Durham Castle Wedding Brochure

“We felt completely at ease and trusted the team entirely, meaning we could just relax and enjoy the day.”

With our compliments

Mark & Samantha

• Services of an experienced Master of Ceremonies

When you book your wedding celebrations with us, we will include the following: • Use of Tunstall Gallery or Courtyard for drinks reception • An overnight stay in the Bishop Suite, including breakfast for the Bride and Groom • An overnight stay in the Chaplain Suite, including breakfast for your chosen guests • Courtesy room for changing and storing of gifts

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• Advice on the choice of menu and drinks • Provision of table plan, menus and place cards • Use of cake stand and knife • Dedicated Wedding Co-ordinator • PA system and microphones to use for speeches • Finest quality white linen tablecloths and napkins

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“All the staff were professional and supportive giving us further ideas or suggestions in the run up to our big day.”

Civil Ceremonies & Blessings Durham Castle is licenced for civil ceremonies & civil partnerships so that your day can move seamlessly from ceremony to celebration.

Andrew & Laura

Outdoor ceremonies are available in Fellows Garden.

If the weather is not suitable for an outdoor ceremony, the event will be moved inside to the Norman Gallery.

Smaller, more intimate, indoor ceremonies can be accommodated on selected dates in the Senate Room, the Bishops Suite or the Octagon Room.

To arrange your civil ceremony at Durham Castle please contact Durham Registry Office on 03000 266 000 to reserve your ceremony date & time. Please note an additional Wedding Licence fee is payable direct to the registrar. Please check availability at Durham Castle before contacting the Registrars.

The earliest time we can offer a civil ceremony is 12noon.

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“Our guests commented that the food was excellent and well worth the 300-mile journey from London.”

Sophisticated food and exquisite menus

Chris & Helen

The food is one of the most important parts of your wedding day and we have a selection of exceptional menus to choose from. Food is all homemade and our team of Chefs offer a wealth of experience to create the perfect dishes.

Our suppliers have been carefully selected to ensure only the best produce is served to maintain the quality and consistency of our food.

Presentation is just as important as taste when it comes to your dining experience at Durham Castle.

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“The Bishop Suite was the perfect place to wake up together as a married couple.”

Catherine & Michael

Accommodation Durham Castle has two suites, the Bishop Suite and Chaplain Suite, as well as over 50 ensuite bedrooms which can be available for you and your guests.

Enjoy breakfast with your guests in the Medieval Great Hall the next morning.

Check in is from 2pm and check out is by 10am.

Please be advised all bedrooms have stairs leading to them.

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“The castle looked amazing, the staff faultless and it was by far the best day of our lives.”

Toni & Stevie

Frequently asked questions Last orders Standard closing time for the bar is 11pm with the reception at 11.30pm.

We can offer a late licence, if required, with last orders at 12 midnight and reception finishing at 12.30am.

Initial viewing Contact our dedicated Sales Team, on 0800 289 970, to make an appointment to view this historic venue; we offer appointments 7 days a week and would love to show you around.

Your booking Once you have a date you wish to hold with us, we will provisionally hold this date for up to 14 days. After this period a non-refundable deposit of £500 will be required and the contract signed, to confirm the booking.

Catering numbers All guests attending your wedding must be catered for, with the exception of evening receptions where at least 90% of guests must be catered for. We do not allow corkage or outside catering.

Meeting deadlines You will meet with your event co-ordinator around 4 months prior to the wedding to confirm every aspect of your day.

Due to the nature of the building and the surrounding area we do not allow fireworks, Chinese lanterns, artificial smoke, balloons and portable dance floors. We also ask that all candles are enclosed and please note there is no smoking in the Castle grounds.

Payment terms We request that 90% of your total invoice is settled no later than 14 days prior to the event, with the final 10% due as soon as possible after the day itself.

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12 Month wedding planner

12 Months prior

10 Months prior

7 Months prior

4 Months prior

2 Months prior

2 Weeks prior

Set the date and budget

Plan the honeymoon

Book wedding cars

Make a guest list for your daytime and evening reception

Book entertainment for daytime and evening reception

Choose a wedding cake

Final meeting with Durham Castle; this is when we will go through the running order of the day and confirm the finer details

Confirm all plans with suppliers

Give Durham Castle table plan, guest list, final numbers and any guests with dietary requirements

Book Durham Castle and pay £500 deposit Purchase wedding insurance if required

Choose wedding favours

Check passport, visa and book any vaccinations required for honeymoon

6 Months prior

9 Months prior

Order men’s suits

Book a florist and choose flowers Choose Bridesmaid dresses

11 Months prior

Confirm the order of service

8 Months prior

Book a photographer

Choose readings and music for ceremony

Go wedding dress shopping

5 Months prior

Choose stationery

Book hair and make up

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Purchase accessories

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Attend any final outfit fittings

Organise décor and table centres

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Drop off any personal items at Durham Castle needed for your wedding day and have a final meeting; then relax …..

Organise a hair/make up trial

Send out invitations

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Day prior

Write speeches and organise any gifts for guests

3 Months prior

Send out ‘save the date’ cards

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1 Month prior

Plan Hen/Stag parties

Choose rings

Book any beauty treatments

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You will receive your 90% invoice from Durham Castle to be paid 2 weeks’ prior to your wedding day

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“We really can’t thank each and every single one of you enough, for making our day absolutely magical.

We want to do it all again!”

Other Colleges Durham Castle is not the only venue that Durham University can offer for events in the city… we have a diverse range of venues to ensure that you find the perfect location for any occasion. There are Colleges throughout Durham, each with their own individual character, many set within acres of tranquil gardens and featuring unique architecture.

Louise & Christopher

Our staff have a wealth of experience to ensure you receive a high quality of service to make any event a success.

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Venue information Facility Fee ÂŁ1,500.

Minimum of 80 adult daytime guests and 100 adult evening guests apply.

2017/18/19 Term Dates - We can accommodate wedding receptions during the University vacation periods as listed below: 2017 4th January to 11th January 23rd March to 21st April 4th July to 24th September 17th December to 20th December 2018 3rd January to 10th January 9th March to 20th April 3rd July to 28th September 18th December to 20th December 2019 3rd January to 16th January 22nd March to 26th April 9th July to 23rd September 16th December to 22nd December

All prices are valid until 30th September 2017 and include VAT at 20%

Canapés Ham hock beignet with scorched pineapple Deep-fried king prawn skewer with sesame seeds Arancini risotto balls with parmesan Braised pork belly pie with apple purée Truffle cracker with baked potato mousse and garlic cress Blue cheese sablés with whipped cream cheese and pear Pesto cone with red pepper cream cheese and black olive crumb Potato-wrapped cod with crispy capers Brioche and Parma ham croque monsieur Cauliflower tempura popcorn with coriander mayonnaise Any 3 canapés - £6.25 Any 4 canapés - £7.25 Vegetarian

All prices are valid until 30th September 2017 and include VAT at 20%

Starters Smoked salmon With horseradish cream, pickled beetroot, caviar, shaved fennel and micro salad £8.50

Salad of heritage tomatoes With red pepper purée and black olive cigar with white balsamic and micro salad £7.50

Confit duck leg terrine With soused plums, smoked breast and spiced pear purée £8.75

Roasted artichokes With spiced hummus, rocket, fried quail egg and crisp puff pastry £7.50

Grilled Seabream With piquillo peppers, kalamata olive, charred courgette and coriander gel £11.00 Black olive and goat’s cheese bon bon With red pepper mousse, artichoke hearts and micro rocket £7.50

Soup With freshly baked bread roll £6.50 Soup menu White onion with bhaji and curry oil

Squash Tart With carrot and anise purée, toasted pumpkin seeds and maple vinaigrette £7.50

Butternut squash, sweet potato and toasted seeds

Crisp belly pork With soused apple and a kohlrabi and micro celery salad £9.00

Carrot and coriander

Pea and ham hock Leek and potato with herb dumplings Roasted red pepper, feta and pesto

Vegetarian

All prices are valid until 30th September 2017 and include VAT at 20%

Main course & vegetarian options Roasted chicken breast With cep dauphine, baby leek, wild mushroom duxelle and Madeira sauce £26.50 Roasted guinea fowl breast With ham hock pommes anna, pea purée, charred onion and poultry jus £26.50 Smoked breast of chicken Glazed fondant potato, baby carrots, truffled kale and Madeira poultry jus £26.50 Roasted loin of Ingram Valley lamb With braised shoulder ballotine, dauphinoise potatoes, broad beans and rosemary jus £32.00 Roasted Beef fillet With black truffle tortellini, baby navets, smoked celeriac purée and Port sauce £29.50 Oven roasted sea bass With wilted spinach, parsnip purée, crisp potato terrine and white wine chicken jus £28.50

Roasted salmon With a tapenade crust, gremolata mashed potato, charred spring onion and vierge dressing £27.75

Vegetarian alternative: Poached free range hens egg With crispy pommes anna, pea and asparagus fricassee, crumbled feta and truffle foam Portobello mushroom pithivier With caramelised onion purée, mini fondants and cep reduction Parmesan and basil pan fried polenta With tomato fondue, goat’s cheese, asparagus, crispy hens egg and hollandaise sauce Stilton and leek potato cake With tender stem broccoli, toasted pine nuts and braised spring onions All priced at £26.50

All prices are valid until 30th September 2017 and include VAT at 20%

Children’s menu Tomato soup Vegetable sticks with mayonnaise dip Fingers of honeydew melon with orange sorbet *** Spaghetti with bolognese sauce Spaghetti with tomato and herb sauce Chargrilled free range chicken with chunky chips and baked beans Pork sausage with mashed potato, gravy and Yorkshire pudding Homemade fishcakes with choice of new potato and salad or chips and peas *** Choice of ice cream vanilla/strawberry/chocolate Fresh fruit salad £12.50 per child Vegetarian All prices are valid until 30th September 2017 and include VAT at 20%. Please note that a half portion of the wedding breakfast will be charged at half of the menu price, for children aged 5-14 years. Children under 5 eat free from the children’s menu.

Desserts & coffee Seville orange marmalade parfait With dark chocolate and Cointreau mousse £8.75 White Chocolate panna cotta* With rum soaked golden raisins, brioche and banana meringue £8.75 Lemon curd tart With torched meringue, raspberry and lavender crème fraîche £8.75 Rich dark chocolate terrine With popcorn, chocolate tuille and salted caramel ice cream £8.75 Mascarpone and Amaretto delice With Morello cherries and cherry sorbet £8.75 Trio of desserts: Raspberry cheesecake, blackberry parfait, and Chambord sorbet £9.25 Freshly brewed coffee with petit fours £3.75

Vegetarian *Vegetarian panna cotta can be provided. Minimum spend £45.50 per person. All prices are valid until 30th September 2017 and include VAT at 20%.

Cheeseboards

Blagden Blue Northumbrian nettle Elsdon farm goat’s cheese Oak smoked cheddar

Chive, basil and buttermilk crackers Locally sourced chutneys Red grapes and celery ÂŁ8.75 per person

Vegetarian All prices are valid until 30th September 2017 and include VAT at 20%

Evening buffet options: Option 1 – Finger buffet £15.95 Spinach, feta, pesto and pine nut palmier Peri peri marinated chicken skewers with lime and coriander mayonnaise Prawn and crab lollipops with sweet-chilli sauce Chorizo and roasted red pepper tart Basil and parmesan scone with sun-touched tomato and cream cheese Black olive tapenade bruschetta with rocket and buffalo mozzarella A selection of sandwiches made in thick sliced white & wholemeal bread Please choose 4 of the following fillings: Pastrami, gherkin and English mustard Smoked salmon and lemon crème fraîche Salami and Swiss cheese Mature Cheddar and tomato chutney Cucumber and cream cheese Wensleydale cheese savoury Prawn and dill mayonnaise Chicken, red pepper and mozzarella Honey-roast ham and grain mustard mayonnaise Vegetarian All prices are valid until 30th September 2017 and include VAT at 20%

Evening buffet options: Option 2 – Hot sandwich buffet £18.50 Selection of freshly baked warm baguettes and baps Crispy falafels in toasted pita breads, minted yoghurt and carrot relish Please choose 2 of the following: Roasted topside of beef with horseradish Bacon loin with mustard and maple glaze Roasted crown of turkey with cranberry sauce Freshly pulled pork shoulder with apple sauce Accompaniments: Caramelised onions Sausage, sage and onion stuffing* Crispy duck fat roasted potatoes* *alternatives will be provided for vegetarian guests Vegetarian All prices are valid until 30th September 2017 and include VAT at 20%. Latest serving times 9.30pm

Drinks menu Reception drinks Arrival cocktails from £4.50 per glass Cocktail Menu: Strawberry and lemon mojito Gin and tonic with strawberry and black pepper Gin and tonic with rosemary and cucumber Long Island iced tea Pimms £3.50 per glass Sparkling wine £3.90 per glass Bottled beer from £3.10 per bottle Prosecco £4.50 per glass Wine during Wedding Breakfast House wine from £16.50 per bottle Full wine list available upon request Toast drinks Sparkling wine £3.90 per glass Prosecco £4.50 per glass Champagne £7.50 per glass All prices are valid until 30th September 2017 and include VAT at 20%

Civil Ceremonies & Blessings Outdoor Ceremony Fellows Garden, maximum of 100 guests - Hire charge £500 (This fee is in addition to the £1,500 facility fee) White outdoor chairs are provided Wet weather plan is the Norman Gallery, both spaces will be set up then Castle team will make the decision with the Registrars where the ceremony will be held, weather dependent

Indoor Ceremony Norman Gallery, maximum of 120 guests - Hire charge of £500 (This fee is in addition to the £1,500 facility fee) Chairs & white chair covers are provided. Please note that no sashes are provided

Smaller Indoor Ceremony Senate Room, maximum of 50 guests - Hire charge of £750 (This fee is in addition to the £1,500 facility fee) Chairs & white chair covers are provided. Please note that no sashes are provided

Civil Ceremonies & Blessings

Intimate Weddings Ceremony in Bishops Suite, maximum of 20 guests - Hire charge of £350 which includes an overnight stay in the suite Followed by a Wedding Breakfast in the Senate Room - Hire charge of £500

Ceremony in Octagon Room, maximum of 25 guests - Hire charge of £500 which includes use of the Senate Room for a Wedding Breakfast

Ceremony in Senate Room, maximum of 50 guests - Hire charge of £500 which includes use of the Senate Room for a Wedding Breakfast If these options are chosen, overnight stay at Castle is not included and will be chargeable unless otherwise stated

Please note that these options are only available on selected dates. Please contact our dedicated team to discuss your intimate wedding in further detail