Step into Spring at The Normans

Spring has finally sprung (huzzah!) and, boy, do we have some glorious weddings lined up for you!

First up, Danielle and Craig! Marrying in March can fill a girl with all sorts of weather-related worries, but not Danielle, who tied the knot without a raindrop in sight.

The couple's day was all about pretty spring style - and the girls' dresses set the tone, with a delicate, lace Catherine Deane design for Danielle and soft pink bridesmaids' gowns from high-street favourite, Coast. 

After discussing her favourite seasonal flowers with Tadcaster's Melanie's Florist, Danielle chose pastel-hued blooms for the bridal bouquets. 

The Normans Cow Stalls were prettified too, with jars of wild flowers and a touch of bunting - just the spot to sit back with a glass of fizz. (Or a celebratory smooch!)

After tying the knot at noon in The Normans Ceremony Barn, Danielle and Craig hired the talented female trio Simply Strings to entertain their guests during an al fresco drinks reception (and entertain they did - we heartily recommend them!).

While guests supped champers in the courtyard, the newlyweds sneaked off to the surrounding farmland for those all-important couple shots. (Who knew chopped-down trees could look so wistfully romantic?!)

Back in The Normans Marquee, Danielle and Craig themed their seating plan 'Our World', naming each table after a meaningful destination to the pair, from Hitchin to the USA!

Counting pre-wedding calories? Look away now! This three-tiered beauty from the Blossom Tree Cake Company comprised fillings of chocolate salted caramel, zesty lemon and - keeping it real on the top tier - vanilla. We just love the broken silver leaf and marble-effect fondant icing! 

There's nothing like a gigantic light-up letter or two to get people on the dancefloor, and these dazzlers were set up on The Normans stage, courtesy of Elite Sound. 

While guests threw their finest wine-induced shapes on our chequered dancefloor... 

... others supped hot chocolate and marshmallows outside on The Normans patio, beneath our mega umbrella (space enough for 100 guests - we counted!) 

And as the day drew to a close (sob!), where better to pause for 'reflection' than our courtyard's water feature? Captured rather beautifully here by Bloom Weddings Photography. Congrats!

“When we saw The Normans we instantly knew it was the place for us. A hidden gem in the heart of Yorkshire, it had the quintessential British rustic charm of a farm, updated with contemporary yet sympathetic additions.

The day itself was all we hoped it would be, the organisation of everyone at The Normans and our caterers, Friends4Dinner, meant we had nothing to worry about and all our energy could be spent enjoying the day with our friends and family!”
— The very lovely, Danielle

The super cool Bloom Weddings Photography took these splendid images of Danielle and Craig's spring day. Bloom Weddings' details can now be found on our Suppliers page. For yet more photos from this, the prettiest of days, check out our Gallery page soon!

Emily & Alex wed in festive fashion at The Normans

We've got yet another wintery beauty for you all today! Meet the achingly stylish Emily and Alex, who tied the knot at The Normans on November 29, 2016, to a backdrop of festive finery.

The London-based duo tasked the groom's friend with the role of celebrant - and we'd say he did the pair proud with a personal and witty service, taking place in The Normans candle- and fairy-lit barn. (Note: the extra lanterns added along the aisle by bride, Emily!)

After a heartwarming ceremony, it was on to a drinks reception (huzzah!) of Hot Toddys, mulled wine and champagne. Guests spilled out into the courtyard or warmed their cockles in The Normans cosy Cow Stalls, before returning to the Barn for more pre-dinner merriment. 

True to form, the North Yorkshire weather ensured Emily and Alex's late November day was see-your-breath chilly. But, if you ask us, it only enhanced the beauty of the shots to be had on our beloved farmland...

Of course, we can't take all the credit: the pair's outfits proved more than a little easy on the eye, with Emily's dress by Catherine Dean (not forgetting that feather wrap by Jenny Packham) and Alex's made-to-measure tux by Richard James. 

Happily, the couple's largely London crowd weren't put off by our Northern climes either, but mingled in the courtyard - and beside our new, spank-spank outdoor heaters. (You are welcome!)

Emily and Alex evoked the Yuletide spirit in style, with an abundance of decorative details across The Normans...

Over-sized, eucalyptus garlands hung from our Marquee doors, forming the perfect backdrop for those all-important bridal party shots. 

Beyond our grand doors, guests found the table plan hung delicately on the walkway wall, set beneath a super-sized star. 

Mince pies featured at the bar, for those who enjoy a morsel with their tipple (ooh, yes.)

The couple added an abundance of Christmas trees to The Normans Marquee too, each simply lit with chic strands of fairylights

Tables, meanwhile, featured wild seasonal blooms, courtesy of Kate Mell Flowers.

Each place setting had its own menu - tied simply with hessian string, a name tag and a sprig of rosemary. 

Here at The Normans we never need an excuse to add lighting (just call Oliver the 'Fairylight Queen') But at Christmas, Christmas you say? Well, there's even more cause for it. So imagine our delight when Emily and Alex added this stunner to our stage, courtesy of Love Light Hire...

...super-cool dancefloor shots guaranteed. (Regardless of the shapes you throw.)

With lights and Christmas trees galore, gorgeous greenery and a bridal party dressed for the catwalk, Emily and Alex lit up The Normans for all the right reasons. A hearty congrats to you both! 

“Thank you to The Normans for an amazing day! So many of our friends said the venue was so beautiful and the day went so well. Thanks for making it so special!”
— Emily, one super-stylish bride

The talented Dylan Nolte Photography took these uber-cool wedding photos of Emily and Alex's big day. Dylan's details can be found on our Suppliers page. For yet more photos from this wintery wonder of a day, check out our Gallery page.

November nostalgia at The Normans

Here at The Normans we're rather fed up of February (be gone wind and rain!) and are getting all excited about the year ahead. Our 2017 wedding season kicks off this very March, but before we turn our attention to spring, we owe you all an overdue look at our late 2016 weddings! 

Cue local love birds, Bethany and Matt who tied the knot in Bethany's village church, Healaugh, in November, before arriving in style at The Normans for a reception to remember. 

The couple held reception drinks - miniature bottles of Prosecco with gold straws, naturally - in The Normans 18th-century threshing barn, which was filled to the rafters with romantic tunes, courtesy of a string quartet.

While Bethany wowed in her off-the-shoulder gown, made by Brides of York, her gorgeous gaggle of girls showed off the day's colour scheme - blush pink and gold - in the most fabulous fashion: full tulle skirts and glittery knitwear. [Insert serious outfit envy here.]

But it was The Normans marquee where Bethany and Matt's pink and gold colour scheme really came to life.

Many an 'ooh' and an 'aah' were heard from guests as they entered our walkway, beneath a ceiling of gold balloons - after all, who doesn't love a balloon after a few too many Proseccos?

Inside, we just loved the floral centrepieces by super florist Kate Mell, which comprised cream roses and gorgeous greenery atop tall, brass candelabra.

Feeling the urge to steal bride Bethany's style? Why not have a bash at this DIY table plan, which adorned  a full-length mirror (also handy for lip gloss top ups.)

Even the couple's cake dazzled: displayed on top of one of The Normans rustic barrels, it was created by Iced Yorkshire

For extra sparkle, Bethany and Matt's 'Pimp Your Prosecco' station went down a storm. Sloe Gin, you say? Don't mind if we do...

Bethany and Matt ensured the speeches dazzled guests - for all the right reasons - by hiring oversized letter lights - 'M&B' - from Leeds-based company, Marvellous Glow. They took prime position behind the top table.  

After a sit-down main course, followed by a dessert table filled with the couple's favourite sugary treats, the wedding party had ingested enough E-numbers and wine to hit the dancefloor. Tunes were courtesy of The Normans party regulars, Jonny Ross Music.

All that's left for us to say is a heartfelt, 'Congratulations Mr and Mrs Fitchie!'

“Matthew and I were truly blessed to hold our wedding at The Normans. The venue is different to anything we’d seen before - we still have guests saying how amazing it was! A huge thank you to Oliver and Laura for all their support too - they really ensured it all ran so smoothly!”
— Bethany, one red-hot bride

Lumiere Photographic took these fab photos of Bethany and Matt's wedding. Their details can be found on our Suppliers page. For yet more photos from the day (yes, they are well worth a look!) check out our Gallery page.

Lights, camera, action!

We're finishing off the day with a little stroll down memory lane.

Our nostalgia has been piqued by this wonderful film of Shaza and Kareem's August wedding here at The Normans. Credit goes to the hugely talented videographers who are Irfanbostan. They've put together a stunning cinematographic account of the ceremony, the speeches and the party thereafter.

The bride and groom look stunning, and we don't mind saying that our venue makes a rather nice backdrop for this magnificent event! We were honoured to be part of Shaza & Kareem's big day, and we just can't stop watching this fantastic footage!

A big thank you to everyone in front of - and behind - the camera!

Seeing off summer in style

Beautiful brides Hannah and Stevie held their wedding ceremony and reception at The Normans on the last weekend of August. The sun was shining, and guests mingled and made merry in the Courtyard throughout the day and into the evening.

Hannah and Stevie personalised the venue with scatterings of cacti in copper pots and a flourish of feathers. Feathers were an underlying theme of the day and looked absolutely fantastic around the venue and incorporated into the brides' bouquets.

Friends4Dinner were back at The Normans to serve up what proved to be a decidedly spicy wedding breakfast, with guests treated to a selection of exquisite Pan-Asian fare. 

As the sun went down, the party upped its tempo as evening guests arrived in time to see Hannah & Stevie take to the dance floor for their first dance under a canopy of fairylights in The Normans Marquee...

“Thanks again for all that you did for us in the run up to, and on, the wedding day. We both had a fantastic time and all of the guests loved it.”
— One of our two beautiful brides, Hannah Snead (pictured below)

The Normans team would like to thank Hannah & Stevie for choosing our venue for their wedding, as well as fantastic photographer Olivia Brabbs for capturing so many magical moments from the day. A perfect finish to our summer season. For more of Olivia's photos, see our Gallery page.

WWF (Wedding Wow Factor) at The Normans

On July 5, 2016, we were privileged to host the wedding of gorgeous couple Shaza and Kareem. Shaza and Kareem were the first bride and groom to get married at The Normans, and our Ceremony Barn never looked better.

The beautiful ceremony was followed by a reception in The Normans' sun-filled Courtyard (we've been lucky with the weather so far... famous last words, I know...), which in turn was followed by barbecued delights, courtesy of top caterers Friends For Dinner, and dancing thereafter.

“Oliver and Laura, we can’t thank you both enough for everything you did for us, making our special day so amazing and memorable! Lots of love from Dubai, sat waiting for our flight to the sunny Seychelles! ”
— The Man of the Moment, Kareem Abusmeihah

These fantastic photos were taken by Shelly, who expertly captured our venue's contemporary countryside chic aesthetic - not to mention the bride and groom, both of whom, as you can see, look stunning.

For more photos of Shaza and Kareem's Big Day, check out our Gallery page.

Wedding season kicks off at The Normans

Apologies that we've been so quiet on the blog front for the past couple of months. We've been busy gearing up for wedding season, which, we're pleased to say, has kicked off in earnest!

David and Laura - now Mr & Mrs Pickles - were the first couple to hold their reception at The Normans wedding venue, North Yorkshire. We're pleased to say that their wedding was a truly fantastic occasion in every respect - from the beautiful bride to the wonderful flower arrangements, excellent food and the packed dance floor. Even the sunshine made a guest appearance!

“ Thank you so much for such a wonderful day. We both thoroughly enjoyed ourselves from start to finish. The Normans exceeded our expectations, and I can not tell you how many of our guests commented on how beautiful the venue was.

We feel very privileged to be the first wedding, I’m sure all your other brides will be has pleased as we are!”
— Laura Pickles, The Normans' first bride

For more photos from The Pickles' big day, check out our Gallery.

 

 

 

New content on The Normans webpage

It's been a busy Easter weekend here at The Normans wedding venue, but we managed to find time in between viewings to update our website.

The eagle-eyed among you will see that we've started a Gallery page, which will only get bigger and better once we start hosting weddings (not long to go!). In the meantime, we'd like to thank Adam Wilson and Joss Widdowson - the talented photographers who have contributed some terrific pictures of our venue.

We'd also like to thank our friends Becky and Alex - two newlyweds who we cajoled, bullied and bribed (with champagne and the finest wines known to humanity) to model in a photo shoot that beautifully showcases the Courtyard and the Ceremony Barn. However, we suspect that Becky may have enjoyed getting dressed up in her wedding finery for the second time... We thank you both!

In addition to our sparkly new Gallery page, The Normans website now features the new 'Your Wedding' section, which bursts with information about hiring The Normans for your Big Day, lists recommended suppliers (from caterers to photographers to makeup artists), as well as nearby accommodation options and important information about how to book a registrar to conduct a marriage ceremony here.

We'll keep you updated with more developments. In the meantime, enjoy!

The Normans wedding venue is now licensed for marriage ceremonies!

We're delighted to announce that The Normans wedding venue, North Yorkshire, is now licensed to hold marriage ceremonies!

We celebrated the news with a photo shoot by London-based photographer Adam Wilson and super-sexy models Becky and Alex (friends who we tricked into doing the shoot with the promise of free champagne).

Couples who would like to get married here at The Normans should first check availability with the good people at Selby Registration Office by email. You will need to state the date you would like to get married at The Normans and leave your daytime telephone number. An officer will then get back to you.

To make sure you've covered all the bases, we recommend that you check out this handy link, which contains everything you need to know about civil marriage ceremonies in North Yorkshire: http://www.northyorks.gov.uk/article/23534/Marriage.

We can't wait for our first wedding at The Normans later this year!