There are so many things to think about when choosing your wedding venue, but if you've chosen Yorkshire because of its rolling hills, picturesque woodland and rugged coastlines, you'll be pleased to hear your options are endless and in abundance. There are so many different types of venues out there sometimes it's difficult to decide where to start.
Loads of people ask me what my favourite wedding venue is, or if there's a venue I work at a lot. Truth be told, I don't know how I'd choose which my favourite is, there are so many out there and they are all so different to one another. It would be difficult to say I love working here the most, because...
At the end of the day, there are so many factors that are pulled together on the day of a wedding, the venue is just the beginning of it. I've chosen a handful to share with you today, they're picked at random, each offering something a little different including outdoor venues, plus there's something to suit everyone's budget.
TO THE VENUES
THE PHEASANT HOTEL, Harome
I've worked here a few times over the years and every time I go back I fall in love with this venue a little bit more, let me tell you why...The Pheasant Hotel is set in the very picturesque village of Harome, which is a stone's throw from the beautiful market town of Hemsley. The Hotel itself has well kept cottage gardens along with a kitchen garden too, Not only can you enjoy have photos with your guests in these there's also other great photo locations within easy walking distance.
I find lots of the couple I've worked with, who booked The Pheasant Hotel as their wedding venue were extremely passionate about food and wine. It's the food and wine that The Pheasant are famous for within our local area, they currently have a AA rosette award for culinary excellence already. Need I say anymore?
Not only does the hotel offer fine wines and dining possibilities, but it's also the perfect place to host an intermit wedding, The Pheasant is proud to be able to host wedding parties from anywhere 12-80 guests giving you the chance to decide whether or not you'd like exclusive use of the establishment.
There is the added bonus of the 16 bedrooms too and if you thought that was good enough they also have an indoor pool onsite and St Saviour's Church literally across the road, just in case you'd prefer to get married in a church. Don't worry you can also get married in the hotel itself, the orangery makes the most beautiful room for everyone to watch and cherish the moment.
DEEPDALE FARM WEDDING VENUE, Keldholme
I met Jim and Charlotte when I photographed their little boy as a newborn baby; over the years I've watched this venue evolve, the thing I love most about Deepdale is the fact it only became a venue because Charlotte and Jim got married here first or all, followed by a family member and then the rest is history.
Deepdale Farm is a rustic DIY barn venue, it has copious quirky spaces from the walker to the grillkota and because it gives couples the most amazing blank canvas to express themselves and design their own wedding day from scratch, you can be sure that your wedding will be authentic it a whole new way!
The venue is set on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors, with the views from the barns, wooden hut and camping field being spectacular, to say the least. You can hire Deepdale Farm for 3 days over the weekend, from May to September giving you and your guests and your pets (if you have them) the perfect base to enjoy time together. When it comes to the ceremony, the venue is licensed to conduct them both inside the barns and outside.
BIRDSALL HOUSE, Near Malton
When you book your wedding at Birdsall House you get exclusive use of the Willoughby's family home, along with the grounds that surround it. Birdsall House is set in the most picturesque of settings, with views looking over to the Yorkshire Wolds and the Vale of York, you will be in awe, no matter what time of the year it is.
This sophisticated venue offers ample space for over 150 guests, nevertheless, it still feels like the ideal space for small and intermit gatherings too; I captured a "COVID wedding," here in the ballroom, where there were just 13 guests and it was just wonderful.
There's a church on the estate itself, even so, the village of Birdsall is only a 10-minute drive to Norton and Malton, so if you'd rather choose St Peters Church or Mt Mary's it's still within easy reach to do everything here before and afterwards. Birdsall House is also licensed for civil ceremonies within various reception rooms, they are also proud to offer the Temple for blessings if this is more you.
BUNNYHILL, North Cliffe
The first time I went here, I turned off on to this track and it kept going and GOING! That's because Bunnyhill is nestled within acres of its own land, which is framed by magically-lit woodland. The venue has been lovingly renovated to be a traditional barn venue, with a twist.
Bunnyhill is set conveniently, between York and Hull, it's full of romantic charm and understated elegance; from the mezzanine bar area upstairs, where you benefit from the panoramic, countryside views to the stunning courtyard, that wraps around the barn itself.
I'd describe Bunnyhill as a glamorous barn venue, with floor to ceiling windows and sleek grey cladding, the venue also offers accommodation for up to 24 guests. The exceptional bridal suite itself offers incredible views from the first-floor balcony, inside there is plenty of space to get dressed and ready for the celebrations surrounded by your chosen tribe.
THICKET PRIORY, York
Welcome to your fairytale venue, shrouded in privacy for decades, this Grade II-listed Victorian masterpiece has now been lovingly restored to create one of North Yorkshire’s finest wedding venues. Thicket Priory is proud to talk about its royal links dating back to the 1840s, being built by Edward Blore, most notable for his work on Buckingham Palace.
Thicket Priory is tastefully decorated with a modern twist and boasts 35 en-suite bedrooms, a magnificent Ballroom that can seat up to 160, it also has a private chapel, 18 acres of grounds, a private lake, a boathouse and even a helipad, just incase you need it. The grounds alone leave you spoilt for choice when it comes to having your portraits taken, when I was last there we took a walk around the lake where we were able to relax and capture the couple's happiness privately.
Situated only 20 minutes from York it makes it easily accessible for you and your guests, Ticket Priory offers accommodation for the entire weekend so you can really make to most of seeing people who've travelled to be with you on your day, it's even dog friendly.
CAMP KATUR, Bedale
Camp Kátur weddings are totally unique to the couples who choose to marry here, the spaces allow you to create whatever you want for your day. Natural, romantic and magical woodland weddings take centre stage at Camp Kátur in the licensed woodland chapel, where all you can hear is the sound of the couple saying thier vows mixed with bird-song and the crunch of leaves underfoot.
This venue is the perfect place for a full weekend of celebrations, with accommodation ranging from geodomes, to tent, to lodges some even with hot tubs so you can enjoy the starlit skies overhead.
After the ceremony, there are various places to kick off the celebrations, you can enjoy a drinks reception in the woods then when it comes to the dinner & dancing, you can either head to the ‘Hay Barn’ or hire a tipi or marquee for the meadow, where you can party the night away.
BURYTHORPE HOUSE, Near Malton
Set on the edge of the incredible Yorkshire Wolds, Buryhtorpe House is a Country House Hotel just a ten minute drive from Norton and Malton. In 2013 the house was bought by rock legend Eric Clapton, afterwards going through an extensive renovation process. The hotel offer 14 elegant and traditional bedrooms along with comfortable lounges with roaring log fires and well-kept, landscaped gardens which open up to the views beyond.
If you choose Burythorpe House for your day you'll be able to decide whether you get married inside or out. Excitingly, the venue recently announced it's been granted the license for couples to wed anywhere within their grounds too, so you can pick and choose where you think is best for you.
Famous for its welcoming staff and fine food, most of the couples I work with here stumbled across the venue when holidaying in the area. After enjoying the area and the country house hotel, many of them book when the opportunity arises for them to plan their wedding. I'd say this speaks volumes about the standard of service people feel they receive. Burythorpe House offers catering for up to 150 guests on the day, they also enjoy getting couples involved in choosing their perfect wedding breakfast.
