Church Wedding Day Schedule
9am The Day Before
This is when you will bring all of your wedding day items to us to be put into secure storage overnight, ready for your wonderful Event Manager to set up first thing on the morning of your wedding. These items can include decorative items, table plans, music playlists, all of which will have been discussed in your prior Planning Meeting.
10am on Your Wedding Day
From 10am onwards, your wedding suppliers can arrive to begin setting up. These can include your hair and makeup supplier, florist, wedding cake supplier, and live musicians.
Don’t forget to check out our Handpicked Suppliers List, which includes some of our most recommended suppliers, who never fail to please!
10.30am – Settle into The Dressing Room
The wedding party arrives to begin preparing for the big day in the cosy Dressing Room. With snug sofas, lots of space, and a stylish vanity mirror, what better place to get glammed up.
From 12 Noon - At the Church
An hour and a half before the ceremony, one marrier arrives first at the church accompanied by their wedding party, in plenty of time to welcome the guests and get some pre-ceremony snaps.
1.30pm - The Church Wedding Ceremony
Church ceremonies tend to range from 20-45 minutes depending on the religion and denomination. The number of readings and hymns will also affect the duration, but we will always allow for enough time in your schedule to fit everything else in around your ceremony.
2.00pm - Church Wedding Photos
While your guests travel to The Ashes Barns ready to begin the celebratory reception drinks, you may want to take this opportunity to capture some photographs with the wedding party at the church.
2.30pm - The Drinks Reception
Guests will be invited into the North Courtyard, welcomed by trays of refreshments served by our wonderful catering staff.
Usually lasting around an hour and a half, the drinks reception is often an ideal time when your photographer will get the special shots of the wedding couple around the venue, while guests are left to enjoy their drinks and chat away.
This is the perfect opportunity to sneak away together and explore the stunning surroundings of The Ashes Barns, while your photographer captures your first moments alone together as newly-weds.
For more inspiration on what to serve at your drinks reception, don’t forget to take a look at ‘Your Wedding Drinks’ information pack that will be available to download from the Priority Information section of our website following your viewing.
4.30pm - Guests are Invited Into The East Barn
Your guests are invited into the East Barn to take their seats, ready to welcome the happy couple with rapturous applause.
4.45pm – The Wedding Breakfast
Your tailored menu and accompanying refreshments are served in style by the wonderful catering staff who are smartly dressed in black uniforms set off with an ‘Ashes green’ tie.
For more information on catering options please review ‘Your Daytime Menu Ideas Pack’ available to download from the Priority Information section of our website following your viewing.
After the Meal circa 6.15pm – Speeches
Loved ones may take the opportunity, should they wish, to say a few kind words about the couple on this auspicious occasion. The Ashes Barns provides a wireless microphone to ensure that your guests hear every word and the mobility of some of the more flamboyant speakers is not compromised!
7pm until 8pm – Mingling Time
Many couples use this time after the meal, but before the evening’s dancing begins, to provide entertainment for the guests. Perhaps some games in the West Barn, a magician, or some acoustic live music will keep guests happy. It’s the perfect time for any additional guests to arrive and join in the fun. For a list of our recommended entertainers please visit our Handpicked Suppliers List. This is also the time where guests are able to discover The Ashes Bar, which opens straight after the meal.
8pm – Your First Dance
Make your first dance as formal or as fun as you want! Even get the whole wedding party involved for a more relaxed start to the celebrations. Whether you opt for a DJ, a live band or even a ceilidh, we have a variety of recommendations. Please see our online Suppliers Directory for details of our ‘Dream Team’ that consists of a comprehensive list of DJs and live performers.
8.30pm – Informal Evening Refreshments are served
Kick start your evening festivities by serving adventurous, delicious, and inventive dishes to excite and energise your guests.
11.45pm – Last Orders at The Bar
Midnight – The Bar closes, music ceases and all guests depart.
12.15am – The Ashes Barns Wedding Venue Closes
12.30am – All guests to have departed from The Ashes Barns
Our fabulous Ashes Barns Estates Team carefully gather up your belongings and secure them in safe overnight storage with any unopened drinks that you may have supplied, which will be ready for collection at your 9am or 9.30am slot the next day.
Want to visit The Ashes Barns?
If you’d like to visit The Ashes Barns no corkage wedding venue in Staffordshire, we’d love to hear from you.
One of our experienced Event Managers will give you a guided tour of The Ashes Barns and talk you through its features; they’ll be plenty of time for you to ask questions and get some expert advice and top tips for planning a wedding.
A special thank you to the fantastic Venus Photographic Studios for capturing the stunning shots of the lovely Sophie & Peter.