THINKING OF HAVING YOUR WEDDING IN YORKshire?
Yorkshire is unrivalled when it comes to one county having it all. It has the beautiful countryside of the Moors and The Dales, the stunning Yorkshire coast with charming coastal towns and award-winning beaches. The historical significance of the ancient walled city of York. Amazing landmarks, vibrant cities, charming market towns and idyllic villages. A foodie’s paradise, amazing independent shops and a cultural haven, it’s no wonder that Yorkshire in increasingly becoming a popular choice for festival organisers.
With all this on offer, it’s no surprise that Yorkshire has some simply stunning wedding venues that can cater for all tastes, sizes and budgets. Below, I will talk about just a few of my favourites.
THE OAKWOOD AT RYTHER
The Oakwood at Ryther sits within tranquil meadows deep in the heart of the Yorkshire countryside. Once a family farm, it has today been reimagined as a stunning wedding venue with two stunning barns.
They offer exclusive use for the entire weekend and luxury accommodation for up to 32 people. Making The Oakwood at Ryther perfect for a destination wedding, allowing you to turn your wedding day into a wedding adventure for you and your loved ones to enjoy together.
The Ceremony Hall (formerly a haybarn) features hand craft oak arches at the heart of it. The walls are made of reclaimed bricks that blend perfectly with the York stone floor. The lighting is exquisite with globe pendants hanging from the ceiling and cascading fairy lights down the wall create the perfect backdrop when you say your vows. The ceremony hall can accommodate up to 160 guests.
The Old Grain Store is where wedding receptions are held and can also accommodate up to 160 seated guests. It’s just stunning, managing to be rustic and modern, traditional and luxurious all at the same time. Everything from the original beams, elegant chandeliers, exposed brick work and ceiling drapes are a master class in modern luxe. The Old Grain Store also contains an uber chic bar and on the mezzanine level above the dancefloor is a luxurious cocktail lounge.
The Venue Bowers Mill is a former textile mill that has been lovingly restored to create a unique Yorkshire wedding venue. Stripped wood floors, exposed brick walls and high ceilings give it a fashionable industrial feel. It is located amongst the rolling hills of Calderdale, on the banks of the Rybern River.
Its open plan style means it can accommodate up to 400 guests making it the ideal location for large and/or Asian weddings.
For most weddings though, it is cleverly divided into two to three different sections with specific areas for meeting and greeting, the ceremony and the wedding reception. This gives you lots of flexibility for your layout. Check out Hannah & Danny's wedding HERE.
THE VENUE BOWERS MILL
The Venue Bowers Mill is licensed to host civil ceremonies in The Spinning Room which can accommodate up to 120 guests. When I captured wedding photography at The Venue Bowers Mill for Georgina and Tim, they took their vows in the Spinning Room beside a wooden arbour decorated with rustic flowers. It looked amazing.
You can also choose to have an outdoor ceremony on the pretty lakeside decking area that can accommodate up to 80 guests. The decking area also has its own pop-up bar so is perfect for reception drinks and for warm summer evenings.
For guest accommodation Bowers Mill Aparthotel is on-site and has eleven luxurious suites. The perfect place to lay your head after partying the night away. Check out Georgina & Tim's wedding HERE.
WHARFEDALE GRANGE
Wharfdale Grange is made up of lots of individually designed former agricultural buildings that have been renovated and reimagined as a luxurious wedding venue. Formerly a 25-acre flower and fruit farm, the renovation has retained much of its original character and charm and of course has flower meadows as far as the eye can see!
Ceremonies take place in their North Barn that has a polished concrete floor, a mezzanine level and a wall of twinkling fairy lights that make an enchanting backdrop when you take your wedding wows.
Or you can choose to have an outdoor ceremony in the garden surrounded by nature. Wharfdale Grange have a Yorkshire oak framed arbour that is situated overlooking the glorious Yorkshire countryside.
Wedding receptions take place in the impressive double height South Barn with lavish lighting including chandeliers and fairy lights. There are rustic trestle style tables, luxury furnishings and the centre piece is a copper glitter ball!
The Cart Barn houses a designer cocktail bar with two mezzanines with luxury sofas, a cosy log burner and is decorated with antique mirrors and quirky collectibles. The perfect place for an indoor drink’s reception or in the evening when you want to take a break from the dancefloor.
When I capture Wharfdale Grange wedding photography, I love how the different spaces flexibility flow from one to another, and their varying sizes mean that Wharfdale Grange is the perfect venue for small weddings of 50 guests through to large celebrations with 250 guests. Check out Dale & Nikki's wedding HERE.
EAST RIDDLESDEN HALL
East Riddlesden Hall is a historic Grade I listed manor house and barn venue in the Yorkshire market town of Keighley. Bult in 1642, this 17th-century manor house has a rich history that tells tales agriculture, industry, civil war and peace times. Today, it is protected by the national trust and is a truly awesome location for a wedding.
For weddings, they offer Airdale Barn that retains all of the rustic charm you would expect from a Yorkshire barn wedding venue, whilst discretely having modern touches like underfloor heating.
When I capture wedding photography at East Riddlesden Hall, I love the barn’s waterfall of fairy lights that make an amazing backdrop in my photos. The venue also comes with intimate gardens with a serene pond perfect for romantic portrait images.
Airdale Barn can accommodate up to 160 guests seated for a ceremony and wedding breakfast. And up to 250 standing for an evening reception.
If you’re looking for a smaller more intimate wedding, The Great Hall is perfect for small ceremonies of up to 30 guests. The 400-year-old hall has a cosy feel with warm stone walls and a grand fireplace that makes the perfect backdrop when you are taking your wedding vows. And if that’s not intimate enough, the wedding team at East Riddlesden Hall also specialise in elopement weddings. Check out Chiara & Dale's wedding HERE.
TITHE BARN, BOLTON ABBEY
Tithe Barn was built in the 16th century and sits beside the UNESCO world heritage site of Bolton Abbey. Today it is owned and run by Cripps and Co and has been lovingly restored whilst retaining its charm and is simply a stunning premier Yorkshire wedding venue. It enjoys commanding views over the abbey ruins and across the beautiful Yorkshire countryside.
Located in the charming market town of Skipton, the Tithe Barn is licensed for civil ceremonies with space for up to 200 seated guests. Making it one of the largest exclusive use wedding venues in the UK.
Inside Tithe Barn are hooped copper lanterns, ancient beams and medieval chandeliers adorn its vaulted ceiling. Exposed wooden beams are covered in fairy lights and stone walls are illuminated by hundreds of candles.
Outside there are manicured lawns, fire pits and ample seating for post ceremony drinks. When I captured wedding photography at Tithe Barn for Beth & Tom, I took them outside for a romantic sunset photoshoot and got some simply stunning images.
The contemporary kitchen faces out onto the dining room allowing guests to watch the chefs at work. Making The Tithe Barn the perfect wedding venue for foodies.
For evening celebrations, the barn is opened up more to allow a further 100 guests to join you for your party. And with state-of-the-art sound system, a license for live music and a much-envied late 1am license, you’ll have everything you need for an epic wedding celebration. Check out Tom & Bethan's wedding HERE.
