Bride and Groom information
At The Dairy we are aware that every wedding is a very special and unique occasion. We do not offer packages - we provide a completely bespoke and personal service.
We are also aware that planning your special day may be a daunting experience. Our aim is to take all the pressure, stresses and strains away and make your day as enjoyable, exciting and relaxed as you require.
On your first visit to The Dairy we will show you around, listen to your requirements, answer your questions and make a few suggestions which you can consider at your leisure. We will also show you our photograph albums. We will be happy to email you an Excel spreadsheet which will help you to calculate the cost of holding your wedding at The Dairy.
You may wish to return for a second visit before you make your decision. This is also an opportunity perhaps for your parents or friends to view The Dairy. By this time you may have a list of questions to ask us.
Once you have confirmed your wedding day at The Dairy you will need to contact the Registrar’s Office to book a Registrar. There are fees that are payable to the Registrar’s Office for this service. Contact Aylesbury Registry Office 01296 382581. www.buckscc.gov.uk
Wedding Insurance
The Dairy is part of a National Trust property. National Trust properties are of cultural and historic importance to the nation and contain valuable works of art. You will need to arrange insurance cover for your wedding as you will need public liability insurance to a minimum limit of £2m. Please bring a copy of your policy to your Wedding Planning Meeting.
Wedding insurance can be arranged through Ecclesiastical Insurance Group who have arranged a policy for weddings at National Trust properties
www.ecclesiastical.com
Suppliers
We require that all suppliers have a minimum of £2m public liability insurance in addition to the bride and groom’s public liability.
When you book The Dairy for your wedding we will supply you with details of our Approved Suppliers who have already provided us with evidence of £2m public liability insurance, risk assessments and method statements for any activities that we perceive to be a potential risk to The Dairy or its contents.
If you are considering using a supplier who is not one of our approved suppliers, you will need to ensure that your supplier is able to meet the requirements set for National Trust properties. For more information see the Supplier Information section of our website.
Wedding Planning Meeting and Menu Discussion:
We arrange a two hour Wedding Planning Meeting, to discuss your day in depth. These meetings are held with your Wedding Coordinator and our Executive Chef who will be present to discuss your food and beverage requirements.
Our Patisserie Chef will be very happy to make your wedding cake. Please supply us with a photograph of what you would like and we will provide you with a quotation.
After your meeting we will send you our updated Special Terms confirming everything that has been agreed at the meeting. We will continue to update this document throughout the planning of your wedding day. All details will need to be confirmed and finalised at least two weeks prior to your wedding day. We require your final numbers and a copy of your table plan nine days before your wedding day.
Menu Tasting
A menu tasting is optional, but recommended. Menu tastings take place at The Five Arrows with your Wedding Coordinator and our Executive Chef. Menu tastings cost from £45 per head and all drink is charged on consumption. The bill is payable on the day of your tasting.
Tasting our Wines
You can sample wine and champagne from our wine list. Many of our wines can be purchased from the Wine Shop at Waddesdon Manor which you can buy and try at your leisure. Alternatively, you can sample them with your menu tasting. Once you have selected your wines please let us know immediately so that we can order it as early as possible.
Drop off and final run through meeting
We will arrange a convenient time a few days before your wedding when you can drop off your table plans, place settings and favours at The Dairy. We will run through the arrangements for your wedding day, so remember to let us know if there are any last minute changes, then you can leave the rest to us. Your wedding cake and flowers must be delivered on the day of your wedding.
On the day
We will lay up the tables, place the name cards, the favours, polish the glasses, open the red wine to breathe, chill the champagne, have the music playing, light the candles and set the scene as you have planned it.
On arrival, your guests will be greeted by our friendly staff, headed up by our Banqueting Manger who is in charge of the food and beverage service, and your Wedding Coordinator, who will ensure that you and the wedding party are well looked after.
Collections
It will be possible for you to collect your gifts and flowers the day after your wedding. A convenient collection time will be arranged with you in advance.
Frequently asked questions
Question: Can we see sample menus?
Answer: Yes, there are sample menus on the Food and Drink page of our website. We offer a completely bespoke menu service so these menus are just intended to give you some idea of what we have produced in the past. With the help of our Executive Chef you will be able to create a bespoke menu that includes your favourite ingredients and personal preferences.
Question: Can we supply our own wine and drinks for our wedding?
Answer: You will find an extensive range of wines on our wine list. If there is a particular wine that you would like that you cannot see listed, let us know and we will source this for you. We do not allow clients to supply their own wine or drinks.
We offer an extensive choice of drinks for the drinks reception. We supply a portable bar for the evening reception that has draft Becks available along with a full bar stock. Click here to view our Banqueting Drinks List.
Question: What time should we book the Registrar for our civil ceremony?
Answer: Your wedding day will not be the same as others, but we can advise you and give you examples of wedding day timings to help you to plan your day.
Question: I have never done a seating plan before. Can you help me with this?
Answer: We have some seating plan templates that you can use. These are Microsoft Word documents. Please ask your Wedding Coordinator to email you a template suitable for your room plan.
Question: What size are your tables?
Answer: The top table is usually a 6ft round table seating up to 12 people. All other tables are 5ft round seating 8 to 10 people.
Question: Do you have a board to display our table plan?
Answer: Yes, this is 29.5 inches wide by 41.5 inches tall. You may want to ask your florist to decorate it with flowers.
Question: Do you provide linen, china, glasses and cutlery?
Answer: We provide white linen for all tables. We provide white bone china, Riedel wine glasses and silver cutlery. If you would like to see our tableware please tell the Wedding Coordinator when you come for your Wedding Planning Meeting.
Question: Can you provide special coloured linen?
Answer: We supply white linen as standard, but we can hire special colours for you at an extra charge. Prices are available on request.
Question: Can I specify how I would like the napkins folded?
Answer: We can offer several styles of napkin folds. We can show you the options that are available so that you can choose what suits your style of table setting.
Question: How many staff will be working at our Wedding?
Answer: There will be a Banqueting Manager, Wedding Coordinator and Sommelier. In total, we work on average to a ratio of one member of staff to every ten guests dining depending on your wedding day requirements.
Question: Do you allow candles and nightlights?
Answer: We supply 100 tealights and six storm lanterns with ivory pillar candles as standard. You may wish to purchase extra tealights from us. These are £15 for 50.
Question: Do you allow confetti?
Answer: The Dairy strictly does not allow the use of confetti, rice, petals or party poppers. Also please note that we do not allow the use of bubbles inside the building as this liquid makes our floors dangerously slippery.
Question: Can you supply a cake stand for our wedding cake?
Answer: If you are supplying your own cake you can hire a cake stand from us for £30. We have the following cake stands available for hire:
Circular Silver Base – 15” base – can take a cake up to 14” in diameter
Square Silver Base – 15” base – can take a cake up to 14” in diameter
Off Set Triple Stack Stand – 10” to 16” base – clearance between each layer is 8”
Even Triple Stack Stand – 10” to 16” base – clearance between each layer is 10”
Two Tier Stack Stand - 16” base – clearance between each layer is 10”
If you would like to see the cake stands please ask your Wedding Coordinator to show you them when you come for your Wedding Planning Meeting.
Question: Can you provide the stationery for our Wedding Day?
Answer: You will need to produce your own invitations and order of service. We can supply place cards for you to write with matching menu cards – samples are available on request. We can print three menu cards per table and we can produce an A3 sized seating plan using Microsoft Word. Our designer can produce a more elaborate seating plan at a cost of £52.50. She can also produce handwritten calligraphy place cards which cost £1.35 per card. Alternatively you can source your own stationery.
Question: I want evening guests to feel special when they arrive. What can I do to make their arrival special?
Answer: We have six flaming torches which look fabulous when it gets dark and give a dramatic first impression. These are £25 per torch to hire.
Question: What do I need to think about before the Wedding Planning Meeting?
Answer: You need to think about the menu that you would like to serve at your wedding. Make sure you discuss in advance which food you like and dislike. Have a look at our wine list and decide on your budget for wines.
Question: Do I need to bring anything to the Wedding Planning Meeting?
Answer: Please bring any updates for the Special Terms, especially if you have booked your Registrar and know the time of your ceremony. We also need you to tell us if you have appointed your suppliers. We would also like a rough idea of the number of guests that you expect to attend during the day and evening. If you would like our Patisserie Chef to quote for your wedding cake please bring a photograph of your chosen cake. Also clients are required to have insurance cover of £2m for weddings held at The Dairy or Waddesdon Manor. A copy of the insurance document should be given to the Wedding Coordinator at the time of your planning meeting.
Question: What happens after the Wedding Planning Meeting?
Answer: After your meeting we will send you an updated copy of your Special Terms document, confirming everything that has been discussed at the meeting. We will continue to update this document throughout the planning of your wedding day. All details will need to be confirmed and finalised at least two weeks prior to your wedding day. We require your final numbers and a copy of your table plan eight days before your wedding day.
Question: I have seen photographs of couples taken in front of Waddesdon Manor. Can we do this?
Answer: Yes, we will need to discuss this at your Wedding Planning Meeting. We will need to check what events are happening at the Manor and try to work around this.
Question: I am staying at Hartwell House the night before my wedding. I understand that I can drive across Waddesdon’s private estate roads from Hartwell House to The Dairy?
Answer: This is subject to availability. Your Wedding Coordinator can arrange for a member of her team to meet you at Hartwell House. We have to drive ahead of your wedding car to unlock the security gates. You will need to allow at least 20 minutes to cross the estate as there is a 20mph speed restriction on these roads.
Question: Do you have any games that will occupy children at our wedding?
Answer: Yes, you can hire a selection of giant garden games at £27.50 per game. Alternatively, you can hire the services of a mobile crèche who set up in The Buttery and will keep children entertained all afternoon and evening.
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