Getting ready
Do you have a bridal Dressing Room?
We have two!
The Farmhouse offers a dedicated space for the bride and her bridesmaids to get ready together with a purpose-made make-up area, mirrors, lighting and Champagne Station. There is also a room for the groom and his ushers should he choose to stay with us the night before the wedding.
Tythe also offers The Nook which is located in the gardens, a short walk from the main barn and The Farmhouse and hidden from view behind the garden’s stone wall. It has two large adjoining rooms, with an en-suite plus a separate loo, huge mirrors, plenty of dedicated hanging space, tea, coffee and refreshment facilities.
The Nook can also be adapted, dependent on the wedding package booked, to accommodate further guest accommodation. This option will carry an additional cost. Regardless of how you choose to use The Nook – it’s location ensures you feel a part of the buzz that envelopes the venue on a wedding day.
Saying ‘I do’
Are we able to hold a civil ceremony / civil partnership at Tythe?
Yes, we are licensed for up to 150 guests and can host both indoor and outdoor ceremonies.
Indoor ceremonies take place in our 14th Century stone barn beneath a canopy of fairy lights and gorgeous oak beams. Our outdoor ceremonies can take place on any day of the year, as long as the weather remains warm and dry and use a variety of areas around the estate including the wonderful oak pergola and pretty garden path.
Smaller and more intimate ceremonies can also take place in The Cowshed barn featuring beams, wood burners and fairy lights. This option may carry restrictions – please discuss with our team.
Who is the local Registrar?
The Oxfordshire Registration Service. They are contactable on Tel: 0345 241 2489
Can we have a Church wedding?
Yes. Next door to Tythe you will find our beautiful 12th Century village church – St. Mary’s church.You are welcome to contact them to discuss your wedding plans. If you do choose to get married in a church, you can walk to us via our church gate for your reception, wedding breakfast and evening party. You also have the option to hold a civil ceremony with us at the barn followed by a blessing at the church and then return to us to enjoy the rest of your day.
Contact: Susan Wynne-Jones – [email protected]
Can we bring our dog to the wedding ceremony?
If you are choosing to include your pet in your ceremony, don’t forget to notify your registrar. If you need some assistance looking after your pet on the day, we have some wonderful Pet Chaperones that can help with this. Take a look at our suppliers list.
Guests
How many wedding breakfast guests can be catered for?
Seating in the barn can be provided for up to 150 guests for the wedding breakfast, with capacity for 200 plus guests in the evening. Please count each person as a place at the table regardless of age so babies in highchairs (we have seven highchairs) are counted as part of your total number of guests.
Our tables are rectangular and seat 8 guests apart from the three window settings where the table can accommodate 9 guests. Round tables can be hired on request, at an additional cost. With round tables the maximum seating capacity in the barn is 110 guests.
Can we invite additional evening guests?
There’s room for 200+ guests in the evening so evening guests are welcome to join you for drinks and dancing and to continue your celebrations.
Is parking available at the venue for guests?
The car park at Tythe has space for 75 cars and the capacity to accommodate larger vehicles, such as a coach or bus. Cars can remain in the car park overnight until 10am the following morning. Farmhouse residents have a separate entrance and parking area.
Music & entertainment
What do we do about music and entertainment?
There are several options for music – the most popular is to hire a DJ or a live band.
For DJ’s, we have a designated company to look after you who have years of experience working alongside Tythe and further details can be sent on to you. You can choose a live band to play at your wedding and the acoustics in the barn are fantastic. You are also welcome to put your own playlist together and we can play this through Spotify or you can plug in your own iPod for which we have a lighting and sound system available.
Do you have a sound limiter?
Yes, it’s set at 87.5 decibels. Your wedding band or DJ will know exactly what this means. It’s simply a volume limit that they can play to, and most professional entertainers will be able to tailor the volume of their act to our venue’s limit.
What PA (public address) and sound system do you have available?
We have a PA system, a roaming microphone and our Bose sound system both indoors and outdoors. These are available for you to use for your speeches and any pre-recorded playlists you wish to play. Please ask the office for more detailed information.
Finishing touches
Can we bring our own suppliers and/or decorations?
The barn provides you with a wonderful backdrop upon which you can style and decorate as you wish. We only ask that nothing is permanently attached and can be easily removed at the end of the day.
We also have a very comprehensive list of suppliers, whom we fondly refer to as a ‘Helpful Bunch’! The suppliers on this list have been to the barn a number of times and know the venue well.
Please note that Tythe does not formally recommend or receive any commission from the ‘Helpful Bunch’ and you are more than welcome to select your own.
Are fireworks/confetti allowed?
The Tythe Barn dates back to 1370 and has a beautiful, thatched roof. Due to the potential risk, fireworks are therefore not allowed at the venue. Included in our venue hire are our iron candlesticks and real flame oil candles however we do also allow couples to bring their own candles to the venue – as long as the flame sits below the top of the candle holder. We only allow dried lavender and bubbles for those ‘confetti’ moments, both of which can be ordered through us.
On the day support
What are the Changeover Plans for the different elements of our day e.g. from Ceremony to Reception Drinks?
We have been hosting weddings since 1998 and have an extremely efficient and well-practiced process for your wedding day. If your ceremony is indoors in the main barn and followed by your wedding breakfast, we have our gorgeous Cowshed barn and pretty gardens available for guests to enjoy their reception drinks and canapes.
As you and your guests enjoy the reception in this barn overlooking our gardens, our experienced team of staff are well-briefed to efficiently turnaround the main barn for your meal.
Good to know
Is the venue warm?
Much thought has gone into the superior systems for keeping our barns warm and the venue has advanced and bespoke heaters, underfloor heating, wood burners both indoors and outside, real flame effect fires and candles which together add both warmth and atmosphere and more than enough heat.
Do you have outdoor heaters?
We have outdoor wood burners for guests to keep warm, with blankets and sheepskin rugs. A great spot to sip that Espresso Martini following the wedding breakfast or indulge in our scrumptious ‘fireside Quesadillas’.
What happens if there is a power cut?
We have invested in a diesel-powered generator so if the National Grid goes down, the generator automatically turns itself on, so we have you and the party covered!
Do You Have Disabled Access?
Yes, we have access and toilets on the ground floor for disabled and elderly guests with wide-access doorways. The Farmhouse has two ground floor bedrooms.
When does the venue close?
Do we need to tidy up after our wedding?
Sleeping over
Do you have accommodation on-site?
We have our charming 17th Century Farmhouse providing couples and their guests with a ‘home from home’.
Arrival takes place either at 4.00pm the day before your wedding at our Farmhouse or on your wedding day itself, dependent on the wedding package booked. Departure times are usually at 10am.
Sleeping 14, The Farmhouse offers seven double ensuite bedrooms including a Bridal Suite, two large reception rooms, a dining room, country kitchen, open fires, a tennis court and a wonderful wood-fuelled hot tub. There’s an adjacent Shepherd’s Hut with sleeping for an extra two – all right next door to the Tythe Barn (a limited number of children’s Z-Beds are available).
The Farmhouse is offered with a wonderful food and beverage option, details will be specific to the wedding package booked.
Non-resident guests can explore plenty of superb accommodation in our local village, in Bicester town and in the surrounding Cotswold countryside villages.
The Foodie bit
Can we use our own caterers?
We fully understand that the catering plays a vital role throughout the course of your wedding day. With the award-winning Absolute Taste team as our in-house caterers, all of your food requirements are taken care of. Couples are able to arrange tastings to sample dishes before confirming their menu selection. Absolute Taste can cater to all dietary requirements and are well-informed about the special conditions that may need to be in place regarding certain allergies.
Please contact our office for more details and for a Menu brochure.
What evening food options do you offer?
Why not add some theatre to your evening with the help of our chefs creating delicious pizzas for guests, straight from our built-in pizza oven. Or ask us to light the outdoor wood burners and enjoy some fireside quesadillas whilst cosying up on one of our sheepskin rugs. Absolute Taste have a wonderful evening food menu for you to discover – for more details do ask for their Menu brochure.
Is there a charge to use the cake knife?
Tythe offers either our wonderful rustic log or more traditional silver cake stand for you to place your wedding cake on. Both of these are included in our venue hire – as is the knife.
…and drinks
Do you have a drinks list and do you charge corkage?
Tythe can supply all alcohol for your wedding day and has a comprehensive Wine and Drinks List. For all new bookings from Autumn 2022, if you choose to supply your own wine for the day then we do not charge a corkage fee. This option is available to couples across Reception drinks, wine during the Wedding Breakfast and Champagne or bubbly for the Toast.
We also have a well-stocked bar with a good selection of wines, spirits, lagers, ale and soft drinks. We love to support local vineyards and distilleries and have a number of locally made Gins, Ales and wines to choose from.
Our bar accepts both cash and cards but not American Express.
What’s the plan?
Do you have a wedding planning service?
With over 20 years of experience helping you plan and organise your day is a key part of what we do. From your initial enquiry and first viewing right through to the days following your wedding (and often beyond that) we are there to support you by phone, via email and whenever you arrange to visit us.
A fundamental part of our planning process is the in-depth meeting we hold with all our couples in the months leading up to your day. We are always available should you wish to make any adjustments following this meeting – minor tweaks can be made right up until the week of your wedding. If you wish to use a wedding planner then we are more than happy to accommodate this option.
Are you flexible if we don’t want a traditional wedding?
Yes. We would like to help you have the wedding day that you have dreamed of and fully appreciate that each couple have different ideas for how their day will be. We help you create a completely bespoke wedding day that fits in with your own plans and wishes and where we feel it may be beneficial to you both, we may step in to make a few tweaks or to offer some guidance and advice.
Will we have someone to run our day?
Shortly after booking Tythe for a wedding, couples will be introduced to one of our fantastic Function Managers who will support, advise and guide you throughout your planning stages and look after you and your guests at your wedding.
Our Function Manager will run your day, coordinate our experienced team of staff and make sure everything goes smoothly. Did you know we were presented with the ‘Best Customer Service’ award by our couples and the Guides for Brides team?
Looking & booking
Can we visit the venue?
We would love to show you around and offer private viewings of the venue throughout the week and at certain times during the weekend.
To arrange a visit please give us a call on 01869 321442 or by email [email protected] or via our website www.thetythebarn.co.uk.
If we love the venue can we hold a date?
We allow couples who have visited the barn for a viewing and are seriously considering Tythe as the venue for their wedding to place a ‘note of interest’ on a date. This gives couples time to consider their options, is free of charge and will be in place for 7 working days. Whilst a NOI is in place, no other booking can be made on that date.
How much will the initial deposit be and when is the final payment due?
To secure your booking at Tythe we ask for a deposit for 40% of the venue hire. Your remaining balance will then be due in two further instalments of 30% – due 6 months prior to your wedding day and the final payment of 30% will be due 3 months before your big day.
Please note, we only accept payments by bank transfer.
Are there any extra charges for staff, the set up or cleaning?
Most weddings at Tythe do not incur any extra costs and the cleaning, the preparations for your day, running of your wedding and the clearing away of your decorations at the end of your day are all part of the service we offer.
On some occasions, if staffing is needed there may be a small extra cost. This is always discussed beforehand.
Is Tythe available for exclusive hire?
Tythe is an ‘exclusive use’ venue which means we only ever permit and host one event at a time. As a private, family-run venue set on our family estate you will be the only couple getting married and the collection of barns, the grounds and our experienced team of staff will all be dedicated to looking after you and your guests for your entire event.
How much does it cost to hire The Tythe Barn?
Venue Hire prices start from £3,750 dependent on the nature of your wedding booking, day of the week and season. Dates are subject to availability.
What is provided within the venue hire cost?
Most bookings at Tythe provide couples with exclusive use of the entire estate – The Thatched Barn, The Cowshed, The Nook, The Farmhouse, The Shepherd’s Hut and the grounds.
Two-night weddings
Our two-night weddings offer an all-inclusive package.
- 3 beautifully restored barns, gardens and grounds.
- Civil ceremony.
- Two-night stay for 16 guests including house supper and breakfast on both mornings.
- Dressing rooms for both the bridal party and the groom’s party.
- Complimentary Honeymoon Suite.
- All furniture, sound, fairy and festoon lighting.
- Full suite of additional items including Land Rover drinks station, outdoor wood-burners, pizza oven, garden games, seating and more.
- Corkage-free option for drinks during the reception, wedding breakfast and toast (Restrictions do apply, please ask the office for details).
Our one-night stays
Our one-night stays provide couples with the flexibility to choose from a variety of options on offer at Tythe.
- 3 beautifully restored barns, all furniture, gardens and grounds.
- The Nook dressing room for morning preparations.
- Complimentary Honeymoon Suite.
- Corkage-free option for drinks during the reception, wedding breakfast and toast (Restrictions do apply, please ask the office for details).
All weddings include:
- Event, Catering and Function Managers to assist with planning and the running of the wedding.
- Tables, chairs, highchairs, candlesticks, candles and tealights, Bose PA system, microphone and stand, dance floor, cake stand, private guest ensuite changing room, band changing room, lounge area for use as a creche, garden lighting.
- Car park – 75 cars.
- Helicopter landing site.
- Back-up generator.
- Onsite defibrillator.
Necessities
Should we get insurance?
Do You Have Public Liability Insurance?
Yes, we do.
A little more on Tythe
Where is Tythe?
Tythe is on our working family farm in the Oxfordshire village of Launton. We are on the doorstep of the gorgeous Cotswolds and surrounded by many typically English country villages worth a visit if you are popping by to see us at the barn. For a quick and easy link, try our What3words address ///plates.judge.crush.
Where can we find reviews of The Tythe Barn?
We have a number of testimonials from couples on our website and receive many wonderful thank you cards from both our couples and guests which we are happy to share with you.
The reviews and feedback we receive can also be found on various popular wedding directories, including Bridebook, Coco Wedding Venues and Guides For Brides.
Is The Tythe Barn a ‘green’ wedding venue?
At Tythe we are aware of our responsibility towards the environment and have made a number of efforts to reduce our carbon footprint and give back to the local community that we’re so much a part of. We have a Biomass Boiler that is fed by wood pellets and is powerful enough to heat the entire venue and Farmhouse. Conscious about trying to recycle as many materials as possible, from our office paper to our wasted food products, we’re dedicated to a more sustainable way of working. This approach is a fundamental part of how we operate at the barn and we hope to demonstrate that we can combine being greener, more socially responsible and environmentally friendly with the running of a successful business.
Is Tythe an Inclusive Venue?
Tythe is passionate about welcoming all guests and hosting an eclectic mix of weddings and celebrations as well as being open to fresh ideas.We love what we do and it is incredibly important to us that everyone who books Tythe gets to enjoy it as much as we do. As a long-established farming family many of our values are deeply rooted in the land and in protecting the environment but we are well-known locally and further afield for being loyal supporters of a variety of charitable organisations.
We’re a friendly bunch, come and visit us and explore all we have to offer!