A Summer Wedding at Oakwell Hall, Birstall: A Motorbike Arrival, Storm Clouds and a Barn Party
Bex arrived at Oakwell Hall riding pillion on a big white motorbike, her veil streaming out behind her and a huge grin on her face. It set the tone for the whole day: happy, energetic and full of friends, from getting ready right through to midnight, when it was clear that nobody wanted to leave.
Oakwell Hall: a historic manor and barn wedding venue near Leeds
Oakwell Hall stands in a 110-acre country park in Birstall, West Yorkshire. The stone manor house dates from around 1583, and its rooms and gardens have been restored to how they looked in the 1690s, when the Batt family lived there. Charlotte Brontë visited, and it became Fieldhead in her novel Shirley.
For weddings it gives you a choice. Oakwell is licensed for civil ceremonies, and you can marry in the great hall, in the barn or, from April to September, outside in the walled garden, meadow or arboretum. Receptions are held in Oakwell Barn, a restored 19th-century barn beside the hall, with room for up to 110 guests. The park’s tree-lined paths are right on the doorstep for portraits.
Friends, football and a motorbike
It didn’t surprise either of us that one of the most touching things about the day was Bex and Dom’s incredible group of friends. With no shortage of bridesmaids and groomsmen, the excitement started early. While a couple of the boys threw an American football across a playing field, Bex and her bridesmaids were laughing their way through hair and make-up.
Bex wore a strapless gown with a sparkling bodice and a long veil, and Dom a light grey suit. After that motorbike arrival and the ceremony, the two of them walked out into a storm of confetti in front of the old stone buildings.
Storm clouds and a barn party until midnight
Later on, the sky turned dramatic. Huge storm clouds rolled in over the valley, and Bex and Dom stood beneath them hand in hand, Bex looking up at the sky with a smile.
In the barn, the speeches were given in front of a backdrop of hanging ribbons, with giant clear balloons floating overhead. There were tears, plenty of laughter and loud cheers. Then came the first dance beneath the chandeliers, and a dance floor lit in purple and red that stayed busy until midnight, while the groomsmen sang at the tops of their voices.
Our 228th wedding, and still loving it
By the time we shared these photos, we’d known Bex and Dom for a little under two and a half years. Earlier that year we’d spent an afternoon with them at Malham Cove for their engagement shoot, clambering over rocks and trying our best not to steal their dog, Barney. By the week of the wedding we were looking forward to seeing them again, not just to photographing the day.
When we started photographing weddings, we promised each other we’d never lose our passion for it. With a bit of checking, Bex and Dom’s was our 228th wedding, and looking through their photos we had no doubt that we never will. If anything, we get more invested with every season that passes.
Why we love a wedding at Oakwell Hall
If you’re weighing up Oakwell Hall, here’s what we’ve learned:
- It suits a big group of friends. The barn takes up to 110 guests, and it feels like a party from the moment the music starts.
- Make an entrance. The tree-lined paths through the park are perfect for an arrival with a difference, whether that’s a classic car or a motorbike.
- Don’t fear the weather. Storm clouds make some of the most dramatic portraits, so be ready to step outside for five minutes when the sky changes.
- Light the barn for the evening. Chandeliers and coloured lighting look great against the stone walls and keep the dance floor glowing.
Planning your own Oakwell Hall wedding?
We’d love to hear your plans. See more on the Oakwell Hall weddings page, browse more barn weddings and Yorkshire wedding photography, or get in touch to check your date.
See also: Engagement shoot at Bex & Dom –.
