Wedding and Civil Partnership Ceremonies

The Guesten Hall has a licence to hold Wedding and Civil Partnership Ceremonies and has the capacity to accommodate 120 people seated.  For smaller numbers, the ceremony can take place on The Weaver Gallery, which seats up to 40 people.

The Hall offers up-to-date facilities and the grounds of Avoncroft, with its collection of over 25 historic buildings, provide a wonderful and unique opportunity for your wedding or partnership photographs.

Blessings

Avoncroft also offers you the chance to have your wedding or partnership blessed in the Bringsty Mission Church, a Victorian ‘tin chapel’ the Museum rescued from near Bromyard, Herefordshire.  It has a simple wooden interior which holds approximately 100 people. 

Receptions

Avoncroft works in partnership with an experienced catering firm to provide for all aspects of your special day.

Capacity for sit down meal                120

Capacity for evening party                  150

Ceremony & Room Hire Prices 2008

Civil Ceremony Only                  £  600.00
Blessing Only                               £  400.00
Civil Ceremony & Blessing          £ 1000.00
Reception Only                           £ 1300.00
Civil Ceremony & Reception      £ 1900.00
Blessing & Reception                   £ 1700.00
Civil Ceremony, Blessing & Reception                                    £2,200.00

Avoncroft is happy to book Stoke Prior parish clergy for your blessing, however, and additional fee (currently £260.00) is payable directly to the parish

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How do I make an appointment to visit the venue?

A. Please call the Museum to make an appointment to look around the venue. A member of staff will show you round the hall and church (if required) and answer any questions you have. It is advisable to make an appointment as the hall is in use for functions and will not be accessible on some days.

Q. Who will do the catering for my wedding?

A. Avoncroft Museum has an exclusive arrangement with Morgans Catering, a high quality and experienced firm who have the franchise for all the Museum’s wedding functions. Please visit www.morgans-catering.co.uk for further information.

Q. When am I able to decorate the room?

A. When you book the room for a civil ceremony and reception, or reception only, you are usually able to access the room from the afternoon before your wedding to decorate (subject to other Museum events). You then have exclusive use of the room for the whole day of your function and are able to collect any decorations up until 10.30am the following day. For example if your wedding and reception is on Saturday, you have exclusive access to the room from Friday afternoon until 10.30am on Sunday.

Q. Can our guests look around the Museum?

A. Yes, you and your guests have free access to walk around the Museum’s grounds and collections of historic buildings while the Museum is open to the public (usually 5pm summer, 4pm winter) after this the buildings will be locked and we ask that your guests remain in and around the Guesten Hall.

Q. Until what time is the venue available?

A. The venue is hired until 12 midnight and we ask that you and your guests vacate the hall by this time.  If you plan to have a band or other form of live music the Hall has a licence until 11.20pm.  If you require an extension and later alcohol licence this can be arranged but incurs a fee and additional staffing costs. 

Q. Will a member of Museum staff be present at my wedding?

A. The Museum staff will help you any way we can before the wedding, however we are unable to be present during your function. We advise that if you have specific actions that need to be carried out during the ceremony/function you ask your ushers or best man to carry them out as part of their duties. For example: playing the music for the ceremony.

Q. Can we have confetti?

A. Yes, confetti can be used by the Guesten Hall and Bringsty Church if it is biodegradable. Please ask your guests to observe this as other types can spoil the appearance of the grounds for our other visitors.

Q. Can we have fireworks?

A. Owing to the nature of the site and the collection of historic timber-framed buildings, the Museum does not allow fireworks because of the potential fire risk.

If you would like any further information, or a wedding pack, then please contact:

Head of Customer Services,

Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings,

Stoke Heath,

Bromsgrove,

Worcestershire,

B60 4JR

T: 01527 831363

F: 01527 876934

enterprises@avoncroft.org.uk