Planning a wedding takes months if not years but as I’m a journalist, who lives off deadlines, I’ve left most of the planning to the last minute (4 months to be exact).
Fortunately, our country is bustling with wedding businesses.
From hire cars to sweet bars, from dress and suit boutiques to the best bouquets. There is something for all tastes.
In this post, I’m putting wedding venues in the spotlight.
I wanted somewhere big and blinging for my super large family from all over the world.
Whereas my partner Chris wanted a quiet do, somewhere abroad.
So he’s having his stag do in Las Vegas and I’m having the wedding I want in Yorkshire. Our compromise.
We were impressed by a number of venues (we were looking mainly in Yorkshire):
– Wortley Hall
A grand ex-stately home set in 26 acres of greenery. An absolute gem of a place located on the outskirts of Sheffield near Barnsley.
– Nostell Priory
This National Trust property is an ideal back drop for the big day. With acres of parkland as well as it’s own church.
– Yorkshire Sculpture Park, West Bretton near Wakefield
Most people have visited some of the fantastic work on display at YSP.
But it’s also a great setting for a wedding.
Recently, the venue was featured on BBC Three’s Don’t Tell the Bride for a Snow White themed wedding outside. It made the woodland area made for a perfect wedding setting.
– Unity Works, Wakefield
Right in the heart of Wakefield City centre is the revamped live music and events co-operative. It’s a real hidden gem with a major hall for large events and a minor hall for the more intimate event.
– Whirlowbrook Hall, Sheffield
As you head to the peaks from Sheffield, this gorgeous compact venue is surrounded by a beautiful garden perfect for drink receptions.
– Waterton Park Hotel, Wakefield
This is tucked away and surrounded by greenery and a lovely lake. The hotel is split in to two and I was really drawn to the older part of the hotel. It’s perfect for golf-lovers too.
– YHA Hartington Hall, Derbyshire
Set in idyllic surroundings this 4 star youth hostel, a 17th century house, is great for groups on a budget without compromising on quality. It’s also located close to Chatsworth House and Alton Towers theme park.
It’s always worth taking a look around a wide range of venues to see what feels right for you. It’s also worth asking about wedding packages and seeing what’s allowed.
We wanted a wedding very personal to us.
And as we have a large family and group of friends, we felt Unity Works was perfect for our big day. We loved the fact that it’s a co-operative and it’s roots are firmly placed in the music, dance and creative industries.
It is also rigged up with an awesome stage and two large bars – perfect for entertaining and lotsof performers!
Plus the venue has been accommodating to our unique touches so we loved the fact we can use a range of specialists to create our own perfect day such as caterers, musicians and vendors.
We’ll be kicking off proceedings with a fabulous traditional ceremony at Wakefield Cathedral then a procession down to Unity for our Wedding Breakfast and evening do – carnival style!
It’s definitely worth taking a look inside the venue on Westgate.