Weddings - FAQs
Exbury has three venues on site licensed for civil weddings and ceremonies, and also hosts receptions. The Five Arrows Gallery is licensed for 60 persons; the Exbury Engine Shed for 100 persons and Mr Eddy’s Restaurant and Tearooms for 100 persons respectively. Receptions may be held in each of these venues, and also on a marquee lawn. The Tennis Court Tea Garden is another site popular for drinks receptions and smaller gatherings.
Yes. It is possible to be married in one of Exbury’s licensed venues, before holding a blessing in the Gardens. On these occasions a separate fee is payable to the registrar and Gardens for the ceremony and blessing.
You are welcome to visit the Gardens at a time of your convenience to view our facilities, and perhaps ride the Exbury Gardens Steam Railway, which may be booked as “The Wedding Belle.”
The Gardens are at their busiest in May, and no wedding receptions take place during this month. The Gardens are closed from mid-November to early March. Up to eight marquee receptions may take place during the year, but there is no restriction on other venues, subject only to their use for special events and other bookings. Please contact our wedding co-ordinator to discuss specific dates. The family request no fireworks please, with no outdoor confetti. Confetti may be used inside our licensed venues provided it is cleared afterwards.
Various art exhibitions and flower shows are held in the Five Arrows Gallery each year. The walls will either be blue (in October) or white. If your wedding falls outside of one of our exhibitions, we can arrange for stock images to be displayed or you are welcome to supply your own artwork and / or photographs.
Alcohol may not be consumed on the premises during your wedding ceremony, however, you are welcome to hold your drinks reception in the Five Arrows Gallery or on the courtyard after your ceremony. Use of the venue beyond the standard 1 ½ hours is subject to an additional charge at an hourly rate.
Please speak to the Exbury Caterers Pabulum. If chosen to assist with your drinks reception Pabulum can generally offer storage space overnight.
This very much depends on the chosen venue, but we work with you to give you time and opportunity to personalize your site.
We can put you in touch with a range of suppliers who know the Gardens well, and come recommended by ourselves and couples who have previously celebrated at Exbury. Our resident catering company, Pabulum, will be pleased to discuss your requirements in Mr Eddy’s Restaurant and Tearooms, the Tennis Court Tea Gardens and the Engine Shed, however, you are welcome to use your own suppliers for marquee functions on the Main Lawn site.
Yes – approx. 90% of couples celebrating at Exbury will use the Steam Railway at some point during their day. It is an enjoyable way of seeing part of the Gardens, having everyone together at one time, and provides a great talking point and some fabulous photo opportunities. “The Wedding Belle” ride allows 2 circuits of the Gardens, with plenty of optional photographic stops. A ride on “The Wedding Belle” is inclusive in the hire of the Engine Shed, but can be booked in addition to ceremonies and / or receptions held at other venues within the Gardens. We would require a minimum of two weeks notice for use of “The Wedding Belle”.
Yes, you are welcome to bring in your own flower arrangements to decorate the train carriages prior to your ride on “The Wedding Belle”. You may have access to the train from 10am on the morning of your train ride.
Exbury only book one wedding function per day. Whilst the Gardens are open to the public on a daily basis between early March and November, the gates close at 6pm and your party then enjoy exclusive use of Exbury’s 200 acres – a haven of peace and tranquility. Please take into consideration the varying terrain in the Gardens when selecting footwear!
Garden buggies are available for hire – they sit up to seven persons, and come with your own chauffeur. They may be used for tours; for transport to and from the marquee, car park or Exbury Railway stations. Up to 3 buggies may be supplied at an hourly rate, dependent on time of year and time of day. We would require a minimum of two weeks notice for use of the buggies.
The Gardens cover 200 acres and you may take photo’s almost anywhere you wish! Our wedding co-ordinator will suggest the best areas dependent on the time of year. The Herbaceous and Grasses Garden beside the Five Arrows Gallery is very colourful during the summer months, as is the Summer Lane Garden which the steam railway passes through. Spring weddings are ideal for the early flowering rhododendrons and primroses; autumn weddings the superb colour from the acers and maples that flourish at Exbury. Your photographer is very welcome to visit the Gardens and explore before the day so that you can plan your time and areas to visit.
Vehicles can be left overnight in either the Five Arrows Gallery or main Car Park, dependent on your venue, at your guests own risk. Instructions to pick up vehicles on the following day are given out on request by your meet and greeter when guests first arrive, or are available to collect from wedding venues.
The Gardens require wedding insurance for the venue to the sum of £1 million – this is generally provided from basic insurance wedding packages.
A deposit secures your chosen date for ceremony and / or reception.
Exbury can provide local accommodation guides for the New Forest and surrounding areas. There is a link to local hotels and b&b’s from the Exbury website, www.exbury.co.uk.
Yes – this is possible. If of interest, please contact the Secretary to the Vicar of St. Katharine’s on Thursday mornings between 10am – 12noon on 01590 612242.