FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WEDDINGS

Can we get married at The Reading Room?

Yes we are licensed for ceremonies both inside the main hall, outside under the Pergola or in the gardens as part of a Duo ceremony.

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How do we book our wedding ceremony at The Reading Room?

Once you have your chosen date at The Reading Room, you should contact the Norfolk Registrar Team at https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/births-ceremonies-and-deaths/marriages-and-civil-partnerships. 

Using their online booking system you can select and pay for your chosen date and time.

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Can you get married at the church next door?

St Ethelbert's is open for religious marriage ceremonies and blessings. We can provide contact details to put you in touch with either the Parish Priest or Church Warden.

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Are we able to have a ceremony only at The Reading Room?

Yes ceremonies can be booked for Monday - Thursday's. 

 

Can we throw confetti?

We are happy for natural flower petals to be thrown in the gardens, but unfortunately cannot allow them or confetti cannons within The Reading Room.

 

How many guests can I invite to my wedding?

You can have up to 80 guests for the ceremony and reception and up to a maximum of 110 guests for the evening.

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THE VENUE

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When can we access the venue and can we put decorations up inside?

As an exclusive use venue we want you to do no more than enjoy your wedding day. You and your suppliers will have access to the venue from 1-6pm on the day before your wedding, to set up and decorate the venue and drop off any drinks. We will be on hand to help with the set up and any decorations you may want to hang from the beams.

The caterers can also come in to drop off and set up tables for the big day.

 

Any electrical items that are to be used within The Reading Room must be PAT tested and a certificate provided on request.

 

On the day of the wedding, catering and other local suppliers will have access from 9.00 am

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Do you supply all the tables and chairs?

Tables and chairs are included in the venue hire.

We have four 5ft 6in round tables which comfortably seat 10 guests and five 5ft round tables which comfortably seat 8-9 guests.

We do have various size trestle tables that can be used, if you wish to have a more traditional long top table and smaller tables for card box/guest book and evening food etc.

We also have two highchairs available for you to use.

 

Will there be someone to help plan and support me on the wedding day?

As a family business, we are here to help you plan your special day. We will be on hand on the day itself to help make sure everything runs smoothly and is a day to remember for all the right reasons.

 

Do you recommend other suppliers?

We are lucky to work with many great local suppliers providing services such as photography, wedding cakes, flowers, bands, taxi's and other entertainment. We can supply a list of recommended suppliers upon request to help you plan your special day.

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Do you have accessible facilities?

Guests with disabilities may be dropped off closer to the venue, either by coming to the back of The Reading Room or to the Old Rectory. The Reading Room has good access through all doors for wheelchairs and the floor in the main hall, bar area and accessible toilet is on one level. 

 

Is the The Reading Room warm in Spring & Autumn? 

Thanks to the underfloor heating throughout, The Reading Room stays lovely and cosy in early Spring and late Autumn. But also keeps lovely and cool in the Summer time thanks to the beautiful old brickwork.

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Do you have accommodation on site or a room for the bride to get ready?

We do not have any accommodation or rooms on site, but are blessed with many lovely hotels, guest houses, barns and cottages in the surrounding areas. We have a list of local recommendations on request, please get in touch.

 

What about music & entertainment?

Feel free to use your own DJ and Band or we can help with recommendations. They will be asked to keep the music to a comfortable level for your guests as we are in a rural area.

We do have a pa system for your ceremony and background music during the day.

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All music will need to be switched off at 11.30pm on a Friday & Saturday and at 11pm Sunday-Thursday.

 

Do you have ample parking?

Yes there is plenty of parking in the main carpark. Guests are welcome to leave cars overnight but do need to collect them the following morning between 8am and 11am. The Reading Room does not take any responsibility for any vehicles or their contents left in the car park area.

 

Can we have fireworks & sky lanterns?

As we are situated in a beautiful rural location, which we are keen to protect, fireworks and sky lanterns are not permitted.

 

Are we able to have a fire pit?
Unfortunately, due to health and safety reasons it isn’t possible to have a fire pit. You are welcome to hire patio heaters if you wish. We find a basket of cosy fleecy blankets works well for those slightly chiller evenings.

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Can I bring my dog to the wedding?

Your dog is more than welcome to join you after the ceremony for photos and celebrations, we just ask that they are on a lead and well supervised. Please contact us if you would like to discuss this further.

 

What time will my wedding and evening party finish?

Friday and Saturday:

We advise that last drinks be served at 11.20pm and the final dance to be at 11.30pm after which time the music is switched off. We request that carriages are at 11.45 and the gates close at midnight.

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Sunday - Thursday:

We advise that last drinks be served at 10.50pm and the final dance to be at 11.00pm after which time the music is switched off. We request that carriages are at 11.15pm and the gates close at 11.30pm

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CATERING & THE BAR

 

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Can I bring in my own caterer or use my friends and family to do my catering?

Food plays an integral part on the day and we want everything to be of the highest standard for you.

 

In our experience, we believe the best option for you to have a great wedding is to use professional caterers rather than rely on friends and family. As a responsible venue, we want to operate within the guidance and requirements for food hygiene and safety. We do therefore only work with an exclusive list of excellent local caterers who are the only companies permitted to cater at The Reading Room.

 

They are all as passionate as we are about creating a magical day with first class service and food. They are creative and flexible and very happy to design a menu to your requirements for your special day.

 

So regrettably this means we cannot accommodate self-catering wedding food and the catering area is for staff only.

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Do you have table linen, glasses, crockery etc for us to use?

All table linen, glassware, cutlery and crockery is not supplied by The Reading Room. Our caterers will be able to include these items in your quotation.

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Can we have street food and vans to provide food for our evening guests?

Yes this is possible and we work with some great local suppliers. We just ask that you discuss this with us first before booking anyone. As for all our caterers, they must have a five-star hygiene rating and public liability insurance.

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Can we supply our own drinks and do you charge corkage?

You are welcome to supply your own drinks and there is no corkage charge. The caterers will serve the drinks throughout the day and evening for you. We provide a bar fridge as well as a large fridge and freezer for all your drinks.

For full bar options at The Reading Room, please get in touch.

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