Frequently Asked Questions

What time can I have my ceremony?

You can have your ceremony anytime you wish. We usually recommend around 2pm so that you then have time to  enjoy time for photos around the farm and your drinks reception prior to the wedding breakfast.

Can I have my ceremony outside?

Subject to weather, we can either set up the wedding ceremony outside or in our Stables Room (located in The Barn).

How does the order of the day work?

Your Caterer will discuss specific timings for your day with you.

What time does the evening reception finish?

Our licence allows weddings until 12midnight Sunday to Wednesday, and 1am on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Any music or other noise-causing entertainment will also need to finish by this time.

What are the minimum chargeable numbers?

We have a minimum of 70 guests for off peak Saturdays (Nov to Mar) and all Wednesdays throughout the year. 80 guests are required for our Peak Saturdays (Apr to Oct). Children are not included in minimum numbers. We may be able to discuss reducing numbers for shorter lead weddings.

What is the maximum number of guests for the wedding

We can accommodate up to 140 guests for the ceremony and wedding breakfast, and a further 40 additional guests for your evening reception.

How do I secure the big day?

Unless otherwise agreed, we request a deposit of £3000 to secure a date, payable within 7 days of us holding a date on a provisional basis. Further payments are required 6 months prior and 2 months prior.

Do I have to book my registrar, humanist or minister?

Yes it is your responsibility to book whoever will be conducting your

Can I have confetti?

Yes absolutely, but please we ask that this is biodegradable and used outside only.

Can I have candles?

We do allow the use of candles; these have to be in a deep holder and cannot have an open flame.

Can I have fireworks?

Unfortunately, due to our setting as a working sheep farm and having lot of animals around the farm, we do not allow fireworks of any kind. You can, however, have sparklers!

Do you allow indoor pyrotechnics?

Again, as we are a working farm, we are not able to offer this facility.

Can I have a band? Is there a noise restriction?

Yes, we welcome all types of bands and DJs in the venue. They must finish in line with our end of evening licensing times. We do have a noise restriction of 85 decibels. Any music plans for the outside areas should be discussed with us in advance, as we do need to be considerate of our neighbours in the area.

Who organises our music in the ceremony?

You will be able to choose your own preferred live music or piped music for your ceremony. We ask you to provide your own set list which can be hooked up to our PA system via Bluetooth. Your Caterer will switch on the music at the appropriate times.

What do we do for background music during the drink’s reception and wedding breakfast?

Similarly to above, you can choose live music or provide set lists to play via our PA System.

How do my guests book rooms?

We request that the bride and groom co-ordinate who they would like to stay onsite at the farm, and provide a full rooming list to your Events Manager at Cairns. We are also happy to recommend spillover accommodation in the area.

What is provided in The Farmhouse, The Cabins and The Keep?

We supply bedding, towels, dressing gowns & crockery for our accommodation so you don’t need to bring any of this with you. We can provide extra linen for you at an additional charge.

We provide a complimentary light continental breakfast hamper for our guests on the day of arrival including cereals, croissants with jam and butter, orange juice, tea/coffee with milk.

Who will plan our wedding with us, and who will be there on the day to organise everything?

Our Cairns Farm Events Planner will be your main point of contact from your initial contact with Cairns Farm right up until your big day and will discuss the general details for your stay with us. For your wedding itself,  our team at Cairns will be on hand to welcome you and ensure you have everything you need throughout your stay. Your actual wedding day will be fully organised and looked after by your preferred Caterer.

Does the venue put our decor out?

Your Caterer will be on hand to set out The Barn with your décor of choice.

Can we have a wedding menu tasting?

Yes absolutely – we suggest to speak to your preferred Caterer, and they will arrange your tasting with you, which will be held at their own catering kitchens.

Can I offer my guests a choice menu? And how do I order everyone’s meals?

Choice menus should be discussed with your Caterer. Menu choices and numbers for catering should be finalised with your Caterer.

Do you cater for dietary requirements?

Absolutely! We have vegetarian and vegan menus and can make sure we meet all you and your guests’ dietary requirements. This should be discussed with your Caterer at least two weeks in advance of your wedding at Cairns. Please note that Cairns does not provide food and hence cannot produce last minute dietary requests.

Can we get in the day before and decorate?

This is subject to availability, but if the venue is available, yes, we can provide access the day before to prepare ethe venue.

Can I use any supplier?

We request that you select one of our preferred panel of Caterers. For all other suppliers, feel free to choose your own – we do have a recommended Suppliers List if this is helpful to look over.

What time can guests access their rooms?

Check in is 4pm and checkout is 11am.

Is the venue wheelchair accessible?

We do have disabled parking and wheelchair access around the venue. Our Kips Cabin is also suitable for full disabled access.

What chairs do you provide?

We provide wooden crossback chairs and wooden rectangular tables (seating up to 6 on long tables or 8 with a person at each end) as standard.

Can I bring my dog?

Yes we do allow dogs (please discuss if not a dog, or if you wish to bring more than one dog). We are a working sheep farm with animals living close to the venue, but by arrangement we do allow dogs to the venue. Dogs are £45 per dog per stay.

As we are a working farm, we ask that they are kept on leads at all times. We also ask that animals are kept off furniture and stay downstairs in the Farmhouse - we hope this is understandable.

Do you have Wifi?

Yes, we provide complimentary Wifi throughout the farm.

Is there parking at the farm?

Yes- we have space for approximately 50 cars. The car park is sloped and is gravel. We have an accessible parking space by the front door.