Frequently Asked Questions for Chippenham Park Weddings

WEDDING VENUE & GARDENS BOOKING

 

What is the hire cost for Chippenham Park for my wedding? 

No two events are exactly the same. Pricing will vary depending on day of the week and month of the year. Typically prices will start from £3,500 and go up to £9,000.

 

Our wedding season runs from April till November inclusive. 

 

What’s included in the hire cost of Chippenham Park for my wedding? (Hint: it’s more than just a pretty view!)

You have exclusive use of Chippenham Park from midday on the day of your wedding. Our venue hire cost also includes:

• Choice and use of three ceremony locations 

• Use of grand piano in the ballroom if required (professionals only please!)

• Wedding suite for bridal preparations from 12pm and overnight stay after the party has finished 

• Use of our furniture, tables and chairs 

• On-site complimentary parking for up to 200 cars 

• Award winning gardens

• Experienced onsite wedding management team from beginning to end 

 

Do you have my wedding date available - and can I pop it on hold? 

To check available dates, contact Beccy via email or telephone and she can check the calendar for you!

We appreciate it can be tricky aligning dates with family/work/commitments etc - therefore we can hold a date for one week free of charge whilst you confirm the finer details. 

 

How does the wedding venue booking process work?

To secure a date, we require a 25% deposit which is non-refundable. The remainder of your balance is due six months before your wedding date. 

 

Can we hold both our wedding ceremony and reception at Chippenham Park? 

Absolutely! We have three licensed wedding ceremony options, consisting of our Summerhouse, Octagon and Ballroom. 

 

Outdoor Garden Wedding Ceremony Locations:

• The Summerhouse is licensed for up to 120 guests 

• The Octagon is licensed for up to 120 guests

 

Indoor Wedding Ceremony Locations:

• The Ballroom is licensed for up to 120 guests (combined with Tharp Hall)

 

Do you have a wet weather back up? (Just in case the British weather does its thing!)

We do indeed. Our team will decide on the morning of the wedding if the ceremony can be outdoors. If it is deemed too wet - the ceremony will be held indoors.

 

Please note we are licensed for 120 guests for ceremony - however, should this be indoors, this number is split over two rooms (The Ballroom and Tharp Hall) due to fire and safety regulations. 

 

Is there a Church onsite?

We do not have a Church onsite but there our local Church is stunning and just a stone’s throw from the venue. Infact - a large majority of our Church couples - opt to walk the distance to us after the Church ceremony has finished! Contact Chippenham Church 

 

Is the Wedding venue exclusive use? 

Absolutely! From midday till midnight - Chippenham Park is yours and yours alone! 

 

How long do we have the venue for on the day?

Venue hire is from midday till midnight.

 

Please note, once you move to the marquee for your wedding breakfast and evening reception - the house and grounds around the house are locked for security reasons. 

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Suppliers can access the marquee from 9am on the morning of the wedding for set up. 

 

The wedding suite is available from 12pm and the additional five bedrooms are available from 2pm. Check out for all overnight accommodation and the venue is 10am the following morning. 

 

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STAYING AT CHIPPENHAM PARK

Do you have onsite wedding accommodation? 

Yes, we have six bedrooms onsite including the wedding suite, accommoding up to 12 guests.

If you choose not to book the overnight accommodation, these rooms are released on Booking.com

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What time is Check-out and Check-in?

The wedding suite is available from 12pm and the additional five bedrooms are available from 2pm. 
Check-out is by 10am the following morning.

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Can we stay the night before our wedding?

There is an option to book the five external bedrooms the night before the wedding, if the venue is available. Please discuss and confirm with the management team - they can confirm six weeks prior to the wedding if this option is available.

Please note the wedding suite is only available for your wedding night. 

 

What time can I access the wedding suite? 

Access to the wedding suite is from midday on the day of the wedding. 

 

Can children stay overnight?

All five external bedrooms sleep two adults. We can accommodate one child in two of the larger rooms if required - you would need to provide bedding/travel cot etc and there is an additional charge of £15 for breakfast.

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Do you have a list of additional recommended accommodation nearby? 

Our management team have all the answers and can certainly provide you with our favourite recommended accommodation nearby. Contact us for a recommended list. 

 

Are you pet friendly? 

We warmly welcome your furry friend to join you on your special day but there are some restrictions. We do ask that they have a dedicated sitter and remain on a lead at all times. They cannot enter any of the overnight accommodation and must be offsite before you move to the marquee for the wedding breakfast and evening reception.

 

Should you wish to include your pet in your civil ceremony - please also notify the registrars. 

 

 

FOOD, DRINKS & SUPPLIERS

Can we bring our own suppliers, or do you have a recommended list? 

You are required to use our sole caterers, bar company and choice of discos from list. If you wish to have fireworks at your wedding, you will also be required to use one of our registered suppliers. Other than that, we do not have restrictions on external suppliers. We do have a list of recommended suppliers we work with however, should you need some guidance! 

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Can your caterers create a bespoke menu for us? 

We have a sample menu from Crown Catering but the options are endless and they are more than happy to discuss your food requirements! 

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Can we host our multicultural or fusion wedding at Chippenham Park? 

We appreciate that every cultural celebration is special, and we’re happy to accommodate your traditions as best as possible. External caterers are welcome at Chippenham Park for cultural reasons, subject to an additional fee and pre-wedding site visit - please contact us to discuss your plans. 

 

Can we have a food truck?

You will need to use Crown Catering for your wedding breakfast - Of course they are also more than happy to provide your evening food. However, should you wish for a food truck, this is also permitted at an additional £100 charge. They must be self-sufficient and take all rubbish offsite.

 

Do you have an onsite bar - and can we bring our own alcohol? 

We have a £300 corkage charge which allows you to provide your drinks for drinks reception, wine for dinner and fizz for speeches. At the end of dinner, our charming onsite fully stocked bar opens and your alcohol will stop being served at this point. 

 

What time does the bar close? Can we extend for a later party?

Our music and alcohol license is until 11.30pm - with all guests needing to depart by midnight. An optional paid upgrade can be arranged so that music and bar finishes at 12.30am and guests depart by 1am.

 

Please note, our team will need to know if you are wanting this in advance so that they can apply for the required license. 

 

 

LOGISTICS & PRACTICAL BITS 

How many guests can you accommodate for the day and evening?

Our maximum guest number for the ceremony is 120, dining is 200 and evening party is 250.

 

Please note your evening guests numbers should not exceed 50% of the day guest numbers. Due to the size of our beautiful marquee - we do not suggest less than 60 day guests. 

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Is your venue accessible for guests with disabilities? 

Guests requiring additional support may be driven to the back of the venue to avoid the walk from paddock parking - but please note that due to steps in the house - they would need go around the side of the house to use the ramp for access. We have disabled toilet facilities in the marquee. Should you wish to visit in advance to confirm the access arrangements please contact the management team and they will be happy to accommodate. 

 

Do you have parking and can cars stay overnight? 

We have onsite parking available for up to 200 cars. Vehicles are permitted to stay overnight in the wedding parking and must be collected by 10am the following morning. We do not permit camper vans/caravans overnight.

 

Can I arrive to my wedding by helicopter? (Dreaming of a dramatic entrance)

We’d be disappointed if you didn’t! Please liaise with our management team so that they can coordinate this. 

 

What time do we need to vacate the premises?

Check out off all bedrooms and Chippenham Park site is 10am the morning after the wedding. 

 

Where exactly is Chippenham Park?

Chippenham Park is located on the Cambridgeshire-Norfolk-Suffolk border in East Anglia, close to Cambridge and with easy access from Peterborough, Newmarket, Norwich and London to name a few!

Chippenham Park 

Chippenham 

Cambridgeshire 

CB7 5PT 

 

Follow the event signs as you enter the main entrance gates - we will have a car park attendant on duty for your guests to avoid confusion on arrival. You are more than welcome to provide personalised signage should you wish. 

 

 

FINISHING TOUCHES 

Do you allow fireworks or sparklers? 

Fireworks are permitted from one our recommended companies - please contact the management team for information. Any fireworks would need to be from their quieter range as we are surrounded by stables and wildlife. Sparklers are permitted outside on the terrace - please note you must provide sand buckets for these and ensure that all sparklers are collected and disposed of correctly. A charge would be put in place if this isn’t adhered to - as you can imagine, they are not good for wildlife or our garden machinery!

 

Are candles allowed?

Candles are permitted in/on protective coverings so as to avoid damage to our table cloths and marquee floor. They must not be near the lining of marquee or in areas which are mostly unattended. Artificial LED powered votives or candles are our preferred choice.

 

Can we use confetti?

Fresh or dried petals are the only permitted confetti at Chippenham Park 

 

Can we have a drone for aerial photos?

Absolutely - as long as we can see the shots! We do also require their license beforehand and they must not fly over the stable block as this is a private building 

 

Do you have a sound limiter?

We do not have a sound limiter but we do have a sound level monitor with a level of 95 decibels - this should be adhered to by all discos and bands performing at Chippenham Park. 

 

Do you have a speaker system at Chippenham Park?

We have a Bose speaker available for hire to play background music during the ceremony, drinks reception and wedding breakfast. It is not available for your evening reception entertainment 

 

When can we access the marquee to decorate?

Access for suppliers to set up the marquee is from 9am on the morning of the wedding.

 

On some occasions, the decorating team may gain access the morning of the day before if we do not have any other commitments - in which case you would have a two hour slot to put out any marquee decor. The management team will notify you if this is an option six weeks prior to the wedding.

 

All decor should be removed from the marquee kitchen by 10am the following morning (this includes any hanging installations so please factor this into timings with your suppliers). 

 

What size are your tables?

Our standard round guests tables are 5ft 6” in diameter and can seat 8-10 guests. There is also one additional guest table measuring 7ft in diameter and can seat 12-14 guests. We do also have 15 trestle tables available measuring 6ft x 3ft.

 

Who takes care of set-up and take-down?

You and your suppliers are in charge of set up and take down. If there is a wedding the day before yours our team are happy to help with place names/favours/table plan etc. but do not have the capacity to handle larger projects such as bunting and chair covers.

 

Our team will strip the marquee at the end of the evening and leave your decor/alcohol etc in the marquee kitchen. They will not take down bunting/remove chair covers or items at height - please factor this in with your suppliers when booking them. 

 

Do you provide fans/heaters during seasonal changes? 

During summer, we have large floor fans in the marquee - we do not have air conditioning. In the cooler months, we have heating available in the marquee. 

 

 

PLANNING & COORDINATION

Who will be our main contact at the venue?

Beccy, our Venue Director, will take care of you on the day. With over 13 years experience, there really isn’t any issue Beccy cannot solve. Contact Beccy here.

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When will our planning meeting take place?

Once you have booked Chippenham Park for your wedding, you will have an initial meeting - this is just an informal chat to discuss your big day and go through your ideas/recommended suppliers/running schedule of the day etc. We will always have a final meeting a day or two before your wedding alongside Crown Catering. In the interim it is up to you how many times you wish to visit the venue/speak with Beccy again. She is also readily available during office hours via email or phone. 

 

How do I book a civil wedding ceremony - who do I speak to?

You will need to get in touch with Cambridgeshire Ceremonies Team to book your ceremony time - we recommend doing this sooner rather than later to secure your perfect slot! We also recommend that you fill out the form on their site, rather than calling as the phones are not always manned

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Can I arrange a coach for my guests?

Absolutely! We highly recommend it, should the majority of guests be staying in the same place.

Please notify the management team if you do book a coach so that they can liaise with your provider directly and send an appropriate access map with directions. 

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Any other questions? Contact the Chippenham Park Wedding Team to find ask