Main hall civil ceremony
In the approved ceremony room within the function hall.
Wedding guide
Take the useful details with you.
A concise, print-ready introduction to the venue—designed to help you compare options, prepare for a viewing and begin a productive conversation.
Inside the guide
The character, capacities and questions that matter
- A clear introduction to both approved ceremony rooms
- Planning capacities for ceremony, dining and evening guests
- Full-day, intimate and reception possibilities
- Food, drink, rooms and seasonal camping
- Viewing questions and practical next steps
- Venue contact details and directions
The guide is an introduction, not a booking contract. Details may change; confirm everything important in your written proposal.
Venue overview
Approved ceremony rooms beside the River Severn
The separate function hall can hold a ceremony, meal and evening party. Inside the old inn, a smaller approved ceremony room gives compact celebrations a more intimate setting.
Main hall dining
Dining covers, depending on layout.
Main hall evening
For an evening reception or party.
Smaller civil ceremony
In the approved ceremony room within the main inn building.
Smaller private function
Private dining or another compact celebration.
Capacities depend on the complete layout and safe operation. The registrar is arranged and paid for separately.
Wedding formats
Choose a useful starting point
Full-day wedding
Full Riverside Day
Make the function hall your own, move outside for riverside drinks and photographs when conditions suit, then return for the meal, speeches and an evening celebration.
Up to 100 for the ceremony, around 80–100 seated for the meal depending on layout, and more than 200 for an evening celebration.
Explore this possibility
Intimate or weekday
Intimate or Weekday Wedding
Gather in the main inn building for a civil ceremony and an unhurried meal, with the river close by for photographs when conditions allow.
Up to 35 for a civil ceremony; private dining or another smaller function can accommodate up to 50, depending on layout.
Explore this possibility
Reception and evening
Riverside Reception
Arrive by the river, bring everyone together over food and give the evening room to grow, with guest rooms and seasonal camping available to discuss.
Dining and evening numbers depend on your chosen layout; the hall hosts more than 200 for an evening party.
Explore this possibility
Food and drink
Build the meal around your people
Discuss seated dining, buffets, grazing, evening food, dietary requirements and bar service around your guest count and timetable. Current menus and products can change, so the written proposal confirms the plan for your date.
Explore food and drink
Rooms and camping
Let the stay become part of the plan
Five en-suite rooms can keep close family nearby. From Easter to autumn, the traditional grass campsite adds electric hook-up, water, Elsan disposal, showers and toilets. Every room, pitch and inclusion remains subject to availability and written agreement.
Plan guest staysPlanning process
Six steps from idea to celebration
Tell us about your plans
Approximate dates and numbers are enough.
Arrange a private viewing
Walk through the route guests will use.
Choose the right format and spaces
Use your priorities and layout to decide.
Receive and agree a tailored proposal
Review inclusions, responsibilities and terms in writing.
Plan the practical detail
Confirm food, timings, music, stays, access and guest information.
Celebrate at Lower Lode
Arrive with the important decisions already shared.
Key questions
Answers to bring the picture into focus
Can we hold our civil ceremony at Lower Lode?
Yes. Lower Lode Inn is an approved premises with two indoor rooms for civil marriage and civil partnership ceremonies. You arrange and pay for the registrar separately through Gloucestershire Registration Service.
How many guests can each space accommodate?
The function hall seats up to 100 for a civil ceremony and around 80–100 for the meal, depending on layout. It can host more than 200 for an evening reception or party. The smaller approved ceremony room accommodates up to 35; private dining or another smaller function can accommodate up to 50, depending on layout.
Can our ceremony and reception happen in one place?
Yes. A full Lower Lode wedding can move from a civil ceremony in an approved indoor room to riverside drinks, food, speeches and an evening celebration without guests changing venue.
Can we have a civil ceremony outdoors?
The verified approved ceremony rooms are indoors. Talk to the team about how you hope to use the riverside setting, and they will confirm what is possible for your date without assuming an outdoor ceremony is approved.
Do you host intimate and weekday weddings?
Yes. The smaller approved ceremony room in the main inn building accommodates up to 35 ceremony guests and suits a compact guest list. A weekday celebration can also offer a calmer pace.
Can we hold only the reception at Lower Lode?
Yes. If you are marrying elsewhere, you can discuss a riverside arrival followed by food, speeches, a full bar, music and an evening celebration in the function hall.
What wedding formats can we discuss?
The three main formats are a full riverside day, an intimate or weekday wedding and a reception-only celebration. Rooms and seasonal camping can be discussed as an optional addition. The written proposal confirms the arrangements for your date.
Why are prices not displayed online?
Guest numbers, room layout, food, timings and overnight needs all affect the cost. A conversation or private viewing gives the team enough context to prepare a proposal for the day you are considering.
Contact and viewing
Come and see how the day could feel.
Arrange a time before travelling so the team can show you the right spaces and prepare for your questions.
Call
07813 883605
Visit
Bishops Walk, Forthampton, near Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire GL19 4RE
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