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Measurements

‍What Measurements are the round tables?

‍The tables vary in size and can be used in various combinations to suit guest numbers and seating requirements.

‍6 tables measure 200cm diameter (seating up to 12 guests per table) and 2 tables measure 249 cm diameter (seating up to 14 guests per table)

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What Measurements are the top table?

The top table measure 390cm x 109cm.

It can seat between two and eight people comfortably, depending on whether you choose the wooden chairs or the school chairs.

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What size is the ceremony table in the log barn ceremony room?

The table measures 200 x 100 cm.

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Ceremony Locations

How many Civil Ceremony locations does The Oaks have?

‍We have four beautiful locations where you can hold your civil ceremony (some areas are weather dependent)

‍The Enchanted Woodland 100 Guests

‍The Pergola 80 Guests

‍The Meadows 100 Guests

‍The Log Barn 100 Guests

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Do any of the ceremony areas have a hire fee?

Out of our four beautiful wedding ceremony areas, the only location that incurs a hire fee is the Enchanted Woodland. This area costs £375.

The use Enchanted Woodland is dependent on the weather being dry for the week prior to the ceremony. If the weather gods aren’t on our side, and your ceremony is moved to The Log Barn. The £375 will be refunded after the wedding.

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Can I use all ceremony areas at The Oaks for photo opportunities?

‍If you wish to use a ceremony area that is not where your civil ceremony took place, please let us know in advance of your wedding day. Where possible and weather permitting, we shall accommodate any requests.

The Enchanted woodland can be used for close wedding party/candid photos/couple portraits if you have hired the location for your wedding ceremony. You are also welcome to take couple portraits within the Enchanted Woodland if you have not hired the area.

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Decorations

Can I decorate the stone fireplace?

‍The stone surrounding the fire does get warm, so therefore we kindly ask that no decorations are placed on the stone surround.

‍Can I use candles?

At The Oaks Barn, we have several candles that are displayed around the venue. We are happy for couples to bring additional candles to be lit within the venue, but these candles must be enclosed within sturdy lanterns or glass vessels

‍We also ask that candles are not used around the outside of the venue and no candles are permitted down the isle of any of our licensed ceremony areas, or on the floor of the venue.

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Can I use Confetti?

‍We kindly ask that all confetti is “Alpaca Proof”, ideally, we ask for confetti to be dried petals, but we do allow biodegradable confetti. Confetti shots are to be taken on the rear lawn area only.

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Can small decorations be scattered over the dining tables in The Forest Room?

We do not permit real or faux petals, plastic glitter, diamantes etc to be scattered across the dining tables.

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Do you allow florists/venue dressers to decorate the entrance doorway?

‍We absolutely do allow this; it makes for beautiful wedding day shots weather permitting! We also provide a range of seasonal arch packages, crafted from freshly cut foliage foraged from our grounds. See our brochure for more info. www.theoaksbarn.co.uk

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Can I fix decorations to the walls?

There are many areas where decorations can be fixed to the walls and ceiling. We have hooks ready fixed in place for you to use. Cable ties often work best.

All we ask is that you seek permission from your wedding coordinator beforehand.

‍No staples, drawing pins or sticky backed products can be used.

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Can I decorate the bar?

‍There are small hooks placed around the outer top bar area, you are welcome to use these to attach floral installations and décor too. Cable ties often work best.

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The Bridal Boutique Room

Who can use the Bridal Boutique room?

The room is exclusively for the bride and her bridal party only. We do not have a Groomsman room available at The Oaks. This consists of the bride and up to 7 guests. The room is also set up purposefully for make-up artists, hair stylists and photographers.

Can I bring my own food into the Bridal Boutique?

‍We recommend that the bridal party eat while they are getting ready – it’s going to be a long day! Our in-house caters Ridgway offer prebooked breakfast boxes, or you can bring your own. All we ask is that you bring plates, cutlery and napkins along as these will not be provided. No hot food.

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How long can I have the Bridal Boutique room for?

Traditional Wedding Day - 9am till 5pm

‍Twilight Wedding Evening - midday till 7pm

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What happens after 5pm or 7pm?

‍Please ensure all your possessions are gathered by the appropriate time stated.

It is the responsibility of the guests using the Bridal Boutique to ensure that they have taken all their belongings out of the room by the appropriate time. 

‍If you require any possessions after this time, please ensure you take them with you as the bridal boutique is locked, after the time stated.

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Can we bring our own alcohol into the bridal prep room?

Sorry no, we are not licensed for you to bring your own alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages into the bridal prep room; all drinks must be pre-ordered for the bridal room.

‍The bar will not be open till midday.

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Suppliers

What information do suppliers need to provide The Oaks with prior to arriving/setting up?

Suppliers will need to provide copies of a valid liability insurance, and all electrical appliances must have been PAT tested within the last 12 months.

All documents need to be supplied at least 1 month before the wedding day. This is standard practise across any wedding venue.

‍ ‍Suppliers on our approved list are all pre-checked, so do not need to provide any additional information.

Can we use suppliers that are not on The Oaks approved list?

‍Yes, we’ll need a copy of their liability insurance and proof any electrical equipment is PAT tested.

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What time can I or venue dressers/florists arrive to set up at the venue?

At your itinerary meeting your wedding coordinator will arrange a two-hour time slot with you or your venue dressers.

Complex displays, additional time can be agreed by prior arrangement. This can sometimes incur an additional cost.

All venue dressing must be completed at least one hour prior to the civil ceremony taking place and no venue dressing is to be carried out in front of wedding guests.

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Should we provide a meal for our suppliers?

This is at your discretion, but particularly if the suppliers are there for over 4 hours, we recommend that you provide them with a meal/refreshment. We serve the wedding guests first and then comfortably seat your suppliers in our staff office away from the wedding guests. Suppliers must be respectful of the room and leave it clean and tidy. Suppliers are not permitted to sit and eat with wedding guests.

What if I want family friends to perform at our wedding?

This is fine, but the same with any performer they must provide us with the appropriate liability insurance to enable them to perform. Daily public liability insurance can be obtained easily online.

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Who can suppliers bring during allocated set up times?

‍Suppliers are welcome to bring freelancers to help set up large décor installations. Children under the age of 18 are not permitted to attend with suppliers.

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Does The Oaks have a ‘Green Room’ for performers?

‍The Oaks does not have a separate ‘Green Room’ style space for performing artists/suppliers to use. We are a small and intimate barn with no extra rooms.

We do though have a staff office where performers/artists/suppliers are more than welcome to sit, relax, take a break and eat their meal pre- and post-performance.

‍It is not The Oaks responsibility to provide food/refreshments for suppliers.

Suppliers are encouraged to organise a meal with the couple pre-wedding or bring their own food, to be consumed in our staff room. Suppliers are not permitted to sit amongst wedding guests while consuming food. Suppliers are to leave any bags in our staff room or in their own vehicles. We don’t have space to store large equipment throughout a wedding day.

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Is there a changing room for the band to get changed in?

Performers are welcome to use the main toilets to change in only.

Set up and clearing

What time do I have to collect my items after the wedding?

All your belongings, suppliers props and cars left overnight at The Oaks must be collected the following day between 9am and up to 11am. On occasion this can be extended by prior agreement and may incur an additional charge.

Suppliers must collect all venue dressing items by 10am.

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Can you store items for me during the wedding?

‍We can store at our discretion small items only in our staff office; however, this is only accessed by The Oaks staff. We do not have the facility to store any venue dressing items or packaging.

How many people can help on our set up day?

‍We permit a total of five people (including bride and groom) to set up during your agreed time slot. Any more can sometimes cause chaos.

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Facilities

Do you provide microphones for the speeches?

We do not provide these, though a microphone is not generally needed to carry your voice unless there is someone speaking who is very quietly spoken. We can ring our bell to help hush your guests and if you have hired a videographer, they usually provide microphones for the speeches.

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Do you have highchairs available?

We have several highchairs available. Please let us know at your itinerary meeting prior to your wedding day how many you require and we will set them out as per your seating plan.  

The Oaks rustic swings policy

Guests are to treat the swings located at the front and rear of the barn with respect and care. Please note that the swings are for decorative purposes and are for the use of photo opportunities only. If in the unfortunate event the swings are being mistreated and used dangerously, they will be removed without prior notification.

‍Children under the age of 13 are to be fully supervised when on the swings, by a responsible adult.

‍The swings at the front of the venue are taken down at 17;00Hrs and the rear of the venue at 20;00Hrs. 

‍If the venue is being use for an event other than a wedding the swings will not be in-situ.

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Photography, Videography and Content

Do you have any restricted areas for photographs?

The Oaks is also our family home; the residential areas can not to be used for photographs.

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Can we use a drone during the wedding?

You are welcome to use a drone if you keep the device within the wedding venue boundaries and the pilot holds appropriate licences and certification. A map highlighting the areas where drones can be used will be discussed with the event coordinator.

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Catering At The Oaks

Can I use my own caterers?

All wedding catering is provided by our in–house catering provider Ridgway Caters Limited.

It is not possible to bring into the venue any food or beverages except for your Wedding or Dessert Cakes, as prior agreed with The Oaks Barn Limited.

We want your day to be as stress free as possible, and our amazing in-house caterers Ridgway will directly handle all your culinary needs.

Once you have booked your wedding at The Oaks, we put you straight into their capable hands and they will help you create the perfect menu.

Ridgway will arrange a tasting depending on the menu chosen at their headquarters, and you will be able to try a selection of food that suits you best. This is all under their terms and conditions.

‍If you have booked the venue for a private event other than a wedding, we also suggest that Ridgway Caterers are used or one of our hand-picked catering suppliers.

Do you provide a cake stand?

‍The Oaks does have two cake stands that can be used. You must provide a board to place your wedding cake/desserts onto.

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When should the wedding cake be dropped off at The Oaks?

‍Your wedding cake is to be dropped off at The Oaks on the morning of your wedding from 10am.

‍It’s the responsibility of the wedding party to organise the cake display/set up of all cakes and dessert table options.

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Is there any restriction when supplying our own wedding cakes, dessert tables, sweetie tables, cheese wedding cakes etc?

Couples can bring their own cake etc, however we must have any supporting allergen documentation for each of the products that has been provided.

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Wedding Cake Cutting?

If couples would like the cake to be cut and wrapped for their guests to eat or take home, this must be arranged with Ridgway Caters. Ridgway’s will provide a knife to cut the cake for photo opportunities. It is your responsibility to provide napkins or cake boxes for the cake.

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Does The Oaks supply a sweetie/dessert table?

We have a rustic cart that can be used on the day, please let us know at your itinerary meeting to make sure it is available and suitable.

You can provide your own sweet display, or we have several packages available to choose from. See more info over at our brochure www.theoaksbarn.co.uk. We do not allow crisp or donut walls.

Does The Oaks supply crockery and cutlery?

Our in-house caterers Ridgway provide all crockery and cutlery. The Oaks provides all glassware.

Outside entertainment

‍Do you allow bouncy castles and other inflatables?

‍We do not allow bouncy castles or any other large inflatable entertainment activities.

Do you allow lanterns to be released?

We do not permit lanterns to be released as they can be harmful to the wildlife.

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Do you allow fireworks?

‍Unfortunately, fireworks are not permitted at our venue.

Do you allow smoke flares?

We do allow flares outside the building to the rear grassed area with prior agreement.  Please let us know in advance of your wedding if flares will be used.

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Do you allow sparklers to be used?

‍We do allow sparkler shots outside to the rear of the wedding barn on the grassed area only and this will be fully supervised by staff members.

‍Sparklers must be stored in a sealed metal tin. The couple are to provide adequate means of lighting them.

‍The Oaks will provide metal buckets to store the spent sparklers in.

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Do you allow music outside the building?

‍Our license does not permit amplified music to the outside the building.

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Alcohol

Where is outdoor drinking permitted at The Oaks?

Our Premises licence covers outdoor consumption of alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages to the rear of the building only. Drinking at the front and side of the building is not permitted and glasses cannot be taken outside in these areas.

Do we offer corkage?

Unfortunately, we do not offer corkage. All alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages consumed on the premises must be purchased at our bar which is open from times stated.

Smoking & Vaping

Where can I smoke or vape at The Oaks?

Smoking and vaping is only permitted within signed areas outside the building. At the rear of the venue is a designated undercover smoking area overlooking our pond. We kindly ask guests not to smoke or vape under the pergola to the rear of the venue as it is in the best interests of other guests.

Noise

Here at The Oaks, we ask your band or DJ to keep under 95 decibels, if the sound level repeated goes over, we may stop the music and that we wouldn’t want to happen.

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Important info

How do I book my civil ceremony at The Oaks?

The Oaks comes under Staffordshire Moorlands District Council and once you have held your wedding date here with us at The Oaks you have seven days to contact Staffordshire Moorlands Registry Office and book in your Civil Ceremony.

The contact information for Staffordshire Moorlands Registry Office is as follows -

Tel; 0300 111 8001

‍Website; https://staffordshireceremonies.co.uk/

‍ ‍The process is simple; it can be done online or by a telephone call.

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What happens if our wedding is running late?

‍Sometimes the bride and groom can be fashionably late on the day! The staff at The Oaks will help where needed to ensure all aspects continue to run smoothly.

Food is freshly prepared in The Oaks kitchen and will be ready at the agreed time. If your day is running late, it becomes progressively more difficult to maintain food at its very best, so we always recommend trying to keep this particular aspect of the day on time.

Always be respectful our neighbours when entering and leaving the venue