Ice-covered scenery, roaring log fires and lashings of atmosphere – just a handful of reasons to tie the knot in the winter. Not only will you have less competition for your guests’ schedules, many wedding venues and suppliers offer better deals during the cooler seasons that can help your budget go further.
Whether you already have your heart set on a winter wedding or still need some persuasion, these incredible venues will provide the perfect wintry back-drop to your big day.
Romantic setting. Photo © sergeyrizhov
1. Rudding Park, Leeds
Home to a Grade I-listed house and 19th-century chapel, this gorgeous park is one of the most popular wedding venues in Yorkshire and certainly delivers on the wow factor.
Plump for a winter date and you’ll find it much easier to book the private chapel for a wedding blessing, or one of their beautifully decorated rooms for a civil ceremony. There’s a huge number of rooms to choose from depending on the number of guests, yet despite the size of this venue you can rest assured you’ll be the only bride in attendance on your special day. No conveyor-belt weddings here.
Canapés are served on a south-facing terrace so guests can take in the snow-topped mature woodland and landscaped gardens in comfort, before enjoying some Yorkshire delicacies in the traditional banqueting suite.
Wedding treats. Photo © locrifa
Rudding Park is also a smart venue for pre-wedding celebrations – the groom’s party can relax with a spot of golf before the big day, whilst the bridal party can prepare in style with some spa treatments. Just 16 miles from Leeds, the venue is easy to get to and close to a number of city hotels. For the complete winter escape, the Travelodge Harrogate is just 5 miles away and convenient for guests travelling by train. And the picturesque walled town is a magical winter destination in itself!
2. Ness Botanic Gardens, Liverpool
Why not put a happy spin on the wintry weather and enjoy your nuptials al fresco? Ness Botanic Gardens is home to 64 lush acres filled with colourful exotic plants all year round. One hundred guests can watch the wedding ceremony take place in a thatched summer house by a pretty lily pond, then explore the rock garden while you have your pictures taken.
Catch. Photo © olesiabilkei
Best of all, the lovely Hulme Room conservatory is automatically booked as well, so you can still admire admire the fantastic scenery if the heavens open. Make sure you plan ahead if you choose an outdoor ceremony by bringing comfy blankets to keep your friends and family warm – just tell them to leave the confetti at home to protect the natural surroundings.
Guests can find great-value rooms just around the corner at the Travelodge Wirral Eastham, right next to the River Mersey, or in one of our central Liverpool hotels.
3. Discovery Museum, Newcastle
Looking for something completely different? The Discovery Museum offers a choice of stunning art-deco rooms to begin married life-less-ordinary.
The Great Hall fits up to 350 guests for a ceremony and wedding reception in one location underneath soaring metal arches, or you can choose to dine next to the impressive Turbinia – once the fastest ship in the world. For a more intimate setting, choose the Story of Tyne gallery and up to 100 guests can dine right next to the exhibits themselves.
Guests young and old can explore the rest of the Discovery Museum’s interactive displays throughout the day and you can even have your wedding pictures take next to a T-Rex! Plus the museum’s top-of-the-range audiovisual equipment is great for displaying photographs during the speeches for a unique touch – and for getting the party started after the first dance.
Our Newcastle Central hotel is just over a mile away, so guests will be able to stroll home (or taxi it) to a comfy bed at the end of a magical day.
