Alpheton Hall Barns
My Band or DJ have asked what PA systems you have and if you have a sound limiter?
The barns do have a sound limiter (voluntarily installed). This is for health and safety reasons, not environmental ones and is set at a 3 second averaging tripping at sustained levels over 110 dB “A” weighting and 120 dB “C” weighting (these being the higher and lower notes respectively). For reference anything over 120 dB can result in immediate and permanent hearing damage and the average nightclub sound limiter is set at 95 dB max with some wedding venues and nightclubs restricted to 85 dB. Being a logarithmic scale, in simplest terms every 10 dB increase is a doubling in loudness. So 120 dB is 16 times louder than 90 dB.
There is an inhouse PA that can be used under supervision in the event of supplier equipment failure. It comprises a Mackie 1608 wireless amp linked to 2 No. Pro 2,000w and 2 No. QSC 12″ 2,000w active speakers. Power is provided by 2 double 13 amp sockets (silver) to the rear of the band space. These are both on the same phase and have their own MCB & RCD. Set up space should be limited to leave the space in the middle of the drapes clear for the first dance. There is an 8’0 x 8’0 riser for the percussion, it is recommended that you bring your mat. The venue has an extensive computerised lighting system comprising some 60 LED RGB(W)(A)(Uv) fixtures providing a wide range of effects. Haze is permitted but smoke / fog is not. Any questions, please contact the venue.
Do you charge corkage or are there any additional charges we need to be aware of? Can we hire our own Bar?
We do not charge corkage and are happy for you to provide your own drink provided your caterers are able to serve it and deal with clearing up. If you are planning to have a pay bar, we can recommend Bar Rumba Events but if you have a preference for another option please talk to us before booking.
How many and what style tables & chairs do you have and what size table linen will I need?
We have 20 no. round tables approx. 5’6 diameter seating 8 – 10 persons (120″ round tablecloths), 4 no. round tables approx. 6ft diameter seating 10 – 12 persons (132″ round tablecloths), 30 rectangular trestle style tables approx. 6’0 x 2’6 seating 6 – 8 persons depending on configuration (70″ x 108″ tablecloths for individual tables or 70″ x 144″ or 90″ x 144″ (to touch the floor) for banqueting style table lengths) and 2 no. approx. 3’0 tables (90″ round tablecloth) suitable for use as a cake tables (but we also have an oak barrel ‘cake table’ which does not need a cloth). Couples opting for our shaped ‘F’ top table set up should order 2 No 70″ x 108″ and 1 No 70″ x 70″ table cloth (or 3 No 70″ x 108″ will also work). A few spare cloths in case of marks or if you need to bring the drinks receptions inside are always useful.
In addition, we have 300 Chiavari chairs in limed beech with gold seat pads, 2 No. Chiavari chairs with steel cores which can be more comfortable for guests over 18 stone / 115 kg and 8 chairs for small guests (0 – 6 yrs) set for differing age levels. Should you wish to hire in a different style of table or chairs then this is permitted but may incur an additional handling cost, please contact us to discuss your requirements.
Can we decorate the Barns how we like? What about the Hoop & Ladder lights?
Yes, provided you do no damage to the Barns. You will not be able to attach decorations to the structure unless they are draped or tied and there are plenty of discrete hooks around the Barns for this purpose. Please, NO holes, pins, nails, screws, blue tack (or equivalent) or sticky stuff and do not tie decorations to electrical cables or unplug or switch off AHB plugs. We are happy to provide advice on how to achieve the look you want without damaging the Barns. If you are looking for rustic decorations we have a number of props we have accumulated over the years which you may use, otherwise see our Suppliers page for ideas.
If you are decorating our ladder or hoop lights, please choose materials, flowers or foliage which are ‘dry’ and capable of surviving without oasis or being sprayed with water as these are electrical installations. Cable ties work well to fix foliage but should be a colour other than black (white or green are good) to avoid anyone snipping our own black ones when the decoration is taken down. Bare wire (including chicken or mesh wire) should not be used as a base or for fixing decoration to the hoops or ladders. The ladders & hoop lights are only to be lowered and raised by AHB. If in any doubt please ask.
Note: please can you and your florist use floral foam alternatives where possible. All decorations will be required to be removed from the venue following the event unless agreed otherwise.
Can we have tea lights or candles?
Tea lights look lovely in the Barns but must be enclosed. Our insurers do not permit larger candles and naked flames.
Do you restrict our choice of caterers or other suppliers? Can we self cater?
If you choose a caterer or supplier who is not listed on our ‘Suppliers’ page please check with us before you book. In particular, there are a small number of caterers who will not be permitted to return and we reserve the right to refuse to accept your caterer or other supplier. Suppliers are required to meet our Providers Terms of Acceptance which should be given to and confirmed by them prior to booking. Whilst we are happy for you to provide elements of your meal such as a sweet or cake table we believe that your wedding will be more relaxed and enjoyable if professional caterers with the appropriate experience and insurance cater your wedding breakfast. We ask that guests do not access the kitchens on the day of the celebrations except by prior agreement.
Can we have fireworks, sparklers, balloons, confetti or sky lanterns?
Whilst they look lovely, regrettably we cannot have fireworks or sky lanterns as we are surrounded by grazing land, hay meadows and sheep and have our own animals. We do not prohibit sparklers (and can provide sand buckets) but we ask that you nominate one of the party to be responsible for their safe use and collection of all spent sparklers. As a general point it can be better to have sparklers at dusk (when your photographer will be more likely to still be here) than at the end of the evening. All balloons must be firmly secured to avoid littering the countryside and so that they do not get ‘lost’ in the barn roof void. We love confetti in the Confetti garden but this must flower petal or dried flowers only (no confetti canons unless dried flower petal).
What are the hours of access to Alpheton Hall Barns for our wedding?
You and your suppliers can have access to the Barns from 12.00 (mid-day) on the day before the event until 18.00 for the purpose of decorating the barn.
Access on the day of the wedding is from 09.00 and the reception must end by midnight. We recommend that the Bar finishes at 23.30 with the couple leaving at the same time, to facilitate this.
We ask that the Barns are cleared by 12.00 (mid-day) on the day after the wedding with access from 09.00.
How many guests can we invite?
We generally restrict numbers to 200 although we are licenced for up to 250 for Civil Ceremonies. If you are proposing more than 200 please talk to us first about the logistics of accommodating them comfortably and safely.