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.

Is there parking at Parley Manor?

Yes. Parley Manor provides complimentary parking with plenty of spaces, and cars may be left overnight at the owner’s risk for collection by 11am the following morning.

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 a wedding at Parley Manor finish?

At Parley Manor, music finishes at midnight, last orders are called at 11:30pm and the bar closes at 11:45pm. Guests staying on site should vacate the marquee and gardens by 12:30am.

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.

Where is Parley Manor wedding venue?

Parley Manor is a Georgian manor house wedding venue at Parley Green Lane, Christchurch, Dorset (BH23 6BB), on the edge of Bournemouth. It sits within the wider 700-acre Parley Court estate, minutes from Bournemouth and close to Poole and the New Forest.

Is Parley Manor a good wedding venue near Bournemouth?

Yes. Parley Manor is the closest countryside manor house wedding venue to Bournemouth, around 15 minutes’ drive from Bournemouth town centre . Civil ceremonies are conducted by Bournemouth Registration Services.

How far is Parley Manor from Bournemouth Airport?

Parley Manor is around 5 minutes’ drive from Bournemouth Airport , making it easy for guests flying in for your wedding.

Is Parley Manor an exclusive-use wedding venue?

Yes. Parley Manor is an exclusive-hire venue, meaning the entire house and grounds are reserved for one wedding at a time. No other couple shares the venue on your day.

What areas does Parley Manor serve?

Parley Manor serves couples marrying across Dorset and Hampshire, and is a popular choice for weddings near Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole, Ferndown, Ringwood, Southampton, Salisbury and the New Forest.

Is Parley Manor close to the New Forest?

Yes. Parley Manor sits around 30 minutes from the New Forest, making it popular with couples who want a manor house wedding between the forest and the Dorset coast.

General

How many guests can Parley Manor hold?

Parley Manor accommodates up to 150 guests for the ceremony and wedding breakfast, and up to 200 guests for the evening reception. The Pavilion seats 150 for the ceremony and the Main Marquee seats 150 for the wedding breakfast.

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 wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The grounds at Parley Manor are fully accessible for wheelchair users, and the team advises couples on specific access arrangements ahead of the day.

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.

Do you supply Easels?

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

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.

Is Parley Manor an all-inclusive wedding venue?

Yes. Parley Manor near Bournemouth, Dorset offers the Peony Wedding, an all-inclusive package available on Thursdays and Sundays from April to October, starting from £8,392.50. It includes all elements of the venue, with exclusive use, overnight accommodation in the seven bedrooms, the Dressing Room and a Wagon stay. Couples who prefer to tailor their own day can choose exclusive venue hire instead: the Rose Wedding on Fridays and Saturdays, or the more affordable Tulip Wedding from Monday to Wednesday.

How much does a wedding at Parley Manor cost?

Weddings at Parley Manor start from £6,185 for exclusive use of the estate. The Tulip Wedding (Monday to Wednesday, April to October) starts from £6,185, the all-inclusive Peony Wedding (Thursdays and Sundays, April to October) starts from £8,392.50, and the Rose Wedding (Fridays and Saturdays) starts from £6,250 to £9,450 depending on the month.

All prices are starting-from figures with a minimum of 50 adult guests (60 on Fridays and Saturdays). Exclusive venue hire includes the marquee, a dedicated Wedding Coordinator, tables, Chiavari chairs, linen, crockery, cutlery, glassware and free overnight guest parking. Download the full brochure for detailed package pricing.

What makes Parley Manor different from other Dorset wedding venues?

Parley Manor is a family-run Georgian manor house, award-winning including Wedding Industry awards, Bridebook and Hitched awards. Offering exclusive use of a private estate with outdoor ceremonies, a walled Italian garden and on-site accommodation – so the whole celebration happens in one private setting rather than a shared venue.

How do we book Parley Manor, or arrange a viewing?

To book Parley Manor or arrange a viewing, enquire via our contact page, call +44 (0)1202 580545, or email zara@parleymanorweddings.co.uk. Parley Manor is located at Parley Green, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 6BB.

Is there a minimum number of guests for a wedding at Parley Manor?

Yes. Parley Manor requires a minimum of 50 adult guests, rising to 60 adults for weddings held on a Friday or Saturday.

Ceremonies & Drinks Reception

Which registrar conducts ceremonies at Parley Manor?

Civil ceremonies at Parley Manor are conducted by Bournemouth Registration Services (BCP Council). Please contact the registrar on 01202 123777 as soon as your wedding date is secured.

Is confetti allowed at Parley Manor?

Only large fresh rose petals are permitted in the gardens at Parley Manor. Biodegradable petal confetti keeps the grounds and estate protected. Fresh rose petals can be purchased from Maria at Simply Flower.

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.

Can you get married outdoors at Parley Manor?

Yes. Parley Manor is licensed for outdoor ceremonies and offers garden ceremony settings also, with the Pavilion available as a covered ceremony space for up to 150 guests.

Can we hold both our ceremony and reception at Parley Manor?

Yes. The Pavilion hosts the ceremony, the gardens host the drinks reception and the Main Marquee hosts the wedding breakfast and evening party – the whole day flows in one private setting with no travel between venues.

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 Merlins 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: -

Place names - in table order please (Required).
Table Names/Numbers (Required).
Table Plan, size A3 - A1 (Required) 1 of 5 of our easels will be matched to the plan.
Card Box or similar (Required).
Order of the Day sign, Welcome Sign (Optional) 1 of 5 of our easels will be matched to the sign.
Favours (Optional)– any favours for children please note the table number, 5cl alcohol favours are allowed
Menu Cards. (Optional)
Guest Book and pens (Optional)
Bridal Party Gifts for handing out during the speeches. (Optional)
Ceremony seating name tags for the first 2 rows (Optional)
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)
Restroom Hampers (Optional)
Heel Stoppers (Optional)
Sparklers with Lighters (Optional)
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: -

DIY Cake (Optional) To arrive on the Day
Service booklets/leaflets (Optional) to be placed on seats/ on the table at the back.
Sweets, jars, tongs etc for DIY sweetie table (Optional)
DIY table centres (Optional)
DIY Photobooth table/memory table (Optional)
Bring your own Garden Games (Optional)
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.

Who caters weddings at Parley Manor?

Weddings at Parley Manor are catered exclusively by Merlins Catering Company, the venue’s exclusive catering partner, who also offer a corkage option for couples supplying their own drinks. All other suppliers, such as florists and photographers, can be chosen freely.

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

Does Parley Manor have on-site accommodation?

Yes. The Manor House sleeps up to 15 wedding-party guests on the night of the wedding, with breakfast served at 9am the next morning, and the Wagon and Pig Sty both sleeps 5 guests the night before. A local accommodation list is provided for additional guests.

What time can guests check into Parley 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.

Where can guests stay near Parley Manor?

Beyond the on-site Manor House, Wagon and Pig Sty, guests can choose from hotels and B&Bs in nearby Christchurch, Bournemouth and Ferndown. Parley Manor provides a local accommodation list in the booking pack and on our website.

Can we stay at Parley Manor the night before the wedding?

Yes. Couples and their party can stay in the Wagon (sleeps 5) adn the Pig Sty (sleeps 5) the night before the wedding, then in the Manor House (sleeps up to 15 adults) on the wedding night itself. Check-in is from 1pm and checkout is at 10am.

Magical Memories

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