If you’ve got down on one knee or answered yes to the big question, then you’ll surely be thinking about how much planning you have to do to organise your dream wedding. From the venue and the catering to the dress and the entertainment – there is so many decisions to be made when it comes to wedding planning. We know how difficult and stressful this can be, so we have curated a list of the very best wedding venues in York in 2023 to make one of those decisions that bit easier.
York is the ideal place to have your wedding. There is no better backdrop to a fairytale wedding than the towering York Minster and historic city walls. Unsurprisingly, there is also plenty of choice when it comes to fantastic wedding venues in York. Whether you’re looking for traditional wedding venue, steeped in history, a contemporary and clean-cut venue or a maybe even a rustic barn – York has so much to offer couples looking to tie the knot.
So, go ahead and start searching for your perfect York wedding venue today! And, if you’re looking for an award-winning wedding caterer in York, then we would recommend using Poppy Caterers.
8 Best York Wedding Venues
THE GRAND
Located just a stones throw from the train station, this elegant Georgian 5 star hotel offers a luxury wedding venue in York with plenty of charm and character. The interior of The Grand is simply magical, with sweeping staircases, beautiful Edwardian architecture and original features that make it one of the best wedding venues in York.
Whatever style of wedding you are wanting, the Grand will deliver. With two stunning ceremony rooms, including the more intimate Chairman’s Suite or the Grand Boardroom, The Grand can deliver everything from intimate weddings to grand affairs, along with bespoke bedrooms to accommodate your guests and even the option to host a wedding breakfast. To take some of the stress out of your wedding day, this York wedding venue can even provide you with a dedicated and experienced wedding coordinator who will work with you to bring your vision to life.
SANDBURN HALL
Sandburn Hall offers one of the most unique and tranquil settings for a wedding in York. The elegant oak-framed Function Hall, with large arched windows and stunning views across the fairways and lakes. The beautiful backdrop of the fountain and the lakes provide a truly romantic setting. The wedding garden has been especially designed as the perfect scenery for your photographs, providing stunning memories and a lasting reminder of your special day. And, with 40 elegantly decorated bedrooms in the hotel, all your guests will be accommodated for once the wedding has come to an end.
Whether you’re searching for a wedding venue in York that offers an intimate service for close family and friends or a grand setting where you can arrange a spectacular ceremony, Sandburn Hall has you covered. For a more intimate ceremony, the Sanderson Room caters for up to 60 guests. Whereas, if you want all your friends and family to attend, The Grand Function Hall can cater for up to 150 guests. On the big day itself, a champagne welcome and even a red carpet will be waiting to welcome you and your wedding guests. If you just want to sit back and relax, their experienced wedding coordinator will personally ensure that everything runs smoothly, while their efficient and friendly team will take perfect care of you and your guests.
YORK BARN AT VILLA FARM
Set within 15 acres of private gardens at Villa Farm, nestled in the countryside and just 4 miles from the city centre, York Barn is by far one of the best wedding venues in York. With a farmhouse, converted barn and stable-style on-site accommodation, able to sleep up to 113 guests, York Barn offers a wedding venue where everything is in one place. This York wedding venue perfectly blends rustic decor with modern touches throughout to give your wedding a welcoming and special feel.
York Barn can accommodate a more private ceremony for just immediate family and friends or larger celebrations. Seating up to 150 guests, York Barn provides a light and airy space that has been delicately restored from a former stable block. The team at York Barn are truly dedicated to creating an unforgettable wedding and will work closely with you to understand exactly what you want to create your dream wedding. At this York wedding venue, you have the option of an indoor or outdoor wedding, choosing between the recently converted barn or the stunning Garden Pergola in the farm’s grounds. So, if you’re searching for a contemporary but elegant setting to hold your big day, York Barn at Villa Farm is definitely one of the best wedding venues in York.
THE NORMANS
If you’re looking for a rustic barn wedding with a contemporary twist then look no further than the Normans wedding venue in York. A beautiful converted 18th-century farm that has been carefully restored and perfectly tailored to host dream weddings. For three generations, the farm has been the backdrop to a number of the owner’s family weddings. In turn, the Robinson family decided to open their barn doors to loved-up brides and grooms-to-be of Yorkshire. Large open spaces, stunning decor and perfect lighting – this York wedding venue really has thought of it all. The Normans comprises five distinct areas, including The Courtyard, The Ceremony Barn, The Cow Stalls, The Tack Room Bar and The Grain Shed. Each unique area has something different to offer but is connected to ensure that your wedding day runs as smoothly as possible.
The main ceremony barn offers a huge space to host your wedding reception and evening party, with fire pits and blankets to keep you cosy on colder nights. The Normans is fully licensed to hold civil marriage ceremonies and the gorgeous 18th-century barn features exposed brick walls and high vaulted ceilings that create the ideal space for a wedding in York. The floor-to-ceiling curtain of cascading fairy lights also never fails to mesmerise couples and wedding guests alike. Once the main ceremony is over, the newlyweds and their guests can make their way out of the barn’s towering double doors and directly enter the courtyard. This spacious area then becomes the ideal setting for sipping bubbly amidst perfectly manicured lawns, modern seating and a slick water feature. The Normans specifically make a point of only hosting one weekday and one weekend wedding per week in order to provide one of the most exclusive and best wedding venues in York.
HORNINGTON MANOR
Ideally situated in the heart of the North Yorkshire countryside, Hornington Manor is a hidden gem and a unique barn wedding venue. Set in the grounds of a beautifully farm, the Grade II listed Manor was built in 1770 and has been lovingly restored to provide luxury self-catering accommodation and the perfect setting for a dream wedding. Full of character and charm, the beauty of this York wedding venue is that it allows you to put your own personal style on it.
There are a number of options as to where to hold your celebration at this York wedding venue. The Gallery has floor-to-ceiling windows, creating a light, airy and modern venue to hold your wedding. If you’re planning a smaller wedding, the ballroom in the West Wing, overlooking the countryside, might be better suited to your ceremony needs. Meanwhile, the rustic barn has plenty of space outside for the perfect summer reception and features a mezzanine floor, towering wooden beams and huge double doors opening up onto the courtyard. Each area of Hornington Manor has its very own story to tell and allows you to truly make your big day your own.
NEWBURGH PRIORY
Newburgh Priory is one of the best wedding venues in York, located in the heart of the rolling North Yorkshire countryside. Nestled away in the Howardian Hills, on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors, this picturesque York wedding venue is a true hidden gem. Originally founded in 1145 on land granted by William the Conqueror himself, Newburgh Priory is home to an illustrious history. Having been carefully restored throughout its lifetime, every room at this wedding venue in York has its own story to tell. What makes this wedding venue on of the best in and around York is the fact that it is exclusively yours for the entirety of your celebrations so you guaranteed the secluded bliss of just your loved ones.
Licensed to host a civil ceremony, this York wedding venue has tree wonderful Georgian reception rooms to choose from. Whether you opt for the Small Drawing Room, the Large Drawing Room, or the Dining Room, you are certain to have a very special day amidst spectacular views over the pristine manor grounds and wider parkland. Alternatively, if you are looking to have a more traditional ceremony, you also have the choice of marrying in the quaint St. Michael’s Church in the local estate village of Coxwold. Also, with the entirety of the sprawling grounds at your disposal, Newburgh Priory is ideal for a marquee party. You can hire stunning wedding marquees for your big day from Poppy Marquees. You can choose to celebrate amongst the unique Long Gallery Ruin, the Lakeside or on the Ancient Lawn.
MERCHANT ADVENTURERS HALL
Perfectly situated in York’s city centre, the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall is an incredibly romantic setting for a large or more intimate wedding celebration. All styles of wedding take place at this York wedding venue, with larger ceremonies taking place in the beautiful timbered Great Hall and smaller ceremonies being held in the delicate Governor’s Parlour. Or, if you’re holding a spring or summer wedding, the Hall’s secluded walled garden offers a perfect setting for a pre-dinner drinks reception and an idyllic backdrop for wedding photos so you can capture treasured memories.
This York wedding venue comprises an ancient medieval guildhall that is over 650 years old and can be exclusively yours for the entirety of your special day. Their appointed wedding caterers will ensure you have everything you need for a smooth-running wedding day. You can choose from a range of catering options and drinks packages to suit your specific requirements – from a hot buffet to a three-course meal or a welcome drink to a fully-stocked bar. The wedding menus are all thoughtfully created, with locally sourced, fresh produce and are served with outstanding customer service. So, if you’re looking for somewhere with unique character, stunning photo opportunities and an attentive team, this is certainly the best wedding venue in York for you.
GRAYS COURT
Grays Court provides the ideal blend of rich history and superb luxury for a wedding that is truly magnificent. A secluded bolt hole nestled behind the iconic Minster, this York wedding venue is housed within a glorious building that has evolved over the centuries. Dating back to the Tudor times and family-owned since 2005, this is one of the best wedding venues in York, with a quirky maze of corridors and rooms that feature stylish wood-panelled walls. Also, home to one of the largest private gardens in York, a gorgeous half-acre space surrounded by the famous Bar Walls, Grays Court is one of the few city centre wedding venues in York permitted to hold outdoor ceremonies.
This family-owned York wedding venue tends to host smaller, intimate weddings, preferring those focused on just 50 guests or less. Their aim is to provide a professional yet relaxed environment for your special day and, as a privately-owned boutique hotel, they endeavour to work closely with you as a couple to offer a truly bespoke service. You have the choice of a number of splendid rooms to host your wedding; The Long Gallery is the unrivalled heart of the house, with high double doors leading out to the garden; The Sterne Room is a classic Georgian drawing room with charming views of the tree-lined cobbled courtyard; or The Library offers an intimate space that blends cosiness with high ceilings and dramatic floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. Certainly one of the best wedding venues in York, in 2020, Grays Court was awarded Gold for Best Small Hotel in the Visit England Awards.
For more things to do and see in the historic city of York, go ahead and take a look at these other posts:
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