Cripps Barn wedding venue
Can I have a wedding DJ at Cripps Barn?
Yes. Cripps Barn welcomes outside DJs and has its own Funktion-One sound system, so I work with the house system and bring my own booth, decks and lighting. Evening packages start from £1,150 and all-day from £1,750. Every package includes a music consultation before the wedding.
Cripps Barn is an 18th-century Cotswold stone barn with a Funktion-One sound system and a licence until 1am. I've DJed there before, so I know the room, the setup and how it changes once dinner is cleared and the evening begins.
- Venue
- Cripps Barn
- Location
- Near Bibury, Cotswolds
- Building
- 18th-century Cotswold stone barn
- Music finish
- 1am (late licence)
- Capacity
- 150 for ceremony and dining · 200 in total with evening guests
- Sound
- Funktion-One system installed
- Ceremonies
- Civil ceremonies for up to 150, in the barn or the woodland glade
- Comfort
- Outdoor fire pits; heating, open fires and candles inside
Resident DJ at Soho Farmhouse (Soho House) · Rated 5.0 from 123 Google reviews
Venue facts from crippsandco.com/cripps-barn, checked 20 Oct 2026.
“Ali listened to what kind of music we wanted and worked together with James to sort out a playlist, so that we didn't need to worry about that, and the whole thing was seamless :)”
Natalie Robins · Cripps Barn
How do you plan the music for a Cripps Barn wedding?
A 1am licence gives me time. There's no need to cram every big record into the first hour, so we start somewhere accessible, find what the room responds to and let the night build. Before the wedding, send as much direction as you like: a long Spotify playlist, or twenty tracks and a do-not-play list.
That might mean half an hour in disco because it's working, a run through 90s and 00s R&B, a spell of indie, or somewhere much deeper into house and garage later on. I'd rather respond to the people in front of me than decide weeks ahead what plays at 10.45pm.
How does the music run through a wedding day at Cripps Barn?
With the All-day package, one DJ looks after the whole soundtrack at Cripps Barn: ceremony music, the drinks reception, background music through the wedding breakfast, a wireless microphone for speeches, then the evening party. All-day starts from £1,750, and we plan each part together beforehand.
Ceremony
In the barn or the woodland glade, with music planned for arrivals, the aisle, the signing and your exit.
Drinks reception
Soul, funk, acoustic edits and laid-back house around the fire pits and fields while photos happen.
Wedding breakfast & speeches
Background music that leaves room for conversation, and a wireless microphone for the speeches.
Turnaround
The music lifts while the barn is turned around for the party.
First dance to 1am
An open-format, properly mixed set built around your guests, right through to the 1am finish.
Can we add live sax at Cripps Barn?
Yes. Live sax can be added to the Evening or All-day package, for drinks, the evening party or both. The saxophonist plays over selected tracks while the set keeps moving, usually as 3 × 30-minute or 2 × 45-minute features. House, disco, funk and Ibiza classics suit it best in the barn. The fee depends on your date.
How does your setup work with the Funktion-One at Cripps Barn?
Cripps Barn has its own Funktion-One system, which is proper professional audio, so I work with it rather than bringing a large PA into a room that's already equipped. I bring everything my performance needs and coordinate the technical side with the venue. Lighting stays subtle at dinner and does more once dancing starts.
The barn has stone walls, timber beams and a large open fireplace. It doesn't need burying under a mobile lighting rig. During dinner the room should still look like Cripps Barn; later, programmed dance-floor lighting and optional wireless uplighting can do more.
How much is a wedding DJ at Cripps Barn?
Evening packages start from £1,150 for up to five hours; All-day starts from £1,750 and adds ceremony, drinks and dinner music. Live sax can be added to either, priced for your date. Every package includes a music consultation before the wedding.
Evening Wedding Package
- Music consultation
- Up to 5 hours of evening music
- Stylish DJ booth & professional sound
- Programmed lighting + 2 wireless LED strips
- Personalised open-format set
All Day Wedding Package
- Everything in Evening, plus:
- Ceremony, drinks & wedding breakfast music
- Wireless daytime sound system
- Wireless microphone for speeches
- 10 wireless uplighters
What do Cripps Barn couples say?
Every review below is copied word for word from my Google reviews, written by couples who married at Cripps Barn. They describe the things couples tell me matter most: music that moves with the day, a dance floor that stays full and a DJ who is easy to work with.
We had Ali DJ the evening of our wedding alongside a saxophonist (James Sax) and they were amazing together! Ali listened to what kind of music we wanted and worked together with James to sort out a playlist, so that we didn't need to worry about that, and the whole thing was seamless :) Would absolutely recommend him - he was amazing! Thank you so much for helping to make our wedding day so fun Ali!
Natalie Robins · Cripps Barn
Alistair was the DJ for our wedding in the Cotswolds. He has been incredible and very accommodating with all our requests. He threw an amazing party and everyone loved the music. Our guests had an amazing evening and were on the dance floor all night.
I wanted to play some romanian music for 30 minutes and he was very accommodating with that.
I don't think you can go wrong choosing him!
Catalin Craciun · Cripps Barn
Who is Alistair Rutherford?
I'm Alistair Rutherford, resident DJ at Soho Farmhouse (Soho House), with more than ten years of professional experience at luxury weddings, private parties and events across the UK and abroad. My sets are open-format and properly mixed: no cheesy routines, no unnecessary microphone work and no standard wedding playlist.
What else do couples ask about Cripps Barn?
What time does the music finish at Cripps Barn?
Cripps Barn has a late licence until 1am, so the party can run later than at many venues. My evening set is planned to take you right through to the finish.
Does Cripps Barn have its own sound system?
Yes. The barn has a state-of-the-art Funktion-One sound system. I work with the house system and bring my own DJ booth, equipment and lighting.
How many guests does Cripps Barn hold?
Cripps Barn holds 150 for the ceremony and dinner, and 200 in total including evening guests.
Can you play music for an outdoor ceremony at Cripps Barn?
Civil ceremonies can be held in the barn or in the woodland glade. With the All-day package I provide ceremony music and a discreet wireless sound system where it's needed.
Can we add a saxophonist?
Yes. Live sax can be added to the Evening or All-day package, during drinks, the evening party or both. The sax fee depends on your date, so ask when you check availability.
Venue answers from crippsandco.com/cripps-barn. More in the general FAQ.
Getting married at Cripps Barn?
Send me your date and mention Cripps Barn. I'll confirm whether I'm free, send a tailored quote and help you choose between the Evening and All-day packages. Peak Saturdays often book two to three years ahead, so it's worth asking early.
or email Hello@ARDJ.co.uk · Instagram @A.Rutherford.DJ
Which other Cotswolds venues do you play?
Comparing venues, or have friends marrying nearby? Each guide covers the room, the finish time and how I set up.