THINKING OF HAVING YOUR WEDDING IN YORK?
As a Yorkshire based wedding photographer, I frequently captured wedding photography in York. One of England’s finest and most beautiful historic cities, the walled city of York can chart its originals back to medieval times. The city as we know it today was largely built by the Romans who called it ‘Eboracum’. The Saxons called it ‘Eoforwick’ and the Vikings, who came as invaders but stayed on in settlements, called in ‘Jorvik.’
Today it stands as a reminder to its colourful past with its world-famous medieval buildings that include the most well-preserved medieval street in Europe. Add to that handsome Georgian Town Houses and its Victorian railway station and you can see that it’s a melting pot of simply stunning architecture.
Add to that the vibrant cultural life with lots of festivals celebrating food, music and the arts. Its endless cafes, pubs and restaurants. An abundance of independent shops and accommodation ranging from grand hotels with spas, to elegant boutique b&b’s to cosy pub inns and you can see just how attractive a city York is to visit. If you choose to get married in York, your guests are going to want to at least make a long weekend of it.
With all this on offer it’s no wonder that York is a favourite destination for tourists and festival organisers alike. It’s also a fantastic location for weddings and it won’t surprise you to learn that it has some amazing wedding venues. Some of my favourites are detailed below.
BURTONFIELDS HALL
Burtonfields Hall is a 19th-century traditional country house with views across the glorious Yorkshire countryside. A family run estate situated just 15 minutes from York city centre, it has views right up to the Yorkshire Wolds. Licensed to hold weddings and civil partnerships both indoors and out they can accommodate up to 150 guests.
Whether you choose a small and intimate affair or a large and lavish marquee celebration. The team at Burtonfields Hall will ensure every detail of your wedding is meticulously planned with you in advance. And will be there on the day to ensure your day runs smoothly.
When it comes to food, Burtonfields Hall has a list of recommended local trusted caterers allowing you the freedom to choose a wedding menu to suit the style, size and budget of your wedding.
For guest accommodation, there are nine elegantly appointed en-suite rooms, each beautifully decorated to adhere to the Edwardian character of the house. And each offers spectacular views of the surrounding parkland.
When I captured wedding photography at Burtonfields Hall for Remy & Matt, they chose to get married in Burtonfields Hall’s majestic billiard room. The room was brimming with period features and had large feature windows that flooded the room with tons of natural light.
THE NORMANS
The Normans is a unique York wedding venue as it takes a twist on the traditional barn wedding. Situated in a beautiful 18th century work farm it has been re-imagined as a modern barn venue combining rustic charm with slick contemporary features.
Broken down into six distinct areas, The Ceremony Barn, The Courtyard, The Grain Shed, The Cow Stalls, The Stables Bar and the Tack Room. Your wedding can seamlessly flow from one area to another to create the perfect wedding day.
With capacity to host weddings from 60 – 120 guests (in the day) to a maximum of 180 guests for an evening celebration, they can comfortably accommodate weddings that are large, small and everything in between.
There’s onsite accommodation in the form of two charming cottages, perfect to host both wedding parties the night before the wedding. Light and airy they are the ideal location for those all-important morning of the wedding images. There’s also a wealth of cosy inns, B&B’s, hotels and AirBnB properties close by for additional guest accommodation.
When I capture wedding photography at The Normans, I love the drawdropping-ly beautiful floor to ceiling curtain of cascading lights in the Ceremony Barn. They create a real wow moment when guests first glimpse them and make the most romantic backdrop in wedding photos. Check out Rachel & Max's The Normans Wedding HERE.
LODGE FARM
Lodge Farm is a favourite of mine as I’ve captured numerous weddings there. Situated in the pretty Yorkshire village of Cundall, a 40-minute drive from York. This beautiful barn wedding venue consists of three handsome brick-built barns.
The Brick Barn is Grade II Listed and fully licensed to hold civil ceremonies.
With exposed red brickwork, a high vaulted ceiling and original oak beams it’s a beautiful location to take your vows.
For dining, dancing and drinking The Grain Shed is the place. It can accommodate up to 130 seated guests and 150 evening guests for a wedding reception. The adjoining Cart Horse Barn has been transformed into a space for guests to chill out on comfy seating. With a drink in hand and some tasty evening snacks it’s the perfect spot from which to watch the antics on the dancefloor!
There’s also a pretty courtyard that stands between the barns, creating a sheltered suntrap. The perfect location for an elegant drinks’ reception in the day. And lit with festoon lights after dark, it makes the perfect outdoor space for your party. Lodge Farm have a pizza horsebox that can be set up in the courtyard in the evening!
For accommodation, The Lodge have their multi-award-winning Bed & Breakfast on site. It sleeps up to 8 guests so can accommodate your wedding party. And there are endless options for guest accommodation closeby. Check out Lucy & Tom's Lodge Farm wedding HERE.
DEEPDALE FARM
Deep Dale Farm is the perfect York wedding venue for those looking for an outdoorsy, boho festival vibe wedding. A barn wedding venue with a DIY approach to suppliers and décor. It is situated on the edge of the Yorkshire Moors.
The spaces consist of two barns. The ceremony barn, which you guessed it, is licensed to host civil ceremonies and the main barn is where the festivities take place. The main barn has the stylish Deepdale Bar at one end.
In addition to this there are a number of quirky spaces that will delight your guests and bring a real unique-ness to your wedding. The Grillkota is a chill out area nestled in the trees with circular seating around a central fire. The Walker is a quirky wooden structure that’s the perfect place to put a photo booth or you can use it as a help yourself to tea/coffee station. And the Decking Area is situated close to the main bar it has a chiminea and great views.
One of Deep Dale Farm’s biggest selling points is that it can accommodate all of your wedding guests in its Camping Field. Guests just bring their own tent, or camper or they can hire a deluxe belle tent.
One of the many things I love about weddings at Deep Dale Farm is that the camping field is included in the main price. So, none of your guests will feel that they can’t afford to come to your wedding. And as if all that isn’t enough – they welcome pets! Meaning that all of your loved ones really can be there to share your day. Check out Bridie & Shea's Deep Dale Farm wedding HERE.
SKIPBRIDGE COUNTRY WEDDINGS
Skipbridge Country Weddings is a farm located between Harrogate and York in the beautiful North Yorkshire countryside. A small holding that is home to donkeys, ponies, goats, pigs, alpacas, llamas and peacocks. This is the perfect venue for animal lovers looking for an authentic Yorkshire farm wedding.
Skipbridge Farm specialise in teepee weddings and are licensed to host civil ceremonies. In good weather they host them outdoors in the Willow Bower under a Willow Tree. It’s an idyllic setting and a real favourite with us York wedding photographers.
Celebrations happen in the teepees with drinks served from their bespoke mobile bar ‘The Rolling Barrell’ that literally rolls up into the side of the teepee. A quirky addition to the spaces is The Grain Silo. This hidden structure is a bar that opens from 9pm, has a cosy fire and can accommodate live music. So, you can end your wedding day snuggled in with your guests, with a drink in hand enjoying a hearty sing-a-long!
For guest accommodation there are six holiday cottages on site and glamping, allowing you to offer on-site accommodation to all of your guests, which is rare for a wedding venue of this calibre.
The team at Skipbridge Country Weddings pride themselves on creating beautiful bespoke weddings and are there on the day to ensure your day runs perfectly.