
The Barn is all at ground level and is accessed by a gradual ramp so is suitable for wheelchair users. There is a level access toilet located in The Nook.
Other
Do you have restrictions on children?
Children must be supervised at all times. We do not restrict the number of children you may invite. However you must arrange a suitably qualified and insured creche or childminding service for the duration of the wedding if more than 10% of your guests are under 14 years old. Please see our list of local wedding suppliers if you need ideas.
Are we able to use The Barn for a pre-wedding party the night before, or the day after?
Venue hire pricing is for a single-day event and the additional time we include for weekend weddings is soley to give you time to set up and pack down without stress. We offer additional venue hire for weekend weddings; with or without camping we can provide catering options for breakfast the following day, a meal on Friday evening, and/or Sunday lunch.
What toilet and washroom facilities are included?
We have luxury toilet facilities in our unique and handmade shepherd’s hut.
These fabulous new facilities are included for all weddings and events at Cott Farm.
Outside is a traditional shepherd’s hut, whilst inside you’ll find luxurious loos with three cubicles in the ladies (pictured) and a cubicle and three urinals in the gents.
There is also The Nook, our couple’s private dressing room, which has a level-access toilet, a shower and a baby-changing station.
Is the venue heated?
Yes. Our very effective heating makes the barn ideal for weddings and events on cooler days. The building is fully insulated against cold (or hot!) outdoor temperatures, making it a comfortable indoor space in all weathers.
Can we bring our dog?
All members of the couple’s family, including dogs, are welcome! We regret doggie guests are limited to the bride(s) and groom(s)’s pets only. Dogs are strictly not permitted inside our bell tents. We can recommend local dog-sitters if required.
Do you have public liability insurance?
The Barn at Cott Farm and the suppliers we commission for your wedding or event have public liability insurance. Any suppliers you commission directly for your wedding or event need to have their own cover, and will be required to supply evidence of this insurance in advance of your wedding or event.
I have another question…
Contact us if you’d like to know anything we’ve not covered here!