Wedding FAQs
Q: How do we find out availability & pricing?
For up to date availability and pricing or to request a brochure please contact 015394 41765 and a member of our reservations team will be happy to help. You can also email us at weddings@coppermines.co.uk
Q: Do we have to hire all four cottages?
Yes. To ensure exclusivity all four mountain cottages (Sawyers, Carpenters, Millrace and Pelton Wheel) must be hired for a minimum of 3 nights. Our prices vary throughout the year and it is possible to book just a 3 night weekend, 4 night midweek or full week from a Friday or Monday.
Q: Do you offer wedding packages/a wedding planning service?
No, we pride ourselves on offering freedom and flexibility, allowing you to create a wedding that truly reflects your relationship. Therefore we do not offer wedding packages or a wedding planning service. Many of our couples have however found it useful to set up a bespoke wedding website, using a free template service. We recommend using www.gettingmarried.co.uk which is very easy to set up. A wedding website allows couples to list important information for guests attending, from the order of the day to directions and accommodation options. We are happy to provide our wedding couples with high res images for websites.
Q: How many guests can we have?
The ceremony room in Sawyers Cottage will seat 50 guests comfortably however there is standing room for guests available. Our Copper Barn will hold 110 guests seated and is just a few hundred feet from our mountain cottages. Please note the Copper Barn can only be hired for ceremony use. The largest marquee that can be sited can seat around 250 people for a wedding breakfast and host up to 300 people ‘buffet style’ for an evening reception.
Alternatively, much smaller weddings can take place at our venue, all we ask is that all four cottages (sleeping 22) are booked ensuring exclusivity.
Q: How do we secure the venue?
Before confirming any wedding booking we ask that prospective couples arrange a viewing of the venue. Once the venue has been viewed we are happy to hold provisional bookings. The summer months are as expected always the most popular so please check availability in advance.
To book a viewing please telephone 015394 41765. Please note viewings take place on our changeover days (Fridays and Mondays) and are around 1-2hrs long.
After viewing the cottages, to make arrangements for a civil partnership, initially, you should contact the registration service on 0300 303 2472 & press option 2 for the Westmoreland and Furness Registration Service in Kendal.
Q: Can we supply our own drinks?
Yes. We are an unlicensed venue which means you bring your own alcohol and soft drinks with you. We also don’t charge corkage!
We have a chiller trailer on site available for hire (12ft x 6ft) which means drinks can be delivered directly to the venue and chilled prior to your big day. The chiller trailer can be attached to the caterer’s tent at the back of the marquee/tipi.
Q: Marquees and Tipis what are the rules?
Due to the nature of the site, we only recommend our marquee providers Evans Marquees of Lancaster and our tipi providers Fjell Tipis of Keswick as exclusive providers due to their reliability and expert knowledge of the site.
Q: Is there accommodation nearby for our guests?
Along with the Coppermines Mountain Cottages, which will sleep 22 guests, we have over 50 properties nestled within Coniston Village sleeping between 2-16 guests. Our well-equipped, hand-picked self-catering cottages provide everything your wedding guests will need during their time in the Lake District.
Many wedding parties who have hired the Coppermines Mountain Cottages in the past have also made use of our Bridge properties, situated just behind our office in the heart of the village. The Bridge Cottages can sleep up to 16 combined or can be broken down into 3 individual properties sleeping 8 (Bridge House), 4 (The Old Post) and 4 (Bridge Suite) respectively.
The Bridge House itself compromises a large kitchen, dining and sitting area, which is perfect for a pre-wedding get together, family meal or even just to be taken over the morning of the wedding and turned into a pop-up hair and make-up parlour. There are even three outdoor hot tubs available there, perfect for some pre or post-wedding relaxation.
All cottages are available to hire for the weekend, midweek and 7+ night stays.
Coniston Village is only 1 1/2 miles down the road and we are happy to advise on local minibus providers.
There is also additional accommodation for a further 9 guests available on Irish Row, Coppermines Valley. For extra wedding guest accommodation, or for the couple in question, we also have the choice of two further cottages 500 yards away available; Fellside Cottage and Slater Bob’s which each provide a cosy hideaway once the celebrations have ceased.
Q: Can we camp onsite?
Whilst the notion of spending a night under the stars is romantic, unfortunately we cannot allow valley camping in or around the venue site and would point wedding guests towards the various accommodation options available in Coniston Village.
Q: When will the venue be available to us?
On arrival day we will aim to have one of the cottages available to you from 12 noon, rather than the usual late afternoon check-in. This allows you to get up to the venue in good time to set up etc. We would, however, advise that all other guests arrive at the normal arrival time quoted on your booking to avoid chaos.
Departure time is 9.30am on the last morning of your stay.
Q: Can we let off fireworks and lanterns?
Sorry, no. The valley is home to grazing livestock and as such fireworks and lanterns are not permitted.
Q: Are there any other costs I need to consider?
Additional costs to be taken into consideration after hiring the venue are marquee/tipi hire fees, drinks, catering, entertainment and additional accommodation fees.
Q: What are your terms and conditions?
Our standard booking terms and conditions apply to all wedding bookings. These can be found in our website footer. Wedding specific terms and conditions are discussed during venue viewings and are emailed to all couples upon placing a provisional/paid booking.
