The Alnwick Gardens
Northumberland
NH66 1HB

Alnwick Garden in Northumberland is a private garden on the grounds of Alnwick Castle (famous most recently as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films). Designed by the Duchess of Northumberland in the late nineties, and opened to the public in the early noughties, the garden has won several awards.

If the weather is on our side, we plan to hold the ceremony in the arbour, with the breakfast to follow in the Pavilion.

Schedule for the day

1pm - Guest arrival
2pm - Marriage ceremony
2:30pm - Drinks reception (& photos for us)
4pm - Wedding breakfast
5:45pm - Speeches & Cutting the cake
6:30pm - Garden closes to public, exclusive access including lawn games on the grass just outside the Pavilion
7:30pm - Evening reception - Live band with DJ in between sets
9pm - Evening food & more cake!
11:30pm - Last orders

Guest arrival

In order to give the staff a chance to get everything setup and ready, we ask that guests do not arrive before 1pm. The ceremony will take place relatively close to the entrance, so there should be plenty of time.

The Ceremony

As above, we're hoping for good weather which will mean we can hold the ceremony outdoors in the arbour. There is a strict limit of 70 guests in the arbour, so family and close friends will be given priority, but if there are spaces remaining then any guests are welcome to attend.
If the weather is not on our side, the ceremony will be held undercover in the pavilion

Drinks reception

Whilst we disappear off to have some photos taken as a newly-married couple, there will be a drinks reception in the pavilion. Every guest will be supplied with a glass of bubbly* (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options will be available, along with something for the kids). You will also be able to wander around the gardens if you wish, although there will be plenty opportunity to do this later on

The wedding breakfast

There will be a 3-course meal for all guests, with 2 options to choose from - orders must be placed in advance, and we will contact everyone once we have narrowed it down to 2 options. Non-meat eaters will have their own menu options to choose from, as will children. A glass of wine, beer or soft drink is provided

Speeches and the cake

Fairly self-explanatory, there will be speeches from the groom, the best man and the father of the bride, before the cake cutting. We will have a 3-tier cake, with 3 different types (including a gluten-free option) so hopefully there will be something for everyone.

Exclusive garden access

From 6:30, the gardens will be closed to the public, but as we have the venue until midnight, we have open access to all of the normal areas (we may try to organise a couple of tours of the Poison Garden because it's fascinating) as well as a range of lawn games to be played on the area outside the pavilion (weather-permitting). If you have any appropriate games you could bring, please do let us know!

Evening reception

We have a live band booked to play 3x 40-minute sets during the evening, with DJ sets in between. The gardens will remain open for those who don't feel like dancing, or who want a bit of fresh air.

Evening food

There will be hot food and snacks available for all guests - we're not entirely clear on how this will work at the moment, but will update once we know more.

Last orders

Last orders will be at 11:30pm, as our booking finishes at midnight.

*the bar will be open all day if you wish to purchase further drinks at any point.