The suppliers we work with most

We are not an exclusive-supplier venue. You can bring any caterer, any florist, any band. What we have instead is a list of about thirty people who have worked here enough times to know where the sockets are.

1. No commission, either way

We do not take a fee for recommending anyone and we do not charge suppliers to be on the list. That means when we say a caterer is the right fit for a 140-cover winter wedding, the only thing behind it is that we have watched them do it.

2. What a caterer needs to know about this kitchen

Six metres by four, two ovens, a blast chiller and a separate wash-up. It handles 140 plated, comfortably, and we will happily put a new caterer on the phone to one who has done it. Anyone cooking here for the first time comes for a site visit; we have never had one refuse.

3. Bands, and the noise limiter

There is a limiter set at 96 decibels in the Long Barn, which is a full drum kit and a PA, and is not a folk trio only. Bands who have played here know it and set up accordingly. Bands who have not sometimes arrive expecting a fight. The limiter is a planning condition, not a preference, and it is the reason we can have music until midnight at all.

4. Family and friends doing the food

It works, and we help it work. A supplier check six weeks out, a written agreement about what is prepped on site, and two of our staff on service so nobody in the family spends the day in an apron.