Same Sex Wedding Schedule

1.30pm Ceremony Time

Every wedding schedule is unique and can be tailored to accommodate the needs of every couple. As a same sex couple, you may want to structure your day slightly differently to suit both of your needs. Read on to learn more about same sex wedding schedules at Hanbury Barns.

Please note that these schedule examples are based on our recommended ceremony time of 1:30pm, which is not a fixed timing. You will have the opportunity to dicuss your personal timings with an Event Manager well in advance of your wedding day.

9am The Day Before

At 9am, the day before the wedding, you will drop off all of your decorative items to be safely placed into a secure store room ready for the big day. Items may include things like place name cards, confetti, candles etc. This is then all ready for your Event Manager to begin setting up first thing on your wedding day.

10am On The Big Day

Your chosen wedding suppliers can arrive onsite from 10am to begin their preparations. This may include, Florists, Venue Dressers, Hair and Makeup, as well as our fabulous caterers who will also begin prepping your bespoke menu.

Why not keep things stress free and choose from our Handpicked Suppliers List? You will find a huge range of our most trusted and recommended suppliers who we know will provide you with an amazing service on your wedding day.

Handpicked Suppliers

10:30am - The Dressing Room

Time to settle into The Dressing Room alongside your entourage to commence all the pre-wedding day prep! At Hanbury Barns, we understand that every couple is different.  You may not want to stick to a traditional schedule for a same sex wedding. You are more than welcome to get ready together in The Dressing room and take the opportunity to grab a few pre-ceremony snaps.

Alternatively, if you'd prefer to save the first look until the ceremony, one of you may arrive from 12pm to check into your wedding night pod to add the finishing touches.  We will always have a plan in place to ensure you don't get any sneak peeks of each other when making your way to the ceremony.

Be sure to take advantage of this wonderful photo opportunity where you can capture the moment you first lay eyes on eachother and all those emotions shine through.

Whatever suits you both as a couple, we are more than happy to accommodate.

11am - Exclusive Use Begins

From this point onwards, Hanbury Barns is all yours. You can relax in the knowledge that the only people onsite are those you have personally invited and our wonderful team running your special day.

Enjoy having the venue to yourselves and have a moment of calm for an half an hour before the guests' arrival.

1pm - Thirty Minutes Before The Ceremony

The registrar will arrive and request to speak to you both individually before the ceremony takes place.

Meanwhile, your guests will begin to arrive and will be directed to where the ceremony is taking place by your lovely Event Manager.

1:30pm - The Ceremony

We recommend a 1:30pm ceremony. This ensures you have time to take full advantage of your wedding venue and so you can fit everything in comfortably.

We'll have a chat with you prior to the big day to find out who will accompanying you for the ceremony. Your ceremony is unique to you and we'll talk through different options as to how you can involve your loved ones.

Perhaps you'll both choose to be given away by a loved one or accompany eachother, arm in arm, as you make your way down the aisle.

The arc chair layout works brilliantly for a same sex wedding for those couples both wanting a special entrance. This particular seating arrangement allows for two aisles that meet at the registrars table. This enables you to make your entrance in unison, or perhaps one of you may wait at the front for the anticipated arrival of your partner. As long as you feel comfortable which ever way you choose to make your entrance, that's all that matters.

2pm - Drinks Reception

After the ceremony, guests are invited into The Woodend Barn and the adjoining courtyard. They will be welcomed by the catering staff with trays of your chosen celebratory drinks.

Lasting around an hour and a half, The Drinks Reception is the ideal time where your photographer can get all the shots you want while your guests are chatting away, enjoying their drinks.

Use this opportunity to sneak off as newly weds to explore Hanbury Barns where you can capture some beautiful photographs of just the two of you.

3:30pm - The Eland Barn

Guests are welcomed to take their seats in The Eland Barn before announcing you both into room to much cheering and applause.

3:45pm - The Wedding Breakfast

Often one of the most enjoyable sections of the day. Your bespoke menu and accompanying drinks are served up in style by our wonderful catering staff.

5:15pm - Speeches

Following your meal, loved ones may want to say a few words on this momentous occasion. There are no rules as to who must perform a speech, it can be whoever you'd like. We can provide a wireless microphone to ensure guests hear every word and the mobility of the more enthusiastic speaker is not compromised!

6-8pm - Mingling Time!

During this time guests will enjoy mingling amongst each other with a drink in hand.  They will also find The Bar which opens straight after The Wedding Breakfast. 

8pm - The First Dance

Your first dance as a married couple can be as formal or as fun as you want! Feel free to even get the whole wedding party involved for a more relaxed start to the celebrations. Whether you opt for a DJ, a live band, or even a ceilidh, we have a variety of recommendations. 

8:30pm - Evening Refreshments

Re-energise guests for all the dancing ahead by serving adventurous, delicious, and inventive dishes to keep the party atmosphere at an all time high. 

11:45 - Last Orders

Midnight - The Bar Closes, All Guests Depart Hanbury Barns

Like all fairytales, yours also ends at midnight. When the clock strikes twelve, it is then time to wander down to your cosy wedding night pod for a peaceful night's rest.

12:15am - Hanbury Barns Closes.

12:30am - All Guests To Have departed The Venue

The wonderful team gathers up any of your remaining belongings from the barns and carefully places them into secure overnight storage. Any unused drinks you have supplied will also be safely stored away ready for your collection at either your 9am or 9.30am slot the next morning.

Want To Visit Hanbury Barns?

If you’d like to visit Hanbury Barns please don't hesitate to get in touch. Our Events Team would love to talk you through in more detail about how a same sex wedding works at the venue.

One of our wedding specialists will be happy to give you a guided tour of Hanbury Barns. There will be plenty of time for you to ask questions and get some expert advice and top tips for planning a wedding.

Arrange A Visit