THINKING OF HAVING YOUR WEDDING IN northumberland?
As a Yorkshire based wedding photographer, I frequently head north of the border to capture wedding photography in Northumberland.
If you’re into beauty and romance then getting married in Northumberland is for you. England’s most northern county offers breathtaking landscapes, awe-inspiring wildlife, beautiful unspoilt beaches and so many castles. Real castles that come with battlements, portcullises and ghostly ruins. A magnet for hikers, mountain bikers and free spirits, Northumberland offers outdoor adventures all day, and unrivalled romantic star gazing at night.
Farming and fishing are a big part of the Northumberland economy so expect amazing locally sourced fresh food served all over the county and celebrated in food and music festivals across Northumberland’s many charming bunting-strewn market towns.
Needless to say, there are some amazing wedding venues in Northumberland. Something to suit every wedding style, taste and budget. Below are some of my favourites:
ELLINGHAM HALL
Ellingham Hall is an award-winning wedding venue situated at the top of the county close to the Scottish borders. A 17th century mansion sitting in 8 acres of private grounds. It was built on top of a much older structure that to this day has secret priest tunnels and chambers. Historically rich and beautifully maintained it makes an awe-inspiring location for a wedding.
For wedding ceremonies, they offer 4 separate locations. The first is their ornate chandeliered Ceremony Room that can seat up to 100 guests. Or you can choose The Chapel that has original stone architecture and vaulted ceilings that seats up to 140 guests.
There are also two outdoor ceremony spaces to choose from. The front lawn where you say your vows under a pretty pagoda and Under the Hollies, where you have your ceremony overlooking Ellingham House’s private woodland.
There’s also a host of other rooms with tons of period charm. When I capture wedding photography at Ellingham Hall, I love getting images of my brides and grooms descending is a Grade II listed grand house built in the late 18th century. In recent years it has been lovingly renovated into a luxurious wedding venue whilst retaining as many features of its historically rich past.
Ellingham Hall offer two elegant suites that are perfect for morning of the wedding preparation photos. As well as a further 27 beautifully appointed guest rooms. And with exclusive use for a full 48 hours, you can turn your wedding day into a wedding adventure and take all of your favourite people with you. Check out Suzette & Adam's wedding HERE.
CHARLTON HALL
Charlton Hall is a stunning Grade II listed house set within a 150-acre private estate. Re-imagined as a luxury hotel, restaurant and wedding venue it has been lovingly restored retaining many of its original features alongside some delightfully quirky touches and utterly opulent décor.
For wedding ceremonies, you can choose to get married in their magical Ceremony Hall that has a striking geometric floor pattern, period stone walls draped in fairy lights and glass-like transparent chairs that seat up to 140 guests. Or you can choose to have an outdoor ceremony in Charlton Hall’s beautiful gardens.
Wedding receptions take place in their gorgeous Looking Glass suite that has ceiling to floor windows that not only boast amazing views of the Northumberland countryside, but also throw tons of light into the room. The Looking Glass can accommodate up to 200 guests for an evening party.
For guest accommodation, Charlton Hall can sleep up to 86 guests on site in luxury accommodation in the form exquisite bedroom suites and an eclectic array of cottages.
When I capture wedding photography at Charlton House, I love the interiors of bold décor and quirky antiques mixed with artefacts from the house’s rich history. It gives me an endless choice of amazing backdrop in my images.
BARN ON THE BAY
Barn on the Bay is arguably the most versatile wedding venue in the North East. If you can’t decide between a barn wedding, a beach wedding or a boho festival style wedding, you don’t have to at Barn on the Bay as they offer all three at one location.
Their Cowshed Wedding Barn can easily seat up to 150 seated and guests and can accommodate up to 200 for an evening party. On the luxurious end of rustic, it’s a beautiful setting for a wedding.
For beach weddings, Barn on the Bay sits right on a sandy beach that forms part of Druridge Bay. You say your vows looking out to sea whilst your guests are seated on benches. Add your own decoration if you wish and expect to spot the odd dolphin!
Plenty of space on the beach, the gardens and on the veranda make Barn on the Bay ideal for festival style wedding allowing you to set up bands and musicians in different areas. Food doesn’t have to stop the party, for a chilled-out dining experience, choose their famous Texas farmhouse BBQ or your favourite tasty street food.
For guest accommodation, there’s a couple’s cottage, a family bunk barn and onsite glamping and camping. So, nobody needs to go home at the end of the night! Check out Ben & Izzi's wedding HERE.
BRINKBURN PRIORY
Brinkburn Priory is a 12th century priory church and an un-restored Manor House all tucked away amongst ancient woodland on the banks of the River Coquet. Step into nature and back in time with this elegant and luxurious venue.
Religious ceremonies and blessings can take place in the priory that was built by monks in 1135. One of the best examples of early gothic architecture in the North East, it’s a simple stunning location for a wedding ceremony.
For smaller weddings, The Garden Room is ideal. It can accommodate up to 80 seated guests for a ceremony, and just 40 for a sit-down meal. Its calming interiors and roaring fireplace create a cosy feel for more intimate celebrations.
Located beside The Priory is the historic un-restored Manor House which is perfect for celebrant and humanist weddings and can accommodate up to 100 guests. Alternatively, you can choose an outdoor ceremony on the terrace.
For larger wedding receptions, Brinkburn Abbey’s tipis can seat up to 120 guests for a wedding breakfast and more for an evening party.
And for elopement weddings, you can get married outdoors on the banks of the river. Though I’ll warn you, your wedding may be crashed by curious otters!
With 8 cottages on site accommodating up to 42 guests your wedding party can stay over, and there’s plenty more hotel, B&B and Airbnb accommodation close by.
WOODHILL HALL
Woodhill Hall is an award-winning country house wedding venue situated within 100 acres of private grounds. You can choose to have your wedding ceremony in The Olive House, a ceremony space with a strong Mediterranean vibe. It has cool white interiors, high ceilings, floral chandeliers, an oversized fire place and dual aspect windows with fabulous views of the Northumberland countryside. It can accommodate up to 120 guests.
Reception drinks take place on the elegant courtyard, that also has room to house live music. In colder months the library or casual lounge areas have roaring fires and twinkling candles for a cosy vibe.
Wedding breakfasts take place in The Orangery. A light and bright space perfect for hosting your wedding meal. Food is courtesy of Woodhill Hall’s talented team of in-house chefs. The Orangery can seat up to 80 guests.
For larger celebration their teepee is ideal. The perfect place for a sparkler entrance, to cut the cake and for your first dance. And their secret bar will keep guests refreshed and the efficient catering team they’ll provide tasty evening snacks for those taking a break from the dancefloor.
Woodhill Hall offer an eclectic mix of guest accommodation with 16 luxurious bedrooms ranging from boutique boudoirs to rustic shepherds’ huts sleeping a total of 32 guests.
NORTHSIDE FARM
Northside farm is a rustic barn wedding venue in the heart of the Northumberland countryside. The 150-year-old barn has been lovingly restored with a flag stone floor and exposed beams.
When I capture wedding photography at Northside Farm, I love that the barn has tons of natural light that I play with to create even more beautiful images.
Northside Farm’s catering team will work with you to create a bespoke menu for your wedding. Everything from afternoon teas, to sharing picnics to locally sourced Northumbrian meat carving boards. It’s your wedding food done your way.
For guest accommodation they offer two choices. The first are their 10 glamping pods that let you connect with nature. In addition to that there are 4 custom built Fairytale Cottages so in total you can accommodate up to 28 guests on site. For further guest accommodation there’s tons of hotels, B&B’s and Airbnb’s close by.