Brochure
 
Title Image

Your Questions Answered

FAQs

Access & Departure

What time do we have access to Parley Manor to decorate?

Your Ushers/Bridesmaids have access to the Ceremony and Main Marquee from 8 am on the morning of your wedding day to decorate. Please note tablecloths will be ironed by 9 am.

 

Wedding Guest access is from 1 hour before the ceremony.

Do you have parking at Parley Manor?

Yes, there is complimentary overnight parking at Parley Manor. We have plenty of parking spaces, and cars may be left overnight at the owners’ risk for collection the next morning by 11 am at the latest.

What time can the groom/Partner and guests arrive?

The groom/partner should arrive from 1 hour before the
ceremony and guests are advised to arrive from 45 minutes before the ceremony. If your ceremony is at 2 pm, the groom/partner should arrive at 1 pm.

If my guests are early, where can they go?

If guests arrive early, there is a golf course situated on the Parley Court estate that has a bar/café where guests can relax and enjoy refreshments while waiting.

What time does the party finish and guests depart?

Music finishes at midnight, last orders are called at 11:30 pm and the bar closes at 11:45 pm.

We recommend that taxis are ordered in advance and arrive around 11:50 pm, a free phone is available in the cloakroom area of the marquee. If you are staying at the manor, please vacate the marquee and gardens by 12:30 am the latest.

General

How many guests can the Pavilion & Main Marquee hold?

The Pavilion can hold 150 guests for your ceremony. The minimum number of adult guests for a wedding is 50 except on Friday & Saturdays where a minimum of 60 adult guests applies.

 

The Main Marquee holds 150 guests for your wedding breakfast and up to 200 guests in the evening.

Are Candles and Tea-Lights allowed at the venue?

Candles and tea-lights are permitted at Parley Manor; however, we ask that all candles are placed in a container/jar that is 1inch taller than the wick. Due to health and safety reasons, we cannot allow candelabras with real candles and all candles must be changed to battery-powered in the evening.

Can you pay by card at the bar?

We are a cashless venue; we no longer take cash on any occasion. Please pay by card or contactless device at the bar.

Is Parley Manor accessible for wheelchairs?

Yes, Parley Manor grounds are fully accessible for wheelchair users. We will advise you at your rehearsal on the access available.

Do we have a Wedding rehearsal?

We have a pre-wedding meeting at 9:15 am on the day before your Wedding.

Who can attend the pre-wedding meeting?

We encourage couples to invite solely 1 usher, the best man, and the chief bridesmaid. Do not worry if some are unable to make it, we will go over this on the day if need be.

Is there somewhere quiet to nurse a baby?

Yes, the house is available during the day and evening if the accommodation was hired, if not, the ceremony marquee is available once guests are moved into the main marquee. Alternatively, we can cordon off an area in the main marquee with a vintage blind.

Do you supply Easels?

Yes, we have 5 Ivory/wooden easels that can be used for A1/A2 welcome signs, order of the day, table plans, etc.

Do you have a PA, Music system for music?

Yes, the Pavilion and the Main Marquee have a PA system that you can use during the ceremony/welcome drinks and for background music during the wedding breakfast. Your music can be played from a Phone (Parley Manor will supply an aux lead). Please note as we do not have WIFI in the gardens, please make sure all playlists are previously downloaded.

Do you have microphones?

We have static microphones in the ceremony and 2 portable microphones for the speeches in the main marquee.

Ceremonies & Drinks Reception

Do we need to contact the registrar?

Yes. As soon as you have secured your wedding date at Parley Manor, please contact Bournemouth registration services on 01202 123777 or B-C.ceremonies@bcpcouncil.gov.uk

Do you allow confetti?

Only large fresh rose petals are allowed in our gardens. Please inform your guests. Fresh Rose petals can be purchased from Maria at Simply Flower: 07970917413 or source your own.

Can we play music on our phone during the Ceremony?

Yes, if you are playing music on your phone during the ceremony, the music needs to be downloaded on your phone using apple music/Spotify and you need to dedicate a person responsible for playing the music (We recommend an Usher.)

Do we need a Ceremony seating plan?

For couples who are holding their ceremony with us at Parley Manor, we will ask you to complete and return a Ceremony seating plan 2 weeks prior to your day.

Wedding Breakfast

When do you need to have Final Numbers?

We will require your final numbers around 1 month before your big day. Merlin’s Catering Company will also ask you for your final numbers around 4 weeks prior to your day.

When do Merlin’s need the Wedding Breakfast Table plan?

Merlin’s will ask for your table plan 1 week prior to your day. The display version of the table plan will be required at your rehearsal.

How many guests can be seated around each table?

The top table varies in size from 2-14 guests depending on what shape you chose: Horseshoe/Straight/Round. We have 5 large 10 seater rounds which are 6ft and then the rest are medium rounds which are 5ft and can seat up to 8 guests. We recommend seating no less than 6 guests on these tables.

Can we bring our own Alcohol?

If you would like to supply your own beverages Merlin’s Catering Company offer corkage, or you can supply 5cl bottles as your wedding favours.

Do you have a projector for speeches?

We do not have a projector; however, you can bring your own projector and laptop, and we can supply a projector screen and a table.

Do you supply Highchairs?

We can supply up to 4 highchairs for any little guests to use during the wedding breakfast. If you require any more, parents can supply their own.

Can we have Fireworks?

Fireworks are not permitted at Parley Manor, due to our proximity to the airport & equestrian centre. You are, however, more than welcome to provide Sparklers for a dazzling send-off at the end of the evening.

Who will need to setup / layout all the little extra items we would like to have, eg place names, cake and guest book?

Please see below a list of items you may wish to supply for your wedding and who will set this up. (please supply boxes):-

We will setup: -

  1. Place names - in table order please (Required).
  2. Table Names/Numbers (Required).
  3. Table Plan, size A3 - A1 (Required) 1 of 5 of our easels will be matched to the plan.
  4. Card Box or similar (Required).
  5. Order of the Day sign, Welcome Sign (Optional) 1 of 5 of our easels will be matched to the sign.
  6. Favours (Optional)– any favours for children please note the table number, 5cl alcohol favours are allowed
  7. Menu Cards. (Optional)
  8. Guest Book and pens (Optional)
  9. Bridal Party Gifts for handing out during the speeches. (Optional)
  10. Ceremony seating name tags for the first 2 rows (Optional)
  11. Ceremony Bubbles/Confetti Petals (Optional) to be placed on seats/ on the table at the back (a basket can 12. Blankets/Shawls/Flipflops for the evening (Optional) (a basket can be provided)
  12. Restroom Hampers (Optional)
  13. Heel Stoppers (Optional)
  14. Sparklers with Lighters (Optional)
  15. High Quality Smoke bombs for photographs (Optional)
    be provided.)

Please allocate a member of your wedding party to setup the below from 8 am and take down at 12 midnight, Or Merlins can take down at midnight for £100 (any items not boxed at 12:30 am will be disposed of) Boxed items will be moved to the holding area for a 10 am collection: -

  1. DIY Cake (Optional) To arrive on the Day
  2. Service booklets/leaflets (Optional) to be placed on seats/ on the table at the back.
  3. Sweets, jars, tongs etc for DIY sweetie table (Optional)
  4. DIY table centres (Optional)
  5. DIY Photobooth table/memory table (Optional)
  6. Bring your own Garden Games (Optional)
  7. Any other DIY items (Optional)

Suppliers

Do you have recommended suppliers?

Yes, our list of partners can be found within the booking pack and on our website.

Do we have to use you recommend suppliers?

Merlin’s catering company is the only partner that you are required to use. Apart from the catering, you can use any other supplier, but please provide us with their contact details on your checklist.

 

Please be aware we ask all suppliers for a copy of their Public Liability Insurance and Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) certificate for any electrical equipment. If they do not provide us with an up-to-date copy prior to your wedding day, they will not be able to set up at Parley Manor.

Accommodation

Is there accommodation on site?

Yes, Parley Manor now has exclusive accommodation for the night before your wedding in the Wagon (sleeps 5) and in the Manor on the night of your wedding for your wedding party only, a maximum of 18 guests. Please find our local accommodation list in your booking pack or on our website for further accommodation.

What time can guests check in to the Manor?

Check-in is from 1 pm. Your coordinator will be at the Manor from 1-1:30 pm to check guests in. If guests decide to check in later, it will be a self-check-in, and the key will be in the door.

What time is the checkout?

Checkout is 10 am.

What time is the breakfast?

Breakfast is served at 9 am in the Dining Room the next morning.

Magical Memories

Start with every detail thoughtfully considered

Make an Enquiry

Have a question we haven’t answered? Our dedicated wedding planning team near Bournemouth and Christchurch are always happy to help. From small intimate weddings to grand countryside receptions, no question about your Dorset manor house wedding is too big or small.

ENQUIRE TODAY