FAQs
In planning a wedding, we understand that there are always numerous questions, so here are the answers to those asked most frequently:
A Registrar can be booked as soon as you have chosen your venue. However, some dates in the summer are very popular so you should check for Registrar availability before confirming your venue booking. Please call Chichester Registry Office on 01243 642122 and ask for the Southern Ceremonies Team.
We ask that you choose one of the catering and marquee companies on our approved supplier list, specially selected by us for their high standards. They bring an in-depth knowledge of the venue and attention to detail that will help to make your day perfect.
You may start delivering equipment, your marquee and putting up decorations up to two days prior to your event, and you have two days afterwards to remove everything. Therefore for a wedding on a Saturday, set up is from Thursday onwards, and the venue needs to be cleared by close of play on Monday.
Yes, you may bring your own alcohol, but you will need to make arrangements with your caterer to serve it.
No, they do not charge corkage, and some are able to supply drinks in addition to food.
There is no overnight accommodation on site but plenty of local places to stay. On the night of the wedding up to 30 guests can camp in a designated area. Please contact Louise Hartley for further information louise@bignorpark.co.uk. The wedding music will finish at 23:30 (23:00 Monday to Thursday) and we ask all guests to be off site by midnight. You will need to book a local taxi in advance for collection at 23:45, and please note that Uber does not operate in our area. We have unlimited capacity for free parking, cars can be left overnight and collected by 11:00 the following morning. Campervans / motorhomes can also stay overnight in the parking area.
Yes, but you will need to make sure your bar company or caterer has a mobile licence for serving alcohol. If not, you will need to apply for a Temporary Event Notice in order to legally sell alcohol. This can be obtained from the Licensing Team at Chichester District Council Tel: 01243 534745.
We have one hundred wooden folding chairs that are included in the venue hire fee. You will need to hire tables and any other additional furniture such as outside seating – we can recommend suppliers.
There is a wood-burning stove in the Stove Room of the Stables, and heaters can be hired for all other rooms and for marquees.
Yes, children are very welcome to Bignor Park, provided they are supervised at all times. Parents need to be made aware of potential hazards for children at the venue such as ponds.
Yes, up to a total of two hundred and fifty including your day guests, but please note that the Stables has room for a maximum of two hundred.
Tealights and candles may be used, providing they are placed in glass holders and appropriate fire and safety precautions are observed.
Yes we do, but it must be biodegradable natural petals only, no confetti cannons.
Yes we are! Well behaved dogs are very welcome, and must be supervised at all times.
There are two loos in the Stables, so if you are considering having more than one hundred guests, you will require portable loos in addition.
There is a no smoking policy within all the buildings at Bignor Park.
Yes we do, but only from our approved professional firework display company Aurora Fireworks. They need to be low level noise, and are by prior agreement dependent on the location of livestock on the estate at the time of your event.
Bignor Park is situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty surrounded by livestock, so we do not allow the release of sky lanterns. They can frighten the animals and there is a fire risk with woodland all around us.
Yes we do, and we will put them up before your event so your guests know where to park – there is unlimited capacity for parking.
There is no on-site accommodation at Bignor Park, but we have a detailed list of local accommodation that we can recommend for you and your guests in our Places to Stay section, ranging from award-winning hotels to friendly B&Bs.
Yes, you may leave cars overnight, and we ask that you return to collect them by 11.00 the following morning.
Yes, we have a designated area for camping for up to 30 people. The loos in the Stables are not locked so available for campers but there are no other camping facilities.
No one wants a great party to end, but we do have a structure in place to ensure that all our events come to a close on a timely basis.
Music
We ask that your music be turned off by 11.30pm (11.00pm Sunday to Thursday). This is common practice at most venues – it conforms to local council requirements on noise pollution and avoids disturbing our neighbours.
Last orders for drinks
Last drinks are to be served at 11.15pm.
Time to leave
All guests are expected to leave Bignor Park by midnight. This allows half an hour after the end of the music for your guests to finish drinks and meet their pre-ordered taxi.