Wedding FAQs
The Bar in Big barn closes at midnight. Guests can stay late inside the Barns once the Bar is closed and the music has finished, but please keep voices down when leaving the buildings.
Yes, our Bar staff will ensure there is ice available for all your needs, including plenty of ice for the bar and for drinks, including at tables and for water jugs.
The registrars have recently decided to allow outside weddings with a few conditions. The wedding must take place within the curtilege of a licensed building, so for us this means it can take place on any side of the barns, or in Barn field. However there is also a requirement that preparations be made within the licensed building, Big Barn. If the weather is inclement then the wedding can take place here, even if preparations have also been made outside. It is registrars who decide on the day where the wedding is to take place: if they believe it will rain at the time of the ceremony then it will be moved indoors.
Wedding couples at Llyn Gwynant Barns create their own weddings and guests should ask them about all arrangements, including about parking and accommodation as these may vary. Parking is either at the barns or in a nearby carpark and there is no charge. They will also tell you about camping or glamping options in the private camping fields which they have booked with the barns. Motorhomes or van sites may be provided there but these are limited and you must check availability with the couple. Llyn Gwynant Campsite does not allow wedding guests to camp on the public campsite if they are attending weddings at the barns.
Up to 120 people can be seated and we provide three different plans for you to consider, on our Table Plans page.
Our maximum allowable number of guests is 120, and there is lots of room for 120 people to camp in separate tents in the private barn fields.
Our electric hookups (EHUs) use the standard blue 16 amp round C-form plugs. A household plug does not fit directly into the hook-up but will need an adapter for any household appliances. These can be purchased through camping and caravan outlets and online. We recommend a cable length of at least 10m as EHU points are sometimes located centrally. Note you cannot plug high powered devices such as electric heaters or microwaves into the EHUs for tents.
Yes we now have 2 hook-ups in Barn yard and 6 at the top of Barn field, see the Site plan for details of where these are: 4 are on the hard standing at the top corner of the Barn field, so these can be used for caravans or campervans by arrangement with the couple hiring the barns for a wedding; another 2 are near our slate path in Barn field and so are suited to use for a bouncy castle, or for vehicles in the yard itself.
Hard standing around the barns can take parking for about 30 vehicles if it is well organised, with someone directing arriving cars. There is also some parking space around the other barns. There is also an overflow car park on the Campsite driveway which can be used by arrangement, see our Site Plan for details.
We do not expect a major deep clean but we do expect that all your personal items are removed from the barns before checkout, that the floors are swept, all food removed, fridge and stove cleaned and kitchen surfaces wiped. A quick hot water mop of kitchen and Big Barn floor also greatly helps the cleaning process as it removes anything that may cause staining or damage. You are not expected to clean the toilets, these will be maintained by us during your visit.
Paper confetti is not to be used anywhere inside or outside the barns, but natural confetti such as petals are welcome either inside or outside. Confetti cannons contain paper and plastic and should not be used.
There is a large wood-burner in the barns plus the outdoor firewok, but wood use may depend on your plans and the weather. However we will always buy back unopened bags of wood and also you can buy more bags at the campsite where they are sold at 6 pm each night. So there is no problem if you get it wrong…. many couples order 10 bags in advance with their equipment hire and we simply return money for unused bags with your bond.
All standard toilet block consumables are provided, and the toilets are stocked and cleaned by staff throughout your stay. However many couples choose to provide extra luxuries for their guests such as hand-towels, tissues, suncream, insect repellent etc.
You are responsible for glassware collection but our bar staff clean them, but do not wash other tableware. Collecting and washing crockery and cutlery in the commercial dishwasher is usually done by the approved caterers, so please discuss this and make arrangements with them when you book. If you are self catering or hiring a mobile/outside catering supplier and want to use our tableware, you will need to arrange the collection of plates and washing up yourselves, as mobile caterers do not have access to the kitchen. No you do not need to bring dishwasher chemicals as the machine automatically uses its own detergent and rinse aid.
We provide brooms, dustpans and brushes, buckets and mops: these are in a cupboard in the Kitchen barn. We also provide multi-purpose and kitchen surface spray and cloths. You should bring tea towels, washing up liquid, sponges and other washing up or drying equipment.
Yes all the facilities of the nearby public campsite toilet block are available to guests in the barns, though these are a few minutes walk away. There are also showers in both the inside and outside barn toilet blocks. The public campsite showers are along the back of the toilet block, and there are wash down showers at the front of the block for use after a swim. You are welcome to use all facilities at the campsite but please respect campers privacy by not walking among the tents.
Yes so long as we are consulted about exactly where it is sited so that pegs do not go into underground services, and also that we approve of the contractor supplying it who must be given our Terms and conditions document: Barn T_C for outside contractors. We have electric hook-ups where they can be plugged in, however be aware this is also near to our underground electrical and heating services so please make sure you consult our staff, check our Site Plan for more details.
Yes we have a beautiful Pagoda marquee that is the only one we allow at the barns and is now provided as standard on our front slate patio, for details please see our Marquee page
We prefer people to leave dogs at home, and they are not allowed inside the barn buildings. However we do allow dogs in the barn fields so long as they are kept inside a vehicle or on a leash at all times, and are cleaned up after.
The registrar does not allow alcohol to be served or even visible during the wedding ceremony. A fully staffed bar operates at the back of Big Barn which is screened from view during the ceremony, but open for the afternoon and evening. Our license comes with strict terms and conditions and we charge corkage for all alcohol consumed on the wedding day, so you must advise us of quantities before arrival, please see our Bar and drinks page for more. We are responsible for all alcohol consumed on this day and we also provide and clean the glassware used. Please advise your guests of this restriction.
We require you to use one of the caterers on our list. These have all worked here before and been highly recommended, see our Catering page. Please contact us if you want to use someone not on the list, we may agree if they are not using the Kitchen barn or if there is some very special reason. For example mobile caterers who use equipment sited outside the barns may be acceptable
The Llyn Gwynant Barns are hired on condition that no excessive noise or disturbance is audible at the public campsite at any time. Only acoustic music is allowed outside (with restrictions on the use of drums) and only during the day. Sound systems can be used in the barns, but only in the Big Barn and only if sound levels are kept within reasonable limits set by our staff on the night. There is a 12-way multi-core cable from the stage to the back of the barns and a large cabinet used as a mixing desk for PA systems and lighting. The quiet time at the public campsite is from 11.00 pm but DJs and bands at the barns can play until midnight on condition that sound is turned down on request. After midnight only acoustic playing or small sound systems approved by Barns staff are allowed. Sound levels depend on weather and vary with wind conditions and will be monitored by campsite wardens and Barns staff. A Responsible person must be nominated by you on check in and they should liaise with staff to reduce sound levels on request. If no-one is responsive and noise is not reduced, power may be cut off.
Lighting inside the barns is quite flexible: bright fluros in all areas for setting up, hanging globe lights in the Big barn and low level pillar lights throughout the barns for mood lighting, with fairy lights in the lean-to. For details of our professional stage lighting system see Barn sound and light systems.
Lighting outside the barns consists of bulkhead lights by doorways. Photos showing more complex outside lighting including fairy lights was brought for the celebration by the couples getting married or their friends.
An outside power socket is provided outside the bifold doors in the Big barn lean-to.
Electric hookups in barn yard and barn field are available by arrangement only, and as we do not allow vehicles to drive over the fields they are offered only on condition vehicles are not taken off this hard standing.
The barns have underfloor heating in the Big Barn toilet block and in the Kitchen Barn, provided by the wood-chip boiler installed at the campsite. There are also four big downflow fan coil heaters installed on the beam in the middle of the Big Barn that are turned on before you arrive. These blow heat down and have two settings, high and low, that are manipulated by a staff member. Since the high setting is a little noisy we usually turn them on high first thing in the morning before you arrive, and turn them on low for the duration of your stay. If you want more heat however you can ask to have them turned up while you are there.
In addition there is a large woodburner stove in Big Barn that should be used with great care: a fire guard is installed to prevent young children getting close. Wood for this and for the outdoor firewok must be bought from us and please make sure the firewok is only ever placed on hard standing not the field as it burns the grass. We prefer you to order wood in advance but you can buy bags of wood at 6 pm at the campsite each day. Do not worry about ordering too much in advance as we always refund bags left over that are unopened. Most people order 10 bags, and we often refund for one or two, adding this to the barn bond when we return it via internet transfer. You can see the price of wood on our campsite Rates page.
Sorry these are not allowed as the fire regulations prohibit them. Also we do not like finding the remains of these up among our trees… Our firewok provides a suitable means of celebrating with fire, so long as you use wood bought from us.
No sorry, fire regulations prohibit any fireworks on site. There is a serious danger that fireworks could fall among your campers or in the public campsite and catch fire to tents.
No, sorry our fire registration includes restrictions on candles. We do allow tea lights however so long as these are placed only on the tables and only on some non-flammable material like a plate.
No straw is to be used inside or outside the barns because of fire regulations.
A very high step-ladder is provided for you do put up decorations and take them down – please make sure it is properly set up when you use it with the top platform fully extended and the barrier in place. Also please be careful not to scratch the Big Barn floor as you move it. During your time at the barns you can store it outside, along the back wall of the Big Barn (go through the bifold doors and you can lay it beside the stone wall beside the building).
We love it when people do up the barns to suit themselves, (with a few exceptions, see some other questions!). To enable this in the Big Barn we have put robust hooks or eyes at the centre of each stone pillar, on both sides, and also beside each of the downlights in the lean-to area as well as below the stained glass window above the stage. We now have ZERO TOLERANCE for anything sharp being used to pierce any of our beams, walls, furniture or fixtures in any way – no sharp items, nails or staples are to be used in any of our wood, and if we find even a staple then the entire barn bond is forfeit. The good news is that you do not need to do this since we have provided so many places to hang or tie decorations. If in doubt ask us if you want to do something unusual, we will do our best to help you decorate as you want.
We have several staff at Llyn Gwynant Barns who run the bar and who keep the bathroom facilities clean and tidy, and wash glassware. However you are responsible for collecting glassware and serving drinks for post ceremony fizz, table wine and toasts. Our staff also offer technical support with PA, Bands, DJs and so on. Moving furniture is your responsibility, and while our staff can give advice they are usually busy at the bar so we ask that you have a group of guests to help you set up the room and help you move furniture during the day.
The registrar requires no food or alcohol is consumed, served or even visible while the ceremony takes place, and this includes the wedding cake so ask us for advice about the location or screening of this if it is to be set up before the ceremony. We also require that our furniture is not moved from the room in which you find it and that no wooden furniture is taken outside. Apart from these restrictions we do like you to make the event your own. If you move the heavy tables and pews within the Big Barn please be very careful to lift and not scrape the floor – since this furniture is very heavy take care and have several strong people move each piece. Ask us if your plan is unusual, we always try to accommodate couples getting married in the barns as we do want it to be your day!
Usually couples will arrange one side of the Big Barn for the ceremony (often held on the stage or in front of the stage), and set up the tables on the other side of the pillars. We provide room dividers so the tables and bar are screened off during the ceremony out of sight of the registrars. After the ceremony, the prepared tables are moved into position for the reception while the couple and guests are outside having a drink and photographs taken. Our tables are heavy and moving them is your responsibility so please organise help from your guests. Usually the tables on the stage side of the Big barn are moved again after the meal to clear a space for dancing.
How you organise the tables is entirely up to you and it depends on how many guests you have and what kind of seating you want, either banqueting style around groups of tables pushed together or around individual tables, or a more informal buffet style. See our Table plans page for examples of how you can arrange tables for a sit down meal.
We have furniture in each room of the Barns, including heavy wooden tables and benches in the Kitchen barn which must remain there. In Big barn there are two long oak trestle tables, one on stage for the registrars with two chairs and a small ring table, and one at the back of the room. Four long very heavy Pugin pews are around the walls and in front of the stage and must remain in that room (be careful if moving them, not to scrape the floor). In the Tall barn is a wonderful wooden couch and also a decorated easel you can use for notices or seating plans. A coat rack is provided (with about 50 coat hangers), an iron and large ironing board, brooms and dustpans. We have 12 rustic, blue legged wedding tables which each sit 10 people. Crockery, glassware and cutlery are provided in the cost of hire, as well as kitchen equipment such as dishwasher, induction pans and water boiler. We do not include kitchen catering utensils such as knives, chopping boards, oven trays or serving dishes so ask your caterer, or remember to bring them with you – you will likely want some of your own equipment if you are offering guests breakfasts or lunches at the barns. See our Equipment page for more.
No campfires are allowed anywhere in our barn fields, as these are likely to damage our grass. A large fire-wok is available for use on hard standing at the barns, which can only be used with firewood purchased from us, and this is the only fire permitted outside at the barns.
We hire the barns for up to 120 people which is adults plus children, under 5’s are not counted.
When the entire barn complex is hired, you also get exclusive use of the two private camping fields, even if you do not want to have your guests camping there.
There are conditions with our license as a venue for weddings and civil partnerships. Not only must we be a “seemly and dignified” venue, the following requirements are just some of those that must also be met:
- a “responsible person” from Gwynant Ltd must be present one hour before the ceremony takes place and during the ceremony.
- “the sale or consumption of food or drink and smoking are prohibited in the room one hour prior to and during the ceremony and for fifteen minutes after the ceremony”
- any bar “must be concealed so that its appearance does not affect the dignity of the ceremony and so that no noise or smell interferes with the ceremony”
- “at least one table and possibly two” must available for the use of the registration officers
- “Free use of a telephone if necessary to solve any last minute problems with the legal requirements for marriage/civil partnership.”
- there must be parking spaces for the officers attending the wedding/civil partnership so they can leave conveniently
- “a bilingual sign announcing the fact that the property has been licensed worded in accordance with the direction of the Proper Officer must be displayed at each public entrance to the premises for one hour prior to the ceremony and throughout the ceremony”
So one of the senior Gwynant staff will join you prior to your ceremony in the Big barn, and will ensure these conditions are met. An oak trestle table and two black plastic and steel chairs are reserved specifically for the registrar and often kept on stage, as well as a small round table often used for the ring. Two car parks opposite the gate into the barn yard are reserved for the registrars, where they cannot get “boxed in” by other parked cars.
The wedding can take place anywhere in the Big Barn, as this room is licensed for weddings. However British law does not allow a wedding ceremony to take place outside.
The phone number for the registrar’s office is 01766 771 000 or you can email registrars@gwynedd.gov.uk.
Yes the Big Barn is licensed for weddings, civil partnerships and other civil ceremonies.