Frequently Asked Questions

The basic hire charge includes the hire of your chosen room(s), tables (round or rectangular), gold banqueting chairs (up to 150), an on-duty Caretaker during your event to provide assistance as necessary and your own dedicated Weddings Coordinator to assist in the planning and running of your wedding.

Yes. Our friendly in house catering service will strive to fulfil all of your catering requirements. There is a range of menus and service styles available, which can be found within this information pack. If you wish for something specifically tailored to you, our catering team will be happy to meet with you to discuss your requirements.

Yes. You are free to arrange your own catering arrangements using external caterers; however a surcharge of £200 will apply. We are unable to let external caterers’ use any of our on-site kitchen facilities so you will have to arrange this with your chosen provider.

We strongly discourage ‘DIY’ catering.

If you choose to use our in house caterers, these items are included in the price of the catering. If you decide to use outside caterers, you will need to arrange to hire these items separately or with your chosen caterers. We can provide the hire of various items of table linen, glassware and other items, if booked in advance, for an additional charge.

We have an extensive and competitively priced selection of wines available on our wine list, which can be found within this information pack. If you do wish to bring in your own wine a corkage charge of £7 per bottle applies. All hirer provided wine must be cleared away before our cash bar will open (if you request for it to be opened for your event).

We can provide a Cash Bar with a wide range of drinks at competitive prices from either our purpose built bar in Centenary Hall or from our mobile bar in the Stairwell.

You are welcome to arrange your own bar using an external supplier; however this will incur a surcharge of £150.

Last orders at the bar is called at 11pm with the bar to close promptly at 11.30pm

No. Culford Hall doesn’t hold a civil ceremony licence. The parish church of St Marys is located within the grounds, a short stroll away from Culford Hall. To request your marriage ceremony to take place at the church, please contact the Reverend Sylvia Bareham (Tel: 01284 724899).

Yes. Yours will be the only wedding on the day to ensure that your day is as special as possible. There may be a residential group using other separate areas of Culford Hall; this will cause no interruption to any part of your wedding and if applicable will be discussed in advance of your wedding.

Yes. Your dedicated Wedding Coordinator will be with you from the date you book until after your first dance on the day. Your Wedding Coordinator will be with you during your wedding day, making sure your day runs as smoothly as possible for you, making announcements as necessary, ensuring your day runs to your plans for your day and dealing with any issues or questions that may arise at any point.

Normally your cake supplier will provide these items. We can provide a knife for you to cut your cake if required.

You are free to use whichever external suppliers you wish, providing all of their equipment is PAT tested and they provide us with a copy of their own Public Liability Insurance before the event.

We do not have a recommended supplier list, however we can suggest various local companies should you wish. We have no affiliation and pay no commission to any suppliers.

The only lighting that we provide is standard room lighting; it is either bright dining light or very dim house lighting. We highly recommend that you ensure that your entertainment provider brings their own lighting or that you hire additional lighting from an outside supplier.

No. Under no circumstances whatsoever are naked flames allowed in any part of the buildings. A great alternative is to use battery operated LED tea-lights which are widely and cheaply available and look just as good as real candles.No. Under no circumstances whatsoever are naked flames allowed in any part of the buildings. A great alternative is to use battery operated LED tea-lights which are widely and cheaply available and look just as good as real candles.

No. The use of fireworks is strictly prohibited within any part of the school or it grounds.

The use of confetti is prohibited during any function at the school and no party poppers are to be used.

Culford Hall is located in the pretty village of Culford, just outside Bury St Edmunds, and is easily accessible by car.

Culford Hall is only available for hire outside of the school term time. These dates are available on request.

Although we are not able to provide any accommodation on site, there are many hotels in the nearby town of Bury St Edmunds. A list of nearby accommodation suppliers can be provided on request.

There is a large amount of free parking available on site.

By prior arrangement, guests are permitted to leave cars overnight at Culford and return to collect them by 11am the following day.

We suggest using A1 Taxis (01284 766 777) as they are used to our location at Culford Hall. We strongly suggest that all transport arrangements are made in advance of your event as mobile phone signal at Culford is limited.

By prior arrangement, you will be able to pick up decorations and other items that are left behind the next working day.

Yes, by prior arrangement, as long as there is not an event happening the day before. We try to avoid scheduling events the day before a wedding wherever possible to ensure you have adequate time to set up for your day.

The visitors’ room can be used as a crèche for smaller children if required. This must be requested at the time of booking.

The visitors’ room can be used should older guests need to get away from the noise of the disco/band. This must be requested at the time of booking.  

All events at Culford Hall are to finish by midnight at the latest.