FAQs

There are a number of steps to enter the house via the main front and rear entrances, although once inside the house the State Rooms and bathrooms are all on one level with wide access doors. If you are a wheelchair user and need alternative access, please get in touch with us to make arrangements for this.

The bar takes card payments only.

Exeter can be very busy, particularly on a Saturday night. We strongly recommend that guests book their taxis home in advance. Apple taxis (01392 666 666) or Navigo taxis (01392 341120). 

• If you are staying the night before your wedding, you/your suppliers are welcome to set up in the State rooms from 2pm the day before the wedding. Check-in to the bedrooms for overnight guests is from 3pm. Check-out is at 11am. All items, including decorations should be removed by this time, but hired items can be collected on Monday morning, by arrangement.
• If you are staying one night, then you and your suppliers have access to the wedding suite from 11am. Check-in to the other bedrooms would be at 12pm.

Yes, subject to availability. Get in touch with us for a quote

Yes, subject to availability and an additional charge. It is possible to arrange for an early check-in and to extend your stay either with a later check-out to 2pm or 5pm or an extra night.

All rooms are provided with linens, towels, Bramley products (shampoo, conditioner, handsoap, bodywash) and a hairdryer. An iron and ironing board is provided for the house. The rooms do not have individual tea and coffee facilities as these are available in the Guest Pantry.

First floor bedrooms:

• Northcote (bridal suite): Superking, ensuite bath and separate shower
• Iddesleigh: King, ensuite shower only
• Copleston: Superking, ensuite bath and separate shower
• Larder: King, ensuite shower only
• Stafford: Superking, bath and separate shower shared with Du Pin
• Du Pin: Superking or twin, bath and separate shower shared with Stafford

Second floor bedrooms:

• Chambers: King, ensuite bath and separate shower
• Charles: King, private bathroom and separate shower
• Tilley: King, ensuite bath and separate shower
• Fassnidge: King, ensuite shower only
• Bauer: Superking or twin, shared bathroom (shower only) with Foley
• Foley: Superking or twin: shared bathroom (shower only) with Bauer

Except for the wedding itself, the house is offered on a self-catering basis. The Guest Pantry is one of the rooms which really makes Pynes House feel like a home from home. As a fully fitted kitchen with seating for all the overnight guests, this is the space where you and your guests can make and share a cup of tea or coffee, breakfast and light meals/snacks.

If you would like somebody to provide breakfast for you, we can recommend suppliers who can help you.

All 12 bedrooms are accessed by stairs only and unfortunately are not suitable for wheelchair users.

• 96 guests (round tables)
• 78 guests for dining in the Ballroom (long tables in a horseshoe formation)
• 72 guests for dining in the Ballroom (two long tables)
• 130 guests in a marquee (supplied by a third party)

You will need to book a registrar to attend from Devon Registration Service. It is best to enquire with them as soon as possible to check they have the time/date of ceremony that you would like as they do book up, particularly at peak times (https://www.devon.gov.uk/registrationservice/weddings-and-civil-partnerships/plan-a-marriage-or-civil-partnership/book-a-registrar-to-conduct-your-ceremony or telephone: 0845 155 1002).

The Church of Our Lady is a mile away in the nearest village of Upton Pyne. St Peter’s in Brampford Speke is approximately 2 miles away. Newton-St-Cyres, is approximately 3 miles. Each of these local Church of England churches and are part of the Nether Exe community of parishes, which are looked after by the same vicar. Further information and contact details can be found at www.netherexe.org.

The nearest Roman Catholic church is the Sacred Heart in Exeter, approximately 3 miles away.

Yes, our zinc-topped bar is located at the centre of the house. We include a fully stocked and staffed bar for the wedding with the hire of the house. The bar usually opens after the wedding ceremony and closes at 11.30pm (unless a later finish has been agreed).

We have an excellent daytime drinks and wine list from which you can put together your perfect wedding drinks.

Yes. The DJ or band will play in the Ballroom. Due to the historical nature of the building and delicate plaster work, we ask that the sound level is kept to 90 decibels. DJs and bands must remove all equipment at the end of the night.

Due to the historical nature of the building and delicate plasterwork, we ask that the sound level is kept to 90 decibels. DJs and bands must remove all equipment at the end of the night. We do not have a sound limiter, but we have a monitor to check the sound levels.

We have curated a list of recommended suppliers who have worked at Pynes House previously and who we and our couples have found to be excellent. This is a great place to start the planning process, but for most of these (with exceptions for caterers and marquees) you do not have to use these suppliers and we are happy to welcome new faces.

The bar closes and the band/DJ should finish by 11.30pm, with a view to guests who are not staying overnight departing by midnight. There is the possibility of extending this to 12.30am for the music/band with a 1am departure by prior arrangement and an additional charge.

Yes, we would thoroughly recommend this. Pickle Shack will usually lay the tables on the afternoon before the wedding and you can then add your own decorations. This allows you to concentrate on enjoying getting ready with your friends and family on the morning of the wedding.

Yes, our events manager will be available  to assist with set-up the day before your event (if you are staying the night before the wedding) and throughout the day itself  to help ensure things run smoothly. They will act as a point of contact for suppliers and your guests.

Natural confetti, such as rose petals, is allowed both inside and outside. No other confetti is possible (including “biodegradable”).

No confetti cannons are allowed.

Our general rules is that candles (including tea lights) are not used; however, candles are allowed on the tables for dinner as long as they are extinguished before the evening party.

Due to the sheep in nearby fields, we do not permit fireworks or Chinese lanterns. You may use sparklers outside, but will need to provide containers with water/sand for extinguishing.

We do have a microphone and speaker which you are welcome to use. We have Sonos speakers in the Ballroom and Drawing Room for background music that you are welcome to use.

After the ceremony (or after arriving from church, if your ceremony is away from the house), drinks would take place out on the Rose Terrace, if the weather is good, or inside the house in the State Rooms. Your guests would then move down to the marquee for dinner. The band or DJ would set up in the Ballroom ready to welcome your guests for the evening party in the house.