2023 Wedding info

 Weddings & Events 2023

General Information.

An Abbey wedding or event is a highly bespoke and individual affair; events here are treated with the upmost privacy and exclusivity. Excellent food, drink and quality are at the very heart of what we aim to produce. Our experienced team of chefs and front of house staff work tirelessly to execute your tailored day to perfection.

We have put together this information as a guide to help pull together your day and attempt to answer some of the more commonly asked questions.

The meal;  This refers solely to the main meal which will consist of your own choice of 4 starters, 4 main courses, 4 pudding and tea, coffee and homemade petit fours. Alternatively you may choose to have a fixed menu, without choices and in this instance we will offer you an extra course such a cheese or fish course, or extra alcohol free of charge.

The price for 2023 starts at £95 per guest for exclusive use, and £49.95pp for none exclusive use of the venue.  It is £20pp for children under 12 years of age (3’s and under are £5pp). This price includes all the food, service and hire of the venue. Although you may wish to select your very own bespoke menu, some fine examples of what is available are included in this pack.

Additional things you may wish to consider are; fresh flowers, wedding cake, decorations, favours, a photographer, table plan and name cards, band or DJ, light entertainment & musical interlude.

The abbey can seat up to 125 for the wedding breakfast and is licensed for up to 160 for later celebrations. The minimum number of guests for exclusive use of the building is 80 adults on a Saturday and 60 adults on a Friday, other days of the week are negotiable. Any wedding over 100 guests are advised to hire a marquee to the front on the building to allow extra room for guests throughout the day in case of bad weather etc.

There is not set table amount, this allows you the freedom to sit each group comfortably together and takes the stress out of creating the perfect table plan. Table sizes can range from 4 to 24 in size and include odd numbers and high chairs of which we have 10.

The normal run of the day will be that you will arrive, around one hour after the ceremony start time, have a drink on arrival and possibly some nibbles. This will usually take around 1.5 to 2 hours depending mostly on how many photographs are planned and whether or not you wish to have a formal receiving line.

The wedding breakfast will take around 2.5 hours to serve at a steady pace giving each guest time to relax and enjoy the supper and whole event. At this time you may wish to include some wine with the meal.

Time is always factored in for speeches although there are not set rules as to when these will be many people now choose to have the speeches before supper or after! The traditional time remains after dinner as most guests will be ready for some entertainment by then. This may be a time you wish to serve a drink for the toast. As the Abbey does not conform to a regular shape we tend to gather the guests in to one area for the speeches although the use of our surround sound, radio microphone is always advised should someone wish to remain in their seat they will still here you perfectly.

Evening guests are invited to arrive around 30 minutes after the planned end time of supper. You may wish to provide evening guest drinks at this time. Evening food can then be served at an appropriate time during the evening and some suggestions are enclosed in this pack.

We are licensed until Midnight for drinking and dancing, at which time all guest are requested to have their transport arranged. This is a common time to hosts to offer a surprise treat such as an Ice cream cone or piece of wedding cake with or without a special drink such as a cocktail or Digestif.

Children are very welcome at The Abbey and we always go the extra mile to make them feel at home and well catered for. You may choose to select something specific from the children’s menu or offer a tailored choice from your own wedding menu. This will usually depend on how many children are in attendance and what their ages are. We have extensive children’s facilities and a large outdoor play area.

Opening the bar is something that happens less so these days than in the past. The bar will be open for your guests to use from your arrival time, however you may choose to allow your guests to pay for their own drinks for the course of the day or select a certain time or budget limit to apply to the day. For example; open the bar after dinner or put £500 behind the bar. We can also organize set drinks beforehand such as soft drinks buffet, or buckets of beers, Gin and Tonic. Extra drinks on arrival or wine on the table can also be arranged, all adding to guests experience while avoiding unknown bar bills.

At all times during the lead up to your day we will be on hand to answer your questions, help and advise you about all things wedding related and assure you that an Abbey wedding is really the most personal and exclusive on the Island. The picturesque Abbey surroundings are accessible for all your photographic needs and we have a fully licensed beer garden at your disposal throughout the day.

Wedding ceremonies can also take place within the Abbey restaurant itself for a price of £400 with a maximum of 65 guests.

Thank you for enquiring about your wedding here at the Abbey, may we take this opportunity to wish you every future happiness.

The Abbey Team.