FAQ’s
Below are answers to our most commonly asked questions.
If you have a question we haven’t covered please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
What is the registry office for Haarlem Mill?
Bakewell Registration Services can be reached on 01629 535261
What time can we arrive at the mill on the day of our event?
The venue is all yours from 10am for your bridal party to get started on the all important hair and makeup! Some brides like to get that process started at home or in their accommodation if they feel they need more time. If there’s no wedding on the day before your big day, then we encourage you to come over and get everything set up between 10am and 1pm. If there is a wedding on, then our team here at Haarlem are happy to do all that for you! You just need to drop off the stuff and give us some instructions! We like instructions!!
Is Haarlem Mill a fully exclusive wedding venue?
Yes! Absolutely! Your wedding is our main priority on your wedding day, which is why we only book one wedding per day so that you can have all our attention all day long! Only your chosen suppliers and our lovely staff are on site during the wedding day…it really is your private space from 10am until midnight!
Do you have minimum and maximum numbers at the venue?
Haarlem Mill is a largely open plan space laid out over two floors inside a stunning red brick mill. The dining room, with its low beams and gorgeous festoon lighting can feel quite large with anything less than 60 guests seated, so it’s for this reason that we suggest a MINIMUM OF 60 DAY GUESTS. We turn this room around whilst your guests enjoy complimentary tea and coffee in our bar and lounge, after your main meal. To ensure an amazing atmosphere at night, we suggest no less than 100 guests in the evening. To keep you all safe and comfortable, we have a limit of 128 guests during the day and 150 at night!
Do you allow children at the venue?
Yes we do allow children at our venue, however if you have more than 5 children we require a responsible adult or events nanny to look after them. Check out our friends page to see our recommended suppliers for kids entertainment.
What time do we have to finish the party?
Believe us when we tell you that you’ll be well and truly ready to get into your pre booked taxi by no later than 11.45pm! Our doors need to be locked by midnight for our insurance and licensing, but like I said….your feet and head will thank you!
Can we bring in our own caterer?
When you’ve tasted our food, you won’t want to!! Our in-house team is incredible, having worked in the wedding industry for nearly 20 years, they really have got this nailed! Head chef Anthony works tirelessly to bring you a meal your guests will be talking about for years to come! If nothing quite fits the bill on our wedding menus, then please do talk to us about tailoring something perfect for the two of you. It's your day, and we know just how important the food is.
Do you cater for special dietary requirements?
We’d be crazy not to!! From vegan to lactose intolerant and everything in between! We just ask you to provide us with a detailed table plan of where they will all be sitting, so the right meal gets to the all important hungry guest! Its really really important that we get all this information well in advance to avoid disappointment as last minute additions are a bit more tricky to accommodate,
Can we bring in our own wine?
We work closely with a lovely family owned local wine merchant who advises us on our wine list, which not only removes the burden for you, but ensures the wine your guests drink on the day is matched to our amazing food at a fair price too! We can source specific wines for you also and even encourage you to head on over to our supplier in Bakewell for a tasting before the big day.
Are there any hidden costs?
ABSOLUTELY NOT!! We’re always surprised and shocked when you tell us about venues trying to charge for knives and forks and sometimes even chairs! Here at Haarlem we like to be as transparent as possible so there are no last minute invoices the day before your wedding! From your initial visit, we will lay out a very simple quote which includes venue hire, food and drink! That’s it from our point of view. You do need to remember that the registrar is extra, but you organise and pay for that directly with the registry office. All VAT is included in the price too.
What parking is available?
We have heaps of FREE parking spaces here…approximately 70! If you wish to leave your car here overnight, then this is perfectly fine, but please remember it is at owners risk. We know just how important that fry up is at the hotel the next day, so please don’t rush back to pick up your car! All we ask is that you come by before midday and also let a team member here know that you’ve left your car.
Can we have a live band?
We love a live band so definitely YES! We’ll need their public liability and PAT test documents beforehand. We ask that they are ‘considerate’ of our neighbours close by in respect to volume. We don’t have noise limiters, so we use our discretion on the night. Obviously we all want you to have the BEST night EVER, but if we need to ask the band to turn it down a touch, then we will! We can recommend some awesome local acts, so please do ask!
Do you have accommodation on site?
Nothing directly on site but we have some amazing local accommodation just a hop skip and jump from here! Many couples like to make a weekend of it with all their friends and family, so they might hire out a large farmhouse (5 mins away), whilst others prefer a quieter, more relaxed night after the wedding in a charming AirBnB in the town of Wirksworth. We have recommendations to suit all tastes and requirements….again, just ask!
What happens about decorating the room?
You are free to come the morning of your wedding to decorate the room with your bridal party. If you want a hassle free morning, you can always hire a stylist, they will take care of everything for you.
Are there any areas outside for photo opportunities?
We would encourage your photographer to visit the venue prior to the wedding. Previous wedding clients have used the rural landscape as the backdrop, although there is no formal areas specifically for photos, there are many local beauty spots that you can easily access by going off site whilst your guests enjoy canapés and drinks.