Frequently Asked Questions

As we've always set out to be clear, upfront and transparent during our couple's whole planning process from day one, on this page we've outlined everything you'll need to know regarding the cans & cant's, so there's no surprises later down the line.

How many guests can we have?

We can accommodate a maximum of 120 day guests and an additional 30 evening guests.

Can we have our wedding on a weekday?

As we only hold a limited number of events each year, wedding days are Saturdays only.

When can we arrive on site and what are the finishing times?

You'll have site access on Friday from 10am-4pm. This will be for a small group of you to come and dress the tables and tipis etc. and to make sure everything is in order for the next day.

Belcote is a working farm from Monday to Friday so there will be machinery in operation as well as very heavy objects and vehicles being manoeuvred in and around the tipis. Because of this and for everyone's safety we politely ask you and your helpers to not bring babies. children or pets during setup time.

If you require early morning access on the Saturday for any finishing touches you can do so from 9am, we will be on site first thing to meet with your suppliers if needed.

All live music (band/singer) must finish at 10.00pm. All other amplified music (DJs/playlists) must finish at 11.00pm but If you choose to use our silent disco equipment, this will end at midnight.

We recommend 2 hours of silent disco as your guests will LOVE it! (You can have both a DJ/playlist playing and silent disco at the same time for a super smooth transition).

The party will be finished by midnight. You and your guests will have vacated the farm by 12.30am.

On the Sunday you’ll be able to collect any personal belongings/decorations etc. between 9am and 12pm. Your guests will be required to collect their vehicles from our car park by 12 noon.

What kind of entertainment can we have?

When choosing entertainment such as a DJ or a band they must have liability insurance with up to date PAT tested equipment, they will need to be professionals with experience in playing at wedding functions and also have respect/mindfulness regarding volume levels and our neighbours/farmland surroundings.

Please note that as we are an outdoor venue, DJs playing genres such as house, techno, drum n bass etc and DJs playing genres such as hard/heavy rock, nu-metal, emo etc is strictly prohibited and must not be played on any sound/speaker system.

We only welcome experienced and professional wedding/function DJs and bands with no more than 3 members due to limited power and space. A sound limiter is installed inside the tipi to ensure that your entertainment will be played at reasonable volume levels.

CLICK HERE to read a useful article regarding wedding venue sound limiters and speak with us before booking your entertainment.

Brass instruments such as saxophones or trumpets accompanying DJs or played in a very loud manner as well as bagpipes, dhol drums or similar loud instruments are strictly forbidden.

You and your chosen entertainer/s must sign a document with clear guidelines showing you have read, understood and accept our regulations in order to perform.

If you choose to not have a band or DJ then you are welcome to play your own playlists on our own sound system but keep in mind the prohibited genres previously listed.

Due to strict agreements regarding noise control everything stated above is non-negotiable.

We can help and discuss any of this with you before booking your entertainment so please speak with us first.

Can we bring dogs?

We're a dog friendly venue but as we are a working farm we can't have dogs roaming around the site off lead. However, there are dog-minders that can look after your pup at our venue for part of the day, or you could have someone bring your pooch just for the ceremony and photos etc.

If this is something you have in mind please discuss with us before booking a minder as we cannot promise to allow dogs on to our site without taking on board every consideration first.

Dogs are strictly not allowed inside the tipi so if you plan on an undercover ceremony or if the weather takes a turn and the ceremony moves inside the tipi then you will have to bear this in mind.

Your guests will not be allowed to bring their own dogs on any day.

Are there any restrictions not mentioned elsewhere on your website?

Only natural dried flower petal confetti is allowed.

Bouncy castles and other inflatable equipment that require mains electricity, a generator or petrol fan aren't allowed.

Fireworks are not permitted.

Smoke bombs or similar products are not to be used.

Children must be accompanied at all times by an adult whilst in our photo-booth caravan, Cacoon™ hammocks and other equipment.

No candles are to be used, only candle effect LED lights can be used as a replacement.

Any known or suspected illegal drug use will result in your day finishing early.

Any abuse to staff or violent/threatening behaviour of any kind towards anyone on site will result in your day finishing early. Our trained security personnel have direct links with the police and will be on site from 5pm to deal with any unruly behaviour. The whole site, from the front gate and beyond the tipi field is covered by CCTV for everyone's safety.

Are there bridal changing facilities on site?

We don't have any permanent structures on site (our storage barn contains farm machinery and is out of bounds) however we have space behind the tipis for you to bring a gazebo to change in if required.

Can we stay overnight at Belcote Farm?

Onsite camping and camper/caravans are not permitted, however there are many nearby hotels and holiday homes within a few miles of the farm. Take a look at our suggestions here.

Can I reserve a date if it's available, even without having looked around the venue first?

Before you can reserve any available date, we'd have had to have met you in person, shown you around the site and made sure your wedding day plans and ideas would work well at our venue.

Receiving an invite to a viewing should not be assumed that we are able to host your wedding/reception.

As we receive hundreds of enquiries but only hold a limited number of wedding events each year, we can only offer the use of our venue to selected couples.

Once we have agreed on a date, how do we pay?

A £2000 deposit/booking fee is needed to reserve your date, this is taken off the venue hire fee.

The remaining balance must be paid at least two months prior to your date.

A £750 refundable security deposit must also be paid with the remaining balance, this will be returned within 7 days after the event date.

*Please note that a paid deposit or booking fee forms a contract between the hirer and Belcote Farm Tipi Weddings and is non-refundable for any cancelled events within 365 days of the agreed event date.

If you have any other questions, please get in touch!

Belcote Farm is our family home so please bear in mind that our farmland is also private property with access gained by invitation only.