Any questions? Get help straight away . . .

Measurements

What Measurements are the round tables? The tables vary in size and can be used in various combinations to suit guest numbers and seating requirements. 6 tables measure 200cm diameter and 2 tables measure 249 cm diameter.

What Measurements are the top table? The top table measure 390cm x 109cm.

What size is the ceremony table in the log barn ceremony room? The table measures 200 x 100 cm.

What measurement is the entrance doorway if we wanted to decorate it? The two long vertical sides measure 254cm and the top horizontal space measures 203cm. There are small hooks all the way around the entrance door that can be used for fixing items to. All décor must be out of the way of the doors as they open both inwards and outwards.

Ceremony Locations

How many Civil Ceremony locations does The Oaks have? We have five beautiful locations where you can hold your civil ceremony.

  • The Enchanted Woodland

  • The Forest Room

  • The Pergola

  • The Meadows

  • The Log Barn

Do any of the ceremony areas have a hire fee? Out of our 5 beautiful wedding ceremony areas, the only location that incurs a hire fee is the Enchanted Woodland. This area costs £375.

Can I use all ceremony areas at The Oaks for photo opportunities? If you wish to use a ceremony area that is not where your civil ceremony took place, please let us know in advance of your wedding day. Where possible and weather permitting we shall accommodate any requests. The Enchanted woodland can be used for groups/candid photos/couple portraits if you have hired the location for your wedding ceremony. You are also welcome to take couple portraits within the Enchanted Woodland if you have not hired the area.

Decorations

Can I decorate the stone fireplace? You are more than welcome to place items on top, or to the bottom left or right of the stonework, but not directly underneath the log burner door. Care must be taken to avoid creating trip hazards.

Can I use candles? We are happy for candles to be lit in the barn and ceremony log barn but must be enclosed within sturdy lanterns or glass vessels. We also ask that candles are not used around the outside of the either barn as this creates a fire risk.

Can I use Confetti? We allow biodegradable confetti only. Our recommended suppliers ‘Shropshire Petals’ have a huge range of colours. Use the code ‘THEOAKS10’ for 10% off your order.

Do you allow florists/venue dressers to decorate the entrance doorway? We absolutely do allow this, it makes for beautiful wedding day shots weather permitting! We also provide a range of seasonal arch packages, crafted from freshly cut foliage foraged from our grounds. See our brochure for more info.

Can I fix decorations to the walls? There are many areas where decorations can be fixed to the walls. All we ask is that you seek permission from a member of the management team beforehand.

Where are encased candles permitted? Candles placed in vessels can be placed upon the top table, round tables, at the base of the tree in the reception area and upon window ledges behind the top table. Candles and glassware or not permitted in front of/under the top table.

Can I decorate the bar? There are small hooks placed around the outer bar area, you are welcome to use these to attach floral installations and décor to. Limited flower arrangements are permitted on the bar top.

The Bridal Boutique Room

How long can I have the Bridal Boutique room for? The Room will be exclusively yours from 8am – 5pm on your wedding day.

What happens after 5pm? Please ensure all your possessions are gathered together by 5pm. Our team will place them in a safe lockable area for you to collect up to 11am the next day. If you require any possessions after 5pm, please ensure you take them with you as the bridal boutique is locked at 5pm. 

Suppliers

What information do suppliers need to provide The Oaks with prior to arriving/setting up? Suppliers will need to provide copies of a valid public liability insurance policy and all electrical appliances must have been PAT tested within the last 12 months. All documents need to be supplied at least 1 month before the wedding day. Suppliers on our approved list are all pre checked, so do not need to provide any additional information.

Can we use suppliers that are not on The Oaks approved list? Yes, we’ll need a copy of their liability insurance and proof any electrical equipment is PACT tested.

What time can I or venue dressers/florists arrive to set up at the venue? If the venue is available the day before your wedding, you can arrange a two hour time slot with us you or your venue dressers to set up. If the venue is already booked the day before, we allow early access to the building on the day of the wedding from 08-00 for a 2 hour slot. For complex displays, additional time can be agreed by prior arrangement. This can sometimes incur an additional cost. All venue dressing must be completed at least 30 minutes prior to the civil ceremony taking place and no venue dressing is to be carried out in front of wedding guests.

Should we provide a meal for our suppliers? Particularly if the suppliers are there for over 4 hours, we recommend that you provide your suppliers with a meal. We serve the wedding guests first and then comfortably seat your suppliers in our staff office away from the wedding guests. Suppliers must be respectful of the room and leave it clean and tidy.

What do the band/DJ need to provide? You must supply The Oaks with the DJ/Bands email address & phone number if they are not on our approved supplier list. We need copies of their liability insurance and to check their equipment is PAT tested.

Who can suppliers bring during allocated set up times? Suppliers are welcome to bring freelancers to help set up large décor installations. Children under the age of 18 are not permitted to attend with suppliers.

Does The Oaks have a ‘Green Room’ for performers? The Oaks Barn does not have a separate ‘Green Room’ style space for performing artists/suppliers to use. We are a small and intimate barn with no extra rooms. We have a staff office where performers/artists/suppliers are more than welcome to sit, relax, take a break and eat their meal pre and post performance. It is not The Oaks responsivity to provide food and drink for wedding suppliers. Suppliers are encouraged to organise a meal with the couple pre-wedding or bring their own food, to be consumed in our staff room. Suppliers are not permitted to sit amongst wedding guests while consuming food. Suppliers are to leave any bags/equipment in our staff room or in their own vehicles. We don’t have space to store large equipment throughout a wedding day.

Set up and clearing

What time do I have to collect my items after the wedding? All your belongings, suppliers props and cars left overnight at The Oaks must be collected the following day between 08-30 and 11-00 hrs. On occasion this can be extended by prior agreement and may incur an additional charge.

Can you store items for me during the wedding? We can store small items only in our staff office. We do not have the facility to store any venue dressing items or packaging.

How many people can help on our set up day? We permit a total of five people (including bride and groom) to set up during your agreed time slot.

Facilities

Do you provide microphones for the speeches? We do not provide these, though a microphone is not generally needed to carry your voice unless there is someone speaking who is very quietly spoken. We can ring our bell to help hush your guests and if you have hired a videographer, they usually provide microphones for the speeches.

Is there a changing room for the band to get changed in? Performers are welcome to use our ground floor staff office to change and can use the space to have refreshments breaks. Suppliers must be respectful of the room and leave it clean and tidy.

Do you have high chairs available? We have a number of high chairs available. Please let us know prior to your wedding day how many you require and we will set them out as per your seating plan.

The Oaks rustic swings policy

Guests are to treat the swings located at the front and rear of the barn with respect and care. If in the unfortunate event the swings are being mistreated and used dangerously, they will be removed. Children under the age of 13 are to be fully supervised at all times when on the swings.

Swings are taken down at 8pm.

Photography

Do you have any restricted areas for photographs? The Oaks is also our family home, the residential areas can not to be used for photographs.

Can we use a drone during the wedding? You are welcome to use a drone as long as you keep the device within the wedding venue boundaries and the pilot holds appropriate licences and certification.

Do you allow sparklers to be used? We do allow sparkler shots outside the building, please make us aware before your wedding so we can supply metal buckets to store the spent sparklers.

Outside catering

Do you provide a cake stand? We have multiple cake stand options, please enquire with the team to view them.

Does The Oaks supply a sweetie/dessert table? We have a round table that can be used on the day, please let us know prior to your day to make sure it is available and suitable.

Does The Oaks supply crockery and cutlery for cake cutting? Before your big day, just let our  in-house caterers Ridgway know if you would like them to provide a wedding cake knife, crockery and cutlery.

Are there any restriction when supplying our own wedding cakes, dessert tables, sweetie tables, cheese wedding cakes etc?  We just require a disclaimer form to be signed by the couple for all food being brought into The Oaks that is not supplied by our caterers Ridgway.

Can I use my own caterers? All catering is provided in–house and it is not possible to bring in any food or drink to the venue with the exception of cakes etc. We want your day to be as stress free as possible and our amazing in-house caterers Ridgway will  directly handle all of your culinary needs. Once you have booked your wedding at The Oaks, we put you straight into their capable hands and they will help you create the perfect menu. Ridgway will arrange a tasting at their headquarters and you will be able to try a selection of food to help you choose what suits you best.

When should the wedding cake be dropped off at The Oaks? Your wedding cake is to be dropped off at The Oaks on the day of your wedding. It’s the responsibility of the wedding party to organise the cake display/set up of all cakes and dessert table options.

Outside entertainment

Do you allow bouncy castles and other inflatables? We do not allow bouncy castles or any other large inflatable entertainment activities.

Do you allow lanterns to be released? We do not permit lanterns to be released as they can be dangerous to the wildlife.

Do you allow fireworks? Unfortunately fireworks are not permitted as it is a planning restriction.

Do you allow smoke flares? We do allow flares outside the building with prior agreement.  Please let us know in advance of your wedding if flares will be used.

Alcohol

Where is outdoor drinking permitted at The Oaks? Our licence covers outdoor consumption of alcohol to the rear of the building only. Drinking at the front and side of the building is not permitted and glasses cannot be taken outside in these areas.

Can we bring our own alcohol into the bridal prep room? You cannot bring your own alcohol or soft drinks into the bridal prep room, all drinks must be purchased at our bar as licencing restrictions only allows alcohol which is purchased on the premises to be consumed here.

Do you offer corkage? Unfortunately we do not offer corkage. All alcohol consumed on the premises must be purchased at our bar which is open from midday on your wedding day.

Smoking

Where can I smoke at The Oaks? Smoking is only permitted within signed areas outside the rear of the building.

Important info

How do I book my civil ceremony at The Oaks? Once you have booked your wedding date at The Oaks you should contact Staffordshire Moorlands Register Office to book a registrar to conduct your marriage ceremony as soon as possible.

What happens if our wedding is running late? Sometimes the bride and groom can be fashionably late on the day! The staff at The Oaks will help where needed to ensure all aspects continue to run smoothly. Food is freshly prepared in The Oaks kitchen and will be ready at the agreed time. If your day is running late, it becomes progressively more difficult to maintain food at its very best, so we always recommend trying to keep this particular aspect of the day on time.