Wedding Resources
Planning Your Wedding
We are delighted that you have chosen to hold your wedding in our family home, and recognise that whether large or small, there is some unavoidable ‘wedmin’ involved in planning any wedding. We are here to give you as much support as you would like towards the planning of the day, and hope this set of resources, along with the recommended suppliers directory and your online wedding planner, will help to make the planning smooth and fun.
It is by no means an exhaustive guide to planning a wedding but contain some considerations, tips and recommendations based on 20 years of experience of weddings at Homme. It is no substitute for time spent in your chosen venue discussing the day, so do get in touch with any queries and to arrange visits to bring family, friends or suppliers involved in the preparations to see Homme and discuss plans in situ.
As you start out on the planning process you may feel a little daunted by the scale of the task. Consider dividing the available time into chunks, for example months, and assigning specific planning tasks to each period, in sequence. This sometimes helps to create a sense of manageable focus, freeing you up to enjoy each element of the planning in turn.
We suggest fixing a get together approximately 2-3 months before your wedding to discuss your plans. During this session we will cover details such as timings for the day, guest numbers, furniture requirements and suppliers contributing towards the wedding. Don’t hesitate to get in touch (charlie@hommehouse.co.uk, 07764 346 725) if we can help with anything in the meantime.
Preparing for a wedding day is such an important and special period of a couple’s life together – a period we hope you will thoroughly enjoy and a process we feel privileged to play a part in. We wish you much enjoyment and every success with the planning and preparations.
Best wishes
Charlie, Sarah & family
- Process
- Checklist
- The Space
- General
- Suppliers
- Food
- Drink
- Marquee Weddings
- The Day Before
- Ceremony
- Reception
- Wedding Breakfast
- Evening
- Accommodation
- Getting Here
- The Morning After
Planning Process
An overview of the key stages of the planning process, including details for the timing of payments and key information required towards the wedding.
When are venue fee payments due?
For a weekend wedding: 25% deposits 12 months and 6 months prior to the Commencement Date, with the 25% balance payable 2 months prior to the Commencement Date.
For a midweek wedding: the agreed balance of the hire is payable 3 weeks prior to the Commencement Date.
If you are happy to arrange a BACS transfer to the same bank details as the Booking Fee for relevant instalments (without an invoice) we will then send through an invoice receipt.
We accept payment by bank transfer: Mrs J D Finnigan, Account No: 10988168, Sort Code: 30-80-55.
When do we need to pay for any guest rooms used?
Payments for guest accommodation, furniture/equipment and breakfast should be made no later than 3 weeks prior to the Commencement Date.
We ask for accommodation payments to be made directly by the wedding couple on behalf of guests – one payment to cover Main House, Coach House and Summerhouse accommodation. Just let us know when you are happy that the plans are final and we will raise and share a final invoice covering accommodation, equipment and any cooked breakfasts ordered for you to check prior to making any payment. We accept payment by bank transfer: Account No: 10988168, Sort Code: 30-80-55.
Planning Checklist
Checklists for different stages of the wedding to help ensure that nothing is missed in the planning.
The Space
Some useful measurements and dimensions for planning decorations and other elements of the day.
General
How many guests can we invite to the wedding?
For a weekend wedding:
For a wedding in the house our maximum is 80 guests. For a marquee wedding, our maximum is 110 for a civil wedding, and 120 for a church wedding. Our maximum for the evening celebration for either a wedding in the house or marquee wedding is 120.
For a midweek wedding:
For a midweek wedding our maximum is 60 guests.
A more detailed overview of our capacities is available here.
Can we invite children to our wedding?
Absolutely. It is a very personal choice as to whether to include children in your wedding celebrations. If you want to include them, but not for the entire day, it can work well to include them up to the reception and then to provide a professional creche/child minding environment in the Coach House or Main House for them to be signed into. This frees both children and parents up to relax and enjoy themselves for the rest of the day.
Please note that ‘babes in arms’ are not included in guest numbers, but babies in high chairs and older children are included in the guest numbers towards our capacity for the elements of the wedding they attend.
There are hazards at Homme including open water in the garden and open fires including fire bowls, so it is important that children are supervised.
What provisions are there for guests with disabilities?
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch to discuss any considerations or specific requirements for any guests attending the wedding.
For wheelchair users a permanent ramp at the front of the house and a short removable ramp allow access to the ground floor reception rooms, where there is a loo with wheelchair access. Wheelchair users can be driven up to the Walled Garden for outdoor ceremony, with a grass slope offering access to the ceremony area itself. Unfortunately due to the historic nature of the house there is no wheelchair access to the accommodation on the first and second floors.
In some instances mobility scooters have faced difficulties with the angle of the removable ramp (there is limited space under the portico for a longer ramp of shallower gradient). If this is likely to be the case we recommend using a level access route via the private quarters of the house.
Our access statement is a useful reference for accessibility considerations.
How much time should we allow for each element of the wedding day?
A rough guideline for timings:
Civil ceremony: 30 mins
Church service: 50 mins (75-90 mins from the start of the service at St. Bartholomew’s to return to Homme)
Reception drinks: 60-120 mins
Wedding breakfast: 150 mins (3 courses with speeches)
Example timings for a Civil Wedding:
Guests Arrive: 13:00
Ceremony: 13:30
Reception: 14:00
Guests called to take Seats: 15:45
Wedding Breakfast: 16:00
Evening Celebrations commence: 18:30
Evening Guests Arrive: 19:00
Cutting of the Cake: 19:40
First Dance: 19:45
Evening Food: 21:00
Bar Closes: 23:30
Music Ends: 23:45
Non-Resident Guests Depart: at 00:00
Example timings for a Church Wedding:
Guests Arrive: 13:00
Service: 13:30
Reception: 14:45
Guests called to take Seats: 16:15
Wedding Breakfast: 16:30
Evening Celebrations commence: 19:00
Evening Guests Arrive: 19:30
Cutting of the Cake: 20:00
First Dance: 20:05
Evening Food: 21:00
Bar Closes: 23:30
Music Ends: 23:45
Non-Resident Guests Depart: at 00:00
Suppliers
We hope our recommended suppliers directory will be a useful source of inspiration.
If you choose a supplier not familiar with Homme they may have questions about the facilities here and our approach to weddings. We have developed some briefing sheets which you may find useful. Feel free to download and share them, or get in touch with any specific questions which arise.
Please note that we expect suppliers to be responsible for the removal of their waste (unless you inform us that you have arranged with them to remove it at the end of the wedding).
It is also important to ensure that any supplier booked by you who is not listed in our recommended supplier directory has appropriate insurance (public liability as a minimum), and to provide us with copies no later than 2 months before the wedding.
Food
Food is a fun and central element of planning a wedding day, with myriad options to consider and choose from.
You may decide on a caterer from our recommended supplier gallery but have complete freedom to select another caterer if it better suits your plans. Some caterers will offer services for both the wedding breakfast and evening food, while others will specialise in one or other.
You are welcome to arrange street food style food in the evening – the gravel area at the front of the house works well as an area for street food set ups, and we can supply power as required. Just let us know any requirements at our planning session.
The choice of caterer is one of the most important decisions you will make towards your wedding day, and one that it is very important to get right given the central role the catering team plays through the day. It is very much a case of ‘you get what you pay for’, though there are a number of good ways to ensure the budget goes further, for example choosing canapés followed by a two course wedding breakfast, or cutting the cake in time for it to be enjoyed as a dessert.
Remember to check whether extras such as drinks service, service of food, the hire of all tableware (linen, crockery, cutlery and glassware) and clearance at the end of the meal are included in their quotation so that you can compare different options on a like-for-like basis. It is also worth checking that staffing levels will be sufficient for the number of guests invited and requirements on the wedding day.
When planning all the food for the day, there are just a few considerations to bear in mind, as follows:
- We do ask that the wedding breakfast on your wedding day should be looked after by professional caterers with the required licences in place (we are a ‘dry hire’ venue, not a self-catering venue)
- If you choose a caterer who has not worked at Homme before we ask that they get in touch to arrange a site visit so that we can ensure everything will flow smoothly on your wedding day. The caterer briefing sheet above acts as a useful overview of how we work with caterers and may answer any initial questions prior to a site visit.
- We strongly recommend that the main meal on the wedding day should be served by professional staff, either as a more formal individually plated meal or relaxed, sharing platter style – our experience has shown that buffet service does not work well for wedding breakfasts at Homme due to the size of the reception spaces, slow speed of service, large delay between the service of the first and last tables, and disruptive nature of this approach for a large number of guests.
- You would be welcome to supply evening food yourselves for a simple, self-service cold buffet (e.g. cheese & biscuits) if you are hoping for an alternative to a professionally catered hot evening food option. If you choose to do this it is important to plan all the requirements carefully, including who will lay it out and the equipment required to display and enjoy it. It’s a good idea to bring plenty of containers with you so that we can store any leftovers for you at the end of the wedding day.
- Please bear in mind that we expect all food suppliers to be responsible for the removal of their waste.
Drink: Free Bars & Riverbank Bars
You are very welcome to provide all of the drinks on your wedding day without any form of corkage charge. If you opt to do this, it is important to arrange staffing for the service of drinks at every stage of the day (usually through your chosen caterer), including a minimum of 3 staff members for the free bar in the evening until 30 minutes after the closing time of the bar.
You would be welcome to have a pay bar on your wedding day (either all day or for the evening only), for which we have a designated supplier – Riverbank Bars. They charge a set up & staffing fee of £100 and Herefordshire pub prices for drinks, with a minimum spend calculated on a £15 per person basis. They can provide a fully stocked evening bar including cocktails as well as drinks packages for the reception and wedding breakfast, alongside glass hire.
We have prepared a short pdf covering the key considerations for free and paid bars on your wedding day. Download it below.
Download the Riverbank Bars flyer below for more details of their service.
A note from Riverbank Bars: As you plan your wedding reception and table drinks, it is easy to overestimate the amount you will need. As a general guide we find that an allowance of two welcome drinks, two to three glasses of wine and a toast drink, suits most guests (don’t forget water for the wedding breakfast tables).
Furniture & Equipment
We can arrange wooden folding chairs or benches for outdoor civil ceremonies, and chivari chairs and tables (curved top table, ovals and banqueting style tables) for indoor ceremonies and dining at Homme.
A full list of the equipment we can provide is available to download below.
A guide for choosing linen to hire is available to download below.
Let us know if you have other specific furniture and equipment needs and we can help you to source what is required.
All tableware including linen should be arranged via your chosen caterer or catering hire company (Hampton Hire, Glos Hire, CB Hire & Tipples are all good companies who have worked at Homme before). It is useful for us to have a copy of the final hire list so that we can help to ensure all items are returned to the catering area ready for collection (e.g. glassware).
Supplier Tips
Tips: Beauty, Hair & Make Up
Choosing Hair & Make Up Artists: if you decide to have professional hair and make up for your wedding we recommend arranging trial sessions to ensure that you will be happy with the results on the day.
Timings: your chosen team will work back from the ceremony/service time based on how many are involved in hair and make up to work out the start time for preparations on the morning of the wedding. It’s a good idea to aim to have everyone completely ready by 45-60 minutes prior to the ceremony/service time to ensure there is plenty of time for pre-wedding photos on completion of the preparations. If the professional team plan to arrive on the morning of the wedding before 7am we would be very grateful if a guest involved in early preparations could be responsible for letting them in.
Tips: Cakes
Size: it is a good idea to ensure that your wedding cake is the right size for the number of guests you plan to invite – it is very easy to end up with a lot of cake left over! One option to consider is a combination of fake and real tiers to make an impact without having to overcater.
Delivery: cake makers normally deliver their creations on the morning of the wedding. If you, a family member or friend are making the cake you would be welcome to bring it over to Homme the day before your wedding – just let us know whether it needs to be stored in the cool or in the fridge and we will make space available.
Displaying & Cutting the Cake: the ideal location for the cake will depend on your plans and when the cake will be enjoyed.
For a wedding in the house the flying staircase is a beautiful backdrop for the cutting of the cake, either before the wedding breakfast (if being served as dessert) or in the evening, in the presence of any evening guests. If you would like to cut the cake during the meal it can be displayed in the Dining Room.
For a marquee wedding the marquee is the best place to cut the cake – for example at the end of the meal – to ensure everyone has a good view of the moment. Remember to liaise with your marquee supplier on a table to display the cake on, and with your caterer on a cloth to cover it.
Serving the Cake: check whether your chosen caterer is happy to cut the cake up for serving and let them know if you would like to keep any layers complete (it is traditional for the top tier to be saved for a christening if it is fruit cake). We can help if they are not able to accommodate the request.
Liaise with the caterer on the requirements for displaying and enjoying the cake – platters, plates, napkins – and agree who will supply them. If each tier is a different flavour, or if there are specific dietary considerations, it is a good idea to supply labels. The cake could be cut and served as the wedding breakfast dessert, laid out wherever tea & coffee is made available or displayed as part of an evening buffet as appropriate.
It is a nice idea to provide cake boxes in case any guests would like to take cake with them to enjoy after the wedding day.
Tips: Flowers
Choosing Flowers: consider choosing flowers that will be in season on your wedding day – they are likely to be some of the most beautiful and cost effective options available.
Alternatives to fresh flowers: consider whether you might prefer alternatives to freshly cut flowers for floral elements of the wedding day, whether potted blooms which can be planted and enjoyed after the wedding, silk flowers or dried arrangements.
Choosing Arrangements: Some popular spots for flowers at Homme include the pedestals either side of the hall archway, the stair, the wine cooler at the bottom of the stairs, the mantlepiece and tables in the Dining Room, the front door knocker, the dog statues either side of the portico pillars.
Flowers through the Day: consider whether you can re-use displays during the day, for example by transferring a Registrar table arrangement to the Dining Room mantelpiece/top table, pew ends to the stairs after the ceremony or bouquets to vases around the house. We are very happy to help with ‘floral movements’ through the day.
Buttonholes & corsages: buttonholes are traditionally worn by grooms, fathers, best men and groomsmen but can be extended to other close members of the family. Buttonholes are pinned from behind upwards on the left hand suit lapel. Corsages are traditionally worn by close female family members and are pinned downwards on the right hand side. They shouldn’t be too heavy as ladies dress fabrics are often more lightweight than men’s suits. A magnetic corsage can be a good way to protect delicate fabric, and a wrist corsage a good alternative to one worn on a garment. Corsages and Buttonholes can be tricky to pin on so we are always on hand to help out – it would be useful to know at the Planning Meeting who has been chosen to wear them.
Bouquets & Posies: bouquets and posies look best in photographs when held as low as possible. You’ll want to hold your bouquet for the formal photographs during the reception but after that we would be delighted to refresh it (and those of your bridesmaids) and put them in vases to decorate the house for the remainder of the wedding. There are many companies that will preserve your bouquet for you if you would like. Alternatively you may want to toss it on the day.
Table Centres: floral arrangements for tables work well if they are either low or very high – this allows guests to be able to see each other at the wedding breakfast! Table centre arrangements can be stored in the cool overnight to ensure they are fresh and in pristine condition for the day. We are very happy to put them on the tables prior to the reception.
Considerations for Florists: we ask that all containers are water tight and the exteriors are dry before being placed into position. Damp containers will permanently mark our antique wooden surfaces and floors. We also ask that stair garlands are attached using soft ribbon or string only. Please do not use wire or cable ties, which strip the paint work from the metal stair rods. Garlands must not be attached to or impede the use of the wooden bannister rail.
DIY flowers: you might prefer to arrange the flowers yourselves on the day before the wedding; several local florists will be able to supply you with the raw materials to do so. If you do we can provide you with trestle tables and a space in which to cut and prepare blooms. It is worth planning on lots of help and time as it is quite an undertaking. We are very happy to compost any well segregated green waste but do ask that non-recyclable waste (e.g. oasis) is removed following the wedding.
You are very welcome to arrange an appointment for florist, family member or friend to come and see Homme during the floral planning process.
Tips: Music
Reception Music: the Panelled Room and edge of the lawn (under the shade of the large lime tree) are excellent positions for musicians playing music during the reception. In fine weather the sash window at the end of the Panelled Room is opened so that the room is connected directly to the garden via the steps outside. Planning regulations permit music outside as long as it is fully unamplified/acoustic (no power) and at a background level.
The piano in the Library is tuned and we love it to be played by any guests who tinkle the ivories (until the cut off for music at 11:45pm).
Evening Music: evening dancing takes place in the Panelled Room (or in the Dining Room in the case of a marquee wedding). If you decide to have a live band or DJ arrange for them to arrive during the wedding breakfast. This will allow them to unload equipment, set up and sound check while your guests are occupied enjoying the wedding meal.
The more compact the band or DJ set up is the more space there will be for dancing. Bands generally use the space at the top of the Panelled Room or Dining Room (6m x 3m approx.).
Some bands request a room to change in and use in breaks between sets. The Bridal Drawing Room is the most appropriate room to offer for this purpose, and is where they can enjoy food and refreshments if you are providing them.
We do not have a noise limiter at Homme, we simply ask that the volume level of a performance is reasonable so that guests can enjoy themselves both on and off the dancefloor – an electronic drum kit is a good option for a live band.
Our licence dictates that evening music must end by 11.45pm so it is a good idea to ask your DJ or band to work up to the last dance at around 11.30pm.
DIY evening music: if you decide to organise your own music through an ipod or laptop with speaker system it is a good idea to do a test run the day before the wedding. The music will need to be in downloaded, offline playlists. We have a pair of PA speakers with headphone jack connection which you would be welcome to borrow. Appoint someone to act as the music controller, to be responsible for playing the first dance at the appropriate moment and to ensure that the music ends no later than 11.45pm.
Equipment: most bands will supply a PA for periods of recorded music between sets, as well as lighting for their performance. Additional lighting and/or PA equipment can be hired locally.
Tips: Photographers & Videographers
Recces: you may want to consider arranging a preliminary visit to Homme with your photographer if they haven’t visited the venue before so that they can make a plan for the day. Consider combining this with an Engagement Shoot if it is offered by the photographer you have chosen a great opportunity to get comfortable being photographed by them prior to the wedding day.
Photos on the Day: it is worth planning plenty of photography time into the running order of events on the day, particularly in the build up to the service/ceremony.
Your photographer will ask for a list of formal group photographs that you would like taken during the reception. Assign a bridesmaid or groomsman the duty of rounding up the relevant people for these photos.
If you want a group shot with all of your guests it can work well to schedule this just before the start of the wedding breakfast so that everyone is gathered in one place.
At some point during the reception your photographer will want to take you off for some portraits as a couple. Think about what areas of the wider estate you would choose for these shots – there are some lovely spots in both the parkland and woodland if the weather is fair. The light in the Walled Garden tends to be beautiful during the ‘Golden Hour’ shortly before sunset and can be a nice place for further couple shots after the wedding breakfast, if daylight and timings allow.
Drones: we are happy for drones to be flown at Homme providing the pilot has the necessary licenses and they are not flown over neighbouring properties. It’s possible to get some beautiful footage but is worth bearing in mind that they are quite noisy and disruptive so probably best for limited parts of the day.
Feeding Photographers & Videographers: it is a kindness to ask your caterers to provide some food for your photographer(s) & videographer(s) over the course of the day; it’s a long day for them with limited opportunities for food and drink! They are welcome to sit in the Library to enjoy food while the guests are enjoying the wedding breakfast.
Photobooths & Magic Mirrors: it can be fun to set up a photo booth to capture images of the guests you have invited. If you decide to hire a professional photo booth or magic mirror it’s important to consider its size and positioning in the house within the running order of the day as arrival, set up and departure can be a disruptive process. The Library and Dining Room tend to be the best options.
An alternative would be to create a DIY photo booth with a camera and some fun props. The Library is a great space and backdrop for this.
Collating Images: consider using a photo sharing platform and/or wedding hashtag to aggregate and share guests’ photos from the day. A sign can be useful to instruct guests, and to make your social media policy clear.
Tips: Wedding Attire
Garment Care: if wedding attire is travelling far to Homme and you are worried about the state it might be in on arrival, we would be happy to arrange a visit from a professional ironing and steaming service. There is also a hand steamer available for use at Homme.
There are irons available in both the Main House and Coach House for guest use. We also have sewing equipment available and will do our best to help with any necessary emergency repairs!
Hired Attire: we strongly recommend checking and trying all hired attire on well in advance of arrival to ensure there are no missing items or sizing errors (particularly hired suits, waistcoats and shirts).
Coordination: it is worth key members of the wedding party liaising on choices – ladies dresses in particular – to ensure that unwanted matches are avoided (we held one wedding at Homme for which the two mothers had unknowingly chosen exactly the same dress!).
Display the veil: if you plan to have a beautiful veil but will wear it for only part of the wedding day consider displaying it for the guests to enjoy for the rest of the day. We would be very happy to help hang it from the Library bookshelves, for example.
Marquee Weddings
Some considerations if you plan to arrange a marquee, tipi or similar structure for the wedding breakfast (a marquee supplier briefing sheet is also available above):
Site visit
We recommend arranging a site visit with the marquee supplier to discuss all the plans in situ. A site visit is critical if the marquee supplier has not worked at Homme before.
Erecting & dismantling the marquee
To protect the lawn for subsequent weddings we ask that the flooring of the marquee does not go down until the day before the wedding (the set up can usually start two days before the wedding if required for a structure which is not ‘floor first’). We also ask that the marquee is taken down as early as possible on the day following the wedding to minimise the length of time the flooring is on the grass.
It is important to carefully coordinate the arrival and departure of all necessary equipment in the right order if several suppliers are involved (tent, furniture, catering hire, catering, loo, AV as appropriate) to ensure a smooth set up process, and that all equipment is collected the day after the wedding.
Connecting the marquee to the house
We recommend a marquee set up on the main lawn with a covered walkway leading to the Panelled Room window, both as a wet weather contingency and because it maximises the use of the marquee as a space which is contiguous with the reception rooms of the house. The connection requires careful planning to make sure it is as good as possible. Please bear in mind that we cannot fix anything directly to the house given its Grade II* listing.
Some structures (e.g. tipis) don’t lend themselves well to being connected to the house, working better as an elegant free standing structure. In this case we would suggest a matting walkway from the bottom of the Panelled Room steps to the marquee entrance, with the option of bins of umbrellas at both ends in case of unkind weather.
Catering area
Your chosen caterer is very welcome to use the finishing kitchen facilities in the house for elements of the wedding day, but will need a kitchen area immediately adjacent to the main marquee to prepare the wedding breakfast as close as possible to where it will be enjoyed. It will be important for them to liaise with your marquee supplier on their specific space, furniture and power requirements, and whether they have the necessary equipment in house or will be using a catering hire company (to coordinate delivery and collection timings). The catering area should have flooring and must be equipped with the relevant fire safety equipment.
Power supply
Your marquee supplier will want to know what power is available at Homme. We can provide an external socket for a 63 amp single phase supply. The marquee supplier will need to arrange the necessary cabling to route this power for distribution to the kitchen area, lighting and trailer loo facilities.
Heating
Our marquee season is mid April – mid October. We normally suggest that heating should be provided for the marquee if it looks likely the evening temperature will be below around 13-14 degrees centigrade. We would be grateful if the lawn could be protected by the marquee company by heat proof matting being placed under any ducting, and for spare fuel to be supplied as required to ensure there is sufficient for the event.
Portable loos
For the comfort of guests we ask that an outside loo company is arranged to give access to facilities close to the marquee during the day. This is normally positioned just off the gravel path adjacent to the main lawn to limit driving on the grass, and is reversed into position, dictating a driver side opening facility. It is important for the marquee and loo suppliers to liaise directly to coordinate on layout as well as arrival and departure timings for the loos within the set up and dismantling process.
Equipment
A marquee wedding changes the way we use the reception rooms of the house, with the Panelled Room acting as an excellent bar space and the Dining Room the dance floor. This creates a few extra equipment requirements in addition to the wedding breakfast furniture, as follows:
Panelled Room: a physical bar, which can either be supplied by Riverbank Bars or hired from us depending on your plans for the drinks for the day. 4 barrels or poseur style tables work well as standing drinking areas in the Panelled Room, which could be arranged through your marquee or another external supplier.
Dining Room: a dance floor, 15ft wide x 15ft, 18ft or 21ft long.
Marquee: a PA system for speeches in the marquee, and additional tables for the wedding cake (e.g. 3ft round) and other displays as appropriate.
Music
Please note that while a PA is possible for speeches, the marquee space faces the same licence restriction for music as the garden – that it must be fully unamplified (no electrical/battery power involved – not just ‘acoustic’ as defined by some musicians, which is often still amplified) – and it is therefore not possible to play music through the PA system during the meal.
The Day Before The Wedding
Some frequently asked questions about the day before the wedding to help with the planning.
What time can we arrive to set up on the day before?
You are welcome to arrive any time from 09:30 on the Friday for a weekend wedding, or 15:00 the previous day for a midweek wedding. The Coach House (if being used) will be available from 15:00. Let us know in due course what time you plan to be with us and we will make sure the Main House is ready for your arrival.
How should we approach the setting up?
You will undoubtedly have many offers of help when it comes to the preparations the day before the wedding. It is a good idea to map out the necessary tasks prior to your arrival and to assign responsibility for each of them to make the most of the available help.
Consider whether van hire is a sensible idea to be able to bring everything over to Homme in one go, and to have sufficient space on the morning after the wedding to load up decorations and leftover food and drink.
Consider bringing decorations and equipment in labelled boxes along with any tools you might need – it can make the process of setting and packing up much easier.
Can we put decorations up?
Absolutely, though we ask for consideration to protect the fabric of the building (if in doubt just ask). If you would like bunting or fairy lights in the Panelled Room or Dining Room it is very useful to have the materials to erect on your behalf prior to the arrival of the furniture for the wedding.
What should we do about food & drink the day before the wedding?
There can be a lot going on and it is important to remember to eat! Feel free to bring food or arrange a grocery delivery for the Friday morning – there is fridge space in the guest kitchens for sandwiches and snacks to keep people going. Tea and coffee is available in both guest kitchens.
Should we have a rehearsal the day before?
We would be grateful if you could set aside 20 minutes on the day before to sit down with us and review the key details for the wedding day. This ensures that we are aware of any developments since our planning session and that we can help to ensure everything will run smoothly on the day.
If you are getting married in church, a rehearsal for your service usually takes place the day before the wedding and it’s important that the key people are in attendance so that they know what will happen on the day. You should allow about an hour for the rehearsal.
If you are having a civil ceremony at Homme we would be very happy to help with a short rehearsal to give the key members of the party an idea of what will happen on the day itself.
Consider scheduling any rehearsal for late afternoon and using it as a deadline for the completion of preparations, so that you can enjoy a relaxed evening with family and friends after the rehearsal.
Can we have a gathering at Homme on the evening before the wedding?
You would be very welcome to spend the evening before your wedding at Homme, whether for informal drinks and eats in the Library, a picnic on the main lawn, a BBQ in the Coach House courtyard garden or more formal gathering in the Panelled Room (or Dining Room for marquee weddings). Any music should be at a background level, inside the house and finish no later than 22:30. We ask that gatherings be limited to resident guests.
Whatever your plans, it is worth keeping the catering as straightforward as possible to avoid too much pressure on any family members involved. You are welcome to use the guest kitchen spaces to prepare or heat pre-prepared dishes.
A good alternative to self-catering is to ask whoever is looking after the food on the wedding day to provide dishes to ‘heat & eat’, or a formal, waitered meal. We can provide tables and chairs for formal dining – table cloths and tableware should be hired through your caterer.
Alternatively you might prefer to head out to a local pub or restaurant. Some recommendations are included below.
If there will be guests staying the night before who you do not plan to cater for it is worth forewarning them that Homme is not a hotel and that they should therefore plan arrangements for food in the evening.
Evening Before Dining at Homme
Local company Rose’s Kitchen offers a simple and delicious option for hassle-free dining the night before your wedding. Rose delivers dishes ready for the oven, with cooking instructions, and will collect the used dishes at a later date.
Explore her range of soups, mains, sides, puds and cakes below.
Local Pub & Restaurant Recommendations
Given the quiet and rural nature of Herefordshire it’s a kindness to get in touch with local pubs or restaurants in advance to ensure they can accommodate your plans for drinking or dining, particularly if you plan to be a large group.
The Marriage Service
Some frequently asked questions about a church service to help with the planning.
Will I need to attend services in the build up to the wedding?
To be married in church there is a legal requirement to establish a ‘qualifying connection’. This can take several forms, the most straightforward being residency in the parish (yours or a parent). If there is no pre-existing qualifying connection, one can be established through habitual (monthly) attendance of public worship in the parish for a period of not less than 6 months. We recommend starting to attend services as early as possible in the planning process if this is required.
After your Qualifying connection has been achieved you will need to arrange for your banns to be read in the parish where you live. Your Banns have to be read on 3 separate Sundays within the 3 months prior to the date of your wedding. After their completion a Banns Certificate is required from your Vicar to say that has been done. The certificate has to be passed over to the clergy here (Revd Elizabeth or Val Tait) prior to your Marriage legally being able to take place.
Note: if you will be married in a Catholic Church check with your priest as to whether you will need to arrange a Registrar separately – unlike Church of England churches, Catholic churches are not automatically registered.
What should we do about parking for the service at St. Bartholomew’s Church?
There are a few options to explore for parking at St. Bartholomew’s, as follows:
1. a limited number of cars can be parked along the railings at the front of the church beside the main pedestrian entrance, and along the strip of woodland owned by Homme opposite Causeway Cottage.
2. cars can be parked along the B4024 with a short walk from there to the church.
3. if there is not another event taking place there the Memorial Hall car park may be available for guest parking. Email memorialhallmm@gmail.com to enquire. It is a kindness to make a donation in return for parking there; there is a letterbox beside the front door in which donations can be left.
4. if the weather has been dry and parkland grass length allows, cars can be directed to drive through Homme’s entrance gates and across the cattle grid into the parkland before parking on the left hand side of the drive. A pedestrian gate leads directly out into Homme’s parkland from the churchyard, which can be used by guests to avoid having to negotiate the cattle grid.
A more detailed overview of considerations and map for parking at St. Bartholomew’s can be downloaded here.
What should we do about music for the service?
In most churches it will be possible to have both live music (organ or other musician(s)) and recorded music. An organist can be booked for services at St. Bartholomew’s, and there is also an excellent sound system for recorded music, which can be played from CD or a device plugged directly into the PA.
Note: if you plan to play recorded music from a device the available connections at St. Bartholomew’s are headphone jack or lightning port adaptor. If you plan to use a USB-C Apple device or android device you will need to supply your own headphone-to-USB-C port adaptor.
Will St. Bartholomew’s allow confetti?
Yes, providing it is biodegradable. It is worth discussing the plan for the end of the service and confetti with the vicar leading the service to ensure he/she is happy with it. We recommend that married couples leave via the west door and head immediately to the beautiful yew tree for a photograph or two while groomsmen and bridesmaids arrange guests for confetti outside the west door and/or west gate. You can then re-enter the church via the main porch and emerge from the west door again to be showered!
The Marriage Ceremony
Some frequently asked questions about a civil ceremony to help with the planning.
How does the process of arranging a civil ceremony with the Register Office work?
You can provisionally book a ceremony up to two years in advance. This will become a confirmed booking when you give notice of a marriage. You can give notice from 12 months in advance of your ceremony, and no later than 29 days before your ceremony. You will need to give notice of marriage in the district in which you live.
You may wish to have readings or choose your own music; neither should be religious in nature. You should provide copies of any readings or titles of music choices to the Registrar before the ceremony.
You will need to nominate at least 2 adults aged 18 or over to witness the ceremony and sign the marriage register.
You do not need to bring any identification with you on the wedding day.
Herefordshire Council’s ‘Organise a Marriage‘ page is a useful resource to refer to.
Can we have a blessing as well as a civil ceremony?
Yes. The ceremony may be followed by a religious or celebrant-led blessing provided the Registrars have left the building. There must be a clear break between the Registrar-led civil ceremony and the celebrant-led proceedings, and the blessing should not take place before the civil marriage ceremony.
An alternative is to separate the legal, Registrar-led ceremony from the wedding day as a separate event either before or after the wedding day itself, with a celebrant-led ceremony on the wedding day.
Where can we hold the ceremony?
There are several options for the location of the civil ceremony:
Inside
The Hall seats a maximum of 25 guests for an intimate ceremony with the entrance via the flying staircase.
The Panelled Room seats a maximum of 80 guests. The chairs are usually arranged in rows of 6 on the left and 5 on the right of a central aisle.
The Dining Room seats a maximum of 110 guests. The chairs are arranged in rows of up to 6 either side of a central aisle. If you choose to use the Dining Room for your ceremony, the catering team will rearrange the room for the wedding breakfast after the ceremony (unless you are having a marquee wedding breakfast) and will therefore benefit from any instructions as to how you would like your table decorations laid out.
Note: if your guest numbers are at or close to our maximum capacity in any space the aisle will be more limited in width than with smaller guest numbers – wide enough for bride/groom plus escort but not necessarily for elaborate floral arrangements as well.
Outside
The Upper Chamber of the Summerhouse is licensed for a ceremony of 12 guests (standing, excluding Registrar). If you have more than 12 guests the chairs are arranged outside in rows of 4 either side of a central aisle, either in the open air or under canopy cover. The signing of the marriage schedule can take place either outside in front of the assembled guests or in the Upper Chamber of the Summerhouse itself. The Panelled/Dining Room is therefore made available as a back up option in case it is required.
An outdoor ceremony can also take place on the Main Lawn.
Note: for a Summerhouse ceremony guests will need to walk up to the top of the Walled Garden on gravel or grass, and witnesses may need to climb the spiral staircase of the Summerhouse, so it is worth letting guests know to wear appropriate footwear.
Can we have a drinks reception before the ceremony?
If you decide to serve drinks prior to the ceremony we recommend that they are non-alcoholic. Please be aware that there is a legal requirement that no food or drink should be available or consumed in the ceremony space itself for the hour preceding the ceremony, so it is important to assign members of the wedding party (e.g. groomsmen) to ensure no drinks are taken into the ceremony space.
How does seating for the ceremony work?
We will discuss the furniture style, numbers and seating layout at our planning meeting c. 2-3 months prior to the wedding. For a ceremony in the Panelled Room there are usually 5/6 seats on either side of the aisle, while in the Walled Garden there are usually 4 seats on either side of the aisle.
Traditionally the Groom’s party sits on the right hand side of the aisle and the Bride’s party on the left hand side.
Decide who you would like to seat in the front rows and consider making reserved or name signs for these seats. Consider giving a groomsman capable of identifying important guests a seating plan to ensure that they are smoothly ushered to their seats.
The Mother of the Bride is often one of the last guests to arrive for the ceremony. It is a thoughtful touch to ensure that a groomsman or family member is ready to escort her to her seat.
What should we do about transport for a Summerhouse ceremony?
You are very welcome to walk up through the garden to the ceremony area if you choose; the hedging in the Walled Garden will prevent you from being seen prior to arriving for the ceremony. If you choose to be driven up, it is a short drive from the house to the Summerhouse ceremony area, and the car(s) will not be seen by the congregation. The key consideration is transport which will be easy for everyone to get into and out of in wedding finery!
It is worth planning transport carefully to ensure plenty of space in cars and seats for everyone who may travel up close to the ceremony time, including mothers, photographers and videographers as appropriate.
We are very happy to do a recce with drivers and/or provide them with maps of the route.
We are very happy to help park cars following the ceremony (the route is all on private land) so that guests can get on with enjoying the celebrations.
What should we do about music for the ceremony?
The main decision is whether to arrange live music for the ceremony or to opt for recorded music. If you choose the latter we have a PA system which you would be welcome to use; a phone or tablet can be connected directly via a headphone jack and lightning/android adaptor we provide.
It is important that the music is available offline (it works well to separate different sections of the ceremony into individual, downloaded offline playlists) and that a member of the wedding party be nominated to control the music for the ceremony. They would sit at the front for a Summerhouse ceremony, and at the back right hand side for a ceremony in the Panelled Room. We are happy to brief him/her on the requirements for the ceremony.
How does the entrance for the ceremony work?
For a wedding of Bride and Groom, the Bride walks on the right hand side of her escort to stand on the left hand side of the Groom at the front of the ceremony space.
Bridesmaids can enter either in front of the Bride (formerly the American tradition) or behind the Bride (formerly the English tradition). We are happy to arrange the train of your dress before you make your entrance so that it looks at its best as you head down the aisle. Holding your bouquet low and tipping it slightly forward makes for the ideal elegant Bridal look. As you walk, try to remember to relax, take your time and enjoy the experience!
The ceremony will last approximately 30 minutes.
Who will coordinate the ceremony on the wedding day?
We will coordinate the build up to the ceremony on the day. The Registrars usually arrive 30-45 minutes prior to the ceremony time to complete necessary paperwork in the house. They will want to meet and brief the photographer and videographer (if applicable), and will want briefly to meet both groom(s) and bride(s) privately. The first meeting usually takes place downstairs in the house; we will bring the Registrars upstairs to the Main Suite for the second, c. 15-20 minutes prior to the ceremony. It is a good idea to aim to be completely ready prior to this session, to allow time for pre-ceremony photographs after meeting the Registrars.
The Registrars normally complete their interviews c. 15 minutes prior to the ceremony, at which point groomsmen should ask guests to make their way to the ceremony space to take their seats. When all the guests have taken their seats we will come to the Main Suite to let you know it is time to make your way down for the ceremony.
Note that the Registrars are likely to have a ceremony elsewhere following yours, so it is important to keep to the agreed timings.
Are we allowed confetti?
Absolutely. Following the ceremony you might like to have confetti on the steps outside the house, on the gravel or along the herbaceous border or espalier walkway of the Walled Garden.
We are very happy for confetti to be thrown providing it is natural and light in colour (dark colours stain the floors and upholstery). It is worth instructing groomsmen or bridesmaids to distribute confetti either during the signing of the Register or after the ceremony, and to coordinate proceedings for the confetti toss itself.
Unfortunately we are not able to permit the use of non-biodegradable confetti, biodegradable paper confetti or confetti cannons. Please ensure that your guests are aware of our requirements for confetti.
When will we need to make the final decision about the location of the ceremony?
If the forecast is at all unclear we are happy to arrange an indoor ceremony layout as a back up and make the final decision on ceremony location c.4 hours prior to the ceremony itself. It is worth having a think about whether one or both of you will be involved in the final decision (we are happy to act as go betweens!). We are very happy to refund the cost of any outdoor ceremony furniture planned if it is not laid out.
It is worth bearing in mind that the Registrars have the final say on the ceremony location and will not permit it to go ahead outside if rain is forecast.
The Reception
Some frequently asked questions about the reception to help with the planning.
How long should the reception be?
1 – 2 hours provides plenty of time for reception drinks depending on the number of formal photographs and whether you plan to have a reception line. It is a kindness to the catering team to keep to the agreed time for the wedding breakfast and it works well to appoint someone as a Master/Mistress of Ceremonies who will announce when it’s time to go in. Plan on 10-15 minutes for guests to find their seats, either as part of the reception timing or added to the end of it.
Where will the reception take place?
Time of day and weather permitting we would love your guests to enjoy as much of Homme as possible during the reception. As well as the house there are many attractive areas outside, including the main lawn, upper patio, rose garden and walled garden.
Guests often need some encouragement to head in the right direction – strategically positioned decorations, food and drink can be helpful!
If the reception is inside it will take place across the Panelled Room, Hall and Library, with the Library and Panelled Room both providing lovely backdrops for formal photographs. Waiting staff are very welcome to serve reception drinks from the bar space.
How should we brief our caterer about drinks and canapés?
As guests are likely to congregate where the waiting staff are serving, it is worth letting the catering team know before the day where you would like the reception drinks to be held so that they can serve in the most suitable location. We have a supply of trestle tables you would be welcome to use for serving reception drinks – your caterer will need to arrange standard trestle table cloths (70 x 108 inches) to use with them.
Remember to brief your caterer on the choice of drinks for the reception, including what should be held back for any toasts during the wedding breakfast. It is important to think carefully about both drink and food choices, as a kindness to guests who may be drinking without having eaten for some time.
Canapés will be popular with guests, particularly if the wedding breakfast isn’t until later in the afternoon. You’ll both be in great demand during the reception but don’t forget to enjoy some of the canapés yourselves (a good job for a bridesmaid or groomsman!), and to dedicate 5-10 minutes to being on your own together in some of the private garden spaces to celebrate and take in being newly married!
Can we supply our own reception drinks?
You are welcome to provide your own alcohol for the reception. We do not charge corkage, and have large drinks fridges to chill the drink down before the day. You are very welcome to arrange delivery directly to Homme the day before your wedding, and we will stow the drink ready for chilling.
If you plan to serve real ale it is worth ensuring any kegs or polypins supplied are ‘bright’ (i.e. sediment- free), to give flexibility for the beer to be moved during the day if necessary (e.g. from the garden to the house).
It is important to discuss the drink selection planned with your chosen caterer to ensure they can supply staff to serve drinks on the day, and help to arrange the right style and quantity of glassware.
We usually have Homme Pommes apple juice available to buy as a reception drink option if that appeals – just let us know if you would like to reserve some.
What should we do about ice for chilling and serving in reception drinks?
We have sufficient freezer space for up to 10-15 standard supermarket bags of ice. It is worth double checking with your chosen caterer whether they are happy to provide the required ice or will expect you to. A supermarket delivery can be arranged directly to Homme on the day before the wedding if that is helpful.
Do you have anything we can use to chill drinks in?
We have 3 galvanised containers – small (c.3 bags of ice), medium (c.5 bags of ice) and large (c. 8 bags of ice) – which you would be welcome to borrow. Just let us know at our planning session in the build up to the wedding.
Do you have tables & chairs we can use for reception drinks?
We have a supply of trestles tables here at Homme which can be used for serving reception drinks, tea & coffee and grazing food outside in the garden or inside the house. They would each need to be covered with a standard trestle cloth from your caterer.
There are two patios in the Main Garden and benches around the edge of the lawn. If you would like additional seating for the reception we have wooden folding chairs available for hire, or you might like to consider an external supplier for table & chair sets with parasols.
How much drink will we need?
A very good question! It can be very hard to judge and – while it is best to ensure there is enough of everything to avoid running out – very easy to over-cater and create a lot of unnecessary lifting and carrying the day before and day after the wedding. Majestic has a good basic drinks calculator to help with the guesstimations.
How should we manage photos during the reception?
Your photographer will ask for a list of formal group photographs that you would like taken during the reception. Assign a groomsman the duty of rounding up the relevant people for these photos. If you want a group shot with all of your guests it can work well to schedule this at the start of the reception or just before the start of the wedding breakfast so that everyone is gathered in one place.
At some point the photographer will want to take you off for some photographs as a couple. Think, before the day, about what areas of the wider estate you would choose for these shots – there are some lovely spots in both the parkland and woodland if the weather is fair.
Do you have any garden games we can use?
Absolutely. We have the following available: croquet, rounders, jenga, boules, skittles and badminton rackets & shuttlecocks. You are very welcome to bring other games to use on the lawn. Occasionally damage/breakages do occur; in lieu of a hire charge for the use of the garden games we ask for the cost of anything other than incidental, minor wear and tear to be covered should the need arise.
Can we arrange some other entertainment for the reception?
Absolutely. Some form of entertainment can bring a fun dimension to a wedding reception. If you plan to book a supplier it is worth checking with them and us on any specific space, power or other requirements so that we can double check that we are able to accommodate them.
Can we have music during the reception?
Absolutely. The edge of the lawn (under the shade of the large lime tree) or edge of the Upper Lawn (under the shade of the autumnalis) are excellent positions for musicians playing music during the reception in fine weather. In poor weather the Panelled Room and Hall are good options.
Planning regulations permit reception music outside only if it is fully unamplified (no electrical/battery power involved – not just ‘acoustic’ as defined by some musicians, which is often still amplified) and at a background level. We are only able to make an exception for the brief periods of music involved in an outside wedding ceremony. The Council require all evening music to be played inside the house.
What loo facilities are available for guests?
The following loo facilities are available on the ground floor of the house: gents (long urinal plus cublicle), ladies (2 cubicles), baby change loo, wheelchair access loo (private end of the house).
For a marquee wedding we strongly suggest hiring portable loo facilities for the comfort of your guests, to be positioned beside the marquee just off the gravel path.
Is there a cloakroom facility for guests?
We do not have a dedicated cloakroom space but there is hanging space in the corridor and vestibule to the main loo facilities. In cooler weather we also make two long hanging rails available in the corridor to the private quarters as additional space for coats and bags.
Can we fly a flag on our wedding day?
Yes! We would be be delighted for the flagpole to be used on your wedding day if you would like to bring one to be flown in honour of such a special occasion (wind not included). Flags normally attach to the halyard using inglefield clips, but straightforward alternatives would be eyelets at the corners or a piece of strong nylon cord sewn through the vertical (hoist side) seam with plenty of excess for it to be tied onto the halyard above and below.
A double-sided flag would work best. Ideal dimensions would be min. 60-70cm width/hoist (the vertical dimension of a rectangular flag) x 120-140cm length/fly (the horizontal dimension of a rectangular flag).
Can our pet attend the reception?
Due to the presence of other animals and livestock on the Estate we are unfortunately usually not able to accommodate pets other than assistance dogs. In some instances we are prepared to make an exception for a pet to attend the ceremony and/or reception, if looked after by a dedicated handler who is not a wedding guest and access is limited to the main gardens and ground floor reception rooms of the main house only (not Coach House or Summerhouse).
What should we do about cards and gifts?
It can be helpful to have an obvious place for guests to leave cards and gifts – the chest in the Hall works well for this. We have a selection of wicker baskets you would be welcome to borrow as a receptacle.
Who should act as a Master/Mistress of Ceremonies?
We normally suggest nominating a member of the wedding party to act as Master or Mistress of Ceremonies for the day (rather than a stranger to the guests) – a father/mother, the Best Man/Woman or a Groomsman/Bridesmaid. We are very happy to help brief them on the required duties for this important role on your wedding day (their reliability is essential to ensure that you can relax, not worry about the time and go with the flow!).
Should we have a reception line?
An optional element of the reception, a reception line has the advantage of ensuring that you have the opportunity to speak to all of your guests. It can be a lengthy process, so do allow sufficient time in the schedule if you decide to have one. As a guide, allow around 40 minutes for 80 guests.
The Wedding Breakfast
Some frequently asked questions about the wedding breakfast to help with the planning.
Can we choose a caterer who hasn’t worked at Homme before?
Absolutely. The only stipulation we would make is that they get in touch to do a site visit prior to the wedding so that we can show them the facilities and ensure everything will run smoothly on the day.
The choice of caterer is one of the most important decisions you will make towards your wedding day, and one that it is very important to get right given the central role the catering team plays through the day. It is very much a case of ‘you get what you pay for’, though there are a number of good ways to ensure the budget goes further, for example choosing canapés followed by a two course wedding breakfast, or cutting the cake in time for it to be enjoyed as a dessert.
Remember to check whether extras such as drinks service, service of food, the hire of all tableware (linen, crockery, cutlery and glassware) and clearance at the end of the meal are included in their quotation so that you can compare different options on a like-for-like basis. It is also worth checking that staffing levels will be sufficient for the number of guests invited and requirements on the wedding day.
The details of the space and equipment provided in our finishing kitchen are included in the caterer briefing sheet on the resources page. Note that caterers who have not worked at Homme before will need to know what equipment is/isn’t supplied to be able to quote accurately including any additional equipment which might be needed to deliver your chosen menu.
What table arrangements are possible in the Dining Room?
The exact table layout in the Dining Room will depend on the final number of guests – reference layouts are included in this section. The main configurations possible are:
Oval Top Table + 7 Ovals (seats 80): in this configuration top table can be positioned either in the bay window or directly in front of the fireplace and mirror.
Curved Top Table (seats 10) + 6 Ovals (seats 70): in this configuration the top table follows the curvature of the bay window with the seating facing the rest of the room. Use of the curved top table incurs an extra £42 laundry charge because the ivory or white cloth used is bespoke and laundered separately.
Banqueting style dining is possible for up to 60 guests.
An overview of the main table arrangements possible in the Dining Room.
What size are the oval tables?
The oval tables are 195cm/76.8″ x 122cm/48″. These tables work well with 104″ round cloths, which provide an elegant drop on either side. They can also be used with standard 70″ x 108″ trestle cloths, which provide a cost effective alternative. Table cloths and linen should be arranged through your caterer.
What chair styles are available for the wedding breakfast?
Limewashed chivari chairs are available for your wedding breakfast; other styles can be hired from external suppliers. The exact number of chairs required can be finalised around 3 weeks before the wedding itself. Chair hire includes tables, trestles for use by the catering team, delivery and set up. High chairs can be hired as required.
How much wine will we need for the meal?
A very good question! Majestic offers a good drinks calculator which can be helpful when guesstimating quantities.
Are there high chairs available for children?
High chairs can be ordered as required. We normally discuss this requirement at our planning meeting c. 2-3 months before the wedding.
Given that the wedding breakfast is a lengthy celebration, it can work well to supply children with activity packs to enjoy at their tables. Bear in mind the dangers of drawing on table cloths, for which caterers might charge replacement fees.
How much sparkling will we need for toasts?
The normal rule of thumb when pouring toasts is to allow for 6 flutes per bottle of sparkling. Dividing your number of guests by 5 can therefore produce a generous estimate for the number of bottles required for toasts (to allow extra in case of any spillages etc.). Alternatively, divide by 6 and add a bottle or two to provide spares.
Do you have an easel we can use to display our seating plan?
Yes. We have three easels available for displaying the seating plan and other signage – two traditional artists’ easels (max. vertical clamp spacing approx. 105cm) and one with a backboard 80cm (w) x 53.5cm (h). This one is ideal for a portrait or landscape seating plan, and anything up to just below A0 (portrait) or A1 (landscape).
It is worth waiting until a couple of weeks before your wedding to finalise the seating plan to avoid the hassle that can be caused if there are any last minute drop outs. It might be a kindness to seat elderly guests where they can easily get in and out of their seats.
Likewise, it helps the caterers if high chairs are situated at the sides of the room so that they do not impede movement between the tables for serving.
Remember to give a copy of the plan to the caterer with the position of any guests with dietary requirements marked so that they can be identified readily during the wedding breakfast.
Do you supply linen for the tables?
Linen (table cloths and napkins) required for the evening before the wedding or the wedding day itself is usually sourced via the caterer or a catering hire company – Glos Hire, China Boy or Hampton Hire are good options. The dining tables are oval and the cheapest linen hire option is a standard 70″ x 108″ trestle table cloth, though a 104″ round cloth will provide a more elegant drop on either side.
We will supply linen for the tables for breakfast on the morning after the wedding.
Can we decorate the tables?
Absolutely. Ask your caterers when they plan to come and lay up the tables for the wedding breakfast. Most do this the day before the wedding which will allow you the opportunity to decorate the tables yourselves. If the tables are being laid on the wedding day then you’ll need to give us or the caterers a clear brief on decorations (table names, place names, favours etc.), or arrange for the linen to be delivered separately to Homme for you to do this element yourselves prior to the tables being laid.
It is worth involving your caterer in table decoration planning as there will be limited space on the table for the necessary tableware, drinks, food and decorations.
Flower arrangements for tables work well if they are either low or very high – this allows guests to see each other. If it’s a hot day flower arrangements can be stored in the cool and we can place them on the tables before the meal starts.
If you name or number your tables then try to make these and the guest name cards easy to read from a distance as it will make the seating process run more smoothly. Caterers are often happy to provide stands for table names/numbers.
Please note that we have a no shots policy at Homme, which includes favours on the wedding breakfast tables.
Are we allowed candles on the tables?
You are welcome to use candles in the dining room or marquee (as well as in the garden) providing they are safely contained within heatproof containers or sufficiently far from any floral arrangements if candlesticks/candelabra. Remember to ask your caterer to light the candles before your guests enter the Dining Room. They will be extinguished at the end of the meal.
In planning candles it is worth bearing in mind that caterers/catering hire companies will charge if the table cloths are irretrievably damaged by candle wax, so a runner, matt or similar under candlesticks and candelabra is worth considering to catch the inevitable drips.
How will our entrance for the meal work?
You may decide that you want to make your entrance as a couple into the Dining Room once all your guests are seated. If you do, ask the Master/Mistress of Ceremonies to announce your entry, and assign someone to act as a music controller if you plan to enter to music (we can supply a PA for this).
The period prior to your entrance while guests are finding their seats is an excellent opportunity to have a few more portraits and spend some private time together.
How does service during the meal work?
Service for a wedding breakfast in the main Dining Room is through the main door; clearance is possible via the side door at the end of the meal when guests have left the room.
We strongly recommend the food being served to the tables, either individually plated or sharing style – in our experience buffet style wedding breakfast service does not work well on a wedding day at Homme.
Please ensure that your chosen caterer is briefed to both serve and clear the tables.
What do we need to consider when it comes to the speeches?
Timing: traditionally wedding speeches take place towards the end of the wedding breakfast, but you might decide to spare nervous speakers and hold them at the start of the meal, or between courses. You should discuss this carefully with your caterer so that everyone understands and is happy with the plan. It is also worth thinking through
Order: the traditional order for speeches is the Father of the Bride followed by the Groom and then the Best Man.
Props: find out if any of your speakers requires props for their speech as it is important to plan space and/or power requirements in advance.
Gifts: thank you gifts for special guests can either be placed on their seat in advance or can be handed out during the speeches. If you choose the latter you may want to ask your caterer to bring in the gifts at the appropriate moment to avoid them being seen ahead of time. If you plan to give bouquets as gifts, they can be kept fresh and out of sight in the cool room until required.
Do you recommend a PA for speeches?
We recommend a PA system for speeches in a marquee. A PA is not necessary in the Dining Room.
What are the key considerations for a marquee wedding breakfast?
For a marquee wedding breakfast (required when there are more than 80 guests) the marquee can be connected directly to the triple sash window at the end of the Panelled Room via a covered walkway. The Panelled Room is used as a space for the bar, and dancing takes place in the Dining Room.
The marquee supplier will give you the option of different flooring styles in the marquee, all the furniture required for the wedding breakfast, and the option of additional furniture such as sofas for the marquee entrance and the bar.
The marquee supplier will also need your caterer’s contact details to liaise with them on specific furniture and power requirements. Bear in mind that your chosen caterer will need to hire or supply the equipment required to prepare the wedding breakfast in the kitchen space adjacent to the marquee, which may incur an additional cost.
For a marquee wedding we strongly suggest hiring portable loo facilities for the comfort of your guests, to be positioned beside the marquee just off the gravel path.
Please see the marquee section above for more detailed information about planning a marquee wedding.
What normally happens at the end of the wedding breakfast?
It is a good idea to ask the Master/Mistress of Ceremonies to make a short announcement to let the guests know what will be happening for the rest of the evening e.g. tea & coffee in the Library, the bar, the timing of the first dance, plans for evening food etc.
This announcement is a good opportunity to share any necessary ‘housekeeping’; we ask that an announcement is made to ask guests not to take any drinks onto the dancefloor. It is also a good opportunity to ask the guests to leave the Dining Room/marquee if there is a turnaround required for some element of the evening entertainment (it’s otherwise nice to let guests relax at the tables if they would like to).
There is normally a period of around 30 minutes at the end of the wedding breakfast for tea & coffee, bathroom breaks, smoking, drinks from the bar etc. prior to the first fixture of the evening celebrations (e.g. cutting of the cake).
The Evening Reception
Some frequently asked questions about the evening reception to help with the planning.
When should we cut our wedding cake?
If you plan to cut the cake after the wedding breakfast consider the timing of the arrival of any evening guests, as it is a lovely moment for them to be part of.
If you plan to serve the cake as the wedding breakfast dessert you will need to cut it either before or early in the wedding breakfast to give your caterer time to cut it up for enjoyment.
Check that your caterer is happy to cut the cake up for serving and let them know if you would like to keep any layers complete (it is traditional for the top tier to be saved for a christening if it is fruit cake).
Do you have a table, cake stand and knife we can use for our cake?
Yes. We have a marble cake table, cake stands (silver 16” round or 14″ square) and a silver cake knife available for use. If the cake will be displayed in a marquee it is important to arrange a table through the marquee supplier (e.g. a 3ft round trestle with cloth cover).
We plan to have a free bar. What are the considerations?
A few considerations for a free bar:
The bar: we can supply trestle tables (cloths would be required from the caterer) or a proper bar set up for hire.
Staffing: your chosen caterer should be asked to provide a minimum of 3 staff to stay on and staff the bar – 2 to serve drinks while 1 collects and recycles glasses, helps with stock and empties etc. They will need to stay until 12am to clear down the bar after it closes at 11:30pm.
Drinks & glassware: it is important to liaise with the caterer on drink choices made and numbers of guests in the evening to ensure the correct style(s) of glassware and appropriate quantity.
Condiments, ice etc.: don’t forget to agree who will supply any ice and lemons, limes and other ingredients required for making and serving drinks.
Equipment: agree with the caterer who will supply the equipment required for the bar – ice buckets, tongs, bottle openers, corkscrews, knives, chopping boards, spirits measures, cocktail shakers etc.
Rules: we have a no shots policy, and the bar should close at 11:30pm.
We plan to have a pay bar. What do we need to do?
Contact the Riverbank Bars team (Di & Alex – 07951 565 939, riverbankbars@gmail.com), our designated licence holder, to reserve their services for your wedding.
They charge a set up & staffing fee of £100 and Herefordshire pub prices for drinks, with a minimum spend calculated on a £15 per person basis. The bar is offered on a cash or card-per-drink basis; it is possible to pre-pay a certain amount for guests to enjoy free drinks in the evening. Our licence stipulates that the bar can open any time from 1pm and closes at 11.30pm. It is possible to open the bar earlier in the reception with a temporary event notice, which costs approx. £20 and can be applied for by Di and Alex on your behalf.
The bar will be set up on the Thursday evening for a weekend wedding to provide time for the beer to settle and the drinks to cool. The team will arrive at least 30 minutes before the agreed opening time on the wedding day to make the final preparations.
When the pay bar licence is in operation it is important to remember that the free drinks you have arranged for earlier in the day should not be available to guests; it is helpful if family and friends are made aware of this in advance. Any leftover drinks will be stored and can be made available to resident guests after the wedding has finished and all non-resident guests have departed.
A useful document on planning your wedding bar.
Can we arrange food in the evening?
If you plan to arrange evening food for guests to enjoy there are a few options to consider:
Caterer: ask the caterer preparing the wedding breakfast to stay on to provide food in the evening.
Street food: book a street food or specific evening food supplier to set up on the gravel outside the front of the house or in the garden & serve guests in the evening. We can supply power as required; it is worth checking whether the supplier has any other specific requirements we may need to accommodate. It is also important to have a contingency plan for the food to be served inside if the weather isn’t kind.
DIY: you would be welcome to supply some simple, pre-prepared cold nibbles yourselves – please note that for food safety reasons we can’t accommodate complicated DIY evening food preparation on site. If you opt to supply evening food yourselves you are welcome to store it in one of our fridges in the catering kitchen (particularly if it’s smelly cheese!). It is worth considering who will be in charge of setting it out in the evening, as well as any equipment (serving platters or boards, plates, cutlery, napkins, serving utensils) that might be required for it to be enjoyed. Once the Dining Room has been cleared by the catering team following the wedding breakfast there will be plenty of room to set out the evening food.
An addition to the catering hire to cover plates etc. required for the evening can be a straightforward way to minimise waste. It’s worth bringing containers for any leftover food to be stored for enjoyment after the wedding.
Please note that we ask for any leftover food, food waste and non-recyclable packaging waste, plates, utensils etc. to be removed by you or the relevant supplier at the end of the wedding.
Can you supply power for our street food van?
Yes. We have a 63 amp supply on the side of the house which can be broken down to supply either a 16 amp or 13 amp supply as required.
What are the key considerations for music in the evening?
Evening dancing usually takes place in the Panelled Room (or in the Dining Room in the case of a marquee wedding). If you decide to have a live band or DJ arrange for them to arrive during the wedding breakfast. This will allow them to unload equipment, set up and sound check while your guests are occupied in the Dining Room.
The more compact the band or DJ set up is the more space there will be for dancing. Bands generally use the space at the top of the Panelled Room or Dining Room (6m x 3m approx.).
Some bands request a room to change in and use in breaks between sets. The Main Suite Drawing Room is the most appropriate room to offer for this purpose, and is where they can enjoy food and refreshments if you are providing them.
We do not have a noise limiter at Homme, we simply ask that the volume level of a performance is reasonable so that guests can enjoy themselves both on and off the dance floor. An electronic drum kit is a good option for a live band. Please note that we unfortunately cannot accommodate smoke machines given the sensitivity of our fire alarm system.
We do not permit drinks of any sort on the dance floor to avoid spillages and breakages, which can lead to nasty accidents and damage to the fabric of the house. We will provide signs and areas for guests to leave their drinks while dancing, and would appreciate it if the Master/Mistress of Ceremonies could mention it at the end of the wedding breakfast to avoid risking the safety of your guests.
Our licence dictates that evening music must end by 11.45pm so it is a good idea to ask your DJ or band to work up to the last dance at around 11.30pm. No music (including the piano and personal speakers) is permitted after 11:45pm.
Can we have a ‘DIY’ disco?
Absolutely. If you decide to organise your own music through an ipod or laptop with speaker system it is a good idea to do a test run the day before the wedding. The music will need to be in downloaded, offline playlists. Suppliers for PA and additional lighting gear are included on the supplier page.
We have a pair of PA speakers with headphone jack connection and lightning/android adaptors which you would be welcome to borrow. Appoint someone to act as the music controller, to be responsible for playing the first dance at the appropriate moment and to ensure that the music ends no later than 11.45pm.
Can we arrange some other entertainment?
Absolutely. If you plan to book a supplier it is worth checking with them and us on any specific space, power or other requirements so that we can double check that we are able to accommodate them. Smaller photobooth setups work well in the Library, while larger ones can be erected in the main Dining Room following the wedding breakfast.
Can we have fire bowls in the evening?
Yes. We have two fire bowls for hire for use on the gravel in front of the house in the evening, with the hire charge covering set up, seating, management and wood supply.
Can we have fireworks in the evening?
I’m afraid for the consideration of our neighbours and livestock on the Estate and nearby we do not allow fireworks at Homme.
What are the timings for the end of the evening?
Our licence dictates that the bar closes at 11.30pm and that all music must end by 11.45pm, including personal music and the Library piano. All guests not staying at the venue must have departed by 12.15am, after which time there must be no noise outside. Failure to adhere to these requests could result in the loss of our Premises Licence.
We would be grateful if you would stress the importance of guests pre-booking taxis for no later than 12.00am. Taxis in the area get very booked up, and not pre-booking is likely to lead to guests getting stranded at Homme. There is not sufficient time at the end of your day to allow one or two firms to plough back and forth between Homme House and your guests’ accommodation, so please book sufficient taxis to take everyone at the same time. A taxi list is available for download below.
We are very happy for drinks to be enjoyed in the Library after all the non-resident guests have departed.
Taxi List.
Accommodation
There is no obligation to use the accommodation but it is reserved for your exclusive use. We ask for a final list of guests staying in each room at least 3 weeks before the wedding (full names and nationalities, to comply with the Immigration (Hotel Records) Order 1972) so that we can make up the rooms accordingly and show guests to their rooms on arrival. Our shared online Wedding Planner is the easiest way to share this information, along with any dietary requirements and cooked breakfast orders for the morning after the wedding.
It is a welcoming touch to hang name cards on the bedroom doors. It is useful for the guests staying to know that they will be visiting a private home rather than a hotel, and therefore not to expect a reception desk, lift, individual room keys or hotel room facilities, or a permanent restaurant or bar on site.
An overview of the available main house and Coach House accommodation (including thumbnail images of the main house bedrooms) to help plan the guest accommodation.
Local accommodation options. We recommend reserving early for important guests who are not staying at Homme.
What are the check in & check out times for guests staying?
Bedrooms are available for use from 3pm on the day of check-in (09:30 for Main House bedrooms on a Friday) to 12pm on the day of check-out. Guests arriving on the wedding day itself are welcome to check in as early as they would like to to get settled in and changed prior to the wedding.
Do you supply towels and toiletries for overnight guests?
Yes. There are towels and hand towels for all guests, and the bathrooms are stocked with soap, hair and body wash, and conditioner.
Is there an iron and an ironing board available?
Yes. There is an iron and ironing board in both the Main House (top kitchen) and Coach House (utility room).
Can we change the occupants of rooms between the two nights?
Absolutely. Unless a special arrangement is made we normally refresh rooms during the service (church wedding) or reception (civil wedding) for the second night’s occupants. Please note: the maximum number of bedroom changes we can accommodate between nights is three.
Can our guests camp or stay in a campervan on site overnight?
I’m afraid we are not able to accommodate stays overnight on site in campervans or tents.
Do you have any cots for babies?
Yes. There are two cots in the Main House and one cot in the Coach House available for guest use.
What is your policy for children staying?
We do not make an accommodation charge for small children if we do not make a provision for them. Parents are welcome to bring bedding, towels and other essentials for small people to sleep on the floor, and there is plenty at breakfast for them to have any specific food provided by parents supplemented with cereal, fruit, toast etc.
You would also be welcome to use the additional Main House single beds in parental rooms or either of the Coach House sofa beds (Snug & Stanhope) for children. In this instance we would make a nominal charge to cover the cost of commercial linen and towels.
Do you have any extra beds which can be used in the bedrooms?
Yes, as follows:
Main House: 2 extra single beds which can be erected in the larger rooms (Beech, Lime, Maple, Pine)
Coach House: a double sofa bed in the Stanhope bedroom and a double sofa bed in the ground floor snug (which has access to an adjacent loo with basin but no bath/shower).
Is there wifi available for guests?
Yes, we have high speed fibre broadband to Homme and there is a network specifically for guests – ‘Homme House Guests’ – for which no password is required. The wifi is networked throughout the ground floor and Main Suite areas.
Where is breakfast served?
On the morning of the wedding a continental breakfast is provided in the guest kitchens of the Main House and Coach House for guests to enjoy when they would like to (breakfast is delivered to the Summerhouse for guests staying there).
On the morning following your wedding we serve breakfast in our main Dining Room at the time of your choosing. You just need to let us know three weeks before your wedding how many guests would like a continental or full english breakfast, and if there are any dietary requirements we should be aware of.
What is included in a continental breakfast?
A continental breakfast includes: a choice of cereals and yoghurts, fruit, toast, various spreads and other bakery products (e.g. croissants, crumpets, muffins, bagels), fruit juice, tea and coffee.
What is included in an optional cooked breakfast the morning after the wedding?
Bacon and sausages from Wallers in Ledbury, served with hash browns, beans, tomatoes, mushrooms and fried eggs. We are happy to prepare vegetarian and vegan cooked breakfasts as required.
Can you cater for specific dietary requirements?
Yes. We are very happy to cater for any overnight guests’ dietary requirements – just let us know what they are when the plan for the guest rooms is finalised.
By when do we need to finalise the plan for the guest rooms?
No later than three weeks prior to the wedding, when our housekeepers will start to make the necessary arrangements for the guest rooms for your wedding.
How should guests pay for their accommodation?
We ask for accommodation payments to be made directly by you on behalf of guests – one payment to cover Main House, Coach House and Summerhouse accommodation.
Payments should be made no later than three weeks before the Commencement Date. Just let us know when you are happy that the plans are final and we will raise and share a final invoice covering accommodation, equipment and any cooked breakfasts ordered for you to check prior to making any payment. We accept payment by bank transfer: Account No: 10988168, Sort Code: 30-80-55.
What are the requirements for packing up after the wedding?
Departure time on the day following your wedding is 12:30 (check out for accommodation is 12:00) so there is plenty of time for a leisurely breakfast and packing up. We are happy to deal with recyclable waste, but ask that any disposable decorations and their packaging are taken away. It is worth planning space in cars, vans etc. to ensure there is sufficient available for the leftover drink, decorations etc. All supplier collections should also be arranged for the day after your wedding.
Guests – Getting Here
Feel free to direct your guests to the guest page of our website here, which may answer any questions they have in the build up to the wedding.
Historically some guests have found Homme hard to find, expecting prominent road signage in the local area which we do not have as a private home. We recommend sharing the following advice for easy navigation:
Use ‘Homme House‘ in google maps – this will bring drivers directly to the house through our parkland.
If using satnav or another mapping software it’s best to use ‘St. Bartholomew’s Church, Much Marcle’ to find our main entrance gates, which are adjacent to the church. A 1000m drive will then bring drivers through our parkland to the house.
Do NOT use either of our postcodes to navigate – the postcode areas are too large to be reliable. Do NOT expect prominent road signage (e.g. brown tourist signs).
If you would like to include a map with directions and taxi options in your invitations or on a wedding website feel free to download them here.
Directions & map.
Taxi options.
You may want to consider hiring a coach or minibus to ferry groups of guests back to their local accommodation. A 32 seater is the largest vehicle that will fit through our entrance gates (9.5 feet / 2.9m at the narrowest point along the driveway).
Guests are very welcome to leave their cars in the Homme car park overnight for collection the following day.
The Morning After
The morning after your wedding we like to serve breakfast for everyone to enjoy together in the Main Dining Room (we serve a grazing continental breakfast in the Main House and Coach House guest kitchens for anyone who stays the night before the wedding).
At our final planning session you just need to let us know who would like a continental breakfast and who would like a cooked breakfast, and any relevant dietary requirements, and we will make the necessary arrangements.
We will get breakfast ready, including any cooked breakfasts, for the time of your choosing. The decision is usually a balance between the needs of any early risers (usually young children or older guests) and those with sore heads!
Other than rolling out of bed for breakfast, the morning after usually involves a little leisurely packing up of any decor items you have brought for the wedding, supplier collections, loading any leftover food and drink, and packing and checking out of rooms for midday. It’s worth bringing plenty of boxes and containers to pack things into, and planning car/van space in advance to ensure there is space for everything you will be taking away with you.
If you plan to have floral arrangements on your wedding day it’s also worth thinking about what you might like to do with them afterwards. Bouquets can be preserved in a number of different ways, and table centres and smaller arrangements make beautiful gifts. Sarah also dries flowers and makes beautiful wreaths with the results if you would like to leave any blooms with us for her to prepare for you to enjoy in wedded bliss!
Staying in Touch
We would love to stay in touch after your wedding – it is always lovely to hear how your lives are evolving and family news.
You are always welcome to return to Homme, whether it’s just for a wander to reminisce, a picnic, or an anniversary stay in the Summerhouse or Coach House.
If you would like to plant a tree to commemorate you wedding we would be delighted – some details of potential options are available below.