The Copse wedding Venue FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Do get in touch if you have any questions that are not covered by our FAQ’s. We are very happy to answer any questions you may have.

Click on the questions below for your answers

Where is The Copse?

The postcode is RG4 9HA. We are 10 minutes from Reading and 20 minutes from Henley-on-Thames.

All that the countryside has to offer yet so close to town.

Car parking for guests

Car parking is available on site for your guests to use.

Catering

The beauty of The Copse is that you can choose and book the caterer of your choice! If you are unsure where to begin or would like some recommendations then we can provide contacts for local chefs, caterers, pizza makers and all kind of wonderful people who will make your celebration really special and fun and not over extend your budget.

Caterers are welcome to use our kitchens (if needed) but all wedding breakfast cutlery, crockery and glassware needs to be independently hired and returned dirty. This is to avoid you having to wash up, but also not to confuse items with those being used in the house for weekend guests.

We can source staff who have worked on site before to help with the running of your day or do ask your caterers if they can help.

Music and noise

Have a DJ or band play in The Barn for the evening music or If your budget is limited or you already know what music you want and have your own playlist, then stream it via the speakers in The Barn.

We are situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and ask that you and your guests respect the peace and quiet it affords.

How many can sleep at the house?

18 can sleep at the house. Babies and infants are not included in the head count but do speak to us first.

See floor plan for details - note that more bed spaces are provided for flexible sleeping arrangements. Additional people to stay in the house are not permitted under fire regulations.

Also we cannot use the fields for tents and teepees because it is against Oxford Council policy for our land - which is agricultural and not leisure.

How people can sit down to eat in The Pavilion?

100 can be seated for your wedding breakfast overlooking the pond.

This is only available April - September.

Wedding planning

The whole idea of The Copse is for you to plan your wedding the way you want. We can provide you with some information to help with your planning as a starting point but sometimes it can all become a little overwhelming. We can recommend wedding planners and on the day coordinators to help bring your special day and weekend together! This is highly recommended for weddings of 80+ guests.

What are the basic supplies we can expect to find in the house?

The house is provided with linen and towels and loo rolls. Hairdryers, irons and ironing boards. Cleaning consumables for the kitchen are included: bin bags, washing-up liquid and dishwasher tablets, cloths and tea towels.

Can I access a floor plan?

Yes, you can access the floor plan in the menu

What is the dog policy?

You are welcome to bring a dog, as we fully understand that dogs are part of your family. But strict rules apply and you must abide by them please. Guests who come after you must not be inconvenienced in any way because there has been a dog at the property and those with allergies must not be put at any risk. The strict rules will be explained at the time of booking, and if you are happy, we would love to allow your dog to come and play and join in the celebrations.

Are there rules for wedding guests at the garden reception?

We ask guests to respect the grounds and property. Cigarettes butts are not to be left around in the gardens but placed in bins or in pots of sand provided.

To be considerate of our neighbours.

Security deposit

When you book your stay at The Copse, a security deposit of £1500 is due one week before your arrival.
Deductions will be made for items/damages as listed in the terms and conditions, which include not returning the property to it’s orginal state as found at the start of the booking (with the exception of general housekeeping) extra cleaning being necessary and not returning items to the decorations store and or leaving it in a tidy state.

Liability is not limited to this amount in the case of severe damage.

Payments

All prices include VAT. Payments can be made by bank transfer or debit or credit card via our online booking system, Inn Style.

50% of the booking cost is required to secure your booking (this is non-refundable unless we get a booking in its place) with the reamining balance due no less than 12 weeks before your arrival date.

Can I reserve a weekend?

We understand that choosing a venue can be a difficult task and is something that needs time and consideration but you don’t want the pressure of potentially losing a chosen weekend date.
We can offer you the facility to reserve your chosen weekend for 4 weeks for £250. After this time a 50% deposit is due to secure your booking but if for whatever reason we are not the venue for you then we refund your £250 and relet the date.

What is your bar policy?

Alcohol cannot be sold to your guests as we do not have a license however we do not charge corkage!

You can supply your choice of drinks and set them up at our bars (one by the stretch tent and the other in the barn). We hope you agree that you will want to relax and enjoy your party and have staff oversee the running of this for you.

So why not supply your choice of drinks but let our barmen, or your approved barmen serve the drinks if this is to be an open bar?

Arrival and departure

We love the fact that you have lots of long days if you book here. So at The Copse we are different. We are civilised…check in from 10am and checkout by 6pm.

But in return, we expect couples and all the helpers they have found to have returned the house, its contents and grounds to its original state…just ready for the cleaners.

If you can’t face the idea of tidying up and just want to relax as a newly married couple with your friends and family then why not enlist our helpers to run around and collect up all of the rubbish, return decorations to the store and put the site back to its orginal state.

What is there to do for the house guests?

House guests probably understand that you will put them to work on helping you with your wedding? If their help is not what you need, then there are so many places you can send them…Henley on Thames is close by and there are river trips and fabulous pubs…there are walks across the Mapledurham Estate, if it is wet weather you can hide them in The Copse cinema and the stock of films will appeal to all ages.