Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! You’ve chosen the stunning Lillibrooke Manor, a venue that beautifully combines history and charm. As you plan your special day, here are some important things to remember and some inspiration to! Please check the FAQS for the full venue information.

The Great Barn Overview
The Great Barn is a versatile and breathtaking setting for your wedding celebration, centrally located within the Lillibrooke Estate, just a short stroll from the Manor House, Small Barn, and beautifully landscaped gardens, making it the perfect hub for your wedding celebrations. With a capacity to accommodate up to 220 guests or 170 seated for a meal, there’s ample space for your family and friends to gather and celebrate.

Facilities at Your Fingertips
One of the standout features of the Great Barn is its modern amenities. The venue is equipped with a large full-range Bose sound system, ensuring superb audio clarity throughout the space. This includes hand-held microphones, a 6-meter projector screen, a ceiling-hung projector, and a laptop for presentations. If you wish to showcase photos or videos, simply load them onto a memory stick for easy access. A sound limiter is set at 92 dB, in line with local council requirements, ensuring a comfortable atmosphere for all.

Dining Arrangements
When it comes to your reception, the Great Barn can accommodate various seating arrangements:
- Up to 170 guests with round tables for a sit-down meal.
- Up to 144 guests with banquet-style tables. If you’re planning to invite more guests for the evening celebration, the barn can host up to 250 standing guests. It’s common for couples to have different numbers for day and evening guests. Please provide an initial estimate of your evening guest count as soon as possible, with confirmed numbers needed at least one month in advance.

Access and Setup
Access Times: You and your suppliers will need to arrange access times during your planning meeting. Generally, access is available after 8 AM. If you wish to set up the day before your wedding, this can be arranged if the venue is available seven days before your event—please discuss this with your Wedding Planning contact.
Setup Assistance: Should you prefer assistance, we can provide extra staff to help set up personal touches for your tables, including table numbers, name places, and favors, for an additional charge. Please refer to the Event Management & Catering price list for full details.

Entertainment Considerations
When it comes to your entertainment, you have flexibility regarding when your band or DJ can set up their equipment—either before or just after meal service. Do keep in mind that bands will require time for a sound check.
Music Guidelines: Outside music is permitted for the ceremony and as background music until 6:30 PM. Musicians must provide their own portable AV equipment and adhere to the sound limitations specified by our music license.

External Festoon Lights
The festoon lights that are on the outside of the Great Barn and along the walls and fences are permanent. All other fairy lights need to be hired in separately.

Supplier Recommendations
When planning your wedding at the Great Barn, you have the flexibility to choose your suppliers; however, we highly recommend utilising our list of excellent suppliers who are familiar with our venue. These professionals have earned our trust due to their reliability, professionalism, and proven track record of delivering exceptional service. They possess a detailed knowledge of what works best at Lillibrooke, ensuring a seamless experience on your special day. Additionally, all our recommended suppliers have their insurance and health & safety documentation pre-approved by us, complying with our fire and health regulations. If you decide to bring in your own suppliers, please ensure they submit the necessary documentation for our approval well in advance, as outlined in the “Useful Information for Suppliers” sheet. We also encourage you to provide us with a list of your chosen suppliers as early as possible. If you have unique ideas or unconventional elements in mind—like animals as ring bearers, funfair attractions, or even a helicopter arrival—please reach out to discuss them with us before finalizing any bookings. We love the creativity and personal touches that couples bring to their weddings, and we are here to help make your vision a reality while ensuring that all safety and logistical considerations are met.

Finding Inspiration
For those looking for inspiration for your wedding setup, we recommend checking out Instagram and Pinterest. These platforms are filled with beautiful images and creative ideas that can help you visualize your perfect day and gather ideas for decor, themes, and arrangements.

Candles and Nightlights
As you plan your decor, please note that while naked flames are not allowed in the Great Barn, tea lights or small candles placed in covered containers (such as hurricane lamps) are acceptable. To maintain safety, we kindly ask that you seek approval for your proposed containers during your planning discussions. Alternatively, digital candles are a great option, as they provide the same warm and inviting ambiance without the use of open flames.

Fire Pits
We understand that a small fire pit may be required as part of a religious ceremony. While we do not allow fire pits inside the Great Barn or other buildings for safety reasons, we can accommodate them outside, at least 3 meters away from the barn. Please be aware that a protective base must be used to prevent any scorch marks on the grass. It’s best to discuss the use of a fire pit with us well in advance, as we may need to withdraw previous approval in very dry or windy conditions to ensure the safety of your guests and our venue.
Glitter, Confetti, Smoke Machines, and Inflatables
While we love a festive atmosphere, glitter is not permitted as it tends to get everywhere and is difficult to clean up before the next event. Similarly, confetti cannons are not allowed at the venue. For safety reasons, smoke or haze machines are also prohibited, as they can trigger smoke detectors, leading to an evacuation that could dampen the celebration.
On a brighter note, if you’re considering entertainment options for your guests, bouncy castles and inflatables are welcome! The gardens provide the perfect location for these fun additions. However, please note that a Risk Assessment & Method Statement (RAMS) will be required from the provider ahead of the event to ensure safety and compliance.

Departure and Cleanup
As your celebration comes to a close, remember that last orders will be called at 11:30 PM, with all guests expected to depart by midnight unless you have a bar extension. It’s helpful to designate someone within your party, such as the parents of the newlyweds, to assist in encouraging guests to leave promptly and quietly.
Post-Celebration Collection: All items, including guests’ cars, must be collected between 8 AM and 10 AM the following day. Timeliness is essential as the venue may have another event scheduled. If you have suppliers requiring extra time for setup or removal, please coordinate with us well in advance.
Parking Information
Parking is a key consideration for your guests. The main car park accommodates 30 cars, with additional spaces next to the Great Barn. The venue is nestled within 15 acres, offering overflow parking in the small paddock, capable of accommodating several hundred cars during summer events.
Cars can be left overnight but must be collected between 8 AM and 10 AM the following day.
Additional Considerations
Smoking Policy: Lillibrooke Manor enforces a strict no smoking policy inside all barns and buildings. Designated smoking areas are available in the Cloister by the Small Barn, in the Great Barn garden, and at tables in the Manor House garden. We kindly ask guests to utilize the provided ashtrays to maintain the venue’s beauty.
Pet Policy: We are a pet-friendly venue! You’re welcome to bring your dogs to stroll the grounds, and we’ll be happy to provide drinking water for them. Please remember to bag any mess and remove it from the site. Dogs are not allowed inside the Barns or where food is served, with the exception of guide dogs.

Your Wedding Awaits
We look forward to hosting your special day. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the planning team at Heritage Venues, whose mission is to ensure you have the best day possible!