All-Inclusive Wedding Packages in Lincolnshire: What's Included?
An all-inclusive wedding package means your venue hire and your catering are booked together as one package, rather than arranged with separate suppliers. At The Sessions House in Spalding, the All-Inclusive Wedding Package brings exclusive use of a Victorian courthouse and in-house catering together, with ceremony set-up included as it is in every package. The wedding team confirms exactly which menus and guest numbers your package covers, so you can compare venues like for like.
The short answer: The Sessions House, Spalding, Lincolnshire is a Grade II listed former Victorian courthouse, built in 1843 and around 30 minutes' drive from Peterborough. Every wedding hires the whole building, and its All-Inclusive Wedding Package covers venue hire and catering together.
What does an all-inclusive wedding package include at The Sessions House?
The package is built around two things most couples want settled early: the venue and the food. Here is what you can count on:
Exclusive use of the whole building, so there are no other weddings or events on your day.
Venue hire and in-house catering combined in one package.
Ceremony set-up, which is included in every wedding package.
The Chinoiserie Library, a more intimate room for small dining and photographs, included in every wedding package.
Two hours' set-up on the morning of your wedding.
A one-to-one chef tasting once you have booked.
Because exact menu choices vary, ask the team to set out in writing what your All-Inclusive package covers before you book. A good venue will be happy to do that.
Which spaces can you use on your wedding day?
Exclusive use means the whole courthouse is yours. There are four licensed ceremony spaces, so the day can move from vows to dinner to dancing without leaving the building:
The Courtroom: up to 100 guests for a ceremony or seated dining and up to 180 for an evening reception, with tall vaulted wooden ceilings, tiered pews and the original judge's bench as your top table.
The Emerald Room: lush greens and florals, its own staffed bar with more than 300 lines, and intimate ceremonies of up to 20.
The Magistrates' Room: deep red and gold, a grand piano and a marble fireplace, for intimate ceremonies and private dining for 15 to 30.
The Courtyard: private and walled, licensed for outdoor ceremonies, up to 150 standing, with an outdoor bar if you want one and an indoor plan for wet weather.
The red-carpeted Summer Staircase is your private route down to the front of the building for the confetti shot. You can see every room on our spaces page.
What food can you choose for the wedding breakfast and evening?
In-house catering is available at The Sessions House, and menus adjust for dietary needs and budget. Options include:
Canapés and grazing.
Afternoon teas on vintage china.
Two- and three-course wedding breakfasts from the Classic, Signature and Luxury menus.
Evening buffets, food vans, nacho boxes and butcher's baps.
Children's menus, available from four children.
A mixologist can also create his-and-hers cocktails. The wedding team will confirm which of these your package includes and how each can be tailored to you.
What usually sits outside an all-inclusive package?
"All-inclusive" rarely means every supplier and every cost. At The Sessions House, these are arranged separately:
The registrar: you book and pay the registrar directly with Lincolnshire County Council. Celebrants are welcome too.
Accommodation: there is none on site, but Cley Hall Hotel is a 10-minute walk and the Red Lion Hotel is a 2-minute walk.
Your own drinks: you are welcome to bring them, and a corkage charge applies. The wedding team confirms the amount.
Photographers, florists, cakes and music: there is no mandatory supplier list, so you choose your own, and our trusted suppliers pass on discounts to couples.
Browse photographers, florists and more on the trusted suppliers page.
Is all-inclusive better value than venue hire only?
It depends on how you want to plan. All-inclusive suits couples who want the venue and food settled in one conversation. If you already have a caterer in mind, a venue-only package may suit you better, because external caterers are welcome at The Sessions House with no fee. Other routes worth comparing:
Venue hire packages (Classic, Signature and Luxury), if you would rather bring your own caterer.
Twilight Wedding Package, which starts at 4pm and leaves out the sit-down meal, for a more relaxed, budget-friendly day.
Intimate Wedding Package, for small weddings of up to 30 guests.
Two things make budgeting simpler here. There is no seasonal pricing, so the same prices apply all year. And evening guests are free to invite: you only pay for their food, up to 180 guests in total. If you are still choosing a venue, our guides to wedding venues in Lincolnshire and wedding venues near Peterborough are a useful next read.
What should you ask any venue about its all-inclusive package?
Whichever venues you compare, ask for answers in writing to these questions:
Is the whole venue exclusively yours for the day?
Which rooms and outdoor spaces can you use, and for how many guests?
Which menus are included, and can they be changed for dietary needs?
Is ceremony set-up included, and how much set-up time do you get on the morning?
Are registrar fees, drinks and evening food part of the package or separate?
Can you bring your own suppliers, and is there a fee for doing so?
Do prices change by season or day of the week?
What practical details should you know before booking?
The standard finish is midnight. Later finishes are possible, subject to Council permission.
The indoor rooms are on the first floor, up 14 steps. There is no lift and no wheelchair-accessible toilet; stair-climbers can be hired externally and are operated by the guest's carer. The Courtyard is step-free on gravel.
The venue is under 250 metres' walk from Spalding station and around 30 minutes' drive from Peterborough.
The wedding team can usually hold a date for 24 hours without a deposit while you decide.
How can you see what is included in person?
The easiest way to judge any package is to walk the rooms. Book a viewing for a 60-minute private tour with a member of the wedding team, come along to one of our free open days, or download the wedding brochure. You will find more answers on our FAQ page.
Frequently asked questions
What does the All-Inclusive Wedding Package at The Sessions House include?
The All-Inclusive Wedding Package at The Sessions House in Spalding, Lincolnshire combines venue hire and in-house catering in one package, with exclusive use of the whole Grade II listed courthouse. Ceremony set-up, the Library and two hours' set-up on the morning are included, and the wedding team confirms which menus your package covers.
How many guests can a wedding at The Sessions House hold?
The Courtroom at The Sessions House seats up to 100 guests for a ceremony or a seated wedding breakfast, and holds up to 180 guests for an evening reception. Smaller weddings of up to 30 guests suit the Intimate Wedding Package.
Can you bring your own caterer to The Sessions House instead?
Yes. The Sessions House welcomes external caterers with no fee, as long as they provide public liability insurance and allergen and food-safety documents (or the couple signs a waiver) and bring their own linen, crockery and glassware.
Are registrar fees included in a wedding package at The Sessions House?
No. Couples book and pay the registrar directly with Lincolnshire County Council. Celebrants are also welcome at The Sessions House, which is licensed for civil ceremonies, civil partnerships and vow renewals.
Do wedding prices at The Sessions House change with the season?
No. The Sessions House has no seasonal pricing, so the same prices apply all year round. The wedding team can give you current prices for each package.
How far is The Sessions House from Peterborough?
The Sessions House is around 30 minutes' drive from Peterborough. For guests arriving by train, the venue is under 250 metres' walk from Spalding station.
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