After more than a decade spent as a Yorkshire wedding photographer, I've been able to experience countless incredible settings for beautiful weddings. Like any top ten list , this is personal to me and my own experiences, but I hope it will give you some inspiration if you're looking for a stunning location to host your own big day.
Without further ado and in no particular order here are 10 of my favourite 10 Yorkshire wedding venues:
Birdsall House Weddings
Nestled between 12th century ruins and incredible gardens complete with lake and spring fed swimming pool Birdsall House is breath taking from the moment you first catch sight of it. The first time I parked up at Birdsall I knew it would be something special but I didn’t expect the venue it’s-self to be matched by the lovely family that own and run the venue. Despite being in the family for close to 500 years it’s only in the past 5 years that it has been available as a wedding venue but it’s already become one of the most sought after wedding venues in Yorkshire for good reason! (And I haven’t even mentioned the abundance of puppies!)
Allerton Castle Weddings
What can I say about Allerton Castle? An absolute classic Yorkshire wedding venue steeped in history that never fails to deliver beautiful light. It’s the kind of place that feels a million miles away from the rest of the world yet is probably one of the most conveniently located venues in Yorkshire. The expansive grounds are perfect for sunset couple shoots and the beautiful gardens at the rear of the castle look great for a canape reception! The great hall is one of the most breath-taking ceremony venues Yorkshire has to offer and it doubles up as a simply epic place to dance the night away.
Wharfedale Grange Weddings
For the Leeds based cyclists out there Wharfedale Grange is located right in the middle of the iconic Pool Time Trial Triangle. No? Just me then! One of the newer venues on the list and halfway between Harrogate and Leeds I remember seeing the signs when Wharfedale was first being built and having a feeling that this was going to be a good one. How right I was! Finished to exceptionally high standards it doesn’t really feel right calling this a Barn Wedding Venue. The thoughtful lighting and decoration makes everything inside a dream to shoot, especially speeches with a wedding breakfast that feels a lot more intimate than it’s 200 person capacity!
Howsham Hall Weddings
Howsham Hall really is one York’s best kept secrets. I remember driving into the hall’s grounds having photographed hundreds of weddings and being absolutely blown away that there was such a jaw dropping venue so local to me that I had never been to. If the building its-self doesn’t take your breath away the interior certainly will. Every room is bathed in glorious light and oozes with the kind of classical luxurious look that just makes a day feel special. Not to mention being a joy to photograph for obvious reasons!
The Normans Weddings
For something a bit less formal The Normans will forever be high on my list of favourites. Run by husband and wife team Oliver and Laura, there’s something really personal about weddings here. It’s a venue that has been designed with weddings in mind by people with real style. With plenty of space indoors and out as well as being situated within easy reach of some lovely sunset couple shoot spots this one without a doubt one of my favourite barn wedding venues anywhere in the UK.
Rise Hall Weddings
Rise Hall is one of Yorkshire’s best known wedding venues and has even had it’s own TV show about the restoration. As soon as you step foot inside you can see why Sarah Beeny first bought the venue back in 2001 and it’s safe to say it was worth the effort in restoring this incredible Hall to it’s former glory. Now part of the Dine group weddings at Rise are always perfectly executed and with such an impressive setting for the day weddings here really do look epic.
Carlton Towers Weddings
I remember when I first worked at Carlton towers all the way back in 2012. It was the first venue that really took my breath away and has long since been Verity’s very favourite wedding venue in Yorkshire. It’s another venue that always has incredible light and between the high ceilings and stunning staircase it’s a place where the architecture really shines. Like several venues on the list it’s one that feels a lot more secluded than it is, within easy reach of motorway links yet once you drive through the front gates you could be in the middle of nowhere.
Falcon Manor Weddings
In many ways Falcon Manor is a little bit of a unique one on this list and I’m not sure what venues I’d compare it to. In many ways it’s like a smaller version of some of the grandest venues Yorkshire has to offer. Without being overpowering or feeling too large Falcon Manor is every bit the kind of stately home that feels appropriate for an incredible wedding. Immaculately decorated inside it even has the kind of window light usually reserved for the grandest of halls. Right in the middle of some incredible countryside this is also a fantastic venue to be able to take a short sunset walk for some epic couple shots!
Tithe Barn Weddings
Another one for the cyclists, Tithe Barn is a part of the Bolton Abbey estate, an enduring favourite area for any local riders. Only transformed into the stunning venue it is today in the last decade the barn actually dates back to the 16th century. The incredible wooden structure on full display the Tithe Barn is the perfect example of a rustic looking barn wedding venue with an unmistakably luxury feel. Backing onto the grounds of the Abbey with the River Wharfe running through those sunset couple shoots are a breeze!
Hackness Grange Weddings
Hackness is one of those venues that is just the perfect blend of everything. Flexible enough for small or large weddings and with a beautiful mix of inside and outside interest but it’s also close enough to the coast to be able to capture some epic coastal landscapes without too much trouble. Knowing everything is being handled by a seasoned team of professionals is one thing but the moment you arrive at Hackness you know that you are in safe hands. A stunning venue in a fantastic part of Yorkshire!
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