the essential country wedding Soulton Hall

Tariffs and Details for 2013

Soulton Hall, , , . SY4 5RS web: www.soultonhall.co.uk email: [email protected] tel:01939 232 786

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Firstly Congratulations! Secondly..

A little about weddings here, and the aims of this short document

For this reason, we tend to start with a blank sheet of paper, and work up the plans with you. And we abhor the concept of ÂpackagesÊ. A brief sketch of Soulton Hall That said, you need to have a good handle on your We are at the heart of our own farm, have a well budgets, and know with reasonable clarity what regarded restaurant; an impressive conversion of things cost: this is an important part of general its original Tudor Moot Hall/Banqueting House, for business ethics. So with the information in here, celebrations; rooms Âfit for a princessÊ ( The you should be able to sit down and arrive at a Times ); and further accommodation in cottages reasonably good idea of where you are going. and annexes. We have been welcoming guests and celebrations since the 1970s. You can find out a We have invested hard in all the equipment you good deal about us on our website and via our are likely to need (this includes table linen, napkins, social media. etc as well as staffing) and do not make separate charges for this. We also include VAT up to 20 per cent. We are also one point of contact for your main requirements.

Your wedding ––– Your way Perhaps you are thinking you would like a small celebration of your commitment; perhaps you have always wanted to have a wedding on a grand We are aware that couples in the early stages of scale; or perhaps you were both wanting to do visiting venues can find what is/is not included, and something a bit different. the structures confusing. This is something we are anxious to avoid here. Hopefully we do – our It is important that the celebration you have here contacts are on the front page if you have any is the celebration you want to have. And above all questions. it is important that it is fun. We will listen to you.

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Rooms for Ceremonies

In Soulton Court Long Room, in Soulton Court, can accommodate 130+ guests for larger ceremonies. There are 6 huge glass doors in this room, with a view over the white garden lawn and terrace.

In Soulton Hall In Soulton Hall In Soulton Hall we can welcome ceremonies for up to 50 guests. Generally, these are in the Additionally, within Soulton Court, we have the Buttery. Tallet, with a new bespoke oak staircase, original roof trusses and oak floor. We have also registered the Soulton Hall bar, and the Lydia Grace Room. These are comfortable With its Âpop holeÊ window, it makes for some with up to 40 guests. interesting and unusual photograph opportunities. This room can accommodate up to 80 guests.

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Rooms for your Celebrations

Soulton Hall above the Long Room, of exactly the same size, As a genuinely ancient building (and not a Victorian giving us yet further options for your exclusive pretence), Soulton Hall is limited to not more than use. 30 covers. On occasions, we host smaller wedding breakfasts here, and then have a big celebration for 150200 in Soulton Court afterwards.

Rooms over the course of your celebrations More often than not, wedding celebrations here are over a weekend. This allows couples, friends and family quality time with each other.

The interiors are pleasant, and even if this cannot be the location of your wedding breakfast, Soulton Hall will welcome your guests for overnight accommodation, There is also the Buttery, a private dining room for 10 or so, which can pride privacy for nonexclusive weddings.

Keep in mind the generous number of comfortable rooms in Soulton if you are thinking about quiet, low key evening, perhaps with soup and sandwiches after your immediate party have arrive, settle in and, perhaps, help you with your final finishing touches.

Soulton Court The Long Room in Soulton Court can accommodate a maximum of 80 on round tables, or 101 on straight tables. This room has a massive double fronted log burning stove, and an amazing amount of natural light from all the glazed doors. Very shortly, we hope to have a further space

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Outside Spaces for Celebrations and Ceremonies

and you should be aware that there is an additional hire charge for the chairs.

Setting We are blessed with some fantastic ancient Marquees buildings, and to still be actively running the 500 About 612 times a year, a large marquee goes up acre farm which has been so much a part of on the Soulton Court Terrace, joining via 5 SoultonÊs History. There is a lot of space around massive doors on to Soulton Court in a very us. This advantage plays a significant role in integrated way. This allows us to welcome groups allowing us to be as flexible as we are. Space for of 130 or so. This is an additional cost, but is very dodgems, Easter egg unhunts, bouncy castle – considerably less expensive than a free standing whatever you like (subject to our approval). marquee. These have, by the way been comfortable in quite extreme weather: even down to 6 centigrade.

Yet another option is a marquee on the white Outside CeremoniCeremonies:es: 450450yearyearyearoldold walled garden Garden lawn. This can accommodate up to 450 Our Walled garden has been licenced for guests. ceremonies, as well. We would always suggest that we have a wet weather contingency in one of our rooms, if you are thinking about this option,

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Country House Weekend Weddings, Summer Time

Over the summer (MayOctober inclusive) allows our team to focus exclusively on your wedding celebrations here at a weekend are on an weddings needs. exclusive country house weekend basis, over Friday night, all of Saturday and into Sunday. In the past this has gone as far as to include snow clearance, stepping in for a florist with bridal This allows you all to get the most out of your bouquets etc. celebrations, and the precious time together which these especial celebrations set apart in an ever Accommodation urgent world. inin Soulton Hall, Cedar Lodge and Carriage House We find this allows you the privacy and freedom to celebrate as you want, as well as the time to These 8 rooms will only be available to people in decorate the rooms are using and settle in your party on the Friday and Saturday. properly before Âthe big dayÊ. It also avoids the uncertainty about traveling on the day itself, and You may prefer to leave the rooms open to your allows the opportunity to kick back very informally guests to book direct. Where we take this with your closest friends family, without needing approach, the rooms are charged out according to to consider photographers, and the demands of the tariff published for that time. seeing all your guests. In the event that a room is not occupied, we will make a charge of £120.00 per room per night for the unoccupied room. In practice we have never done this, as all the rooms get taken, but obviously we will take the rooms of the market for anyone other than you or your guests.

inin our cottages The cottages are not automatically included with a wedding booking: people staying in them are normally selfcatering and they are just far enough away not to be disturbed. They are available on a weekend basis (FridaySunday) and are often a useful addition to accommodation. ExclusivExclusivee Use We have an exclusive use fee for weekend Please advise us separately if you require cottages weddings of £2,750. at the time of booking. Alternately, your guests can make arrangements direct. This ensures total privacy in your enjoyment of our historic buildings, walled gardens and setting, Breakfast for all cottage and hall guests can be by closing our restaurant for the period, ensuring served in Soulton Hall. we have no other guests of commitments, and

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Week Time Weddings, Year Round

Civil Ceremony Room Hire MondayThursday, year round, rooms are available in Soutlon Hall or Soulton Court, licenced for a civil ceremony. A fee of £520.00 is charged for weddings ceremonies held here on those days, which includes setting the room up for your guests, and facilitating you with interview rooms with the registrar etc. This is not available on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

Evening entertainment Should you wish to have a band, or other evening entertainment for a wedding during the week, we are happy for this to happen. But would ask you to take all 8 of the rooms in Soulton Hall, Carriage House and Cedar Lodge, alternatively, we will charge £900.00 to take these rooms of the market for the general public. This is because it is important to us that everyone using Soulton Hall enjoys their experience, and ÂregularÊ guests have a right to expect quietness here.

Private ReceReceptionption Room Following a marriage here (or elsewhere) on these days we are pleased to offer a private room for a three course bespoke wedding breakfast.

If this is for fewer than 16 people, a charge of £250.00 is made, or alternatively, we may serve other guests in that room.

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Sunday Weddings, Winter

During the winter months (NovemberApril inclusive) wedding celebrations here at a weekend are can be on an exclusive use basis on a Saturday You may prefer to leave the rooms open to your for one night. guests to book direct. Where we take this approach, the rooms are charged out according to ExclusivExclusivee Use the tariff published for that time. We have an exclusive use fee for the Saturday wedding of £1,070. In the event that a room is not occupied, we will make a charge of £120.00 per room per night for This ensures total privacy in your enjoyment of the unoccupied room. In practice we have never our historic buildings, walled gardens and setting, done this, as all the rooms get taken, but obviously by closing our restaurant for the period, ensuring we will take the rooms of the market for anyone we have no other guests of commitments, and other than you or your guests. allows our team to focus exclusively on your weddings needs. inin our cottages In the past this has gone as far as to include snow The cottages are not automatically included with a clearance, stepping in for a florist with bridal wedding booking: people staying in them are bouquets etc. normally selfcatering and they are just far enough away not to be disturbed. They are available on a Accommodation weekend basis (FridaySunday) and are often a inin Soulton Hall, Cedar Lodge and Carriage useful addition to accommodation. House Please advise us separately if you require cottages These 8 rooms will only be available to people in at the time of booking. Alternately, your guests your party on the Friday and Saturday. can make arrangements direct.

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WWhathathathatÊÊÊÊss includedincluded????

We include a great deal with our pricing. We have invested very hard in making sure we have all the couples generally need to celebrate.

For instance, we have: • 300+ banqueting chairs; • a large assortment of trestle and round tables; • several thousand glasses; • all the plates and other crockery you are likely to need; • cutlery; • napkins and table linen, together with their laundry; • heating and fuel for fires and log burners (only to be used by our team);

We make no charge for the use of any of this inventory.

In addition, we provide a wellstocked bar with staffing.

Too much information?

The reason for elaborating on this is that there is no standard way of setting out a wedding tariff. Indeed they are frequently not published upfront at all. It is important that you know we include this, and important when making comparisons to understand weather separate charges are made, as if a venue does not provide these, hire charges can mount up, it also adds to work load in your preparation.

We do not include setting up of marquees, or ceremonies outside, though both happen here reasonably often, and we are happy to assist you with advise.

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Catering Tariffs 2012013333 (per person, unless otherwise stated) The Wedding BreakfaBreakfastst Bespoke set menu, three courses, waiter served £45.00 adult £32.00 children 812 years £14.00 children 28 years Cold Buffet (two courses) £33.50 Hot Buffet £29.00

Drinks For budgeting purposes, we have found that most celebrations are adequately provided for at a wedding breakfast with one bottle of red and one of white between 8 or so guests; obviously we can review your partyÊs requirements during the day. House wines are currently (January 2012) around £16.00 per bottle. Our wine list is available in request, in electronic form. We reserve the right to make reasonable adjustments, for instance following the March Budget.

PimmÊs Reception £5.00£8.00 (this depends on your instructions and your partyÊs consumption)

Optional Extras Canapés (selection of three) £8.65 Canapés (selection of five) £9.75 Tea/coffee service £3.85 Cheese £8.20

LaLaLateLa te Evening Refreshments BBQ from £14.00 Platter of English and Welsh Cheeses £71.00 per platter (serves about 20 guests) Port Please ask for list Sandwiches (2 rounds) £7.10

Informal Friday Night Suppers To be discussed during detailed wedding paling.

Price Guarantee These prices are inclusive of VAT at up to 20 per cent. We reserve the right to pass on increases in VAT above this level, since this is being written in 2010, we reserve the right to alter 2012 catering prices in case of dramatic changes in commodity prices – to date this has never been necessary

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A couple of Frequently Asked Questions

What is your disadisabledbled access like? In Soulton Court, it comes up to a very high standard: indeed it is used for local authority events. In Soulton Hall, there are sadly some significant barriers, which cannot be removed. There are ground floor bed rooms available. It is not a problem, but always best to talk it through. What will it look like set up for our wedding? One of the challenges associated with being as flexible as we are, is that it can be difficult to show couples Soulton as they plan to use it. We think it is very important to try to avoid showing people around as celebrations are in progress – so you are likely to see us more as we prepare, tidy up or set up. Mostly people who want to look around What are the biggest and smallest weddings you are quite pragmatic about this – and understand will do? that they would like the same courtesy. However, We have had celebrations for 450. We have had there are now literally hundreds of pictures on celebrations for 2 (with two dogs). This is an Facebook now (link at the bottom of our adaptable place, and both were comfortable. homepage). Often coming for dinner during the week allows us a bit more of an opportunity to show you about. 8090% of couple will do this before booking in any event.

Can we have quite an intimate wedding and WWhathat about music? wedding breakfast, and then, say, 200 for a BBQ In general, we leave this to you. You can have a later? live band, or a DJ. Some couples like live music Yes. In general, if you are getting married here, during their ceremony. This is quite a personal the facilities are yours to use as suits you best. part of your day, and we think the best outcomes come from allowing you to make your own How many people can you accommodate to sleep? arrangements. There are plenty of sockets! We We were just coming to that. Please see the next take the same view about flowers. page

How many weddings have you ÂdoneÊ? Not so many that we canÊt remember each one. More than enough to have what we need and our work well.

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Accommodation: a proper English Country House weekend

We can accommodate 30 or so. Not everyone wants a country house weekend approach to their wedding. But many of the couples/families we are looking after do want this. There is certainly a lot to be said for getting the most out of having everyone together, and this can be difficult if you have only a few short hours with your guests. There is also quite a bit to be said for having bridesmaids or family of friends involved in decorating rooms the day before, and sleeping contentedly at your venue the night before knowing everything is set. We have a number of choices for accommodation, including standalone cottages, which are often a good fit for families or friendship groups, as well as being more economic for your guests.

Rooms in and around Soulton Hall ShooterÊs Lodge These are ÂcharacterÊ rooms in the Elizabethan A modern, single story house, with three Manor House. Very individual, there are four in bedrooms (each either twin or double) en suite. total. Very close to the hall. Again this cottage has a kitchen and sitting room, as well as a dining area.

PloughmanÊs and HerdsmanÊs

A pair of Victorian semidetached houses, sleeping Also on the Soulton Hall site (so an easy walk for 5 people each. Both cottages have two double your celebrations), there are two double rooms in rooms and a single room. And again this cottage the Carriage House (one with a sitting room). has a kitchen and sitting room, as well as a dining There is a large four poster room in the Cedar area. Lodge. In addition, there is family accommodation in the Cedar Lodge (two double rooms, a sitting room with sofa bed, sharing a bath room).

KeeperÊs Cottage A lovely stone cottage in our private woodland. Sleeps 6 in total (two double, one twin). Has kitchen, sitting room and small dining area.

More Detail More detail can be found via our website. For an overview, or detailed sheet for room allocation purposes, please refer to the ÂAt a glance pageÊ.

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Church & Religious Celebrations

Anglican: St LukeÊs Weston Other faiths and traditions Although we are strictly in the parish of Wem, We are delighted to facilitate, as far as we can, all Soulton Hall has a long and continuing association aspects of your celebrations which are important with St LukeÊs WestonunderRedcastle. It is a to you. classic country church. This includes religious and cultural observances, so The church has welcomed nonparishioners. The far as our wedding licences and the requirements vicarÊs telephone number is 01630 68 54 91 – it is of a registrar allows; we have, for instance held a always best to attend as service as a way of making Nilah ceremony here. contact. Travel to/from Weston has been been known to happen by horse and carriage.

If you are local, and want a Church of service, you will of course want to make contact with your own vicar.

RoRoRomRo mmmaaaann Catholic: Shrewsbury Cathedral Most Roman Catholic weddings we have been involved with have used the Catherdal in Shrewsbury. You can find their website here.

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A few things make Soulton quite a distinctive place, and differentiate our work in important ways. Many couples getting married here are interested in these aspects of our work:

Provenance Care of our Heritage As farmers, and with a wellregarded restaurant, we Soulton has a history stretching back, though the know that the quality of the ingredients we use has a hands of a Tudor Lord Mayor of London, and a Saxon big impact on the quality of a meal. You are most adversary of King Knut to the , and we are welcome to book a table here to try our food before privileged to care for a number of lovely old buildings, booking a wedding. as well as important archaeology.

We start from scratch for all meals, using quality Our buildings receive the best care we can give them. ingredients, and grow a respectable amount of food in For instance, Soulton Court has a new oak staircase, the gardens and farm. A saddening number of venues built for us by the same craftsmen who worked at cater in a very different way. Your wedding breakfast Balmoral. should be of excellent quality.

Environmental Sustainability Farming and Countryside Stewardship For a number of years, we have been investing hard in Soulton Hall is at the heart of a 500 acre farm. We greening our activities. We now produce 120% of our farm this land, in addition to welcoming guests to 2011 annual electricity requirement from our on PV Soulton Hall. We are proud of our farming heritage, array. At the time of writing, we are preparing to and are conscious always that we should farm in a transfer to ground source heating, which would responsible way, which is respectful of our wildlife. A virtually eliminate our need for nonrenewable energy. particular highlight is our 50 acre bluebell woods, and the 1.5miles of brook and river we look after: home to an impressively divers range of wildlife.

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Hopefully the last page gave you some idea of how and why we go about our work here. We work hard to reinvest in Soulton, and social media has allowed us the opportunity to share this progress, and our future plans, with our guests and friends over time. If you want to know more you and have a look at these resources. You can access them all from our homepage (www.soultonhall.co.uk)

Facebook Blog This is a surprisingly useful resource: many This gives insight into major projects and an photographers, venue decorators, musicians etc enhanced level of detail from other social media, share examples of their work at Soulton Hall. It as well as occasional posts about such details as updates in real time, so you can see extra facilities our connection to King Cnut, our greening plans, as they are created. or our Bronze Age archaeology.

You can access this here. You can access this here.

Flickr Twitter Flickr us share images of our farm and its work, the changes in aspect of the house and cottages as Shorter insights; you can access this here. we move through the seasons, etc. We also pro vide some insights into the Âbehind the scenesÊ aspects of our work, and preparations for special occasions.

You access this here.

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Going ahead and making a booking We are thrilled you have decided to go ahead and celebrate with us. Having decided you would like to go ahead and celebrate here, we suggest you first telephone to confirm dates. At this point speaking to Shropshire Registration Service (via switch board on 0345 678 9000) is a good idea if you are getting married here. If you are having a church service, you will have no doubt spoken with you vicar, of if you are using our own church (with long associations with our home and family) at Weston underRedcastle, Rev Beech can be reached on 01630 685 491.

Details of Bride, or First Party to Partnership Details of Groom, or Second Party to Partnership Name: ______Name: ______Email (often the best way of moving your plans on): Email (often the best way of moving your plans on): ______Address: Address: ______Mobile: Mobile: ______Landline: Landline: ______(Please provide details of a parents/other significant people in (Please provide details of a parents/other significant people in your lives if you feel we should have them or they are going to your lives if you feel we should have them or be contributing to your plans) they are going to be contributing to your plans) Rough outline of your plans

Date(s) of celebrations: Please give a brief indication of the food you are thinking of arranging with us: ______

Do you require a civil ceremony here? Do you know for how ______many and in which room? We understand that we will need to see that all the rooms on ______the Soulton Hall site are taken if we are having a disco/live How many people will attend the wedding breakfast? music at night.

______How many people will attend the evening celebrations? We understand that you have some terms and conditions published along with this form, just so we all know where we are: ______

______Please see that cheque is enclosed, or you have made a bank transfer for the deposit indicated on the relevant page of these details.

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Terms & Conditions

All weddings booked at Soulton Hall shall be subject to the following VII. Cancellation by Soulton Hall terms: Soulton Hall may cancel bookings under the following circumstances: if Soulton Hall or any part of it has to close due to circumstances I. Confirmation and Payment Schedule outside of its control e.g. fire, flood, etc; To secure a booking we require written confirmation from the (a) if the client becomes insolvent or enters into liquidation client of the booking, a copy of our terms signed and accepted by or receivership; the client, and a nonrefundable payment in instalments as follows (b) if the Client is in arrears with payments due to Soulton (refer to booking form in this document for more detail ): Hall for ten days or more; (a) for Exclusive Use of Soulton Hall: (c) Death, serious injury or illness of the Proprietor or an a. on booking 50% of exclusive use charge; immediate member of the Proprietor's family. b. six months before Wedding Day 25 per cent In such circumstances the Soulton Hall may at its desecration refund of the exclusive use charge; any advance payment but will have no further liability to the Client. c. three months before the Wedding Day the VIII. Insurance and Damage 25% balance of the exclusive use charge is We strongly recommend that all clients arrange wedding insurance due. cover. For Exclusive Use weddings we require a copy of the policy. (b) for nonExclusive/Daytime Use of Soulton Hall £330.00 The Client will be liable for any loss or damage sustained to Soulton is due on booking. Hall, cartilage and furnishings by themselves or their guests or Any extra costs incurred on the wedding day are to be settled in full children agents vehicles or before departure. dogs associated with their party. The client shall pay to the II. Catering and Guest Numbers Proprietor on demand the sum required to make good or remedy The final number of guests attending together menus should be such damage including compensation for any loss of business while provided fourteen days before the wedding date. the damage is repaired. In the event that these rights are triggered, III. Corkage they are capable of transferring by subrogation to our insurers at There is no corkage service at Soulton Hall. the relevant time. IV. Marquees IX. GGeneraleneral When a marquee is erected in the grounds of Soulton Hall it will be (a) Soulton Hall will take reasonable steps to fulfil the by private arrangement between the marquee provider and the reservation to the best of its ability and in accordance client. The marquee should be erected no more than three days with the details provided, however, it reserves the right before the date of use and should be removed not more than three to provide alternative services of at least equivalent days after the date of the wedding. standard at no extra cost. V. Use of SouSoultonlton Hall by Clients and their Guests (b) Ceremonies only are not available here: we expect to The Client and guests attending the wedding shall: cater for celebrations here, as this is a full service venue. (a) comply with all licensing, health and safety, fire (c) Whist the Proprietor has taken all reasonable steps to prevention and other general legal regulations relating to ensure that the information contained in its brochure, Soulton Hall – Our health and safety policy, fire risk leaflets and other advertising is accurate, the rights to management policies contractor compliance alter, substitute or withdraw any service, facility or requirements etc are mostly published at amenity without notice if necessary are reserved. www.soultonhall.co.uk/soulton/policies.html ; (d) Neither Soulton Hall nor its Proprietor is responsible for (b) comply with all specific rules relating to the use of in any way for arrangements made by the Client with the Soulton Hall; Registrar, bands, florists, or other providers of services at (c) consume no food or drink at Soulton Hall that has not the wedding. Such providers of services will be regarded been supplied by Soulton Hall without the prior as agents of the client and must report to a member of permission of the Proprietor; Soulton Hall staff on arrival. Agents may not damage or (d) not act in an improper or disorderly manner, leave mark Soulton Hall its fixtures or fittings and may not take promptly at the appropriate time and comply with any part of any plant growing in the gardens or estate of reasonable requests made by the Proprietor or Soulton Hall. It is the responsibility of the Agent and the employees of Soulton Hall; Client to see that they are properly equipped to perform (e) children and others with special requirements are their task and the Client shall indemnify Soulton Hall if it welcome at weddings, but parents and carers should be is required to assist an Agent beyond what is reasonable. aware that there are potential hazards in Soulton Hall (e) In the event of a client organising a marquee on the and in its grounds; we will not accept any liability for White Garden lawn it should have a connecting cover to personal injury excepting those criteria established in law. Soulton Court in order to comply with health and safety VI. Cancellation by the Client regulations. Soulton Halls must communicate its assent In all circumstances, notification of cancellation must be made in to this in writing. writing (letter or email) and shall be effective from the date it is (f) Any band (no more than six pieces) or disco must be received by Soulton Hall. The following cancellation terms apply: situated in the Long Room, Soulton Court or the (a) Cancellation over three months in advance: all payments Buttery, Soulton Hall to comply with noise regulations. then due by operation of paragraph I above will be There will be no music after 12:00midnight and music forfeited; shall at all times be of a reasonable volume. (b) Cancellation between the three months and the wedding X. The Contract date: the All rights and duties for Soulton Hall created in a contract will total cost (not including estimated catering costs) but including any transfer to Soulton Hall LLP when constituted. Contracts are made cancellation charge. made by a subcontractor to Soulton Hall for the under the law of England and , and both parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales. Client's wedding will be uncured. If another ooking is obtained from a third party on no less favourable terms.

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