Couple information

1) Can we have our ceremony at the venue?

Yes. Dovecote Barn is licenced for civil ceremonies by Oxfordshire Registry Service. Ceremonies can take place from 1pm onwards, although we recommend 2pm. You must book your registrar independently and you can do this by filling out an online form on their website here. We welcome all types of ceremonies at Dovecote Events, so please contact us if you'd prefer a celebrant to perform your ceremony.

2) What is the venue's capacity?

Dovecote Barn weddings: In the months of May to September the capacity for ceremonies and receptions is 100 people for the daytime and 140 for the evening reception. During the months of October to April the capacity is reduced to 80 guests in the daytime and 100 guests for the evening reception.

Tipi weddings: For ceremonies in the barn the capacity is 120 guests, followed by a dining capacity of 120 guests in the tipi and 200 guests for the evening reception.

3) Can we book our own caterers?

Dovecote Events provides an exception in-house catering service, saving you the bother of dealing with multiple suppliers. This includes canapés, wedding breakfast and evening food. External caterers are not permitted for any part of the day, with the exception of providing your wedding cake.

4) What about the bar, can we bring our own drinks?

Dovecote Events is a licenced premises and a full bar service is provided throughout your wedding day. The bar will serve soft drinks only before your ceremony, with the full service commencing directly after your ceremony and continuing until midnight. As a perk, couples are permitted to bring their own drinks package for the daytime. Please refer to the No Corkage policy.

5) When hiring the tipi, can we still get married at the venue, and does this cost extra?

When booking a tipi reception, the hire of Dovecote Barn for your ceremony and drinks reception is included within the hire cost.

6) Do you have any accommodation or preparation rooms at the venue?

Dovecote Events does not offer accommodation or preparation rooms at the venue. We are lucky to be so well served by some lovely hotels just within a few miles of the venue. A list of which can be found on our Supplier Love page. Couples and guests should arrive at the venue ready for the wedding.

7) What time will we have access to the venue on the wedding day?

You will not need to arrive at the venue until shortly before your ceremony. The venue will open for arrivals no earlier than one hour before the ceremony is due to begin. Any suppliers you have booked that are delivering to the venue on the wedding day will have access from 9am, however, this must be pre-arranged and coordinated with your wedding coordinator.

8) Are we allowed to set up our decorations on the day before our wedding?

If you have booked Dovecote Barn for your wedding, there may be another wedding taking place the day before yours. If this is the case, your wedding coordinator will make arrangements with you for you to deliver your drinks and decorations one or two days prior to your wedding so that these can be put in place for you on your wedding morning.

If you have booked at tipi reception, then you will have guaranteed access to the tipi for half a day on the day before your wedding from 9am. There may still be an event taking place in the barn on this day, but arrangements will be made to ensure no clashes. Any decorations you may have for the barn can be left with your coordinator for them to put in place on the wedding morning.

9) Can we bring our dog?

We love dogs at Dovecote Events. You are allowed to bring your dog, by prior arrangement, for the ceremony and drinks reception. The dog must be well behaved and kept on a lead at all times. We will ensure there is a water bowl available. Please do remember that someone must be available to collect your dog for you after the drinks reception.

10) Do you allow confetti?

Dried petal natural confetti is allowed. We don't allow biodegradable paper confetti or confetti canons. Your dried natural confetti must be provided by you or your florist, as we do not permit guests to bring their own.

11) Do you allow sparklers, fire pits and fireworks?

Dovecote Events does allow sparklers by prior arrangement. Fire pits are not permitted at the barn but are included within the tipi package and will be filled, lit and managed by the event manager. Fireworks are not permitted anywhere at the venue.

12) Does the venue have Public Liability Insurance?

Dovecote Events has Public Liability Insurance. You will need to request this from your suppliers that are providing a service at the wedding, including bands, DJs, hire prop companies.

Guest Information

1) How do we find you?

You will find us on the Aynho Road on the outskirts of Adderbury, close to Banbury and the M40 motorway. We are next door to Katherine House Hospice. Where you see the sign “Dovecote Events / Bo Peep Farm”, that’s us!

2) What time should we arrive?

We have a secure gate at the entrance to the venue. This will be manned via our intercom to welcome wedding guests from one hour before the ceremony is due to start. Please do not try coming before unless you have made a prior appointment with us.

3) Is there parking at the venue?

There’s plenty of free parking here. You will be met on arrival and shown where to park.

4) Can cars be left overnight?

Absolutely! But please make sure your car is collected the next morning by 11am. The intercom will be manned between 8am and 11am. Outside of these times we cannot promise that there will be someone around to let you in. And please, no sleeping in cars overnight!

5) What if I am attending the evening do?

The gate will be manned via intercom during the evening to welcome new guests.

6) Can we camp overnight?

Camping is not permitted anywhere at the venue.

7) Can we bring our own drinks?

No. Dovecote Events is a licensed premises so no alcohol is permitted to be brought in the venue or anywhere on site. Drinks may be confiscated and disposed of if brought into the venue.

8) Is the venue accessible to wheelchair users?

Yes! We have a fully accessible toilet next to the barn. However, if the wedding is due to take place in the tipi, the couple must inform us if an accessible toilet is required in advance of the wedding.

9) Are there any baby changing facilities?

There is a baby changing unit in all of the toilets at the barn.

10) Should we bring confetti?

No. The couple will provide dried natural confetti for their guests.

11) Have you got a bar?

We have! The bar will be open directly after the ceremony and full service will be available until midnight. We only accept card payments, and come prepared with ID if you are lucky enough to look under the age of 25!

12) What time do you close?

Last orders at the bar will be called at 11:40pm and the bar will close by midnight. Taxis and lifts must be arranged for before 12:30am which is when the venue and main gate will close.

13) Do you have a list of taxi numbers?

Yes. Please visit our Supplier Love page for local taxi recommendations. We advise pre-booking your taxi.

14) Can we bring our dog?

No. Guest's dogs are not permitted at weddings and should not be left in cars during the wedding day either. Please make alternative arrangements for your dogs to be looked after.