Wedding Day Suggested Schedule and Timings - from Ceremony to Buffet - Weddings in Wales at Craig y Nos Castle

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Wedding Day Suggested Schedule and Timings - from Ceremony to Buffet

Wedding Packages > See Wedding Packages

My Home is my Castle...

... see how Craig y Nos becomes
your Home from Home

on your wedding day


Read on for...
Your Wedding Day

- it's like a Private Party
in your own home
with friends and family

&
Just as homely




Decorating your Day Room


Decorating Your Tables & Wedding Centrepieces / Table Decor

See your Wedding Table Settings here. Either you or your willing helpers decorate the Reception Room / Conservatory and complete your Table Decor on the morning of your Wedding Day.

Or you invite some guests to stay the night before to help you get the room decorated to your tastes before your wedding day.

We aim to move all weddings through to the Function room for the evening party. Even if there is a wedding the day before yours, the Conservatory should be vacated by 9 pm on the night before your wedding.

We can have the Conservatory all tidied up with table cloths, napkins and cutlery and glasses in place on the tables in accordance with your table plan by 9.30 to 10.00 pm on the night before, if arranged with us. With the tables all laid up ready for you to add your final touches, you will be able to relax on the wedding day itself.

Arrange access the day or night before with your Wedding Planner, subject to availability, so you can decorate before your Wedding Day

"My home is my castle,
and I spend a lot of time...
moving this and adjusting that,
adding flowers and candles"

Tip: At Craig y Nos, you can stay the night before and get your decor sorted out the evening before your wedding, so you can truly relax on your Big Day!
South Wales Weddings Ceremonies
South Wales Weddings Ceremony Room




1. Wedding Ceremony


Your Wedding Ceremony Timings


Ceremony Time: 13:00 - 13:30

Let the theatre be your stage for your Wedding Day! Get married in our Grade One Listed Opera House. Allow 30-40 minutes for seating guests, wedding Ceremony, and everyone exiting theatre. Confetti may be thrown in theatre. Wedding room fully licensed for weddings and civil ceremonies up to 150 guests. Styled on Wagner’s Opera House in Bayreuth, Bavaria with decor fit for elite gatherings.

See our Wedding Ceremony Slideshow

See a quick Video show-around of  Ceremony Room
Castle Wedding Venue Wales Ceremony Room Wedding Packages




2. Welcome Drinks


Your Welcome Drinks Timings



Time: 13:30 - 14:00


Enjoy your welcome drinks on theatre lawn, or in cosy lounge by Reception. Homely wood burning stoves and cosy, traditional fireplaces guarantee a warm welcome for your guests - see Wedding Drinks.

Wedding Venue South Wales Craig y Nos Castle
Wedding Venue South Wales Craig y Nos Castle




3. Wedding Photographs

Your Wedding Photographs in Courtyard and Grounds Timings



Suggested times 14:00 – 16:00

Allow two hours for your photos after Welcome Drinks in best locations in Gardens, Country Park & Courtyard.

Country Park Woodland and Boating Lake are delightful in all seasons. Photos in lower gardens by river include stunning backdrops of the castle. Tip: Have someone help get your wedding guests together for photos.

Our Wedding Photographers know the best locations - for unique and memorable photos in all weathers and seasons.

See quick video show-around of castle courtyard and front of castle.

Wedding Venue South Wales Craig y Nos Castle Wedding Packages
Wedding Venue South Wales Craig y Nos Castle Wedding Packages

Acres of Photo Opportunities for you in all seasons
in Country Park & Castle Grounds

See Country Park

Wedding Venues South Wales Craig y Nos Castle Country Park Boating Lake
The Boating Lake at Craig y Nos Castle Wedding Venue in Wales




4. Wedding Banquet


Your Wedding Banquet Timings


Suggested Time: 16:00 - 19:00

Restored to its original Victorian splendour, our Conservatory enjoys stunning views over the Brecon Beacons.

A wall of windows overlooks beautiful mountain scenery.  See Wedding Reception Room.

Craig y Nos Castle Wedding Venue Swansea Conservatory Wedding Breakfast pale yellow ribboned chair covers
Craig y Nos Castle Wedding Venue Swansea Conservatory Wedding Breakfast pale yellow ribboned chair covers

Smooth Transition from Day Room to Evening Room

After your wedding banquet, glide through to the evening party room with your DJ ready, lights dimmed and music playing.

Let Craig y Nos Castle wow your guests with its spacious high ceilinged rooms, characterful decor and warm, friendly atmosphere.


Benefit of Guests Staying Overnight

When guests stay,
they relax and feel at home,
All guests who B&B
have no need to go home.

Weddings held close to where guests live tend to finish early - as guests living locally will want to 'go home'.  

Choosing a Local Venue ‘near you’, can lead to a disappointingly early finish.  

We are not a 'local wedding venue' – we’re a destination venue!  

Having everyone stay overnight means your day won’t peter out by early evening. You’ll all be partying till late!

South Wales Weddings
South Wales Weddings Craig y Nos Castle




5. Evening Party & Buffet


Suggested Time: 20:00 – 24:00

Your DJ sets up in our large function room while you dine in Conservatory. No waiting around while your function room is 'made ready' for evening party. Most weddings use Conservatory for the day and Function Room & bar for the evening.

See Wedding First Dances on Clouds Slideshow.

See Wedding DJ set-up at the castle.

Evening Wedding Package Wedding Venue South Wales Craig y Nos Castle

Wedding Planning Links
for Booked Weddings


Congratulations! Browse our 'Essential Wedding Planner Guide' to plan your day.

See 'Planning your Wedding' for how we work with you to plan your wedding at the Castle.

See more on Table Plans, See Menu Planning. For table settings ideas see Conservatory Gallery and also see the new Table Settings Slideshow.

See Room Booking and Reserving Accommodation for guests. If you've booked a wedding with accommodation use, see 'Room Use Guide'.

See Running Order template for your Wedding Day Schedule.  

Choose your Wedding Suppliers.

For more Room decor ideas see 'Wedding Themes by town'.




Planning your 'Order of the Day'

A wedding at Craig y Nos Castle
is a dream come true....

Plan your Wedding Day here now!  Go to Plan Your Wedding in a Castle.  

Also see Running Order Templates for other Couples timings.

See our suggested Wedding Day Schedule slideshow below. Click on pic / arrows below to see your wedding day step by step:
Get Ready in the Bridal Suite
Getting Ready on the morning of your wedding.

We also have a separate Getting Ready room for Couples unable to stay in Bridal Suite the night before their wedding.
Get Ready Room
Book the Nurses Building Lounge as your Get Ready Room.

Either Get Ready in one of the en suites such as Gatehouse, or use our dedicated Getting Ready room in the Nurses Building.
In front of the Stage
Couple in front of the Stage in the Opera House Ceremony Room
Gold Thrones Ceremony Room
Gold Thrones in the Opera House Ceremony Room
Married
You may kiss the Bride
Confetti
Please only throw confetti INside the theatre - not outside (it sticks to the gravelly tarmac!)
Theatre all in white
If you do not like the existing Theatre Curtain, a white pleated curtain can be hired from decor supplier
Exiting Ceremony Room
A newly married Couple emerge into the light - but their wedding day is just beginning...
Craig y Nos Castle Courtyard
Keep Courtyard free of parked cars for wedding photogaphs after your Ceremony; have your guests park in separate south car park.
Craig y Nos Castle Courtyard
Example of Castle being used as a Backdrop for group photos in courtyard, when no cars are parked in front of the Castle
Theatre Sloping Lawn
Plenty of opportunities for Photos in Theatre Gardens with backdrop of Brecon Beacons / Bannau Brycheiniog National Park
Theatre Gardens Path into Courtyard
This path alongside theatre is great for moving 'walking somewhere' active shots and videos
Steps onto flat lawn / Victorian Garden
Surrounded by mountain scenery, the theatre gardens on a sunny day offer excellent photo opss
Theatre Path Gardens to Courtyard
Might as well have a dance while we're here
Same again Sam?
Ths path is so good let's do this shot again
Worth doing twice
So good its worth going up and down this path a few times for the best shot! Be assured your Photographer will encourage you!
Wooden Bridge Craig y Nos Country Park
Down we've gone to the Wooden Bridge at Craig y Nos Country Park - very popular location for wedding couple shots
Tall Trees Country Park Bridge
Yes we like this Bridge - so will your Photographer!
Rhododendron Walk
A popular location for Couples in Country park - the arched Rhododendron Walk between the lakes
Rhododendron Walk
At least you'll be doing your 10,000 steps on your Wedding Day!
Running Free
10,000 steps - more like 20k!
40 Acres of Photo Ops
There are 40 acres of grounds, lakes, meadows, woodland, with streams, brooks, bridges, to form lifelong memories. What a backdrop to your wedding day! For just the two of you
Lakes Sun and Cloud
What a Glorious day to be married on (weather like this cannot be guaranted on your day - pre-wedding photo shots may be required)
Boating Lake Country park
Ducks in foreground, here it is as if you are on your own little island
Country Park Autumn
Sunny Autumn Day in Country Park
Conservatory Craig y Nos
The Conservatory can be set up for your wedding the morning of your wedding, or if no event before yours, maybe even set it up the night before
Banquet rooms views
Your wedding banquet and cake cutting with views over the Brecon Beacons / Bannau Brycheiniog Country Park
Conservatory
Couples make the Conservatory up to their own style and decor
Wedding Cake
Wedding Cake to view
Headtable
Headtable with stunning backdrop views and sunflowers
And the Speeches
Speeches - no excuse for guests NOT to look out of the window during these!
Conservatory winter afternoon
Conservatory windows at night become mirrors reflecting all the table lighting/ decorative lights
Conservatory Terrace
Couple on Conservatory Terrace in evening, guests inside the Conservatory
Moving from Conservatory to Bar
When its time to move from the Banquet to Function room for your evening party, you'll find everything set up ready for the Disco/ Party
Function Room
Entering the Function room from the Bar
First Dance
Dancing on Clouds in Historic Music room under ornate ceiling
Dancing on Clouds
Dancing on Clouds - Your First Dance in the Music room
Castle in rain at night
Castle Courtyard in front of the fountain at night
Entrance Porch Night
Many night shot options in Winter
Night shot underlit brolly
Winter and lack of daylight presents new opportunities
And that's a wrap
Couple in front of Courtyard - last shot of the day!



Craig y Nos Castle Wedding Venue
Enjoy a Homely Welcome and Friendly Service at Craig y Nos Castle
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