faq
We understand that MANY questions come with a wedding! We are here for you. Over time, we feel that we have had it all asked, and after all, no question is a silly question! Though, if you can’t see the answer to what you find yourself pondering, please get in touch! We are always happy to help anyway we can, so you can enjoy the planning of your upcoming wedding!
Is the venue exclusive to use for our entire stay? When can we arrive & check out?
We are a licensed venue, so we do not allow you to bring in alcohol. However, you may bring in catering for meals outside of the included package, including dinner the night before your ceremony or lunch while you get ready.
We pride ourselves on the quality of food we provide as well as the style it is presented in, which is all a part of the Collits Inn Wedding experience.
There is a mini bar available in the Inn for you to purchase alcohol outside of your included drinks package.
Can we bring our pet?
Yes, absolutely! We are certainly pet friendly.
We have two paddocks, so if you wish to leave your horse(s) there with you overnight, this is not a problem. Just let us know prior!
Your dog can stay in the Inn with you as long as they are toilet trained. Strictly no animals on beds or furniture please.
Can we throw confetti?
We have many animals on our property that call Collits’ home, so flower petals or eco-confetti are highly recommended before bio-degradable confetti as
bio-degradable confetti takes time to degrade. Any other confetti used will unfortunately result in a $100 cleaning fee.
Is the venue wheelchair accessible?
Yes, there is a pathway that leads from the car park, all the way to the Inn and to the barn. The pathway also leads to the bathrooms, where there is a disabled toilet. It may be tricky for wheelchairs to cross the gravel to the grass/garden area where your ceremony will be held, so a little help to make sure they are safe getting to and from the ceremony is advised.
How many cars can park?
We have more than enough room for all cars to park. There is the grass area to the left as you drive in that can be used, as well as a whole other area behind the barn. There will be staff around as guests arrive, though if there is someone you can delegate to direct traffic, this would be great! You may even have some fun signage to help!
Is there room for the bus to drive in?
In the past, large buses have had trouble driving in and turning around. It is doable, though if your driver doesn’t feel comfortable, your guests can be dropped off out the front. It is then a 3 minute walk up the driveway. Smaller buses won’t have a problem driving in, dropping off, then turning around behind the barn.
Can we drive our wedding car in and park it on the grass near the ceremony?
Unless the grounds are too wet, yes, this is fine! There is a gap between the hedges as you’re driving in where the ground is nice and flat to drive on.
Can we drop stuff off in the lead up to the wedding?
Yes, this shouldn’t be a problem! Just get in touch with us prior to arrange a day & time so we can be sure there is someone there to meet you, and that we don’t have another wedding or function on.
Will we need to bring our own PA system?
We have a PA system set up for you in the barn, with a cordless microphone, + two large speakers. We also have a speaker that can be placed just outside the barn for canapés or placed in the marquee for speeches.
The speaker will need to stay plugged into the PA system to work. Otherwise, if you wish to bring one along, we certainly have power access you can plug in to outside. Your celebrant should have a PA system they will bring along for you ceremony music/microphone.
Do you have Wi-Fi available for my playlist?
We do have Wi-Fi, though please DO NOT rely on this or reception to play your music. It can still cut in and out. We recommend downloading your music prior to your day.
Can my friends/family camp?
We do not allow camping due to our insurance coverage. There are a couple of campgrounds just down the road!
Can we get a discount if we do not use the accommodation or have our ceremony on site?
As both accommodation and ceremony are an inclusion, we do not deduct costs if you’re not using these services.
Do you offer discounts?
Yes! We offer a winter discount of $2000 during the months of June, July, and August.
Can you cater for any dietary requirement?
Absolutely! If we have notice, any requirement is doable. Kids meals are also available.
Can we bring our own spirits to have on the tables?
As we are licensed, we will need to supply all alcohol. Spirits are not included in your drinks package, though are certainly available.
We have most of the basic spirits stocked, though if there is something you would like, let us know, and we will get it in from our suppliers. In accordance with RSA legislation, we can’t allow spirit bottles to be left on tables. Our RSA staff will serve all alcohol.
Will you run out of alcohol?
No, we will not run out. We do a stock take after every wedding to get a true figure on alcohol consumed on a per head basis. This figure is then cross checked with figures from previous weddings over the last 7 years.
From this we can get an average per head consumption figure. We then order over this figure to ensure we do not run out.
Can we BYO or bring in outside catering?
We are a licensed venue, so do not allow you to bring in alcohol or outside catering unless; the night before dinner, lunch whilst getting ready or breakfast outside of the included package.
We pride ourselves on the quality of food we present, with the style, presentation, and structure of our food service, all a part of the Collits’ Inn wedding experience.
*There is a mini bar available in the Inn for you to purchase alcohol during your stay. (Outside your included drinks package on the day)
Can I have a cocktail style wedding?
We do not do a cocktail style as such. We find with our casual way of service, canapés in the garden, followed by platters to the table for your second and third course, followed by a dessert buffet, suites the relaxed style for even the couples looking for that cocktail style of reception.
It is far from a typical sit-down style of Wedding.
Can we arrange to have a BBQ, rehearsal dinner or recovery breakfast?
Yes! These extra food options are certainly doable, organised by yourself. Our recommended caterer for stunning Breakfast & Lunch Platters / Boards, Graze Boxes & even BBQ Packs is Lavender Hill Graze, located in Little Hartley! www.lavenderhillgraze.com.au
* Let us know if you wish to use our BBQ.
Recommended take away dinner to bring back is the well known Wood Fired Pizza place just around the corner – Alchemy Pizza – www.alchemypizza.com.au or check out one of the local pubs to host your Rehearsal Dinner.
If you wish to have the added Coffee Van available keeping it local, you can get in touch with TJ.Rollaway – t.j.rollaway@hotmail.com (Lithgow) or Moubar Vintage – www.moubarvintage.com (Bathurst)
Can we have sparklers?
Yes, this is not a problem. Like everything, if there is a bin provided after they go out and not just thrown on the grass.
Can we have candles?
We have lanterns hanging in the trees, which we will have lit, as well as tea lights throughout the barn. Candles on the tables are absolutely fine!
However we just ask that there is something underneath the candle to catch the wax from dripping on the tables and lace. If damage is caused too either, this will incur in a fee.
Can we bring in outside vendors?
Yes! Absolutely! We are all for adding to your vision! Just keep us up to date with who is coming and going, and if we need any T&C’s sent to us or vicar verse.
Please arrange a time if vendors wish to come check out the venue prior to your day. View our ( Recommended Vendor List – make link)
Where can people smoke?
We have allocated smoking buckets around the outside gardens. An announcement from the MC on the night that cigarette butts are to be put in the buckets, is always appreciated. There is no smoking in the barn or Inn.
Can we light the fire pit & fireplace in the barn?
The fires’ will of course be lit by one of our staff members! We like you to please leave this job up to us. Unless in the event of a complete fire ban, they will certainly be going!
Do we need to BYO firewood?
No need, we will have you covered!
Can we go foraging for flowers/greenery on the property?
Usually, this is fine by us. Though please check with us first, so we can be sure you are not about to cut down something you shouldn’t !
Please do not go on to neighbouring properties to cut down branches etc
Can we move things around?
There are certain pieces in the barn that are fixed in place, the hanging ladder, the back wall centrepiece, the two large blackboards, the festoon lighting and the hanging mason jar chandeliers. Any other decorations can be arranged to be packed away for your day if you would like.
The outside furniture is all fixed in place.
Can we replace the reception chairs with others hired from elsewhere?
We only have our reception chairs. There is a few places you can hire chairs/furniture from in the mountains. Though when calculating how many can fit around each table etc, this is based on having ours.
So, the amount that can fit in the barn may change. There will also be a fee of $100.00 for us having to move them all out + you may have to hire a marquee to have set up around the back for us to store the chairs, as we don’t have enough room anywhere to store all of them at once & won’t be leaving them outside.
*Ask for our Recommended Vendor List for options, also found in the Wedding Info Kit.
If we do not use all the accommodation, can it be booked by other guests?
We leave the accommodation allocating up to you. When we receive enquiries for accommodation, we simply encourage them to contact the couple first.
As the venue is exclusive, the Inn will not be open to the public at all during your hours here.
Can I bring a cake? Do you charge a cakeage fee?
Most definitely bring along a cake! We have many recommendations in our info kit. No, we do not charge a cakeage fee.
After your cutting of the cake, we will take it away, where the chef will cut up as little or as much as you would like, serving it on platters with your selected desserts.
What are the wet weather options?
Of course, we will be crossing all fingers and toes it doesn’t rain, though if you’re one of the lucky ones, wet weather options would be:
- You could get married under the veranda at either the front of the Inn or on the Stables, with your guests needing umbrellas, or setting up a small marquee for them to stand under.
- Marry in the barn – only thing here is that everyone will be in the barn from the get-go, but if it is raining, I’m sure that won’t matter – just as long as you’re not getting wet.
- Set up a marquee on the property (same ceremony position) and all stand under that. Blue Mountains Special Event Hire will have all the options for you.
Can you recommend ceremony start times + run examples?
Absolutely! We are here to help! Ask us to send you through our Day Schedule Example.
What is the booking process/payment details?
A $4000.00 deposit will secure your date. Credit card details are required with any booking as security against damages to the venue along with any unpaid amounts for bar tabs, additional meals, or accommodation outside the package inclusions.
All bar tabs and outstanding amounts owed must be paid prior to departure. Any unpaid amounts will be debited from the provided account on the first business day following the event. Upon sending through confirmation of wanting to book your date, we will then send you our bank details, along with our Terms & Conditions + all info to make the planning of your upcoming wedding as easy as possible.
Payments can be made whenever suits you at any amount at a time, though monthly instalments are appreciated.
*The $4000.00 deposit is non-refundable.
When is the final amount + final numbers due?
Final amount + numbers are due four weeks prior to your booked date.
As always, please get in touch anytime if we can help answer any further questions at all! We pride ourselves in making your day as stress free as possible, from your initial enquiry, right through to the end of your weekend with us, with everything in the one place!
Photography Credit : Neaton Photographphy