At St. Augustine’s you can arrange your whole day as our facilities include a Bride’s Room, interview room, children’s room, lounge bar and different size function rooms. You can arrive at your chosen time and you and your guests can stay within our venue (all under cover) and grounds until your evening reception is finished and you are ready to leave.
Our professional and experienced team can help you to create a day as individual as you are.
The Bride’s Arrival
On arrival the Bride is shown to our Bride’s Room where you can prepare for your wedding. Available for your personal use all day, you may choose to dress and prepare in our tranquil surroundings, without the rush and worry of a late arrival. The room is large enough to accommodate you, your bridesmaids and special guests. There are 2 chesterfield settees, hanging space for dresses, tables, chairs and mirrors. Arrange for your hairdresser and manicurist to pamper and prepare you here without any disturbance. If you wish, a pre-ceremony snack or bottle of bubbly can also be arranged.
However, if you prefer to prepare at home you should arrive at least 15 minutes before the ceremony for the Bride’s interview with the registrar. The Registrar interviews both the Bride and Groom prior to the ceremony and this can take place either separately or together.
This room is at your disposal throughout the day so may be used if you and your new husband wish to take a calming break to regroup after all the excitement; the room can also be used to store presents and personal belongings.
The Groom and Guests’ Arrival
The Groom and guests may arrive 45 minutes before the ceremony. Gather in our lounge bar; with an extensive range of hot and cold drinks available, unwind, meet and greet family and friends.
The Groom’s interview with the registrar takes place in the ceremony room ¾ hour before the ceremony. There is no possibility of accidentally seeing the Bride beforehand as the guests and Groom are directed to the ceremony room or into the garden area if it is a Gazebo wedding, before the Bride and her entourage are escorted from the privacy of the Bride’s room to the ceremony room.
Gazebo Ceremonies
If a Gazebo wedding is booked, there is always an indoor room prepared for the ceremony in case of inclement weather. You may also personalise the gazebo with your own decorations.
The Celebration Drink and Photographs
After your wedding ceremony adjourn to the Lounge Bar or garden area where your Celebration Drink of choice can be served. Welcome your guests for the first time as a married couple with a formal or informal line-up, this is a great way to may sure you have spoken to everyone who attended your ceremony. Photographs can then be taken, during which time your guests can relax in the lounge bar or garden area. This takes approximately one hour to 1 ½ hours, during this time your guests could have cocktail canapés. Within the grounds and building there are many areas where photos can be taken.
Your celebration drinks package includes a celebration drink for which we recommend you choose 2 alcoholic drinks and a juice option for children and those who are tee-total.
Traditional Drinks
Sherry, Buck’s Fizz, Pimms, sparkling wine, red and white wine, wine punch and non-alcoholic summer fruit punch.
Trendy Drinks
Hot winter Pimms, Belini’s, sparkling Kir Royale and Caribbean rum punch.
Colour Theme Your Drinks (supplement applies)
Blue Fizz, Cranberry Kick, Strawberry Kir, Martini and non-alcoholic Moneypenny Martini.
Wedding Breakfast
You will also receive ½ bottle of Volandas Chardonnay or Volandas Merlot per guest and sparkling wine for the toast with real Baron Albert Brut Tradition Champagne for your top table guests.
The Wedding Breakfast
The first meal of your married life
Our Chef has designed a comprehensive traditional or Chef’s special range of menus for your selection. With half portions available for young teens and a children’s choice menu for the little ones under six. Vegetarian options are available and all dietary requirements can be catered for.
Please choose one starter, one main course and one dessert for your whole party. Alternatively you may decide to have a choice menu for which your guests will have to pre-order and carries a £1.50 per head supplement for the entire party. Your vegetarian and dietary requirements do not carry any supplementary charges.
Design your own schedule, traditional or not. Why not break with tradition, consider having your speeches prior to your meal. This allows the nervous Dad and jittery best man to complete the formalities and then they are able to enjoy the exquisite menu you have chosen for your wedding.
The wedding breakfast is served in the room of your choice and takes approximately 2½ hours, including speeches.
The Evening Guests’ Arrival
After your ceremony and wedding breakfast, invite more guests to attend your evening reception. Depending on the size of your party you can choose a smaller, more intimate gathering in the lounge bar, with use of the adjoining Oak Room for the buffet and a quiet area for your guests; or our large Ruby Hall, which can accommodate up to 250 people. You may choose to offer your evening guests a welcome drink, canapés or table snacks on arrival.
An Evening Blessing
Your evening guests could arrive to join in your unique blessing service. The Blessing takes about 20 minutes and can be performed either by our Chaplain or a person of your own choosing. We can also supply pew ends on request.
The Evening’s Entertainment and Buffet
In the evening, adjourn to the room of your choice for your evening entertainment and buffet. We are licensed until 1am. The Ruby Hall, now fully air-conditioned, is large enough to accommodate a disco or band with ample dance space. With a fine selection of meat, fish, vegetarian, hot and cold food there will be something for everyone. Why not enhance your selection with our stunning seafood or fruit mirrors. Have your wedding cake served with the buffet, order a dessert platter or hire a chocolate fountain for those with a sweet-tooth.
The order of the day shows a sample day – you can, however, choose your own Order of the Day. We have prepared this to give an example of what can be arranged at St Augustine’s and hope that it will prove useful to you in planning your special day.