Your Most Frequently Asked Questions Answered

Few wedding decisions are more important than picking the right venue for your big day. So this will be at the top of your planning checklist – but with so much choice, and so much to think about, how do you even begin to whittle it down?

Perhaps one starting to point is to think with your head as much as with your heart. After all, while it’s easy to fall in love with a location, you also need to think through all the practicalities.

Understandably, we get asked the same questions a lot when couples visit us before booking their weddings. Equally, you may have additional queries, whether you’re coming to visit us or a different venue. So feel free to ask us anything. But, to kick off, we aim to answers these FAQs here.

1.)    How many guests does the venue hold?

This is clearly a key consideration, especially if you’re planning anything other than a very intimate event. Our most recent conversion, The Old Dairy, is a gorgeous setting in which to say ‘I do’ and seats up to 100, as does our Stable Barn, our ideal wedding breakfast spot.

Either the Stable Barn or the Old Dairy can be transformed into perfect party places for your evening celebrations. You may want to expand numbers for your evening do as you celebrate until midnight – we can host up to 150 people once the sit-down meal is over and you’re ready to party the evening away.

2.)    How does the catering and bar work? Are they included in the package price or do they cost extra?

Clearly, food and drink are a major part of any wedding celebration. And catering and the bar are included in all our packages. However, we also like to make each couple’s big day unique. So you’ll have plenty of choice as to what ‘all included’ means for you. For example, if there’s a wine or dish you simply have to have, talk to us and we’ll create a bespoke package.

Within the packages, you can choose to push the boat out with our ‘The Works’ option or go for the simpler ‘No Frills’ offering. Talk to us about what would work best for you.

Whatever you choose, you’ll be in excellent hands. Our bar partners have converted a Landie Defender 110 into a mobile bar, affectionately called One Ten on Tap. This keeps the drinks flowing throughout. Meanwhile, our catering partners, Jacob and Tori and Jacob, ensure no one goes hungry.

Options range from a traditional three-course meal to sharing platters, roasts, barbecues or street food. Meanwhile, for the evening, hot snacks, pizzas, curries, grazing tables and more are all on offer. Alternatively, work with one of our recommended suppliers for your evening party and enjoy everything from Belgian waffles to wood-fired pizzas plus a host of other ideas. The choice is yours.

3.)    Is there accommodation available on site or locally?

When it comes to accommodation, again you have a number of options. We have two identical shepherd’s huts, Nightingale and Kingfisher. Each cabin sleeps two, and there’s a wood-burning stove for cooler days plus incredible views and a cosy feel.

Meanwhile, self-contained Orchard Cottage sleeps four in all in two rooms – a double and a twin.

Our Signature packages includes wedding-night accommodation in Orchard Cottage and the shepherd’s huts. Add accommodation for the night before for an extra charge. 

Over the way are the idyllic lodges of Angrove Country Park, which you or your guests can book for a discounted rate. We also have other recommendations, including The Old Dairy and Postman’s Lodge, both in Great Ayton.

4.)    Is there space to get ready?

Yes, of course. We know this is important to couples on their big day. So feel free to use our lovely barn conversion, Orchard Cottage, as a base for you and your posse as you prepare to look your most gorgeous.

5.)    How do the timings work? What’s the best time for a ceremony? What time does everything have to end?

Arrive from midday the day before your wedding so you have plenty of time to set up and style our barns without feeling rushed. If you’ve opted for the on-site accommodation, we won’t kick you out early. Stay until midday on the day after your wedding.

The timing of your ceremony will depend on the time of year, celebrant availability and how far your guests are travelling – it’s a personal decision. But anywhere between 12pm and 3pm works well for most couples. At Howard Court, we’re fully licensed with North Yorkshire County Council to hold civil ceremonies, indoors and outside. But you’ll need to book the registrar yourself.

      6.) When do you have access from, so you know how much time you have to set up?

Most of our packages include access for three days, so you can get set up the day before, as mentioned above, significantly lessening the stress and running around on the morning of your big day.

7.) What’s included in the package price?

This may seem hard to believe, but some venues charge to portion the cake or even turn the lights on. (We’re not making this up!)

We’re different. We offer various wedding packages, all of which include exclusive venue use, including barns, gardens, courtyard, meadow and woodland plus food and drink throughout, alongside numerous little extras. Beforehand, you’ll get full support from us, a chance to sample the menu and drinks and unlimited viewings of Howard Court. A dedicated wedding coordinator is with you from start to finish.

As for the extras, it’s a long list! Expect guest parking, fairy lights and similar illuminations, underfloor heating, furniture galore plus finishing touches like easels, cake barrel and knife, and even milk churns for a rustic look. And all this for no extra charge!

8.) What’s the payment plan?

 One of the most practical ways to pay for your wedding is through a payment plan, in which the fee is paid over a period of time, running from the day you book your wedding day. Upon reserving, a 25% deposit is required.  You then don’t need to pay anything more until 6 months before your wedding, given you lots of time to save.  The final balance is then due one month before your wedding, once you’ve finalised all your plans, confirmed your guest numbers and chosen your extras. 

Contact us

Got a question that hasn’t been answered? Get in touch with our dedicated team today and find out everything you would like to know about our special venue.