Wedding FAQs
Here we’ll answer some of our most frequently asked questions, and we’ll provide more detail for some of the finer points of our exclusive use wedding packages.
We pride ourselves on transparency, not only when it comes to pricing, but for all aspects of your day.
When you visit us for your private show round, you’ll leave feeling assured that you know our venue inside and out.
About Our Exclusive Use Venue
Yes – in both our outdoor location, The Pavilion, and our indoor location, The Orangery.
Yes – we are fully accessible on the ground floor, including all of our entertaining spaces and gardens. If guests are looking to stay over, we do offer two ground floor, accessible bedrooms with their own parking spaces.
Yes – we have ample on-site parking for all guests, which is free of charge.
Yes – we have 15 luxury guest bedrooms, and one spectacular Honeymoon Suite. Click here to see our rooms.
Our Jacobean Manor House stands proud surrounded by 10 acres of landscaped grounds. The venue itself is best suited for parties between 60 and 250 guests.
The Planning Process
The first step is to visit us for a private show round, which you can book here. This will be with the owner Mrs M, her Daughter Antonia or our General Manager Laura. Couples get a full tour of venue, gardens and bedrooms. After your tour, you will sit down together to talk through your dream wedding day and any questions you might have will be answered. We can also book you a provisional date at the end of your show round.
To book a date, all you have to do is send us an email confirming that you would like to book. We will then hold your booking provisionally for two weeks. In this two week period you must read our T&C, before signing and returning them with the non-refundable booking fee. At this stage your date will be confirmed and in the diary!
You will have our experienced events team at your finger tips on the run up to your wedding day who will also there on the day to ensure everything is running smoothly. All booked couples to be will be given a dedicated email address to use to ask any questions they have and to confirm plans for their wedding. You can also call us anytime, and our office team will be able to help you with quick queries. Click here to ‘meet the family’.
Yes – we will organise for our couples to meet with a dedicated events manager no less than three times before their wedding date to finalise plans and to talk through your dream day. You will also be invited to our Open Days to meet the full team, and to show your friends and family the venue.
Yes – we go the extra mile here too! Once booked, you will be invited to a Taster Evening where you’ll experience our venue in full swing, try a selection of our delicious dishes and try all the wines on our list. This is a really spectacular evening, and a chance to experience The Old Hall Ely as you would on your wedding day.
No – while we have a list of amazing, trusted suppliers which we’ll share with you, you can absolutely bring in any suppliers who you’d like to.
Our Venue in Numbers
1
Honeymoon Suite
15
Luxury Guest Bedrooms
4
Stunning Seasons
12+
Years of Experience
165
Ceremony Capacity
170
Seated Meal Capacity
250
Evening Guest Capacity
10
Acres of Grounds
2
Ceremony Locations
8
Entertaining Spaces
6
Event Managers
2
Permanent Bars
Meet Our Open Day Suppliers
Your Wedding Day
You can access The Marquee from 10am, and The Honeymooon Suite from 11am. A second room of your choosing will be available from 11.30am so that you don’t cross paths on the morning, a tradition which we love to uphold.
Yes – we have 16 stunning rooms, and you can choose exactly which suits your wedding morning vision. Have a look at our rooms here.
There is a structure in place, but each wedding is individual based on the Ceremony time, and the time when the sun sets over the beautiful Cathedral.
There isn’t one! We have eight fantastic entertaining spaces, so the flow of your day is seamless and effortless. We even have a secret dancefloor which we’ll reveal for your first dance, so there is absolutely no disruption to your day and atmosphere. Click here to view our Wedding Gallery, where you can see more of our fantastic venue.
Yes, as long as it is made from fresh or dried, natural petals.
For your Ceremony & Wedding Breakfast we have fantastic sound systems which you can use free of charge. Most couples will create a playlist on Spotify which we will play for you. We do love live music and DJs, and we have an indoor and an outdoor stage which are yours to use. You will need to organise music and a sound system for your evening reception.
Yes – we have a fantastic menu for you to browse and we cater for all requirements. We always offer a bespoke menu, so when you meet with our team they will help you to create your perfect wedding breakfast
Yes! We can allow your dog to be on site at The Old Hall Ely for an hour and a half during your big day. Your dog can go in the ceremony area and join you for your drinks receptions and photoshoot. Your dog must be kept on a lead at all times and under no circumstances can your dog be permitted in the accommodation areas.
Our Package Pricing & The Finer Details
Yes – we like to be as transparent as possible, so all of our prices include VAT.
Our non-refundable booking & administration fee is £5,000 – this is included in our package price, so this is not an additional charge.
Carriages for all day & evening guests should arrive by midnight. Your overnight guests are welcome to enjoy the early hours with you in the sitting room, hall or outside.
Yes – we will safely store all of your items in a locked room, and you will be able to collect them in the morning. We do also have a wedding post box for your wedding cards.
No – we know the cutting of the cake is an important tradition, so we will provide you with a glorious stand and knife, and will cut and serve your cake on your day – it’s just what we do.
We work with a wonderful independent wine merchant, and we have a top selection of drinks from you to chose from. If there’s something specific you’d like then we will source this for you, so we do not have a corkage option.