Frequently Asked Questions

There’s so much to think about when planning your wedding, here’s a list of frequently asked questions to help you with questions about our venue…

1. What’s included in the venue hire?

Hire of the Sun Pavilion for your wedding includes for exclusive use of the venue and terrace area with access available from 9.00am on the day (if you have a full day's hire). Our venue hire also includes 5′ round banqueting tables to seat up to 10 guests, red gilt banqueting chairs, cutlery, crockery and glassware, white linen tablecloths and napkins. You can choose whether to have a round or long top table and different chairs can be ordered in at an additional cost. The Chiavari Limewash chairs are a popular alternative.

Chiavari Limewash chairs with pink sash
Red gilt banqueting chairs

In addition we do have 5 x 6′ round tables which can seat up to 12 guests. We also have 5 highchairs available should you need them.

Hire of the venue includes for our standard bar closure time of 11.00pm with music to finish and guests leaving by 11.30pm. There are options to extend these times if you wish, the latest bar closure time being 12.30am.

2. Can we have access to the venue the day before our wedding?

Access the day before is not automatically included, it would depend on whether another event or wedding is already booked. If the date is free at the time of you confirming and you’d like to guarantee access the day before, you would need to pay to hire the venue. However, if when we get to 4 weeks before your wedding, the day before is still free, we will allow you access during pre-agreed times at no extra charge.

3. Are there any restrictions on the use of the terrace?

Exclusive use of the terrace is included in your venue hire but does end at 10.30pm

4. We want to have our ceremony with you, when do we need to decide if we want to use the terrace or have it inside?

For more information on inside vs terrace ceremonies, take a look at our blog post. The post details the times of the year that the terrace is available for registrar led ceremonies. You can confirm to us as late as the week before whether you’d like it to be indoors our outdoors.

5. Do you have extra tables for gifts, cake etc.

We have lots! Just let us know what you need and where you’d like them and we will arrange them for you. All tables will be clothed with white linen as standard.

6. Does the venue have WiFi?

Oh yes, otherwise how would guests share their pics of your big day on Instagram?! Our WiFi is free to use (and we love seeing all the pictures!)

7. Can we source/provide our own food and drink?

We have our own in-house caterers who provide all food and drink for weddings and events here at The Sun Pavilion. They are CGC Event Caterers, a very well-established team who have been catering for weddings and events for over 120 years! If you’re looking for something in particular that you can’t see on their menus, please just ask and they will do their best to accommodate your requirements.

8. Can we taste our menu before the wedding day?

We invite all our confirmed couples to a menu tasting in the year you are getting married. This is a great opportunity to taste 2 dishes per course and to narrow down your final menu ahead of the big day. Further details of the tasting will be provided once your booking is confirmed.

9. If we choose the barbecue, how and where is this served?

The barbecue would be set up on the terrace at the far side. Once the food is cooked and ready we would serve it buffet style for guests to help themselves to all the sides etc. The buffet would usually be set up in the room and tables invited up one at a time.

10. Are you able to refrigerate/store our wedding cake/cheese cake ahead of the day?

Not a problem at all. We can store/refrigerate items for you, we would just need to agree in advance when we can take delivery of these items for you.

11. How does the bar work?

We provide the bar service for you and this can be open for the duration of your reception (unless you tell us otherwise). The bar is well stocked with draught and bottled beers, lagers and ciders, spirits, soft drinks and mixers, wines by the glass, Prosecco etc. If you would like to offer a cask ale we can arrange this for you also. Got a favourite drink? Let us know and we’ll do our best to have it available for you.

The bar accepts payment via cash/card, we can also operate the bar on an account basis if you intend to pick up the drinks bill for your guests!

12. Can we try the wine before the wedding day?

Yes, you can. You can select the wines you wish to try and we can have them available for you to collect. The bottles of wine that you collect will be added to your overall bill.

13. Can the drinks packages be altered?

Yes they can be altered if you would like to offer guests an alternative. The best thing to do in this scenario is just let us know what you’d like to see in the package, we can re-price it for you or suggest that we offer the drinks on a consumption basis instead.

14. Can the outside space be decorated?

Absolutely, the terrace area is yours to style as you wish. Bunting, pom poms and lanterns can be suspended from the terrace roof. Free standing items and floral displays can also be used.

15. Do you have a sound system we can use?

We have two! Inside we have a full PA system which you can simply plug and play your own music through. The PA system also has microphones which you are welcome to use for the speeches etc. We can also play music outside on the terrace, either for your ceremony or as background music during the reception.

16. Do we need to arrange a master of ceremonies?

Only if you want to, our Venue Manager will guide you and your guests through the day. He or she will act as your master of ceremonies and will announce as much or as little as you wish.

17. How do we make a booking?

First things first is to check your preferred date is available. We can put a provisional hold on the date for you whilst you check with the registrar or celebrant (if you’re having your ceremony with us) that they too can fit you in on that date.

Once you’re ready to confirm the date we will request a £1,000 non-refundable deposit from you. Once that’s paid we’ll send you a full guide as to what happens next, timescales, things to start to think about, useful resources etc. It can often be a year or two before your wedding date that you confirm your booking with us so there’s no immediate rush to get anything confirmed once your deposit is paid. We’re here to answer any questions you have.

18. Can you recommend any local hotels?

Absolutely, Harrogate has lots! We work closely with the White Hart Hotel which is just a 5 minute walk from us. We have secured a preferential rate with them for weddings taking place here, we’ll share all the details with you once your booking is confirmed.

Alternatively, the Visit Harrogate page is a great tool for finding accommodation locally.

Or, if you’re looking for somewhere a little different to stay from a town centre Hotel – Little North Field glamping is just a 15 minute drive away and offers luxury safari tents in the heart of the Yorkshire countryside. Just let them know we sent you!

19. Are fireworks allowed?

Unfortunately fireworks are not permitted in Valley Gardens. We do permit sparklers on the terrace during your evening reception. Don’t forget that use of the terrace ends at 10.30pm.

20. Are we allowed confetti?

As long as it is either foil or biodegradable and doesn’t contain any red pigment then you are very welcome to use confetti and confetti cannons outside. We don't permit confetti inside The Sun Pavilion.

21. Do we have to use your preferred/recommended suppliers?

Not at all, you are welcome to source your own suppliers. If, however, you’d like details of any who have worked here before, we are very happy to share, we know lots of good ones.