7 am –
Your big day is here

You have waited many months for today and now it is finally here. It is time to spend your incredible wedding day at this exquisite and magical venue. All of your planning is a distant memory and we are hard at work creating your dream day and menu. It’s almost time to travel to your perfect wedding venue.

9 am –
Your pampering and preparation time awaits

From 9 am you will be able to access Keeper’s Cottage. This luxurious space is designed for that all-important pampering and is furnished with everything you could need for putting the finishing touches to your look. Those precious hours before the ceremony will be spent with your nearest and dearest as you get ready for one of the most exciting days of your life. Feeling peckish? We have a selection of grazing boards and drinks you can order to keep your energy levels up as you get ready.

12 noon –
Your exclusive hire begins

Combermere Abbey is exclusively yours for the day. While you are pampering and preening, we will be working closely with your chosen suppliers to ensure that the Glasshouse and Pavilion are picture perfect. Suppliers will have access to the venue from 9 am on the morning of your wedding, allowing plenty of time to bring your vision to life!

If you are having a church ceremony, the venue is still yours to use as you please. We will amend the running of the day to accommodate these arrangements.

1:30 pm –
Day guests begin to arrive

As you are putting together the final touches in Keeper’s Cottage, our Events Team will greet your guests and direct them to either the beautiful Glasshouse or the centre of the Fruit Tree Maze, where they will get their first glance of the beautiful Victorian Walled Gardens.

We can also provide a bottle bar for the arrival of your guests, please speak to our Events Team for more information and suggested timings.

1:45 pm –
Meet with the registrar

Just before the ceremony, you will both (separately) answer a few questions with the registrar, this is an informal chat, so you are both prepared for the next steps.

2 pm –
Say ‘I do’

Your guests will be seated and awaiting your imminent arrival. Make the walk through the gardens and Fruit Tree Maze and make your grand entrance into The Glasshouse. Get ready for some of the most important words you will ever say.

2:30 pm –
Drinks reception

After your ceremony, step out in to the Fruit Maze and Victorian Walled Gardens followed by your loved ones and treat them to a memorable drinks reception. A Champagne bar or cocktail station coupled with mouth-watering canapés will certainly go down a treat.

3 pm –
Camera ready

Your photographer will whisk you away to some of the most romantic spots on the estate, favourites being the Rose Garden, The Pleasure Garden and of course the backdrop of the North Wing and the Abbey.

4 pm –
Your wedding breakfast

When it’s time for your meticulously planned and prepared wedding breakfast make your way into the stunning Pavilion. Here you and your guests will create new memories while you enjoy your wedding breakfast overlooking the Walled Gardens.

6:30 pm –
Say a few words

Combermere Abbey is yours to enjoy as you wish, so it is up to you whether you hold your speeches before or after the wedding breakfast. Once you have finished your first meal as a married couple, spend your time out in the gardens surrounded by your guests in a relaxed and picturesque setting.

7:30 pm –
Evening guests arrive

As the sun is starting to set, your evening guests will join the celebrations, give them the warmest of welcomes with a glass of prosecco on arrival (please speak to our team for more information on food and drink upgrades). This is also a great opportunity to treat guests to a cocktail bar or drinks station (to be arranged in advance with our Events Team). We also have a great selection of premium spirits and cocktails available for your guests to purchase from the bar.

8 pm –
First dance and cake cutting

Now all your friends and family have gathered and are ready to witness you cut the cake and come together for your first dance as a married couple. Traditionally, you would cut the cake and then take to the dance floor, but you can choose to do things however you like when you celebrate here.

8:15 pm –
Get the party started

It is time to turn the music up and dance the night away with the ones you love. Your band/DJ will have taken the opportunity to discreetly set up earlier in the day (during meal service). You can also choose to have some fun with our in-house photo booth, and any additional entertainment that you may want to offer can easily be accommodated.

8:30 pm –
Exciting evening food

As evening falls, you can treat your guests to an array of stunning food options served freshly cooked to your guests. Our chefs will cook anything from wood-fired pizzas to barbecues, paellas and fragrant wok food, which can either be served to your guests outside from the Garden Kitchen as the sun sets or indoor should the weather take a turn for the worse.

11:15 pm –
Last orders

Your Bar Manager will call last orders and start to draw the night to a close. It is time for one last drink and a final dance with your friends and family.

11:30 pm –
The wind down

Your DJ or band will play the last song to give you the perfect opportunity for you to say thank you and goodnight before the big send off at the main gates, as the Events Team whisk you away to the North Wing in the golf buggy.

12 midnight –
The journey home

We ask that all guests who are not residing at Combermere Abbey for the night vacate the venue by midnight. We recommend local taxis are booked in advance to avoid disappointment and due to the countryside location of the venue.