FAQs

A dry hire venue is a blank canvas that gives you the freedom to handpick your suppliers and decor to suit your unique style, taste and budget. The potential is off the charts when the only limitation is your imagination.

Check out our Recommended Suppliers for some suggestions, but there are no restrictions on what you choose.

• A two-night stay in our brand new accommodation, The Stable, which sleeps six people (please see the What’s included in The Stable accommodation? section for more information)
• Use of all function rooms and ceremony areas: The Top Barn, The Hayloft, The Covered Yard, and The Lakeside Gazebo
• Fully stocked and staffed bar (please see Bar and Drinks for more information)
• The Paddock for garden games
• No ceremony fee (we do not charge extra for you to get legally married at the venue; however, you will need to pay a fee to the Shropshire Registrars if you wish to hold a legal ceremony on-site)
• Installed fairy lights and festoon lights in The Top Barn and The Covered Yard
• Matching wooden trestle tables and cross-back chairs for your wedding breakfast
• Ceremony table
• Wooden folding chairs for a ceremony at The Lakeside or in The Covered Yard
• Twenty benches in The Hayloft
• Ten outdoor picnic benches with parasols
• Six ply trestle tables for non-dining use
• Two rustic cable reel tables for outdoor use
• Wooden arch for outdoor use or use in The Covered Yard
• Four stainless steel milk churns and six stainless steel milk buckets for flower arrangements
• Six vintage tea chests for decoration
• Inbuilt RCF speaker system and microphone in The Top Barn and The Hayloft for background music and speeches
• Portable speaker for background music at The Lakeside or in The Covered Yard
• Use of the catering area for your chosen caterer to prepare your wedding meal
• Toilets, including a disabled toilet and baby changing facilities
• Renewable, solar-powered heating where available
• Ample car parking, including two electric car charging points

• Three bedrooms in total, including:
  • The honeymoon suite – a first-floor bedroom with king-sized bed and shower room
  • Two additional en-suite king-sized bedrooms in the annexe
• Hair and makeup room with multiple mirrors and three stools
• Fully equipped kitchen with oven, induction hob, 70:30 fridge freezer, microwave, toaster, and kettle
• Dining table with 6 chairs
• Two three-seater sofas

Yes! With the historic market town of Shrewsbury under 5 miles away, there are lots of great options in the area to suit a range of budgets. Check out our comprehensive list of Local Accommodation.

While we are a dry hire venue, we don’t just pass over the keys and leave you to it. We want to make sure your set-up day and wedding day run smoothly and are as stress-free as possible.

On your set-up day:

• The required quantity of tables and chairs will be brought into the barn for you to arrange in your preferred layout
• We’ll welcome you to the barn and answer any initial questions
• A handover meeting at the end of the day will demonstrate how to use the sound system and cover any other essential details

On your wedding day:

• If you’re getting legally married at Moat Hall Barns, we are required to be present while the registrars are on-site. We’ll ensure your interviews with the registrar happen on time and that your ceremony runs without disruption
• If your ceremony is by The Lakeside or in The Covered Yard, we will pack away the ceremony chairs when you’re finished
• After your wedding breakfast, we’ll facilitate moving the dining furniture out of the barn to create space for your dance floor and evening reception

If you’d like us to be more involved, check out our Wedding Coordination option.

We can accommodate up to 120 daytime guests seated, and up to 150 guests for an evening reception. Please see Our Spaces for full details on the capacity of different ceremony, dining, and reception areas.

Moat Hall Barns is exclusively yours for 3 days.

• Weekend weddings take place on Saturdays
• Midweek weddings are held on Thursdays
• If you’d prefer a different day, just ask — we’ll do our best to accommodate

Key timings:

• Set-up access: from 11am to 4pm on the first day of your hire period
• Check-out:
  • 12pm for a weekend wedding
  • 10am for a midweek wedding

• Booking a registrar, celebrant, or church
• Daytime and evening catering
• Crockery and cutlery hire (often provided by your caterer)
• Entertainment
• Photographer and/or videographer
• Decorating the venue

For local suppliers, check out our Recommended Suppliers.

No, we do not charge for corkage.

You are welcome to provide:

• Up to two welcome drinks per person
• Half a bottle of wine per person for the table
• One toasting drink per person

• Weekend weddings: music until midnight, venue vacated by 12:30am
• Midweek weddings: music until 11:30pm, venue vacated by midnight

We’ll provisionally hold your date for 7 days. To confirm the booking, a £1,000 deposit is required.

The remaining balance is paid in two equal instalments, due:

• 12 months before your wedding
• 6 months before your wedding

Yes. A £500 refundable damage deposit is due with your final instalment.

If no damage is found after your event, it will be reimbursed within 5 working days.

Although the outdoor ceremony at The Lake takes place under cover, your guests will be exposed to the elements and if the weather isn’t looking favourable you may have to move things indoors.

Don’t worry – The Covered Yard, The Hayloft, or The Top Barn can all be used instead.

No, there’s no additional charge for using our ceremony areas.

It is a legal requirement for a Moat Hall Barns representative to be present during your ceremony, but again, there is no fee for this.

You will, however, need to pay the Shropshire Registrars for a legal ceremony.

Yes – Christ Church, Annscroft is less than a mile away.

If you’re interested in a church ceremony, let us know and we’ll put you in touch with Revd. Graham Philips.

More info: yourchurchwedding.org

Yes. All ground-floor areas are accessible, and we have a disabled toilet.

Please note: The Hayloft does not have disabled access.

Yes – natural petal confetti is welcome.

No, due to nearby livestock, fireworks and Chinese lanterns are not permitted.

We understand your dog is part of the family too!

The hirer is welcome to bring their dog. Outside of indoor ceremonies and drinks receptions, dogs are best kept to The Paddock and The Covered Yard.

Please note:

• Dogs must be on a lead at all times
• You are responsible for cleaning up after your dog
• Dogs are not permitted in the accommodation

Yes – smoking and vaping are permitted in the designated smoking area.

We know you’ll have more questions! Please contact us – we’re always happy to help.