Church Wedding Day Timings
A 1.30pm Ceremony
9am The Day Before
This is when you will bring all of your wedding day items to us to be put into secure storage overnight, ready for your wonderful Event Manager to set up first thing on the morning of your wedding. These items can include decorative items, table plans, music playlists, all of which will have been discussed in your prior Planning Meeting. This is also when you’ll bring your labelled boxes for each table that will include place name cards, favours, and anything else the Event Manager will be putting out on the table for you.
10am on Your Wedding Day
From 10am onwards, your wedding suppliers can arrive to begin setting up. These can include your hair and makeup supplier, florist, wedding cake supplier, and live musicians.
Don’t forget to check out our Handpicked Suppliers List, which includes some of our most recommended suppliers, who never fail to please!
A common question we get asked is how a church ceremony fits into the wedding schedule. We thought we would give an example of how a day involving a church wedding may run to put your minds at ease. Please be aware that this is only an example and is based on a 1.30pm ceremony, which is not a fixed timing. Our wonderful Event Managers will talk through personal timings with you, that fit best around your plans.
10.30am – Settle into The Dressing Room
The wedding party arrives to begin preparing for the big day in the stylish Dressing Room. With comfortable sofas, lots of space, and glamorous vanity mirrors, what better place to get glammed up.
From 12 Noon- At the Church
An hour and a half before the ceremony, one marrier arrives first at the church accompanied by their wedding party, in plenty of time to welcome the guests and get some pre-ceremony snaps.
1.30pm- The Church Wedding Ceremony
Church ceremonies tend to range from 20-45 minutes depending on the religion and denomination. The number of readings and hymns will also affect the duration, but we will always allow for enough time in your schedule to fit everything else in around your ceremony.
2.00pm- Church Wedding Photos
While your guests travel to The Mill Barns ready to begin the celebratory reception drinks, you may want to take this opportunity to capture some photographs with the wedding party at the church.
2.30pm- The Drinks Reception
Guests will be invited into The Mill Stone Barn or out onto The Mill Pond Terrace, welcomed by trays of refreshments served by our wonderful catering staff.
Usually lasting around an hour and a half, the drinks reception is often an ideal time when your photographer will get the special shots of the wedding couple around the venue, while guests are left to enjoy their drinks and chat away.
This is the perfect opportunity to sneak away together and explore the stunning grounds Surrounding The Mill Barns, while your photographer captures your first moments alone together as newly-weds.
For more inspiration on what to serve at your drinks reception, don’t forget to take a look at ‘Your Wedding Drinks’ information pack that will be available to download from the Priority Information section of our website following your viewing.
4.30pm- Guests are Invited Into The Mill Pond Barn
Your guests are invited into The Mill Pond Barn to take their seats, ready to welcome the happy couple with rapturous applause.
4.45pm- The Wedding Breakfast
Your tailored menu and accompanying refreshments are served in style by the wonderful catering staff who are smartly dressed in black uniforms.
For more information on catering options please review ‘Your Daytime Menu Ideas Pack’ available to download from the Priority Information section of our website following your viewing.
After the Meal circa 6.15pm- Speeches
Loved ones may take the opportunity, should they wish, to say a few kind words about the couple on this auspicious occasion. The Mill Barns provides a wireless microphone to ensure that your guests hear every word and the mobility of some of the more flamboyant speakers is not compromised!
7pm until 8pm- Mingling Time
Many couples use this time after the meal, but before the evening’s dancing begins, to provide entertainment for the guests. Perhaps a magician, or some acoustic live music will keep guests happy. It’s the perfect time for any additional guests to arrive and join in the fun. For a list of our recommended entertainers please visit our Handpicked Suppliers List. This is also the time where guests are able to enjoy The Bar, which opens straight after the meal.
8pm – Your First Dance
Whether you choose to do a romantic slow dance, an expression of your love for each other with a couple of spectacular spins thrown in, or a more energetic ‘this is my party and I’m going to enjoy it’ dance to get everyone in the mood, your guests will be sure to be captivated watching you both.
Whether you fancy a DJ, a live band or even a ceilidh, check out our online Handpicked Suppliers List for a comprehensive list of live performers and details of our Dream Team DJs.
8.30pm- Informal Evening Refreshments are served
Keep guests energised by serving adventurous, delicious, and inventive dishes to excite your guests.
Jenkinsons, our catering partners, offer a wide variety of delicious options from The Smokehouse, Festival Food, and classics such as Hot Roast Pork Baps with Crackling and Apple Sauce.
More detailed information on the options available can be found within the ‘Evening Food’ pack available for you to download from the Priority Information section of our website following your viewing.
11.45pm – Last Orders at The Bar
Midnight – The Bar closes, music ceases and all guests depart.
As in all good fairy tales, this one ends at Midnight. As the clock strikes twelve it is time to make your way to your cosy Wedding Night Suite.
12.15am – The Mill Barns Wedding Venue Closes
12.30am – All guests to have departed from The Mill Barns
Our wonderful team will carefully collect together your belongings, including any items left in The Dressing Room, and place them in secure overnight storage with any unopened drinks you may have supplied, ready for collection at your 9am or 9.30am slot, the next day.