Frequently asked questions
Here’s a selection of frequently asked questions about weddings at Tower Hill Barns. We’ve tried to cover everything but if you can’t find the answer you’re looking for please get in touch. But first, let’s start with finding us! Our address is as follows: Tower Hill Barns, Llangollen Rd, Trevor, Acrefair, Wrexham LL20 7TN.
Ceremonies
Ceremony types–what are the options?
You’re welcome here no matter your gender, faith background, or preferences. We are proud to be an inclusive venue and are happy to host all types of ceremonies, including religious, interfaith, non-denominational, civil, same-sex, humanist, quaker and unity candle.
Ceremony areas–what are the options?
We offer two special and unique ceremony locations: inside in the Old Barn, and outside beneath the Old Railway Bridge. We’re licensed all year round for civil ceremonies inside in the Old Barn, and for civil ceremonies outside under the Old Railway Bridge from April to September.
Outside ceremonies are weather dependent, and the registrar has the final say on whether your ceremony will go ahead on the day. If the weather is not great, we recommend you make your decision about the ceremony area together with your wedding manager–we’re good at second-guessing what the registrar will say! We recommend you make this decision at least two hours before your ceremony time, to avoid unnecessary stress on your wedding morning.
Do we have to have a civil ceremony?
Tower Hill Barns is licensed all year round for civil ceremonies inside the Old Barn. And for civil ceremonies outside under the Old Railway Bridge from April to September. Although, whether inside or outside, whatever the season, we’re happy to host all types of ceremonies!
Can we have a church wedding?
Absolutely! Although we are licensed for civil ceremonies (and host all types of other ceremonies), we’re more than happy for you and your guests to join us after church. We’ll have the welcome-drinks ready and the bubbles on ice for your arrival.
When do I book the Registrar or Church?
To ensure that both are available, we recommend you book the Registrar or Church at the same time you book the venue. You can find more information on the process for a civil ceremony, and our local registrars here.
What ceremony time is best?
If you wish to have a civil ceremony, we generally recommend a ceremony time of 1.00 pm or anytime shortly thereafter. This tends to work best with the running of the day and gives you plenty of time for last-minute prep in the morning.
However, we are licensed for on-site ceremonies from noon onwards. For a church ceremony, we often recommend a slightly earlier time, as you’ll then need to account for travel time to get to the venue after the ceremony.
Planning & Organisation
What is included in the venue hire charge?
Our countryside wedding venue offers you and your guests the perfect space, backdrop, and hospitality for an unforgettable wedding experience. Tower Hill Barns will always be yours for the day, and we aim to ensure you and your guests are welcomed as friends and leave as family. The following is included in the venue hire charge:
- Exclusive use of the venue, gardens and grounds on your wedding day
- A dedicated wedding manager/coordinator to help you organise your wedding in the run-up to your wedding and to look after you and your guests on the day
- A full in-house catering and bar team
- Friendly, passionate, and experienced staff to run your day, including staff to assist you with your set-up
- Tables and oak-framed chairs, ivory linen, cutlery, crockery and glassware
- A range of garden furniture for the outdoor terrace, and indoor & outdoor firepits
- Candles and lanterns throughout the venue
- Fairy lights (inside the Old Barn and decorating the outside terrace area)
- PA system and wireless microphones for speeches
- Bose sound system throughout the entire venue including ceremony areas
- Complimentary food and wine tasters for the couple
- Complimentary honeymoon suite for the couple (one night within the Farm House)
What deposit is required to secure a date? What other payments are required?
Once you’ve confirmed your wedding booking with us, we’ll ask for a £2000 deposit. Subject to change, price correct as of 2021. The balance of the venue hire is then payable 12 months before your wedding date, and an interim food and drink payment of £2500 due 6 months prior. The remaining balance for food and drink, accommodation and any extras is then payable no later than 2 weeks before your wedding day.
Why do we ask for minimum numbers in the day? And what are the maximum numbers?
We specialise in weddings, exclusively. Tower Hill Barns is family-owned and every detail of our venue, our grounds and our service to you is born from our passion to make your entire wedding day extraordinary. Therefore, we must keep the venue and grounds in perfect condition for you to enjoy your wedding celebrations. And as such, we limit the number of weddings we host each year to help us maintain our gorgeous venue and it’s integrity.
To support these efforts, we set a minimum guest requirement. These numbers vary depending on the day of the week your wedding takes place. There is flexibility, particularly on ‘low season’ dates, so we encourage you to get in touch to discuss your wedding plans.
We can seat around 130 people comfortably in the dining hall for your wedding breakfast and approximately 220+ in the evening for your evening reception.
Can we invite additional evening guests?
Yes, the more the merrier! Evening guests typically arrive before the cake-cutting, and in time for the first dance. The entire venue is yours for the evening, and your guests are welcome to party hard, play it cool, and keep it classy in our open-plan, fully inclusive venue.
Can my guests get ready on-site?
If you have hired our wedding accommodation for the night before your wedding, then your Farm House guests may get ready on-site. Alternatively, if your guests are part of the bridal party, they may access the makeup & dressing room on the morning of your wedding. We do not have changing facilities on-site for the groom and groomsmen, nor general guest changing facilities.
Can you recommend any suppliers?
Yes! We work closely with a collection of North Wales, Mid Wales, and Cheshire wedding suppliers. We’ve forged great friendships and recommend them because not only do they know their craft, but they genuinely love what they do. We update this list of preferred wedding suppliers regularly. And of course, our Instagram and Facebook is a constant source of supplier info and real wedding examples.
What happens if my event is cancelled?
We recommend you take out wedding insurance to cover you in the unfortunate event that your wedding is cancelled. For Coronavirus related incidences and Government restrictions, please see our Covid policies.
Venue Dressing & Decor
How do we go about setting up the venue for our wedding day?
We know it’s essential to get your decor just right! That’s why we’ll help you do the bulk of the work. We’ll arrange for you to drop off your prepared belongings a couple of days before your wedding and leave us with clear instructions regarding your decor plans. The team will then set everything up on your behalf on the morning of your wedding. Please note, if your decor plans are rather substantial, we may advise it appropriate to hire an on-the-day coordinator or venue dresser to assist with set up.
Your venue dressers, stylists, and florists can access the venue from 9.00 am on the day of your wedding. At the end of the night, we’ll do the hard work for you! Our staff will pack everything up and arrange ready for you to collect the next morning so that you can enjoy breakfast in the honeymoon suite a little longer.
Can we bring our own flowers & decorations?
Yes, you’re welcome to bring your own flowers and decorations. In most instances, your florist will be able to access the venue before the wedding to deliver your flowers and assist with installations. As standard, we provide ivory linen, cutlery, crockery & glassware but leave the centrepieces down to your design—the room can carry anything from minimal and rustic to serious glam!
Is confetti allowed?
No, confetti or similar is not allowed at Tower Hill Barns at any time. We know this can be a dividing topic for many–the confetti shot is much loved! We’ve made this decision in respect of our commitment to the environment and our ‘leave no trace’ ethos we have with the grounds and surrounding rural area and farmland.
Please ensure your guests know this. If confetti is used, a damage fee will apply.
Food & Drink
When looking at food choices for the three-course wedding breakfast, do we get a choice?
We ask couples to pick one choice from each course for your guests to have (one starter, one main meal and one dessert). We cater for dietary requirements separately (vegetarians and vegans, gluten-free, and allergies etc). Should you wish to offer two choices per course, there will be a supplementary charge. Click to see our current wedding menus.
Do you hold tasting nights?
Yes, we usually hold menu tasting evenings three to six months before the wedding. You’ll sample a selection of dishes (usually a mix of seasonal options) prepared by our chefs which will help you to make your final decisions for your wedding menu. Attendance is by invitation.
When do we decide our food and drink choices?
We recommend you make your final decision on food and drink choices during your 1 to 1 meeting with your wedding manager. This is usually around 12 weeks before your wedding.
Can we use external caterers?
No, except for ice cream vans, sweet carts, and other similar add-ons, we do not allow for outside catering. This is because food is our love language. It’s a huge part of what we’re about, and we’re passionate about creating outstanding food from local products that’ll please all crowds.
Our chefs are trained in classical French and fine dining styles, so we can cater for anything from a white-tablecloth worthy dining experience to street food, grazing platters, and everything in-between. Have something in mind? Get in touch to discuss.
Do you charge corkage?
If you would like to bring your own wine, corkage is charged as follows: £12.50 per bottle of wine, £17.50 per bottle on fizz and £20.00 per bottle of champagne. If you are looking to bring in any other forms of alcohol, we ask that you inform us and we can cost out a corkage depending on the item. Only arrival drinks, dinner wine (½ bottle per guest) and toast drinks may be brought in.
What is your dining capacity?
The oak-framed dining hall, which spans out from the bar area, can seat 130 guests comfortably. Typically, we configure the room with round tables, seating 8 to 10 guests on each table, plus an additional top table.
Entertainment
Are bands welcome at the barn & is music allowed outside?
We love a good band! Acoustic bands and singers are welcome in the main barn, bar area, and outside on the terrace until 6 pm.
In the evening, our licence for amplified music applies to the Old Barn. Your band and DJ will set up in the Old Barn for your evening reception and are welcome to plug into our Bose sound system so that your guests can enjoy the music throughout the venue. We will ask for a copy of your entertainer’s public liability insurance before the wedding day.
Note: music played through our Bose sound system plays throughout the venue in the evening, including the terrace and outside bar area.
What time is last orders at the bar and when does the music need to switch off?
The bar is open until midnight and last orders are called at 11.45 pm. We ask for the music to also cease at midnight. However, if you’d like to keep your party going as long as possible, you have the option of a 1 am ‘late bar’ finish for an additional supplement.
We are semi-rural, so please advise your guests to order taxis in advance to ensure they get home safely. We recommend your guests have transport arranged for midnight.
Can we bring outdoor games?
Yes, you’re more than welcome to bring your outdoor games and entertainment. The gardens and grounds are yours to enjoy for the entire day, and lawn games can be great ice breakers to get the party-mood-started.
Popular favourites include ice cream vans and photobooths, crazy golf, bouncy castles, giant Jenga, tug-of-war, bean bag throw (cornhole), adult retro space hoppers and loads more! See recommended suppliers.
Wedding Accommodation
What is included with the Honeymoon Suite?
The Honeymoon Suite features a king-sized wrought iron bed with luxurious linens, a large full-length mirror, hooks to hang garment bags, a large dresser with space for makeup and essential wedding items, and boasts a private en-suite wet room with complimentary Molton Brown toiletries.
The suite is available to the wedding couple from 3 pm on the wedding day until 11 am the following morning. Your stay includes a full Welsh breakfast served in the Farm House for you and your overnight guests.
What about wedding prep & hair + makeup?
For wedding prep, we have purpose-built makeup and bridal preparation rooms available to use from 8 am on your wedding day. Note, this is only available for couples who are marrying on-site.
How do we book accommodation?
Our on-site wedding accommodation can cater for up to 18 guests, including the newlywed couple. Once you confirm your wedding booking with us, the accommodation will be automatically assigned to you.
You will be asked to allocate the four remaining Farm House rooms, along with the four glamping lodges, to your guests. You will need to complete a ‘checking-in form’ approximately three weeks before your wedding day to let us know who will join you in the accommodation.
If the rooms are not occupied, you will be charged 50% of the night’s accommodation. Please note: access to the accommodation is permitted only to those guests who’ve checked in. Check-in is at 3 pm. We do not have dressing facilities for guests to use prior to the ceremony.
What time is check-in?
Check-in is strictly 3 pm. We do not have dressing facilities for guests to use prior to the ceremony. Please arrive wedding-ready, and our staff will be able to help you collect your bags and check-in to your accommodation at the appropriate time.
Can I stay the night before?
Subject to availability, yes, we’d love for you to stay the night before your wedding! We can check availability up to four months before your wedding day.
Can I have additional guests join for breakfast?
Breakfast the next day is provided for you and your guests who are staying in our on-site wedding accommodation. However, we are happy to help you arrange a post-wedding breakfast or luncheon in the main barn for your guests. Subject to availability.
Venue Info
Accessibility
We are a fully accessible venue. There are ramps throughout the venue which link the ceremony areas, bar and dining rooms, and the outside terrace is level. Guests are welcome to use the drop-off point close to the venue entrance. There is an accessible toilet on the ground floor of the barn, and we welcome Guide Dogs on-site at all times. We can also cater for carers if required. The Farm House accommodation features a ground floor double bedroom with an en-suite wet room. You can find more info here.
Are the barns warm?
Yes, we have underfloor heating throughout the new barn to keep you warm and cosy. And radiators in the old barn where indoor ceremonies are held. Outside, the firepits are the perfect place to take in the evening festivities.
What PA (public address) and sound system do you have in place?
The dining hall is kitted out with a PA system, with wireless microphones, for your speeches and a Bose sound system. Plug in your device or use our selection of dedicated romantic acoustic playlists. There is also plenty of space for your favourite live music.
Where can our photographer take pictures?
The entire venue is at your disposal to enjoy. And with gorgeous countryside and grounds, an idyllic luxury barn setting, and fairy lights and candles throughout, we’ve more than a few Instagram-worthy spaces and one-of-a-kind locations. Rain, hail, or shine, the perfect photo opportunity is never far away.
Use this guide to see how you can get all of your preferred shots in one session, from a single venue, without having to go off-site, and maybe even with a cocktail in hand.
And use this guide for tips & tricks to help you embrace the camera for timeless wedding photos you’ll love forever.
Are you dog friendly?
Yes, we are dog friendly! We love our fur babies [you’ll usually find them dozing on our feet under our desks or living it up in the sunshine on the terrace]. So you best bring your adorable pooches with you because we want all the doggy smooches.
Your four-legged friends are welcome to join you on your wedding day for the ceremony and photos, up until your wedding breakfast gets underway—because even with the best puppy eyes going, our chefs will be the first to tell you this is one meal you won’t want to share with an under the table hoover.
To make your day positively pawfect, we recommend Precious Pets Weddings and Pawfect Occasions for dog chaperone and overnight dog-sitting services.