FAQs

Coronavirus

Accommodation

  • How many guests can stay in the cottage the night before the wedding?

    The Fisherman’s Cottage can sleep up to six guests in total. There is a double and twin-bedded room upstairs, and a double sofa bed downstairs. Don’t forget to pack your swimming costume to enjoy the hot tub!

  • How many guests can stay on the night of the wedding?

    Leez Priory has 25 bedrooms and can sleep up to 54 guests in total. There are 23 double bedrooms, and 2 family rooms that sleep up to 4 guests.

  • What time is breakfast served the following morning?

    Breakfast is served in the Coach House between 8.45am and 9.30am. It is a full English breakfast with continental options served as a buffet.

  • What time is check-out?

    Check-out of the bedrooms is by 10am please.

  • Do you provide travel cots?

    We are not able to provide travel cots, but parents are welcome to bring them in if required. Bedrooms that can accommodate travel cots include: The Granary, The Smithey and Courtyard Rooms 1, 2, 5 and 6.

  • What facilities are provided in the rooms?

    Ensuite bath or shower rooms and bottled water. However hot drinks, snacks and sandwiches are available at the bar.

  • Is there WiFi in the rooms?

    WiFi is not available in any of the guest bedrooms. WiFi is available in the Fisherman’s Cottage.

Logistics

  • What is your maximum capacity for the evening reception?

    For the evening reception, as you have exclusive use of the entire house and grounds, we can accommodate up to 250 guests in total.

  • What time do we have to be off-site by?

    We ask that all guests and belongings have left the premises by 11am the following morning please.

  • Can guests who are staying elsewhere come back for breakfast?

    Of course! Your wedding day will pass so quickly, anything we can do to extend it will only enhance the experience. A full English breakfast with continental options, for up to 54 guests is included in the standard accommodation package, but if you wish breakfast for more guests, there will be an additional charge of £15 per person.

  • What flowers are included?

    Our house floral arrangements adorn windowsills, alcoves and mantelpieces. The idea is that we have made a start in dressing the venue, allowing you to focus on more personal touches. All of our flowers in the main house are very neutral in colour and are made of silk.

  • Is the DJ included?

    Yes. We realise that music is very personal though, so you can be very specific with your playlist if you wish.

  • Can I bring in my own decorations?

    Definitely. Please just remember that the venue is Grade I listed though, so please don’t bring any pins or nails, or anything that may damage the panelling/walls.

  • Can I have fireworks on my wedding day?

    Yes, we think fireworks are a great addition to a wedding! This is the one supplier that we do have to stipulate though, for insurance reasons. Dynamic Fireworks can be contacted here: https://dynamicfireworks.co.uk

  • Do I have exclusive use?

    Most definitely. We only ever host one wedding per day, ensuring that it is all yours from midday on your wedding day.

  • Can I have a bouncy castle?

    Sadly, we are not allowed to have bouncy castles at the venue due to insurance reasons. Most other forms of entertainment are fine though, as long as the supplier has the correct public liability insurance and, if plugging anything electrical in, it is PAT tested. If in doubt, please contact your Personal Wedding Manager.

  • What time can guests arrive?

    Check-in and arrival is from midday. We would recommend advising all guests to arrive from this time, regardless of your ceremony time, just to avoid anyone running late and missing the ‘I Dos’!

  • What time can suppliers arrive?

    Your suppliers have access to the venue from 11am.

  • Is the venue accessible / wheelchair friendly?

    Leez Priory is a Grade I listed Tudor mansion and, as such, was not built with wheelchairs in mind. We are extremely restricted in how we can amend the property too, so this can be tricky. We provide ramps to facilitate access to all ground floor rooms of the Main House, apart from the disco. The Tower has no lift and so is not accessible. There are toilet facilities available for guests with mobility issues. We do have a bedroom with a wet room, slightly higher bed and doorway wide enough for wheelchair access if required.

    If you have accessibility issues and are due to visit or attend an event at Leez Priory, due to large amount of gravel paths & areas, and use of ramps, we highly recommend that you call us to discuss your specific needs in advance of your visit.

    We ask that our couples inform us at their earliest convenience if they have guests attending their event with specific requirements regarding access.

  • Are children allowed?

    Of course! Kids really make a wedding! We are also able to offer a range of discounted catering options for younger guests, so please do let us know how we can help.

  • Can I have confetti?

    We can only allow neutral colour paper confetti to be thrown inside or fresh petals to be thrown outside. This is because we feel it is of paramount importance for every hirer to feel that the venue is their home. If confetti from previous events was still lying around this feeling would, we believe, be undermined.

  • Do you allow pets?

    Due to allergies and restrictions of pets around food, we are not able to allow pets at the venue.

  • Is there WiFi?

    We have installed guest WiFi in the bar area but, due to the thickness of the walls, it doesn’t carry through to other rooms of the house. WiFi is available in the Fisherman’s Cottage.

  • Do you allow Candles?

    Yes we do allow Candles but must be within our Naked Flame Policy:-

    All naked flames/candles must be fully encased at the sides, with the tip of the flame at least 5cm below the rim of the encasement. Furthermore, with the exception of enclosed hurricane lamps outside, all naked flames must be placed at least 70cm above floor height.

Ceremony

  • What is your maximum capacity for a ceremony?

    We offer seven different locations for your ceremony, and capacity for most of them is 100. The exception is the Tower, which can only hold up to 70 guests.

  • Can we have music for our ceremony?

    Absolutely. We provide a CD player/portable sound system that can play from a CD, iPod playlist or other device. Please bear in mind that there is no WiFi though, so playlists will need to be downloaded to the device. Alternatively you might choose a form of live music, which is also fine. The Registrars ask for no religious music, e.g. hymns, please. For specific requirements for each ceremony location, please consult your Personal Wedding Manager.

  • Can my priest/vicar marry us at the venue?

    Sadly not. We are licensed to hold civil ceremonies only. Your priest/vicar is able to perform a blessing for you at the venue though after the Registrar has married you.

  • Are chair covers included?

    Yes, with your choice of sash colour too. We also have Chiavari chairs that you can choose from too at no extra cost.

  • Do you provide an aisle carpet?

    Yes, for indoor and outdoor ceremonies in all seven locations we have a red carpet for the aisle.

  • Is the ceremony price included?

    The cost of licensing the space is included, but the actual Registrar that conducts the ceremony is a third party and so does incur a cost. We are guaranteed a Registrar every day of the year, apart from Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, so please do not worry about availability. Booking them is a very straight-forward process that we can talk you through. Details of their fees can be found here: http://bit.ly/2zxWwj5

  • What time should I have my ceremony?

    There is no set time for the ceremony. As your exclusive use commences from midday and the Registrars ask for everyone to be here 30 minutes before, the absolute earliest is 12.30pm. Our recommendation is 1pm to 3pm. This gives a more leisurely morning of preparation and check-in for you and your guests, but also makes the most of your day. For winter weddings, do bear in mind that it gets darker earlier so you may want to aim for 1pm to 2pm.

  • What if I want an outdoor ceremony and it rains?

    Don’t worry, we will have pre-agreed with you your favourite wet weather back-up option, and we can revert to this on the morning of the wedding.

  • How many ceremony locations do you have?

    There are seven locations in total, four of which are outside, with three inside.

  • How long does a civil ceremony last?

    With no additional readings or breaks, the ceremony will last approximately 20 to 25 minutes.

Food and Drink

  • What is your maximum capacity for a sit-down meal?

    In the Great Hall, we can seat up to 74 guests for a sit-down meal, but the Coach House can seat up to 100 guests. The Coach House does have its own kitchen and toilet facilities, so you will not need to go back and forth to the Main House during meal service.

  • Can we bring our own drinks?

    As we employ our own dedicated bar and beverage team, we ask that no drinks are brought in to the venue. For this reason, corkage is not applicable. We are able to source most tipples though, so please do let us know if there is something specific you would like to enjoy on your big day.

  • Can we bring in external catering?

    As we employ our own team of dedicated chefs, we ask that no form of external catering is brought in to the venue. Our chefs are more than happy to discuss bespoke menus for your day, though, so you can definitely make the meal your own.

  • Can we create our own menu?

    Yes, you are able to speak to chef and create your own menu. Just bear in mind that sometimes cooking for 60+ guests can be different than for the two of you at home, so your ideas may need to be adjusted slightly. Also remember that some ingredients are dearer than others, so a supplement may need to be applied for certain dishes.

  • Do you offer an afternoon tea?

    We have an option to upgrade your canapés to an afternoon tea, but it does incur a supplement of £2.50 per guest on the gold menu. This is included in the diamond menu.

  • Do you offer a hog roast?

    We have an option to upgrade your evening buffet to a hog roast, but it does incur a supplement of £3.50 per guest on the gold menu, and there is a minimum requirement of 80 guests.

  • Do you offer a barbecue?

    We have an option to upgrade your evening buffet to a barbecue, but it does incur a supplement of £5.00 per guest on the gold menu.

  • Can you offer international cuisine?

    Our chefs are trained in preparing English dishes. They are more than happy to talk to you about ways they can adapt their menus, but we are not able to offer international cuisine.

Booking Process

  • How do I book a viewing?

    Viewings are available on any non-wedding day. As a general rule, that does mean a mid-week appointment. We do realise that this is not always convenient, but we do adhere to our exclusive-use policy for all weddings and we are a popular venue! There are times in the year where we do sometimes hold weekend dates back to host open days but this is usually during a time when, statistically, a lot of couples are getting engaged. For this reason they are usually extremely busy so we would prefer to offer you a one-to-one private viewing if at all possible. Please also bear in mind that Leez Priory sits in 40 acres of grounds, so there is a lot to see outside, which is better viewed during daylight hours. Simply call/email the venue to make an appointment and we look forward to welcoming you!

  • How long does a viewing take?

    We would suggest you allow one-and-a-half to two hours to view Leez Priory. There is a lot to see and a lot to discuss, plus time for any questions you may have specific to your big day.

  • How can I check availability?

    Availability of the venue changes daily, hence we are not able to publish it online. Please contact the venue directly to check the availability of your preferred date(s).

  • How do I secure a wedding date?

    To secure a date we require a £1,000 non-refundable and non-transferable booking deposit. This can be paid over the phone by credit or debit card or by bank transfer.

    A further deposit payment schedule is also required and its exact make-up depends on the date you book and how far in advance you are booking – you can find more information on our further deposits in section 4 of our terms & conditions here.

    Please note that we are not able to accept American Express for any payments.

  • When is the final balance due?

    Your final balance (known as the bulk invoice) is due 3 weeks in advance of your wedding date. We will, of course, deduct any payments you have already made but you will find an additional £1,000 applied to your invoice at this stage. This constitutes a fully refundable damage deposit which will be refunded into your account within 14 days of your wedding. Please note that we are unable to accept any form of credit card as payment for this bulk invoice so it will need to be settled by debit card or bank transfer.

  • When will I meet my Personal Wedding Manager?

    Your Personal Wedding Manager will contact you approximately 6 months in advance of your wedding. She will then aim to hold your planning meeting with you within 8 weeks of that initial contact.

  • Do you hold dates for a period of time?

    Due to the fast-changing availability in the office, we are unable to hold dates without a deposit.

  • How far in advance can I book a date?

    There is no limit! Please simply contact us directly for pricing information.

  • How soon can I get married?

    In the UK, you are required to give 28 days’ notice of marriage, so in 29 days’ time if you wish!

  • Do you have minimum guest numbers?

    Yes, for prime dates such as Fridays, Saturdays, Bank Holiday Sundays and certain dates around the Christmas/New Year period. Please contact the venue directly to ascertain the actual numbers required for your preferred date(s).

  • Can I get married on any day of the year?

    With the exception of Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year’s Day, you can marry on any other day of the year at Leez Priory. This is simply down to the fact the Registrars are not available on these three days.

Guest Questions

  • What time can I arrive?

    Unless advised otherwise by the couple getting married, check-in is available from midday and non-overnight guests are welcome then too.

  • What time can I check-in to my bedroom?

    Unless advised otherwise by the couple getting married, check-in to all overnight accommodation is available from midday.

  • What time do we have to be off-site by?

    Please ensure that all guests and their belongings have vacated the premises by 11am the following morning.

  • Is the venue accessible / wheelchair friendly?

    Leez Priory is a Grade I listed Tudor mansion and, as such, was not built with wheelchairs in mind. We are extremely restricted in how we can amend the property too, so this can be tricky. We provide ramps to facilitate access to all ground floor rooms of the Main House, apart from the disco. The Tower has no lift and so is not accessible. There are toilet facilities available for guests with mobility issues. We do have a bedroom with a wet room, slightly higher bed and doorway wide enough for wheelchair access if required.

    If you have accessibility issues and are due to visit or attend an event at Leez Priory, due to large amount of gravel paths & areas, and use of ramps, we highly recommend that you call us to discuss your specific needs in advance of your visit.

    We ask that our couples inform us at their earliest convenience if they have guests attending their event with specific requirements regarding access.

  • Are children allowed?

    Of course! Kids really make a wedding! We are also able to offer a range of discounted catering options for younger guests too so please do let us know how we can help.

  • Do you allow pets?

    Due to allergies and restrictions of pets around food, we are not able to allow pets at the venue.

  • Is there WiFi?

    We have installed guest WiFi in the bar area but, due to the thickness of the walls, it doesn’t carry through to other rooms of the house.

  • How can I pay for extra food & drinks?

    Following the Covid 19 Pandemic, and in recognition of the positive impact card-only payments have had on our food & drinks service, we have made the decision to go cashless indefinitely. You will require a card to make payments for any food or drinks at the bar and we accept most credit & debit cards except American Express.

  • What time is breakfast served the following morning?

    Breakfast is served in the Coach House between 8.45am and 9.30am. It is a full English breakfast with continental options served as a buffet.

  • What time is check-out?

    Check-out of the bedrooms is by 10am please.

  • Do you provide travel cots?

    We are not able to provide travel cots, but parents are welcome to bring them in if required. Bedrooms that can accommodate travel cots include: The Granary, The Smithey and Courtyard Rooms 1, 2, 5 and 6.

  • What facilities are provided in the rooms?

    Ensuite bath or shower rooms and bottled water. However hot drinks, snacks and sandwiches are available at the bar.

  • Is there Wifi in the rooms?

    Wifi is not available in any of the guest bedrooms.

  • Can I pre-purchase food/drinks for my room?

    Leez Priory is not a restaurant, so limited food is available to order on the day from the bar. However, if you wish to contact the venue directly in advance of your stay, food can be pre-purchased for your arrival at the venue.

  • Can I purchase gifts for the couple?

    Leez Priory offers a range of products that can make lovely wedding gifts, from candle packages to enhance the wedding day itself, to framed prints of the venue that make lovely keepsakes. Please contact the venue directly to discuss the options.

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