Weddings FAQs
HOW DO WE BOOK A VIEWING?
Email [email protected] to book a viewing, you will receive a response within 24 hours. If you would like to come the same day, you can call Georgia on 07597 707 505 to book in a time. Or you can fill in this form.
IS THE VENUE EXCLUSIVE USE?
Yes, the venue is always kept exclusively for our couples and their wedding guests.
HOW DO WE SECURE A DATE?
To secure a wedding date, please email [email protected] with your chosen date. You will then be sent a contract, once this is signed and your deposit is received you will receive confirmation of your chosen date being secured.
CAN WE HAVE A CIVIL CEREMONY?
Yes, we are fully licensed, and have a choice of locations for a ceremony to be set up. Either outside on the gazebo or in Waterside Country Barn itself.
DO YOU OFFER OUTDOOR CEREMONIES?
Yes, as well as being able to utilise Waterside Country Barn for your reception, we are also licensed to hold ceremonies on the decking in front of our emerald green lake. You are free to decide on the location for your ceremony the day before your wedding.
CAN WE HAVE CONFETTI?
Yes absolutely! Confetti is a must, however, it must be biodegradable / natural confetti. We recommend companies such as The Dried Petal Company, or perhaps you could dry your own flowers for the time leasing up to your wedding, so the petals thrown mean something!
CAN DOGS BE PART OF THE CEREMONY / DAY?
Absolutely! A man / woman’s best friend can come and join in the celebrations! Discuss your requirements with your wedding co-Ordinator. We usually allow dogs for the ceremony and then they’re usually picked up prior to everyone sitting down for the wedding breakfast. Dogs are not permitted to stay in our glamping lodges.
CAN WE HAVE A CHURCH WEDDING?
Yes, there are plenty of beautiful churches local to Waterside Country Barn. If you choose to marry in a Church, the closest church is St Giles’ Church in Bradford on Tone, which is just 3 minutes’ drive from us.
Within 5- 10 minutes’ drive we also have St Bartholomew in Oake, The Holy Cross church in Hillfarrance, St John’s church in Heathfield.
In Taunton and wellington there are several other churches within a 15 minute drive.
WHAT IS YOUR CAPACITY?
Waterside Country Barn can accommodate up to 160 seated and 250 standing.
WHO IS THE LOCAL REGISTRAR?
Somerset Wedding Registration Service.
Phone: 01823 282251
Fax: 01823 351173 (Taunton Office)
Email: [email protected]
WHAT IS YOUR CLOSING TIME?
11pm is our carriages time.
CAN WE INVITE ADDITIONAL EVENING GUESTS?
Yes, we can accommodate a total of 250 guests for the evening party.
DO YOU HAVE ONSITE ACCOMMODATION?
Yes, we have four quirky and unique glamping lodges onsite. Please see the Accommodation page for more information. We also have a comprehensive list of recommended accommodation suitable for up to 300 people, near Waterside Country Barn and all within a 15-20 minute taxi ride.
IS THERE WIFI AT THE BARN?
Yes we have Wifi available for you and your guests to use at Waterside Country Barn.
CAN I GET READY AT WATERSIDE COUNTRY BARN?
Of course, Our beautiful new ‘Blue Room’ is there for all your morning preparations!
CAN WE BRING OUR OWN FLOWERS AND DECORATIONS?
Waterside Country Barn is yours for the day and you can decorate it as you wish. We have our own decorations to get you started and a list of trusted local suppliers which you can view once booked and have access to your ‘My wedding at Waterside Country Barn’ part of the website.
DOES THE VENUE ALLOW NAKED FLAMES?
No, being mostly wooden in construction, we only allow LED candles within the barn.
DOES THE VENUE ALLOW FIREWORKS?
Due to being located within an equestrian center we are unable to allow fireworks. However, we do work with a local lighting company- Bright Blue Light who are able to create a light show over our lake – something that your guests won’t forget in a hurry!
DOES THE VENUE HAVE ANY LAWN GAMES WE CAN USE?
Yes, we do have a range of lawn games here which can be used free of charge, we also have the famous wooden and rustic; coconut shy, giant noughts and crosses and bean bag toss which can be hired for an additional fee.
CAN WE USE OUR OWN CATERERS?
Yes you can, we currently have two wedding packages, the Cygnet package (venue and accommodation hire) and the Swan Package (all-inclusive). With the Cygnet package you are able to use your own caterers.
We also have a list of trusted caterers you can use and can recommend these at our planning meetings.
DO WE HAVE TO USE YOUR RECCOMMENDED SUPPLIERS?
No! We are very open to meeting new brilliant suppliers! As long as they have the necessary certificates and insurance then you can use your own suppliers.
ARE CROCKERY AND LINEN INCLUDED IN THE CYGNET PACKAGE?
No, usually a caterer will bring their own crockery and linen, so if you’re booking the cygnet package, your caterer should include that in their quote to you.
If however, you are booking the Swan package then this will of course be included.
DO YOU OFFER FOOD TASTINGS?
Yes, this can be arranged with the chef.
ARE YOUR CATERERS ABLE TO CATER FOR DIFFERENT DIETARY REQUIREMENTS?
Yes, we are used to working with all sorts of dietary requirements here at Waterside Country Barn.
WHAT SIZE TABLES DO YOU HAVE?
We have 6ft round tables (best for 7-10 guests) and 6ft trestle tables (which seat 6 guests, 3 on each side).
DO YOU HAVE A WEDDING PLANNING SERVICE?
Working with you to plan and organise is a key part of what we do at Waterside Country Barn. We will support you throughout the planning process and will be there on the day to make sure everything goes smoothly and you don’t need to think about anything. Our previous couples have often said as soon as they arrived at Waterside Country Barn, they immediately felt at ease.
WHAT ARE YOUR TERMS OF PAYMENT?
To secure your wedding at Waterside Country Barn, we require a £1,000 + VAT deposit. Twelve months before your wedding we ask for a third of your balance, then 6 months another third. Then a final payment, for the remaining balance three months before your wedding.
IS THE BARN WARM?
Waterside Country Barn is fitted with an advanced air heating system that can be turned on at your request.
IS THE BARN COLD?
Waterside Country Barn has huge windows to make the most of the views towards the lake, meaning that without the heating on it can be chilly in the Winter months. Luckily with our new heating system we are able to host events at anytime of year and have a comfortable temperature within the barn.
WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS FOR MUSIC?
For the ceremony and drinks reception, we have an on-site PA system that you are welcome to plug in your own iPod, or similar, playlist. Or you can send your playlists to your wedding Co-Ordinator and she will look after this for you. We also have several excellent wedding background playlists on hand if you are not wanting to choose specific music. Alternatively, you are also welcome to have live music. In the evening, we recommend you use our trusted supplier list to book a band or DJ for your evening reception!
WHAT TIME CAN MY EVENING GUESTS ARRIVE?
We recommend that they arrive anytime from an hour after your wedding breakfast and speeches finish.
IS THERE STILL SEATING WHEN THE VENUE IS CONVERTED FOR THE EVENING RECEPTION?
Yes, we understand how important it is for guests to be able to sit and chat into the night and be comfortable. We leave most of your tables and chairs from your wedding breakfast set up and just move out the ones closest to the dance floor and band area.
DOES THE BAR ACCEPT CASH AND CARD PAYMENTS?
Yes!
DO YOU HAVE AN OPEN FIREPIT?
Yes, we have a beautiful antique Indian Kadai firepit just outside on the lawn, surrounded by strawbales which guests love to sit by. Why not include a Marshmallow / smores station at your wedding?
DO WE NEED TO PACK UP AT THE END OF THE NIGHT?
No! Your wedding is meant to be a wonderful day, packing up is not on the agenda! Our team will work hard after your guests leave at 11pm to ensure the next day is as stress free as possible for you. All your items are left together and securely in the barn ready to collect the next day so you can easily load them up into your car.
WHAT HAPPENS IF MY EVENT IS CANCELLED?
On rare occasions a client will need to cancel their event. We recommend that you get wedding insurance in case of unforeseeable circumstances.
www.moneysupermarket.com/wedding-insurance.
IS IT EASY TO FIND?
Yes, Despite being incredible tranquil site, we are just 10 minutes from junction 26 of the M5 and just 3 minutes from the A38 between Taunton and Wellington, so very easily accessible.
If you type in ‘Waterside Country Barn’ to google maps for example. Or us our What3Words address – conveniently named; ‘Confetti / Warnings / Showdown’ However, we recommend not navigating to us using just our post code as this covers a large area and will not bring you directly to the barn. Best to use our directions and tips on our Finding us page.
IS THERE PARKING?
We have parking for 109 cars onsite.
CAN WE LEAVE CARS PARKED OVERNIGHT?
Yes, you can leave cars in our carpark overnight, as long as they are collected by midday the following day. Cars left are done so at the owners risk.
CAN COACHES COME TO THE BARN?
Yes- Berry’s Coaches offer our couples an excellent discount for using them to ferry your guests around! They have a range of different transport options to suit your requirements.
DO YOU HAVE LOCAL TAXI COMPANIES WE COULD USE?
Yes here are a few that are local to the venue.
IS THERE WHEELCHAIR ACCESS?
Yes, we have disabled parking spaces in the carpark available for guests to use and also a disabled bay next to the barn, with a ramped access directly into the side of Waterside Country Barn.
We also have disabled toilet facilities.
DOES THE BARN HAVE A HEARING LOOP?
Yes- please let us know if this is required for your wedding.
DO YOU HAVE BABY CHANGING FACILITIES, HIGH CHAIRS AND SPACE FOR BREASTFEEDING?
Yes, we have a baby change within our disabled toilet, we have two highchairs onsite and can hire in more if required. You’re welcome to breastfeed in our blue room upstairs.