WEDDING FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

+ WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE VENUE HIRE?

For wedding ceremonies and receptions at Otley Hall, our venue hire includes:

• Exclusive use of our 10-acres of grounds on the day of your wedding and a choice of four stunning indoor and outdoor settings for your wedding ceremony and reception (The Great Hall, The Linenfold Parlour, The Summerhouse and Martha’s Barn)
• Use of our Oak Room for getting ready for your special day with complimentary refreshments
• Furniture for indoor ceremonies and your wedding breakfast
• Onsite overnight parking for guests
• A personal wedding coordinator

For marquee weddings, marquee hire will be at your own expense and the supplier will normally include all furniture for your wedding breakfast. For all ceremonies held on the croquet lawn, you can hire appropriate chairs. Please see our recommended suppliers page for further useful information.

+ ARE LINEN, CROCKERY, CUTLERY & GLASSWARE INCLUDED IN THE VENUE HIRE?

No, this will be included in the quote provided by your caterer. Please speak to your chosen caterer if you have any questions about linen and tableware hire. Glassware and staffing for the evening bar is included within our venue hire.

+ DO YOU HOLD WEDDINGS ALL YEAR ROUND?

Yes, Otley Hall looks magical in every season and we can hold weddings throughout the year over both weekdays and weekends.

+ CAN WE COME BACK AND SEE THE HALL & GARDENS AGAIN?

Yes, of course. You are very welcome to return for further visits and bring family and friends along too. Please get in touch to arrange an appointment with your wedding coordinator.

+ CAN WE ACCESS THE VENUE BEFORE OUR WEDDING DAY?

You can have non-exclusive access on the day prior to your wedding from 2pm – 5pm to give you the opportunity to start decorating the rooms and to drop off personal effects. If you would like access to the venue to host guests prior to your wedding day, please get in touch with your wedding coordinator. Additional venue hire and catering charges may apply. You also have non-exclusive access until 11am the following day to collect all personal effects.

+ WHAT TIME CAN WE ARRIVE ON THE DAY?

The bridal party can have early access from 9am on the day of your wedding. If you would like to have use of the Oak Room earlier than 9am, please get in touch with your wedding coordinator to arrange early access.

+ HOW MUCH OF THE GARDEN CAN WE USE?

You will have exclusive use of almost all of the 10 acres. The area around the swimming pool and tennis court is strictly private as is the terrace to the rear (moat side) of the Hall. The pool house and outbuildings other than Martha’s Barn are also private.

+ DO YOU PROVIDE CATERING?

We have a number of highly recommended caterers, chosen for their outstanding levels of expertise and creativity, to suit all tastes and dining styles. We kindly ask that you choose from our list of talented chefs to cater for your wedding at Otley Hall. Please see our Terms and Conditions page for further details. We can also sometimes offer in-house catering for intimate weddings.

+ DO YOU PROVIDE DRINKS & THE EVENING BAR?

For the evening reception, we provide a fully staffed bar and bespoke bar menus, including an extensive range of wines, spirits, bottled beers and cocktails upon request. Please get in touch with our event coordinator for further details. You are also welcome to provide your own wine, subject to agreed corkage charges.

+ CAN YOU HELP WITH RECOMMENDING ACCOMMODATION?

Yes. We have a list of nearby hotels and B&Bs to suit all budgets.

+ HOW MUCH OF THE ROOMS CAN WE DECORATE?

As much as you like, subject to our approval. All decorations must be fixed with string or some form of non-invasive fastener to protect our historic venue. We kindly ask that under no circumstances are nails or screws to be used.

+ DO YOU PROVIDE ANY VENUE DECOR?

No, we do not provide this service as we find that couples like having the opportunity to completely personalise the venue to reflect their own style and tastes. Please see our recommended supplier page for a number of fabulous companies that can help you with décor and styling.

+ DO YOU HAVE WIFI?

Yes, we have Wi-Fi throughout the Hall and in Martha’s Barn.

+ CAN WE HAVE FIREWORKS OR CHINESE LANTERNS?

Otley Hall is surrounded by picturesque countryside and is located close to the centre of Otley village. For this reason, we prefer not to have fireworks to avoid any disruption to our neighbours or damage to the grounds and wildlife. Whilst Chinese lanterns can appear attractive, they are a considerable hazard to both the hall and neighbouring farmland and properties. For this reason, we do not permit them.

+ CAN WE HAVE CANDLES?

Yes, of course. All candles must be placed safely in appropriate holders under our instruction. They can be used in most rooms and in the garden.

+ DO YOU ALLOW CONFETTI?

Yes, no wedding is complete without it! To protect our beautiful environment, guests must use dried rose petals only. Artificial confetti, particularly foil backed card, is very difficult to clean up and can easily remain in the gardens and become damaging to flora and fauna. Confetti can be thrown on any hard surface in the grounds. Our favourite spot is on the terrace by the archway that leads through to the rose lawn!

+ ARE YOU CHILD FRIENDLY?

Yes, we are a very family-friendly venue and welcome children of all ages. However, we do have expanses of open deep water throughout the grounds, including our moat and H-canal; therefore, we do highly recommend arranging professional childcare for your private event at Otley Hall.

+ ARE YOU DOG FRIENDLY?

Dogs are welcome to be part of your special day. We ask that they are kept on leads at all times, and we recommend considering a dog chaperone so you know that your four legged friend is in safe hands for the day.

+ WHAT TYPE OF MUSIC CAN WE HAVE?

Discos, bands, a string quartet – whatever would make your wedding day special to you! Please remember that any music played at a ceremony must not have any religious connection and music choices should be confirmed with your registrar.

+ WHEN DOES OUR DAY HAVE TO END?

All good things come to an end. Our licence stipulates that all music must stop promptly at 11pm and the bar must also close at 11pm. All guests must have left the grounds by midnight - we find by that time, everyone is ready for a good night’s sleep!

+ CAN GUESTS LEAVE CARS/ BELONGINGS OVERNIGHT?

Absolutely, there is ample parking on site. However, all cars and personal belongings must be collected before 11am the following day. We accept no responsibility for any item left at Otley Hall.