Notley Abbey

Exclusive use wedding venue in Buckinghamshire


Open house this weekend, by appointment only
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The honey-hued hideaway where every stone tells a story

An award-winning wedding venue

Your heart beats a little faster as you near the end of the long, tree-lined driveway. And then you see it. Set in private riverside grounds dotted with lavender, Notley Abbey instantly casts its spell. The ancient monastic seat turned country retreat that seduced lovebirds Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh is every bit as beguiling today- an award-winning wedding venue for up to 250 guests.

Interiors exude character, from the intimate Abbot’s Hall to the barn-like Monks’ Refectory. Here, floor-to-ceiling glass casts light onto eight hundred years of history, while glittering chandeliers add a dash of modern glamour. The abbey’s grounds are a gift for summer weddings, with a walled garden for al fresco ceremonies. After dark, flames dance from a centrepiece fire pit beneath a canopy of twinkling lights.

This has been a place to celebrate since Laurence and Vivien invited the A-list of their day to party here (if walls could talk…). Now it’s your turn.

Good to know...

As an exclusive-use venue, Notley Abbey becomes your home for the day (and night). It’s licensed to host wedding ceremonies both inside and out, with a seated capacity of 164 guests, and 250 for an evening reception. There’s a beautiful bridal suite, and eight further bedrooms for family and friends. As soon as your date is set, our wedding planning team will be at your service seven days a week, for guidance, support, and advice. Ask us anything!

Capacity
164 Indoor Ceremony
164 Banquet
250 Evening Reception
Rooms
1 Bridal Suite
8 Further Bedrooms
Exclusive
Notley Abbey is available to hire exclusively for 24 hours
Accessibility
Wheelchair Access
Music
Live Music Permitted
DJ
On-site DJ facilities
Fireworks
Fireworks permitted with permission from the local council
Finishing Time
11.30pm finishing time.
Extension available until 1am
Catering
In-house catering
Bespoke menus available
Halal catering available
Corkage
Corkage option not available at Notley Abbey

Wedding ceremonies

It’s a moment you’ll never forget. The walk up the aisle. The turn and smile. The vows. And then the cheers from those you love. The setting has to be just right. Notley Abbey has several just-rights, inside and out – the choice is yours. For summer (or even spring) weddings, consider the abbey’s lovely walled garden. It might be the timeless charm of the Abbot’s Hall you fall for, or the drama of the Monks’ Refectory. Take your pick…

Wedding receptions

The confetti settles. There are photographs to pose for (could there be a more beautiful backdrop?). And then the celebrations really begin. With the run of the house and grounds, there are multiple settings for drinks and canapés. With a larger guest list, the masterpiece Monks’ Refectory is the natural choice for your wedding breakfast, and indeed for the magic of that first dance moment. Everyone to their feet…

The venue is only half the story

Notley Abbey is one of Harper’s four exclusive-use wedding venues, but the venue is just the canvas, as it were, for the work of our experienced wedding planners, hosts and chefs. From the big picture to the tiniest detail, we take care of it all, supporting you in planning your day to perfection.

Sometimes though, cultural traditions might mean it’s just the venue you’re looking for. If this is you, please ask about our venue-only hire option – the ideal solution for Asian weddings or Jewish weddings.

The food

Guests mingle, glasses in hand, complimenting well-chosen canapés (they share your good taste). It’s merely a prelude to the main event – a three-course wedding breakfast that delights the eye as much as the palate. Crisp white linen is the canvas for food you’ll remember as long as the day itself, meticulously crafted, presented with panache. Find out more here, or take a look at our menus for inspiration.

The bedrooms

Famous guests have graced Notley Abbey’s nine characterful bedrooms over the years (Henry VIII and Marilyn Monroe among them). As you ascend the main staircase, passing beneath a rather striking chandelier, your imagination runs wild. The stories these walls could tell. Naturally, the bridal suite shines brightest, a spacious sanctuary with a four-poster bed, free-standing circular bathtub, and views framed by ancient Cotswold stone. It’s quite the sleepover, followed by a leisurely breakfast with your resident guests.

The best of times, in the best of hands

Choosing Notley Abbey for your wedding day means more than simply booking a venue. With it comes 25 years’ experience and the care and dedication that defines the Harper team.

Expect seven-days-a-week support and advice throughout your wedding planning journey. You’ll find our proprietary online wedding planner an indispensable tool for keeping on top of every detail, accessible 24/7. It’s here you’ll also note your menu choices, following a tasting session with our chefs. User-friendly software ensures total transparency of costs and logistics. Who said planning a wedding was stressful?

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