Q. What time would you advise is a good time to host the ceremony?
A. The time will very much depend on the availability of the registrar; however, we find that between 1.00pm and 2.00pm tend to be the most popular options. Timings are based on your requirements and plans. See below for an example of how the day would unfold:
1.30pm – Ceremony
2.00pm – Drinks Reception
3.00pm – Group Photographs & Confetti
4.00pm – Guests to be Seated for Wedding Breakfast & Speeches *Please allow a  minimum of 2 hours for the Wedding Breakfast*
7.30pm – Evening Guests to Arrive
11.30pm – Last Orders/Music to end
12.00am – Carriages

Q. We’ve booked the venue, what do we do now?
A. The next important step is to book the registrar. It is a legal requirement that you book and organise the registrar therefore this isn’t something we can do on your behalf. Please contact Ripley (Derbyshire) Registry Office direct on 01773 841380 to book your wedding date and to arrange giving notice of marriage.

Q. Does our Wedding Coordinator help us with our planning?
A. Throughout your planning process, our wedding team are very much on hand to help you as little or as much as you like. If you ever have any questions or if you ever need any assistance with your planning please do not hesitate to contact us – we are always happy to help. Alternatively, if you would like to visit us to discuss your plans, please do contact us to arrange a meeting.

Q. When do we have a food tasting and planning meeting?
A. We will invite you for a complimentary tasting of your chosen menu approximately 6 months prior to your big day. You are extremely welcome to invite guests to join you and enjoy this experience. There will be a charge of £30.00 per additional guest you bring. Please note, that tastings do not include complimentary wine or alcoholic beverages.

Throughout your planning journey, we will keep in touch with you, and your final planning meeting will be approximately 6 – 8 weeks prior to your big day.

Q. Where can we go for our wedding photographs?
A. Kedleston Country House is beautifully nestled in rolling fields and breathtaking countryside with its own quaint English gardens. There are many photo opportunities within the immediate surroundings, it really is a photographers’ dream.

Q. How much are the bedrooms and when can I check in?
A. You, as the bride can start your wedding day at Kedleston Country House from 12pm. The remaining residential guests’ can check in from 3pm. The following morning, breakfast will be served from 9.30am until 10.30am. We ask that guests depart no later than 11.00am. Prices for our bedrooms are available upon request.

Q. Do I need a seating plan for my ceremony?
A. We tend to find that most couples will let guests sit wherever they like during the ceremony, however if you wish to reserve seats at the front for the bridesmaids and other family members, we ask that you produce ‘Reserved’ signs for these seats and communicate this with your wedding co-ordinator. Your wedding coordinator will place these on the chairs during set-up, however during the ceremony, it will be the responsibility of the ushers/best man or a trusted family member to ensure that the correct people are seated in these places.

Q. Can we leave cars overnight?
A. Yes, in the main car park only. Vehicles are left at the owners’ own risk and must be collected the following day by 11am.

Q. What sort of music may we have, and until what time?
A. A disco or a live band is permitted. We do have an in-house DJ that you are very welcome to use. The charge for this service is £400.00 however, you are welcome to use your own preferred choice. Should this be the case, we must receive a copy of their Public Liability Insurance and PAT test certificates at least one week before your wedding date.
Music finishes at 11.30pm.

Q. Can we have candles?
A. Candles are permitted as long as all flames are covered and are in a lantern or a votive higher than the flame. We do not allow tall taper candles nor candles on the stair case.

Q. May we throw confetti?
A. Yes with pleasure however, please only use real rose/flower petals or biodegradable confetti. You can get 10% off your confetti order with The Confetti Cone Company using code HONEY10

Q. Do you need anything from my wedding suppliers, such as photographers, DJ’s and cake maker?
A. The Kedleston Country House requires signed Supplier Agreements from your wedding suppliers. This is a document which states our Terms and Conditions, and will need to be signed to show that your suppliers agree to our terms.

Q. When do you need to receive our documents, such as seating plan and Supplier Agreements, by?
A. We will ask for you to give as many of these details as you can at your final meeting with your wedding co-ordinator (6-8 weeks before their big day), however we appreciate that changes may need to be made after that date. If changes do need to be made, we ask that these are made in a phone call and confirmed with the wedding co-ordinator two weeks before your wedding date.

Q. Why do we need insurance?
A. It’s easy to see Wedding Insurance as another expense however, for how little it costs, Wedding Insurance can offer you a great peace of mind and a financial safety net. Insurance can cover everything from freak weather conditions, the cancellation of suppliers to damage and injuries caused by your wedding guests. From our perspective, our aim is to prolong and protect the Kedleston Country House. Sadly, accidents do happen therefore, if damage is caused by a guest for example, with the correct insurance cover, you personally will not be the one counting the losses.