Weddings & Occasions
WEDDINGS AT BLACKFRIARS
Blackfriars historic friary provides the perfect backdrop for a special occasion or beautiful wedding. Approved by Newcastle City Council for marriages and civil partnerships you can enjoy both your ceremony and reception in the same place. Imagine a relaxed Champagne reception on the terrace followed by a delicious meal inside our ornate medieval Banquet Hall, we have it all here. And it doesn't need to be expensive; a wedding at Blackfriars can cost a lot less than you might think!
Blackfriars can provide you with your own wedding coordinator, backed up by a dedicated team, as well as a master of ceremonies on the day/night. We can take care of everything for your big day including flowers, musicians, table decorations, white linens, table plans, name cards and taxis, though these all can all be sourced and delivered in advance through your own wedding planner if preferred.
Blackfriars team of experienced chefs have developed a range of menus to suit your needs and budget. The former friary also provides the perfect setting for your photographs which can be taken in the cloister garden or Banquet Hall. We are always delighted to show people around Blackfriars, just make an appointment with one of our staff.
FOOD
Blackfriars is known for its hearty traditional British dishes using local seasonal produce. Please see our current menus (also available on Blackfriars website) to get an idea of typical dishes and prices. We also specialise in roast suckling pygge which can be presented with head on and carved in front of your guests, as well as authentic medieval banquets where dressing-up is optional!
We can offer menus with a number of choices at each course which must be accompanied by a full advanced pre-order; otherwise we suggest just one starter, one main and one pudding - plus vegetarian options and kids dishes. Our chefs are happy to cater for most allergies, dietary requirements, children’s meals, pensioner’s portions and fussy eaters! We can also accommodate wedding cakes which we can store, display and portion on the day.
The catering at your wedding doesn’t have to cost the earth; Blackfriars represents great value for money. The following examples should be used as a rough guide:
• Three course meal, teas and coffee, from £29
• Canapés, three course meal, cheese course, teas and coffees £39
• Canapés, amuse bouche, four course meal including fish course and intermediate sorbet course, vegetable sides, cheese course, teas, coffees and petit fours £55
• Evening buffet and sandwiches POA
• Drinks package including Bucks Fizz reception, glass of house wine, glass of Cava for toast £15
• Kir royal reception, half bottle of agreed wine, Champagne toast, dessert wine, from £33
OUR LICENCE & ACCESS
Blackfriars Premises Licence provides a total capacity of 143 people and allows for private drinks receptions on the cloister garden terrace up till 7pm. Live acoustic music works well in our Banquet Hall but amplified musicians and equipment is not allowed; no noise is allowed to carry past Blackfriars boundary. We will happily play CD’s or iPod music of your choice on our in-house sound systems though please ensure they’re compatible with your MP3 player in advance. We can generally serve alcohol until 12am. For more information, please ask for details of our licences. We aim to provide access to people of all abilities as far as is practicable and possible; please see our online Access Statement on our website.
TABLE SETTINGS
Our Banquet Hall has two communal lines of tables, each line being made up of six tables of four; 50 guests in total. Blackfriars main dining room has 16 tables which can be used to make two communal lines of tables in the upper section, each line seating 18 guests; plus another line of 18 guests together with two tables of nine guests downstairs; 72 in total. White table cloths can be hired in if required. One table can be used for presents if required.
BOOKING & PLANNING
We are happy to make bookings as far in advance as required though do note our prices are only current when published and may be subject to increases. Although we can hold a provisional booking for a few days, all confirmations need to be accompanied by a non-refundable deposit – see below for our full payment schedule. Final food pre-orders should be returned one week before your wedding day and your bill will be based on these numbers even if some guests cancel within the last week before your day.
We can help you organise fresh flowers, table decorations, white linens, table plans, name cards, cake stands, licences and taxis either directly through Blackfriars or through external contractors. We are happy for you to start delivering flowers, favours, cakes etc a day or two before your wedding. Prior access to the Banquet Hall will depend on whether and when it’s being used beforehand. We will endeavour to give you as much time as possible to decorate and prepare the hall for your day.
Blackfriars Meeting Rooms should also be booked if you need additional space for changing or storing items; there may be a small charge.
Please note that if you are planning speeches in the Banquet Hall, some noise carries from the upstairs tenants down into the hall. We are members of the sustainable restaurant association and so ask please use bio-degradable confetti only in our gardens. We do not allow fireworks or Chinese lanterns in the restaurant or grounds. Blackfriars Restaurant is situated in a residential area; out of courtesy you must ask your guests to leave quietly. We are happy to organise taxis for your guests at the end of your day.
FINANCES & SMALL PRINT
We will work with you to agree a package that suits your needs and budget and can provide a running total of your costs throughout the planning process. There are generally no hire charges at Blackfriars though minimum spends apply as follows:
Minimum spends
| 2012 Prices inclusive of VAT |
Main Restaurant |
Banquet Hall |
Top Section of Restaurant |
Workshop |
| Mondays |
£1,500 |
£500 |
£750 |
£350 |
| Tuesdays |
£1,500 |
£500 |
£1,000 |
£350 |
| Wednesdays |
£2,000 |
£1,000 |
£1,000 |
£350 |
| Thursdays |
£3,000 |
£1,200 |
£1,500 |
£500 |
| Fridays |
£4,000 |
£1,500 |
£2,000 |
£500 |
| Saturdays |
£5,000 |
£2,000 |
£2,500 |
£500 |
| Sundays |
£2,000 |
£1,000 |
£1,000 |
£350 |
We have a comprehensive wine list but should you wish to bring your own wine, a corkage fee of £12 per bottle will apply; £20 for Champagne. If a wedding cake is being used as a dessert there will be an additional charge of £3 per head. A discretionary 10% service charge is normally added to all food and wine bills; all tips go to the staff.
A non-refundable deposit of £10 per person (with a minimum of £500 unless there are less than 12 guests in your party) is required to secure your booking. Fifty percent of the estimated cost is required 13 weeks in advance; and full payment is required six weeks prior to your day. Credit card details will be required the day before your wedding day to settle any bar bills and additional adhoc costs.
Cancellations will result in the loss of any money paid to Blackfriars Restaurant at the point of cancellation; all payments are non-refundable. Due to circumstances beyond our control it may be necessary to change or cancel your booking. In the case of major changes (as decided by Blackfriars) you will have the option to accept the change or receive a full refund of any monies paid. Blackfriars restaurant is not responsible for any other costs, expenses or damages incurred by the client as a result of the any changes made. Blackfriars will not be liable for failure to comply with any terms and conditions of this agreement.
Wedding bookings at Blackfriars will benefit from the exclusive use of the venues booked such as the Banquet Hall and/or main restaurant with toilet(s) and licensed bar. Please note the Cloister Garden and terrace are open to the public who are allowed to wander around the outside spaces at Blackfriars.
Wedding bookings will also benefit from the use of the tables, chairs, crockery, cutlery and glassware as well as candles, a cake stand, a cake knife, and in-house sound systems. Additional items such as white linens can be hired-in though there may be a small charge.
The client is responsible for any damage caused by any act or neglect of the client, subcontractor, employee or guests of the client and shall pay the amount required to make good this damage. Blackfriars is not responsible for any loss or damage to either the client’s or their guest’s property.
Please sign here to acknowledge you have read, understood and agreed to the terms and conditions of this document:
1st Name: Wedding date: Signature: Today’s date:
2nd Name: Signature: Today’s date: