Weddings at Bessingham Manor

Wedding Venue in Norfolk

Situated in the glorious North Norfolk countryside, Bessingham Manor is an award-winning Victorian Manor House set in five acres of private grounds and makes a perfect wedding venue in Norfolk.

The manor has been faithfully restored to create the elegant surroundings of a bygone era and it will be exclusively yours, for your bespoke wedding.

We offer civil ceremonies accommodating up to 100 guests within the manor with the option of erecting a marquee or tipi to accommodate up to 200 within the grounds.

There is overnight accommodation for up to 25 guests and ample parking for your big day.

Bessingham Manor operates on a venue only basis giving you the freedom to have the wedding of your dreams.

Please note: Weddings cannot be booked online, please enquire for pricing.

Please view our recent article in Bride Magazine

Why Choose Venue Only?

By booking ‘venue only’ hire, you can really put your stamp on your big day.

You are free to choose your own caterer, bar services, musicians, evening entertainment, photographer, videographer, decorations and much more. We can give you a list of suppliers to help you get started and talk through any ideas you might have at your planning meeting.

One of the best things about venue only hire is that you do not pay corkage. You can bring in your own drinks – including bottled beers, wine and champagne and we will not charge you a fee to do so.

What’s Included in Venue Only Hire?

Exclusive use of the beautiful manor house and grounds for your wedding ceremony and reception, or just the reception if you plan to marry elsewhere.
Two nights accommodation. Nine tastefully decorated bedrooms, furnished with a nod to the Victorian and Edwardian eras. We can sleep up to 25 guests both the night before and the night of your wedding, included in the price.
Freedom to bring in your own catering and bar – without paying a corkage fee!
A Venue Manager who will be present on the day of your wedding to ensure the civil ceremony runs to time and to direct any of your suppliers and guests as they arrive.
Onsite car parking.

How Long Do We Have The Venue For?

You will have access to the manor house and grounds from 3pm the day before your wedding and you will need to vacate the building by 12noon the day after your wedding.

The Ceremony

Our venue is fully licensed to hold civil ceremonies both indoors and outdoors to a maximum of 200. The Drawing Room can seat up to 80 guests for a formal sit-down meal and if your numbers exceed this you have the option to hire a marquee or tipi to be erected within the grounds.

For further information about booking the local registrars, please contact them online.

The Drawing Room

This vast south-facing room has two sets of bay windows (one with French doors opening towards the lower lawn) and windows on two more aspects making it an exceptionally light and bright room all day long.

Chandeliers, beautiful cornicing, and a marble fireplace make this an impressive room for your wedding day and it is fully licensed to hold civil ceremonies of up to 100 guests and meals up to 80 guests. After the ceremony, your guests can enjoy reception drinks, canapés and photographs in the entrance hall, the study and the gardens, while the drawing room is transformed for your wedding breakfast.

The Gardens

If you have more than 80 guests, or simply prefer the great outdoors, you can celebrate your marriage in a marquee or tipi. The gardens are fully licensed to hold civil ceremonies of up to 200 people and the study can be used for the signing of the register. Reception drinks can then be enjoyed either in the manor or the gardens, weather dependent.

Alternatively, you can marry in your chosen church and return to Bessingham Manor with your guests for the wedding reception. In this case we recommend you book your church ceremony as early as possible to allow for the service, photographs at the church and travel time back to Bessingham Manor.

The Study

This room can either be used for a ceremony of 30 guests or if you marry in the garden you can sign the paperwork in this room with the registrars and your witnesses.

Accommodation

There are nine bedrooms within the manor tastefully decorated and furnished with a nod to the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Huge windows and fireplaces are commonplace in this house, so all are bright and characterful.

We recommend using Room 1 as the Bridal Suite, but of course the choice is yours. It is a lovely spacious area for the Bride and Bridesmaids to get ready. With a romantic four poster bed, roll top bath and Romeo and Juliette balcony. The Groom can opt to get ready off-site or in the Best Man’s room.