Men of the moment at The Normans

It’s been a while since we posted on our world-renowned* wedding blog. There are a number of excuses: last year’s busy festive schedule, an Omicron scare, and, most of all, our insane children.

But we’re back with a vengeance, kicking off 2022 with, erm, a throwback to 2021. Bear with us, because this wedding was an absolute belter…

The stars of our story are Liam & Nima, two handsome chaps from Leeds who were lucky enough to hold their wedding on its original date after a year and a half of uncertainty. And what a wedding it was…

*not world-renowned

Nima (left) and Liam (right) exchange personalised vows. Photo by Sugarbird Photography

The couple’s attention to detail ensured that all senses were satisfied - sight, smell and sound… and suits!

“We spent rather a long time looking for suits and went to many shops (both high street and bespoke), but we struggled to find suits that would fit the rustic theme of the venue and not make us look like we were off grouse shooting!” says Nima.

Groom Liam dressing to impress in The Normans Cottage. Photo by Sugarbird Photography

Groomsmen getting ready outside The Normans Cottage. Photo by Sugarbird Photography

Double parked. Photo by Sugarbird Photography

And breathe… Photo by Sugarbird Photography

Personalised Lego men were exchanged before the ceremony. Photo by Sugarbird Photography

Happily, Liam and Nima eventually found the perfect suits at the ever-reliable Moss Bros: stylish slim-fit three-piece tweed suits in a lovely shade of sage for themselves, and a deeper brown for groomsmen. (Usually, our hearts sink when groom and groomsmen turn up at a summer wedding wearing tweed - dying of heat exhaustions isn’t a good look on a wedding day! But Liam and Nima dodged this bullet by choosing a nice lightweight fabric with a slim-fit cut.)

The grooms share a tender moment before the marriage ceremony at The Normans wedding venue. Photo by Sugarbird Photography

Choosing the groomsmaids’ dresses, meanwhile, involved several Zoom fashion shows and, according to Nima, lots of online orders and returns during various lockdowns. However, the ladies finally settled for these beautiful designs from Coast.

“We found them early on, luckily, as we certainly weren't looking forward to hours of dress shopping! They were stunning though, somehow managed to suit all three girls … and were in the sale!” laughs Nima.

The groomsmaids looking stunning before the ceremony. Photo by Sugarbird Photography

And so, to the venue…

“We had a strong idea of what we wanted,” says Nima. “But we didn't know how to execute it. Luckily, armed with a few ideas and photos, we had a quick and efficient meeting with brilliant florist Kate Mell. She was great and we would recommend her to anybody getting married at The Normans - especially because of the bespoke floral options she has for the venue.”

Handmade wooden signage greeted guests on arrival. Photo by Sugarbird Photography

We love this card box made from a suitcase. Photo by Sugarbird Photography

Flowers aside, much of the venue's aesthetic and vibe was down to stylist Emily K.

“Emily executed everything so well - to a standard we could just never have done ourselves,” says Nima. “She did the beautiful entrance sign and the card box.”

Time to tie the knot. Photo by Sugarbird Photography

Congregating in the Farmhouse Courtyard before the ceremony. Photo by Sugarbird Photography

The rustic Ceremony Barn at The Normans wedding venue. Photo by Sugarbird Photography

The couple’s personal, heartfelt ceremony was conducted by super celebrant Deborah Page.

“She went out of her way to write us a ceremony that meant so much to us,” says Nima. “There wasn’t a dry eye in the house. We were so glad we went with the option of a personalised ceremony officiated by a celebrant.”

A traditional Persian sugar-rubbing ritual. Photo by Sugarbird Photography

A ceremony to remember at The Normans. Photo by Sugarbird Photography

“During the ceremony, we had a marriage canopy put above us with my ‘unmarried’ cousin sprinkling sugar over us to represent sweetness,” explains Nima.

As per Persian tradition, the grooms were asked three times if they wanted to get married. Each time, Nima said no, holding out for a gift from Liam. When Liam finally offered the ‘gift of marriage’, Nima said yes. The couple then fed one another a dab of honey, which represent a lifetime of sharing, sustenance and sweetness together. Beautiful.

Liam and Nima walk back up the aisle in The Normans Ceremony Barn. Photo by Sugarbird Photography

Aside from the stunning aesthetics and emotional ceremony, guests couldn’t help compliment the grooms on the smell of the venue. The serene scents were a result of a close collaboration with Emily K, who sourced scented oils for the wedding day.

“Our friends we told [about the scented oils] found it hilarious and teased us about it, but a lot of people complimented the smell and now we have candles made to remind us of the big day!” says Nima.

Canapes by Hog & Apple

Champagne on ice. Photo by Sugarbird Photography

Canapes to kill for by The Hog & Apple. Photo by Sugarbird Photography

Guests are served drinks at pop-up bar. Photo by Sugarbird Photography

Once the ceremony had finished, guests followed the grooms outside into The Courtyard for canapes to kill for by The Hog & Apple Food Co, and a soundtrack courtesy of The Paul Young Folk Duo…

Leafy views in The Normans Courtyard. Photo by Sugarbird Photography

Paul Young Folk Duo provide the soundtrack for the reception. Photo by Sugarbird Photography

The Courtyard at The Normans wedding venue. Photo by Sugarbird Photography

After a couple of hours of mingling, guests were called in for the wedding breakfast; guided into the Grain Shed by this stunning table plan, styled by Emily K.

Table plan illuminated by the beaded chandelier. Photo by Sugarbird Photography

Guests were guided in by the table plan. Photo by Sugarbird Photography

Emily was also responsible for the place settings and table arrangements, but hats off to the boys who spent hours planning, ordering and putting together bespoke Lego figures for all of their 125 guests!

“Our guests absolutely loved them,” says Nima, “The figures made for great souvenirs.”

Beautifully appointed place settings. Photo by Sugarbird

Pride by way of Lego. Photo by Sugarbird Photography

“We also spent a lot of time writing and making bespoke Cards Against Humanity for each table, including answers designed for each table, with in-jokes and stories from school or university. Apparently they went down very well!”

Ready for dinner. Photo by Sugarbird Photography

H&A pulled out the stops with a Middle Eastern-style mezze board for starter - a mix of lamb kebabs with hummus and labneh.

“While not necessarily ‘authentic’ Persian, it was still a nod to Nima's heritage and something that was important to us,” says Liam.

The 'main' was the ‘lamb three ways’, which featured two beautiful cuts of perfectly cooked lamb, a lamb pastilla, beautiful vegetable sides, rounded off with an artichoke puree.

The wedding breakfast at The Normans. Photo by Sugarbird Photography

Super speeches. Photo by Sugarbird Photography

After the speeches, the couple had chance to steal away with their photographer James, aka Sugarbird Photography, and take advantage of the beautiful sunset.

Liam and Nima enjoy a quiet moment outside. Photo by Sugarbird Photography

We love the lighting of this awesome shot. Photo by Sugarbird Photography

A quiet stroll in the countryside. Photo by Sugarbird Photography

Back inside, an artful tower of macaroons awaited the grooms, while glassware was readied for after-dinner cocktails.

“We ordered a cocktail for every guest after dinner. Three different types, each named with a nod to Nima’s love of Britney - 'Every-time Espresso Martinis', 'Oops... Old Fashioneds' and 'Circus Cosmos',” explains Liam.

Marvellous macaroons take the place of cake. Photo by Sugarbird Photography

Let them eat cake - sorry - macaroons. Photo by Sugarbird Photography

Dancefloor derring-do began with a ‘knife dance’ - a Persian wedding tradition where a newly married couple have to ‘earn the knife’ (quite literally pay money) to cut the cake.

“This stems back from a centuries-old tradition where men would return from the battlefield and, as part of their celebrations, ‘paid women of the harem’ would dance with the battle swords,” explains Nima.

Persian knife dance to kick of the evening. Photo by Sugarbird Photography

From here on, the dance floor was packed all evening - largely thanks to the couple’s bespoke wedding playlist.

“We are control freaks so we opted for a set playlist so we knew exactly what was going to be played!” laughs Liam. “We also had an Iranian music segment with all the Iranian party classics… and I don't think the dancefloor was ever not full... especially for Nima's 'Work Bitch' performance, which he’s famous for cracking out at parties and nights outs. There was a lot of pressure for him to nail it for the wedding!”

Trust us. He nailed it.

Nima leads the way on the dance floor. Photo by Sugarbird Photography

Shake it like a Polaroid picture. Photo by Sugarbird Photography

Dance til you drop. Photo by Sugarbird Photography

“The Normans is an incredible venue... The team’s comms were always super speedy and useful - we never had to stress about the venue itself. Thank you again!”

— Men of the moment, Liam & Nima

The grooms share a tender moment at The Normans wedding venue. Photo by Sugarbird Photography

SUPPLIERS

Food The Hog & Apple Food Co.

Flowers Kate Mell

Photos Sugarbird Photography

Venue styling Emily K Weddings

Celebrant True to You Celebrancy

Reception music Paul Young

Grooms and groomsmen’s suits Moss Bros

Groomsmaids dresses Coast

DJ equipment hire Night Owls

Something blue (and yellow) at The Normans wedding venue

A Caroline Castigliano dress, soft summery colour scheme, and the most gorgeous sun-soaked day made for a truly memorable marriage for couple Emily and Sam.

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If you ask us, bronzed bride Emily looked like a total babe in her Caroline Castigliano dress: purchased off the peg at The Harrogate Wedding Lounge.

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“The dress was called ‘Simplicity’,” says Emily, “which is what drew me to it: it allowed me to add a bolero jacket by day, made by my mum, and the flexibility to remove it and add a sparkly belt for the evening.”

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It was a timeless look for the rest of the bridal party too, with the the groomsmen sporting three-piece suits by Peter Posh and, for the bridesmaids, elegant, floor-length gowns from Maids to Measure.

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The bridal party’s delicate sky-blue hue made up one half of the day’s colour scheme, as Emily explains: “My favourite colour is yellow and Sam’s is blue so they worked perfectly as the colour scheme for our July wedding.”

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“After meeting our florist Kate Mell on a wintery February morning we visualised a summer’s day and chose pale yellow roses, blue oxypetalum, blue Nigella and grey-blue foliage,” says Emily.

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“Yellow rose petals were collected from my granny and my mum’s gardens,” says Emily, “These were carefully dried for confetti and thrown over us after the ceremony.”

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“Although our flowers for the day were stunning - and key to bringing out some colour - the overall look we were going for was ‘rustic but finished’,” says Emily. “We achieved this with Kate Mell by having a large amount of greenery around the venue.”

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“Kate Mell also added the same florals on our cake, created by The Flamingo Bakery.  “Emily even had our wedding logo made into a template to emboss it on to our cake!” says Sam.

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“Every part of our wedding stationery was also in keeping with the blue and yellow colour scheme,” tells Emily. “Think favours, name cards, menus and anniversary box slips, all running down the tables.”

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“We also had a large amount of wooden items and signs with burnt lettering in the wood, which kept the rustic theme going,” Emily says. “It also added a personal touch as the wood was cut and crafted by Sam’s dad Mike and was burnt with pyrography by my mum, Cate.”

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There were plenty of handmade items, among them Damson Gin favours: “The damsons were picked from Sam’s parent’s garden in 2019 - the year we got engaged - and they’d been distilled in sugar and gin, waiting for our wedding day,” tells Emily.

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The couple were blessed with super summery weather, too, meaning that talented musicians Marc and Abi could perform al fresco in The Courtyard! The hot weather also suited the menu choice for the wedding breakfast: “We decided to keep our menu fairly light and Mediterranean,” says Emily. “One comment we had from a lot of guests, was: ‘How the hell did they [Hog & Apple] bring out 100 steaks cooked to perfection?!’”

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“When we initially booked The Normans, Oliver and Sharon explained that they pride themselves on the ‘flow’ of the day – and, yes, it flowed,” says Emily. “One of our guests said, ‘when you go to a wedding, there is always a lull period where people don’t know what to do with themselves – this just didn’t happen at your wedding, it was amazing, and the day just went so fast’.”

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While the couple had every decorative detail covered, Yorkshire served up the most gorgeous sun-drenched evening, enabling Emily and Sam to head out in The Normans corn-strewn fields and capture these enchanting images with Joel Skingle Photography. (Joel, we salute you!)

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“Anyone can see from photos that The Normans is a stunning space to have your wedding - but you are getting so much more than a beautiful venue, you are getting a family-run business with a team of two couples that are totally and utterly devoted to making every wedding perfect and unique to each couple.”

— the ever-so fabulous, Emily

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SUPPLIERS

BRIDE’S DRESS CAROLINE CASTIGLIANO

THE HARROGATE WEDDING LOUNGE

BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES MAIDS TO MEASURE

BRIDE’S HAIR lottie haigh wedding & occasion hair

BRIDAL MAKE-UP lisa cooper makeup artist

GROOM & GROOMSMEN’S SUITS peter posh suits

FLOWERS kate mell flowers

FOOD the hog & apple food co.

PHOTOGRAPHY joel skingle photography

MUSIC marc & abi musicians

wedding cake the flamingo bakery

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Don’t rain on my parade … at The Normans

It was third time lucky for Amy and James at The Normans, after their plans were thwarted by Covid. Not once, but twice. But brooding clouds couldn’t dampen spirits on the couple’s July wedding day…

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First up, Amy’s wedding dress. We were obsessed-at-first-sight with this Alika gown - from its petal-inspired details to its sheer panels and full, flowing skirt. Designed by British bridal brand Savin London, Amy snapped it up from Wakefield’s Lace & Co boutique.

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“I loved the flowers that covered the skirt,” says Amy. “I wanted something with texture that people might not have seen before, but I didn’t want to add any colour, so this was perfect … The matching Alika veil was just the cherry on top!”

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The couple’s daughter, Matilda, was a flower girl on the day and couldn’t have looked cuter in a complimentary dress, from Chloé and Amelié . “It was called ‘In the Meadows’ and an almost perfect match to my gown,” says Amy. “It was totally by chance that I stumbled across it on Instagram.”

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The girls readied themselves in The Norman’s Cottage, draped in floral silk robes - before the bridesmaids stepped into identical dusky pink dresses - Olympia in Smoked Orchid by TH & TH - in ‘floaty and flattering’ shapes.

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All those dreamy mauve and pink hues tied in perfectly with the lavender to be seen in The Normans Courtyard, where guests gathered before being seated in the Ceremony Barn.

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Wedding-white flora decorated the Barn, with full-bodied hydrangea parading on top of rustic barrels. Flower girl Matilda carried a basket of ‘Baby’s Breath’ (aka Gypsophila) as she stepped down the aisle with page boy Noah.

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A single white rose made up the buttonhole of groom James, who - along with the father-of-the-bride and groomsmen - wore a blue tweed three-piece suit, Dion from Marc Darcy. “We were drawn to the suits as they felt fitting for the venue,” says James. “Smart but also casual with their tweed texture.”

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The couple celebrated their newly-wed status in The Normans Courtyard, where guests were entertained by giant garden games, activity bags for little ones and soloist Steven Heath, who performed in the open air as guests tucked into fizz and canapes.

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Meanwhile, Amy and James were snapped taking some couple’s time out in The Cow Stalls: “The Normans has so many lovely rustic areas,” explains Amy, “and lots of lovely mixes of old and new, which have all been designed so well.”

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“We added lots of lovely greenery and fairy lights in places like The Cow Stalls and placed rustic wooden plant pots of greenery and lavender around the venue,” says Amy. “We also dressed spaces with white hydrangea plants and added bay trees at the entrance.” Plants that the pair later gave to guests as gifts, or planted in their garden in memory of the day.

“Our floral colour scheme ran through into the The Grain Shed, where the wooden tables were dressed with lots of different beautiful vases, tea-light holders and candles,” says Amy. “Greenery was added throughout and also above the top table to compliment the lighting already in situ.”

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Gorgeous signage and table décor from Cherry Williams Party Hire completed the look. “I’m proud of how we stayed true to the venue’s style and uniqueness and pleased that we managed to compliment its lovely rustic areas, rather than try and change any parts of it,” says Amy.

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“I loved the light-up LOVE letters and all of the white balloons on the stage – worth the pain of blowing them all up the night before!” says Amy. “They added to the atmosphere and created some fun, especially for the children who enjoyed playing with the balloons throughout the day.”

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Beyond the décor was fine food, courtesy of The Hog & Apple Food Co. “People had a choice of starter – duck parfait, pesto arancini, or posh fish and chips,” says Amy. “For main it was seabass, flat iron steak or onion tarte and for dessert lemon posset or chocolate delice.” A ‘doughnut wall’ and sweet table finished things off a treat (and looked the part too.)

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The adrenalin (and, no doubt, free-flowing cocktails) of the day ensured everyone had the energy to take to the dancefloor, throwing shapes to floor fillers from The Rebel Sounds - an epic end to a third-time-lucky event. Congratulations Amy and James!

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“The Normans was the first wedding venue we looked around back in 2018 and I just fell in love with it straight away: the whole place is magical, and the team are just brilliant! ”

— Amazing Amy

SUPPLIERS

BRIDE’S DRESS LACE & CO BOUTIQUE

BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES TH&TH

FLOWERGIRL DRESS chloe and amelie

BRIDE’S HAIR DEXTERITY

BRIDAL MAKE-UP MAKE UP BY KATE MARSHALL

GROOM & GROOMSMEN’S SUITS MARC DARCY

PHOTOGRAPHY INSIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY

FLOWERS ORANGE BLOSSOM FLOWERS

FOOD THE HOG & APPLE FOOD Co.

TABLE DECOR HIRE CHERRY WILLIAMS PARTY HIRE

MUSIC STEVEN HEATH

BAND THE REBEL SOUNDS

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Time to Shine at The Normans

We don’t want to tempt fate… but it would appear that weddings are back! Huzzah!

At time of writing, we’ve enjoyed four uninterrupted months of matrimonial mayhem here at The Normans, and we’re now ready to bring you the best bits by way of blog. That's right: you can now look forward to regular posts showcasing the super celebrations of our couples - many of whom have stuck with us, having had to reschedule their 2020 wedding dates.

First up: Charlotte and James. This radiant duo finally married at The Normans this summer (one year later than planned) and their wedding sparkled with sunshine and oh-so-in-love vibes...

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If you love to getting glittered up (guilty!), then you’re bound to love Charlotte’s True Bride gown - an intricately detailed dress, encompassing sparkling gemstones, from Doncaster’s It’s Bliss.

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 “I knew [the dress] would look lovely against the lights in The Ceremony Barn,” says Charlotte. “I’ve always loved the dresses the ladies wore in the 1920s and I think it had a bit of a Gatsby vibe.

“The bridesmaid dresses were actually just from Debenhams. I initially wanted a pale yellow but thought the pale blue went well with the white flowers and greenery and the boys’ suits.”

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The suits! Let us not forget the strapping Simon, who looked the part – together with his groomsmen – in matching blue suits, from Limehaus. “Our waistcoats were racing green … for a bit of a country feel, as I’m from Yorkshire,” says Simon.

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A simple colour palette of green and white, with lots of flickering candlelight, set a romantic backdrop to the couple’s nuptials in the Ceremony Barn, with blooms by Kate Mell.

“Because the venue is so stunning you can keep décor very simple,” says Charlotte. “I went for lots of eucalyptus and greenery in the Ceremony Barn, and I loved the cluster of three vases with floating candles in, which ran down the aisle.”

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Once they were officially wed, the couple and their guests mingled outside in The Courtyard, supping champers and making the most of The Hog & Apple’s generous canapes (among them, miniature steak pies served with miniscule ‘pints’ of ale), before heading into The Grain Shed for a three-course feast. The menu? Ham hock and egg to start, a steak main - “for a fancier spin on a Sunday Roast, which we love,” says Charlotte - and a dessert trio of chocolate brownie, Eton Mess and profiteroles.

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Inside The Grain Shed, both round and long tables were used to create a real restaurant feel - offset with yet more greenery and candlelight. “I had seen the layout when I came to look round the venue,” tells Charlotte. “I just loved it: I thought it was something different and I've never been to a wedding where dining tables had been set out like that.”

“I think the greenery on the gantries by Kate Mell Flowers and the hanging tealights just suit The Normans so well: simple yet effective!” says Charlotte.

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Pillar candles formed the centrepieces on the couple’s circular tables, while each place setting was marked with a personalised tipple of sloe gin.

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Happily, the harvest-friendly climes allowed the loved-up couple to steal some time alone on The Normans farmland - where the talented Chris Milner Photography captured those all-important couple photos. Here are a just few of our favourites…

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“So many of our guests have said The Normans is the most amazing venue ever – my grandma says she can’t actually describe it to people, because it’s so beautiful! I just wish we could do it all again!”

— the oh-so-radiant, Charlotte

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SUPPLIERS

BRIDE’S DRESS It’s bliss

BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES debenhams

HAIR mark lee hairdressers

MAKE-UP julie mercer

GROOM & groomsmen’s SUITs limehaus

PHOTOGRAPHY chris milner photography

flowers kate mell flowers

FOOD THE HOG & APPLE FOOD CO.

Shakespeare in Love

Having spent the best part of 2020 and 2021 curled up in the foetal position, sobbing, we haven’t had a great deal of time to update our wonderful wedding blog. It needed something special to shake us out of our malaise, and that something special was Sophie & Dan Shakespeare’s 15-person wedding here at The Normans, last October.

As bride Sophie and groom Dan will testify, it was no easy feat arranging a wedding in the midst of ever-changing Covid-related regulations and restrictions (think: Tier-fears and Lockdown 2.0 looming large). However, with a bit of creative thinking, flexibility and a can-do attitude, Team Shakespeare and Team Normans combined to create something rather special.

In some respects, a 15-person wedding during a global pandemic is completely different to the many ‘normal’ weddings we’ve hosted at The Normans in ‘normal’ times. In other respects, there is still a heart-warming familiarity to this truncated format.

The day started off, as it always does, with Sophie and her bridesmaid-bubble readying themselves in The Normans Cottage. A special shout out to Amy George Make-up and awesomely talented Amy Elliot Hair. These ladies are not only excellent at what they do, but deserve special mention - like everyone in the wedding industry - for toughing it out in such difficult times.

Bride Sophie couldn’t be more complimentary: “I wanted my bridal party and I to have natural hair [styling] and a natural flawless make-up look that would last all day! The two Amys exceeded all expectations and really helped to create that relaxing bridal pamper experience I had always imagined.”

Meanwhile, groom Dan’s preparations mostly consisted of doting over Guinness, the couple’s trusted four-legged companion…

… and yet, he and his groomsmen managed to scrub up rather well. Here they are, below. Dan is dressed in a dapper navy-blue tweed-check suit from Marc Darcy, while the best man and father-of-the-bride and father-of-the-groom wore matching blue herringbone-style suits, all purchased from Jenson Samuel in Skipton.

“The vintage yet sophisticated design was well suited to the rustic nature of The Normans,” explains Sophie, “and the burgundy knitted ties combined well with bridesmaids' dresses.”

“But what was Guinness wearing?!” We hear you cry. Fear not, he was sporting a brand-new tweed collar and matching lead. Nice.

Meanwhile, Sophie was slipping into her stunning La Sposa dress from Bridal Rogue Gallery.

“After months of browsing online, I was yet to see one dress I liked,” she remembers. “Ironically, I found myself scrolling through The Normans blog when I stumbled upon a recommendation for a boutique in York. I booked an early appointment to have a first-time browse and ended up walking out having said yes to the dress - it was pretty much the first wedding purchase! It almost felt too easy!”

“I wanted to go for the elegant yet sophisticated look and I fell in love with the statement piece train and the detailed sparkled lace back,” continues Sophie. “I thought it would glisten against the fairly-lit backdrop of The Normans Ceremony Barn.”

Speaking of The Normans Ceremony Barn, here it is, below, in all its sparkling glory. You’re welcome.

“The Normans is a gorgeous venue just as it is, so we only needed to add [a few] personal touches, “ says Sophie. “In keeping with the contemporary rustic vibe, we warmed to a navy, berry and gold colour scheme and opted for wild, natural autumnal floral arrangements from Forge Events.”

As beautiful as The Normans Ceremony Barn was (shout out to Kate Mell Flowers for providing the lanterns), it paled in comparison to stunning Sophie as she walked down the aisle to meet her man Dan.

Having only hosted a handful of weddings in between various Lockdowns, seeing Dan & Sophie exchanging vows in front of our cascading fairy-lights was emotional to say the least. Full credit to the couple for making it happen - it was a privilege to host their ceremony.

Once Dan & Sophie were pronounced man and wife, guests filtered through to the Cow Stalls and the Tack Room Bar for drinks and canapes. The couple, meanwhile, were whisked outside by lovely Laura from Lumiere Photographic for some autumnal shots.

Sophie may have stolen the show (obvs), but her bridesmaids looked fabulous in their dresses from Joys Bella Bridesmaids, near York.

“I chose burgundy, diamond-embellished dresses with a georgette skirt from the Motee Maid Original Collection for my girls,” says Sophie. “I felt these worked really well with my wedding dress. I really wanted my girls to love their dresses but also feel comfortable in them, so each bridesmaid chose their own bodice style. My maid of honour went for an elegant draped cowl neck, while my two bridesmaids went with the same Amelia-style but with delicate straps.”

One advantage of a small, 15-person wedding is that The Normans Team (with the help of Hog & Apple) were easily able to repurpose the Ceremony Barn for the wedding breakfast. This was a first for the venue, but we were so pleased how smoothly the changeover went - it’s definitely something we’ll offer couples who are considering a 15-person wedding and reception as restrictions are eased in coming months.

“The Normans venue is extremely dynamic,” says Sophie. “We chose for the Ceremony Barn to be transformed into our reception area while we enjoyed fizz and canapes in the Cow Stalls.”

Sophie & Dan opted for a ‘horseshoe’ table arrangement, with their guests seated around the outer edge, looking in. This filled the Ceremony Barn nicely, but, at the same time, remained intimate and sociable - guests were seated in households and/or bubbles, and could easily converse with one another across tables (while maintaining social distancing).

Meanwhile, candles and decorative items were rearranged to create a divine dining setting.

“We were lucky to be able to repurpose our flowers, our aisle greenery were turned into fabulous table runners, while the registrar's table arrangement made a beautiful statement piece for the top end,” says Sophie.

Being big foodies, Sophie and Dan commissioned Hog & Apple to curate each course.

“We opted for an adventurous, challenging and seasonal menu - the goal was to wow our guests,” explains Sophie. “From mini steak pies and baby pints of beer to a specially made ‘His and Hers’ desserts topped with mesmerising dry ice, every dish complimented the modern rustic vibe we strived to achieve.”

Sophie & Dan finished the evening with Korean-style steamed bao buns and even designed their own ‘His and Hers’ signature cocktails.

Although a 15-person wedding wasn’t what Sophie and Dan had in mind when they first booked at The Normans, the couple said they wouldn’t change a thing about their Big (small) Day.

“We are, obviously, a little bias but intimate weddings are the best!” exclaims Sophie. “Relaxed, intimate and romantic, we were able to interact with our guests on a more personal level, spending quality time with them and really sharing every little aspect of the day.”

“Smaller doesn't mean less special,” continues Sophie. “Co-ordinating an event for just 15 was generally less daunting and less stressful than for a wedding of 100-plus - especially when those 15 are your closest friends and family. The tears of our guests spoke a thousand words, every single one of them mentioned afterwards that the atmosphere was so heartfelt, truly unique and incredibly special.”

“The Normans team worked tirelessly to help develop our plans in line with ever-changing government guidelines, to the point where we pulled our wedding forward with a week’s notice to avoid the second national lockdown! We would truly recommend The Normans to any couple looking for a gorgeous venue, supportive team and outstanding service.”

— Superstar Sophie

Suppliers

Bride’s dress La Sposa from Bridal Rogue Gallery

Bridesmaids’ dresseS Motee Maid Original Collection

Hair Amy Elliot Hair

Make-up Amy George

Groom’s suit Marc Darcy

Groomsmen’s suits Jenson Samuel

Photography Lumiere Photographic

Videography Imogen & James

Flowers Forge Events

Food The Hog & Apple Food Co.

Cake JJ BAKES

MUSIC Bands for Hire

Sunshine on a rainy day at The Normans

We spend a lot of time referencing the weather in this blog. That’s because: 1) We’re English, so that’s what we do, and 2) The weather seems to be an important ingredient to a wedding day.

But, as far as point 2) is concerned: we’re not so sure anymore. Come rain or shine, brides, grooms and their guests still have an amazing time at The Normans.

Just take The Normans for example. No, not us, these two, pictured below - Joanna and Andrew, who became Mr & Mrs Norman at The Normans on a blustery July day earlier this year. And while the weather misbehaved, it didn’t get in the way of what turned out to be a most spectacular wedding.

Before Joanna became Mrs Norman, she and her bridesmaids spent the wedding morning getting ready in The Normans Cottage with the assistance of Joanna’s longtime hairdresser, Kerri from Synergy in Harrogate.

“It was lovely to have someone I already knew quite well there on the morning!” says Joanna. “Kerri had an extra pair of hands from the salon - Emily - to help her, and Sam from the salon also did our make up.”

Once hair was styled and make-up perfected, attention turned towards the dresses. Joanna had picked a stunning Essense of Australia design from Ava Rose Hamilton boutique in Silsden and Colne, Yorkshire. The bridesmaids’ Dessy dresses in stunning sea grass, are from Scarlet Poppy in Leeds.

“I’m quite particular,” admits Joanna. “I tried on a lot of dresses in other shops before this one, and even this dress was customised by adding more lace on the illusion neckline! I loved the different layers of lace - particularly the illusion neckline and the detailing on the back.”

“Once I’d put it on I could actually imagine wearing it on the day, so that was a big selling point! I went initially with my sister-in-law, Alex, then went back with my mum and granny to try it on again - we decided it was the right one and Granny very kindly paid for it. The girls at Ava Rose Hamilton were lovely too, with no pressure at all to make a decision until I was sure it was the right one!”

Flowers played a huge part in Joanna and Andrew’s day - the bride’s gorgeous bouquet was created by the wonderful Wendy at Paperwhite Flowers.

But before we get too carried away with our beautiful bride, her bouquet and gorgeous gown, a shout out to the other person of interest: the groom. And, if we don’t say so ourselves, what a lovely fellow he is.

Here’s Andrew, at home, dressed in a well-cut suit courtesy of the ever-reliable Moss Bros. His lapel is adorned with a rose buttonhole - handiwork of Paperwhite, once again.

From one (Andrew) Norman to another: The Normans Ceremony Barn.

“The Ceremony Barn has such a beautiful atmosphere,” says Joanna. “The fairy lights were the main attraction so we decided to just have the floral displays on the barrels at the front, and pew ends on each of the front rows.”

The scene was set for the ceremony, which began as Jo walked down the aisle, arm in arm with proud Dad…

Jo and Andrew became Mr & Mrs Norman - a first for The Normans (wedding venue), and they walked back down the aisle just in time for…

… the rain to stop long enough to step outside into the Courtyard for the drinks reception. (Check out the silver birch, brought in especially for the day, placed either side of the Ceremony Barn doors.)

Hog & Apple’s super staff lay in wait - black-clad culinary ninja warriors, wielding cold champagne and canapés.

“Doug from the Hog & Apple was my saviour,” reminisces Joanna. “He brought me my own platter of canapés when we got back from taking some photos and I realised I was starving!”

Canapés included succulent roast beef served in mini Yorkshire puddings and goat-cheese mousse on olive-drop scones.

The weather even held out long enough for a group photo outside…

… and when the wind and rain returned, they only served to make the photos from the day all the more dramatic.

(Veil blowing in the wind: check.)

(Couple looking lovely under an umbrella: check.)

Once photos had been snapped, canapes had been consumed and champagne quaffed, the Grain Shed doors were flung open and guests lured inside.

This quite stunning table plan, framed with yet more English roses, greeted guests. (The floral frame was re-used later as a frame for a DIY photobooth. Bravo, Paperwhite!)

Joanna and Andrew made good use of The Normans’ rustic banqueting tables - the two outer rows featured leaf-strewn gantries, while the inner two rows of tables were punctuated with olive trees.

“We decided to have two different table designs,” explains Joanna. “One style had the little olive trees at the joins between the banqueting tables and the other used the gantries for lots of trailing foliage.”

“Every table also had a jar of seasonal flowers, each a little different to the next, with enough room for the sharing platters!” continues Joanna. “We wanted to ensure that people would be able to see those opposite them to make sure that conversation flowed!”

“The wedding favours were boxes filled with traditional Cypriot wedding favours called loukoumia, made by Andrew’s mum and her two sisters, who also hand-tied each box,” says Joanna. “There was also a bag of five sugared almonds and a packet of sweet pea seeds (I grow some every year). I also made and bottled a very large volume of elderflower cordial, using elderflowers we picked from the banks of the Nidd, about five minutes from our house. All of our stationery was made by local stationer Sally, at Goldfinch Design, and she designed and printed the little labels on the bottles of cordial.”

The food on the day was of particular importance to the couple - especially since Andrew grew up surrounded by fabulous Greek Cypriot cooks!

“One of the things we wanted to do was to have sharing platters; it gets people talking to each other and it means people can take exactly what they want,” says Joanna. “We had so many people telling us the food was the best they’d ever had at a wedding. All of the meat for the main was cooked to perfection, it’s hard to pick a favourite, and the salads were delicious. I think the pudding might have been the standout though.”

The stunning cake was the handiwork of Miss Friday, aka Lois Tanumi, and we loved how the gift table was packed with presents, extra wedding favours and the Polaroid camera gift book. Classic.

Speeches were heartfelt and hilarious to equal measure…

… and once guests were done toasting their bride and groom, they retreated to the sparkling Courtyard for fresh air and more drinks.

Meanwhile, Joanna and Andrew took this opportunity for some well-deserved downtime; stealing a kiss by the lavender in the Courtyard…

… and admiring the heavy machinery parked in the farm sheds across the road.

Back in the Cow Stalls, Paperwhite had worked wonders; filling troughs with delphiniums, larkspur, Ammi majus, Nigella and spray roses amongst others.

And the floral border for the table plan was re-positioned, making a fabulous photo frame.

Crowds were called back to the Grain Shed for the first dance…

… before the fantastic Rolling Keys kicked off the evening with a sensational set.

Judging from the photos, guests clearly approved. A wonderful way to finish a wonderful day.

“I grew up very much in the countryside so I wanted a venue that made me feel at home. Andrew’s English grandparents live in a farmhouse in Leicester that was built in 1691 and has been in the family for over 150 years, and I think the Normans reminded us a bit of the farm (not just because of the surname connection!). The whole day was perfect and we can’t thank Oliver, Sharon and Doug from H&A enough for making it stress-free and the best day of our lives.”

— July's jewel of a bride, Joanna

SUPPLIERS

BRIDE’S DRESS Essense of Australia

BRIDAL BOUTIQUE Ava Rose Hamilton

BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES Scarlet Poppy

HAIR Synergy Hair

FLOWERS Paperwhite Flowers

GROOM AND GROOMSMEN’S SUITS Moss Bros

CATERING Hog & Apple

EVENING MUSIC Rolling Keys

PHOTOGRAPHY Bloom Weddings

Summer sensations Rachel and Sean at The Normans

Autumn, thus far, has been… ‘soggy’ at best, which is why we’re remedying your seasonal affective disorder with a healthy dose of blog. In other words: a spoonful of Rachel and Sean’s sensational summer wedding, here at The Normans.

Of course, anyone with a memory marginally better than a geriatric goldfish, will recall that summer wasn’t particularly generous in the sunshine stakes. But then, anyone lucky enough to have met the bride and groom will testify that this couple bring the sunshine with them.

Case in point: the lovely Rachel (below) readying herself with the assistance of her longtime hairdresser Mari Price, and make-up artist Kelly aka Bee Beauty.

“I travel back to Derbyshire every time I need a haircut,” says Rachel. “Before I was even engaged, Mari and I would talk about how I would have my hair on my wedding day. I've always known Mari would do my wedding hair. Her best friend Kelly is an incredibly talented make-up artist after a trial with my bridesmaids we decided we 100% we wanted Kelly to do our makeup for the day.”

Meanwhile, Rachel’s dress was the work of Catherine Parry, bought from Flutterby Bridal Boutique in New Rossington, Doncaster.

“I actually already had my wedding dress… then I saw this one as I was leaving Flutterby Bridal Boutique after going to choose my bridesmaids dresses. It was hanging up and I saw it, literally, as we were leaving. I begged the owner to let me try it on as we had already used up our time slot. Luckily the next bride hadn't arrived yet so I had time to quickly try it. I instantly fell in love with it and my bridesmaids faces when I stepped out of the changing room confirmed that it was the one.”

Rachel’s bridesmaids, meanwhile, wore Hayley Paige Occasions from Flutterby Bridal Boutique - each of the girls rocking their own chosen style.

“We went to Flutterby specifically to see these dresses as I had fallen in love with them online,” recalls Rachel. “It was important to us that our bridesmaids could choose their own dresses, in a shape and fit they felt comfortable in.”

Rachel’s bouquet was put together by Kate Mell, who captured the couple’s simple yet stylish approach to their wedding day with cloud-like roses, fragrant sprigs of rosemary and gypsophila.

And let’s not forget groom Sean, who scrubbed up rather splendidly. Here he is, wearing a Journal Standard suit, a shirt by Beam, and tie by Drakes - all of which he purchased from Canopy, in Derby.

“Sean has shopped in Canopy for many years,” explains Rachel. “He’s good friends with the owner, James. When we got engaged James said he would help Sean find the perfect suit when the time came.”

Sean’s shoes are Supreme x Clarks Originals Wallabees.

The groomsmen were left to their own devices when it came to choosing their outfits for the day. And why not? These gents can dress.

And so, with the weather on best behaviour, guests in high spirits, and music in the air, it was time to seat everybody for the ceremony…

Sean and his groomsmen were on hand to meet and greet guests, while The Dotted Crotchets provided the soundtrack.

Rachel, as you’d expect, owned the aisle…

The ceremony was as uplifting and emotional, as you’d imagine.

Readings were read…

… and confetti was violently hurled in the direction of the bride and groom.

Indeed, guests couldn’t quite contain themselves, and it didn’t take long for the Courtyard to be filled with jigs, japes…

… and Giant Jenga.

The emotion of competitive Connect 4 was all to much for some guests…

… while others added their own imaginative twist to the available garden games.

As the ribaldry and revelry escalated within, Rachel and Sean sneaked outside for photos in the sun.

They were joined by guest of honour, Nora, their beloved pooch…

… and when Rachel and Sean weren’t doting on Nora, they were lighting up every last corner of the farm with their own inimitable style - from The Normans famous* roller-shutter door…

(*not famous)

… to the nearby Grain Shed. (We’re pretty sure the farm buildings don’t look this amazing on a day-to-day basis, so hats off to the couple, and a rousing round of applause to their photographer Samuel Docker.)

The afternoon sunshine coated the countryside in golden light - the perfect setting for a stroll…

… until the couple got terribly lost.

(This, of course, is a poor attempt at humour: they weren’t lost! We love this styled shot of Rachel and Sean looking, well, a bit lost.)

Back inside, the Grain Shed doors were flung open and guests were lured inside with the promise of culinary delights provided by Hog & Apple.

“We decided straight away that we wouldn’t have a traditional wedding breakfast,” says Rachel. “So it was important to us to find a venue and caterers that could support this idea.”

“We have a real soft spot for an Indian street food place in Leeds called Bundobust and in a casual conversation with Ged from H&A he mentioned he had been trying out some dishes inspired by Bundobust. That was it! I was sold! My only regret is that I didn't eat enough of these - they were incredible and received very high praise from our guests.”

“For our mains we wanted some of our favourite foods - foods you’d crave after a day in the sunshine celebrating… and drinking! We decided on burgers, fried chicken and hot dogs! H&A did not disappoint - vegans, veggies, coeliacs and meat-eaters all complimented the food!”

No wedding is complete without cake - or, indeed, donuts.

“Our cake was made by Once Across the Garden in York,” says Rachel. “I eat a vegan diet, as do many of our guests, so it was important to me that we had a cake that everyone at the wedding could enjoy! We went with non traditional flavours of Biscoff, Oreo and chocolate orange. We also had donuts from Doughnotts in Derby and gluten-free whoopie pies from Wildcraft in Leeds.

It would seem guests enjoyed the dough-based delights.

As the sun went down, the lights came up in The Normans Courtyard…

… and bride Rachel gracefully glided onto the dance floor…

… for the first dance.

Rachel and Sean’s guests were quick to invade the dance floor, with smooth moves, laughter…

… and, for some, heavy sobbing. (We actually think he’s asleep, but still…)

“Getting married at The Normans was an absolute dream. I can honestly say it was the most wonderful day of our lives.
I honestly don’t think I can put into words how perfect the whole experience was - from the first email exchanged to the big day itself, everything was so relaxed and enjoyable. ”

— Rockstar bride Rachel

SUPPLIERS

BRIDE’S DRESS Catherine Parry

BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES Hayley Paige Occasions

BOUTIQUE Flutterby Bridal

HAIR Mari Price

MUA Bee Beauty

FLOWERS Kate Mell

GROOM’S SUIT From Canopy

CATERING Hog & Apple

EVENING MUSIC Twisted Entertainment

PHOTOGRAPHY Samuel Docker

Devils for details at The Normans

No so long ago, we announced that summer was ‘threatening to make a comeback’. Since then we’ve had record temperatures and record rainfall.

Ah, merry England…

At least the weather behaved itself back in May for Katie and Rob’s beautiful wedding, which we’re revisiting for today’s blog… And, to clarify - the lovely couple were by no means devils, but their eye for detail when creating their Big Day was quite commendable…

On arrival, guests were greeted by blue skies and some well-placed signage guiding them into The Normans Courtyard…

… where yet more well-placed signage artfully conveyed the order of the day. We love the use of this old farm pallet. Informative and eye-catching. Bravo.

While guests mingled for pre-ceremony drinks (see above for obligatory shot of resident feline Toilet Cat strutting her stuff), bride-to-be Katie was readying herself in The Normans Cottage. Here she is being doted on by the lovely Emily and Stephanie of Luxe Hair & Makeup.

The result, as you can imagine, was quite stunning. Here’s Katie, dressed in a ‘Romance’ gown by Marylise & Rembo Styling.

“I am a Yorkshire girl at heart so always knew I would start my search for a dress ‘Up North’,” explains Katie. “I ended up finding ‘the one’ in The Bridal Collection, Harrogate. The gown I chose has a gorgeous long floaty skirt and a scalloped lace sleeveless bodice that fit me like a glove. I also fell for a long delicate veil that I absolutely loved wearing and ended up keeping on even as I was dancing the night away!”

Katie’s bridesmaids, meanwhile, were dressed in mid-blue Taurus by Veromia from NABBD (Not Another Boring Bridesmaid Dress!) in London. “The boutique has hundreds of different styles of dresses in every possible colour, which was perfect for us as we were struggling to find the right colours for our May wedding when we started looking around Christmas time,” says Katie. “The dresses looked stunning on all of my girls and worked perfectly with the colours in their spring bouquets.”

Aforementioned bouquets were the handiwork of our friend Kate Mell; here they are, modelled by Katie and her fab five bridesmaids.

Meanwhile, groom Rob loitered in The Normans Courtyard, showing off his tailored three-piece number from M&S. His classic look was finished off with the white rose of Yorkshire as a buttonhole. Quite right too.

Once Rob was buttonholed up and had assumed the position (at the end of the aisle), The Normans Team shepherded Katie and her bridesmaids to the Ceremony Barn…

Here, the father of the bride took over, and proudly walked his daughter down the aisle. And the rest, as they say, is history…

As is the tradition in these parts, the newly married couple were enthusiastically pelted with confetti as they walked back down the aisle…

… happily, their travails were rewarded by Hog & Apple, who lay in wait with some delectable canapes. On today’s menu: Korean fillet of beef in a lettuce wrap and Thai spring rolls, to name but a few.

The Normans Courtyard is the ideal place to scoff and quaff - and a rather nice setting for the obligatory group shot. Everyone say: “Coagulation of the milk protein casein!” (Or “cheese!”, if that’s easier.)

The drinks reception also affords couples the perfect opportunity to escape for quiet time and photos. We just love how photographers visiting The Normans are getting more and more creative with the backdrops they find around the farm. Hats off to Kate Gray, who was back at The Normans shooting these truly amazing portraits.

There was even the opportunity for the groomsmen and bridesmaids to get in on the action…

No corner of the farm was left unexplored - from the modern spaces…

… to some of the farm’s oldest, most scenic spots.

On the subject of photography, we have to make special mention of the couple’s DIY ‘photo booths’, imaginatively created by hanging ornate picture frames from the trusses in the Cow Stalls. This unique little area was made all the more special with bushy hops lining the mangers (Kate Mell’s handiwork, yet again) and personalised Polaroid-style bunting.

Guests were in for a treat when the Grain Shed doors were opened for the wedding breakfast…

… they were greeted by a stunning table plan, again, embellished with yet more hops; a table-full of wedding favours-cum-goodie bags…

… and little personal touches at every turn - from the guest book to the, erm, gnomes!

“Kate Mell created two stunning floral displays of hydrangeas and stocks for the end of the aisle, which filled the ceremony barn with a gorgeous scent,” reminisces Katie.

These displays were then moved by The Normans team into the Grain Shed, so Katie and Rob (and their guests!) could make the most out of them.

“We kept with the floral theme throughout,” continues Katie, “by decorating the long dining tables with rustic jam jars packed with white- and blush-coloured blooms.“

Hog & Apple duly served some beautiful-looking, great tasting food. Behold the below dishes: an antipasti sharing platter (the goat’s cheese stack) served on a raised board; Parmesan, rocket and green bean salad; chorizo mac and cheese; and an Eton Mess dessert.

“We were keen to bring everyone together and chose the long rustic dining tables and sharing dishes to do this – antipasti boards to start, followed by the most amazing pulled pork, Southern fried chicken and mac ‘n’ cheese for main. Hog and Apple were fantastic, both during the planning and on the day and so many of our guests have said how much they enjoyed our wedding breakfast,” says Katie.

Since the food and the decor were good enough to sing and dance about, it’s fitting that we fast-forward to the first dance, where Katie and Rob kicked off the evening by taking to the floor for the first time as a married couple.

Hearty hugs to the wonderful couple from all here at The Normans!

“We couldn’t have wished for a more perfect Yorkshire wedding and that is in no small part down to the fabulous venue that is The Normans. With its thousands of twinkling fairy lights, beautiful courtyard and stunning location, The Normans had everything we were looking for in a wedding venue!”

— Marvellous May bride Katie

SUPPLIERS

BRIDE’S DRESS MARYLISE & REMBO STYLING

BOUTIQUE THE BRIDAL COLLECTION HARROGATE

BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES TAURUS by VEROMIA from NABBD

MAKE-UP & HAIR LUXE HAIR & MAKEUP

FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS KATE MELL

GROOM’S SUIT M&S

CATERING THE HOG & APPLE

MUSIC THE MONOTONES

PHOTOGRAPHY KATE GRAY PHOTOGRAPHY

Love in full bloom at The Normans

June may have been a washout, but summer’s threatening to make a comeback this month. To celebrate, we hark back to the happy day when a lady called Emily married a man called James, right here at The Normans.

Emily and James’s wedding epitomised summer chic and style, and featured a distinct floral theme throughout…

But before we get to the bride and groom, the music and the food, and all the other important details that are of interest to soon-to-be-wed couples, we begin this blog (like all good blogs) with a cat. Not just any cat, mind, but The Normans’ feline-in-chief: Toilet Cat (long story behind the name). Here she is, enjoying the sun in The Normans Courtyard, basking in the sunshine, waiting for an unsuspecting guest to drop a canape.

Speaking of guests: here they are, mingling and making merry in The Normans Courtyard (Toilet Cat out of shot). The welcome sign is one of the many nice personal touches that punctuated James and Emily’s big day.

And so, to Emily’s partners in crime: the bridesmaids. Here they are, below, approaching the venue, wedding ready. Emily let her girls pick their own dresses, and the result is fantastic: a mixture of styles from Issa at House of Fraser, Asos, Oasis (the high-street retailer, not the band), and Shona Joy. We love the deep blues, rich reds and dark greens.

But all eyes were on the lady in white. Here’s Emily loitering with intent outside The Normans Ceremony Barn. Her simple, sleek and oh-so-stunning dress was designed Emma Beaumont, who's studio is based in Cheshire. “I knew I wanted something minimalist but with some ‘bridally’ touches,” explains Emily. “And also something I could dance in and eat lots of chips! Emma and her whole team are so lovely and so talented.”

And here’s a closer look at Emily’s bouquet - a celebration of summer colour by Claire Lewis. As for the rest of the fantastic florals… “Most of the potted plants were raided from my dad's garden - he put in so much hard work growing them, he's such a hero!” says Emily. “The cut flowers were provided by Sally Pickering from Flowers from the Farm, so everything was from just down the road with zero air miles! Everything was arranged by Claire Lewis at who also provided all the props.”

We adore this shot of Emily and her girls - the colours, the composition… credit to photographer Jules Barron for capturing it- and everything else on the day. What a star!

“But what of the groom?!” we hear you cry. Don’t worry - here he is, hiding in the Cow Stalls contemplating love and life (and thinking of all the future social engagements he could wear his amazing jacket to. Note the floral pattern. We love it. Bravo to Manchester tailor Richard Smith.)

Luckily, we were able to extract James from the Cow Stalls and deposit him at the end of the aisle, before Emily and her Dad, made their entrance into the Ceremony Barn…

And below is a photo that gets us every time: happiness personified!

(PS That jacket!)

It doesn’t matter how many ceremonies we host here at The Normans, we can never quite get over how beautiful the Barn looks when it’s full of guests, the bride and groom, and lots of love.

Vows were exchanged, and James and Emily returned down the aisle as man and wife. Behold the joyous throwing of confetti - once again captured on camera by Jules Barron, perched on the Ceremony Barn’s mezzanine level.

And… more confetti!

Once the petal pelting had finished, James and Emily arrived in The Courtyard amid much fanfare - said fanfare provided by the scallywags of New York Brass Band.

NYBB have since performed at Glastonbury. We haven’t heard from them since, but assume/hope they’re alive and still taking bookings.

Hog & Apple were on hand to provide sustenance - food being a very important part of Emily’s day…

“We picked food that would keep things casual,” says Emily. “I really loved Hog & Apple’s sharing boards. We were both big fans of the taco canapes - and it’s a running joke that we only ever eat kebabs, so obviously had to have shawarmas for the evening food, which were a big hit!”

The weather turned, and while bruised, brooding skies weren’t enough to dampen spirits (the rain held off, happily), they did encourage guests to move inside…

… where long rustic banqueting tables awaited, lined with pot plants (straight out of Emily’s Dad’s garden!), shining glassware and contemporary tableware.

Wedding favours? Sorted. Old-school Panini football stickers, of course.

“I was very sceptical at first,” explains Emily, “but James's vintage football sticker collection is infamous amongst friends, and people seemed to really enjoy them!”

For all the pomp and ceremony of weddings, we love the quiet moments - here are James and Emily, away from the madding crowd, enjoying a minute together before being welcomed in for the wedding breakfast…

… and here’s a shot of the lovely couple, shining brighter than the cascading fairy lights behind them…

… relaxing in The Cow Stalls…

… strolling down a country lane (as you do)…

… and having a heart to heart in a massive shed.

But James and Emily weren’t ones to stay away from the fray, and were soon back in action by way of a full-blooded first dance…

… a first dance that set the tone for quite a party…

“We knew the Normans was the place for us the moment we walked in. Everything from the beautiful ceremony barn to the secret little seating areas is perfect. Not only is the venue beautiful but the team are fantastic - everything leading up to the wedding was handled so smoothly and really put us ease, and Oliver was amazing on the day helping with anything and everything!”

— The effervescent Emily

SUPPLIERS

BRIDE’S DRESS EMMA BEAUMONT

BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES ASOS, OASIS, ISSA AT HOUSE OF FRASER, SHONA JOY

MAKE-UP BRITTANY JAE LAMB

FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS CLAIRE LEWIS

GROOM’S JACKET RICHARD SMITH BESPOKE

CATERING THE HOG & APPLE

MUSIC NEW YORK BRASS BAND

PHOTOGRAPHY JULES BARRON

Cosmopolitan cool at The Normans

London-based couple Jaimie and Jez knew exactly how to bring the best out of The Normans. Their vision riffed on the venue’s rustic features, and took advantage of its more contemporary elements.

The result?

A wedding that not only looked great, but was imbued with enough heartfelt personal touches to make us feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

With so many amazing photos from the day (thank you, Laura Calderwood!), it was difficult to know where to begin this blog. But, after a prolonged bout of choice anxiety, we plumped with this shot of bride Jaimie stepping out of a classic 1954 Bentley R-Type E (aka The Yorkshire Wedding Car), dazzling all and sundry in her Maggie Sottero dress and sheer Justin Alexander jacket from Abigail's Bridal Boutique, Leeds.

Just. Wow.

“I fell in love with the champagne dress, which was actually a slip dress from underneath of a completely different dress!” explains Jaimie. “I tried a few jackets, but was instantly drawn towards the mandarin collar. I liked having a combination that felt unique - and to be able to take the jacket off on the night and have a second look without having to buy a second dress!”

Jaimie embellished her jaw-dropping look with something blue(ish) - a pair of Alexandre Birman shoes.

Bravo, Jaimie. Bravo.

Jaimie’s bridesmaids were dressed in Maids to Measure dresses - shout out to Claire at The White Yard. The lovely trio’s look was finished off with bouquets by Kate Mell.

Groom Jez, no slouch in the style department himself, kept up appearances with a tailor-made suit from Rhodes Wood of Harrogate, who he couldn’t recommend more. His supporting cast of groomsmen were decked out in suits from Slaters Menswear.

As is true of his bride, Jez has an eye for detail, and sartorially minded gentlemen will doubtless appreciate this watch-cuff link combo.

The cuff links belong to the groom’s father, while the Blancpain Villeret Quantieme Perpetual timepiece is a family heirloom once belonging to Jez’s grandfather and now his uncle. “When I told him I was wearing it for the wedding, he laughed,” says Jez. “He joked: ‘You’ve had your eyes on it for sometime!’”

We don’t blame him.

And, below, a closer look at some of the floral embellishments of the day: the individually designed buttonholes and the flower girl’s gorgeous ‘wand’ and floral crown, all the handiwork of Kate Mell.

The weather, happily, received the memo re. Jaimie & Jez’s picture-perfect day, meaning that guests could take full advantage of the sunshine in The Normans Courtyard.

Once all their guests had congregated in The Courtyard, Jaimie and Jez rolled into The Normans. We love how the regal Bentley falls in line with the couple’s colour scheme. No accident, that.

And here are the couple, making their entrance into The Normans Courtyard, accompanied by a soundtrack of raucous applause…

… and the sweet warbling of the fantastic Wandering Hands.

Guests’ thirst was quenched at the ‘spruce your juice' station, and appetites were sated with some truly original (and oh-so-tasty) canapes.

“Our guests are still talking about the chicken katsu baozi buns and the ‘Big Mac’ sauce spring rolls,”  says Jaimie of the Hog & Apple’s culinary creations.

Meanwhile, we couldn’t help but admire the bride’s commitment to the cause: the card box, a miniature Ikea greenhouse, was painted gold by her own fair hand.

And, since Jaimie and Jez married in a church, rather than onsite, The Normans Ceremony Barn made for the perfect backdrop for the obligatory group photo.

We love this shot of The Normans Grain Shed, lined with our rustic banqueting tables - the gantries adorned with olive leaves and dangling tealights. In fact, the gantries bear special significance to this wedding, since they were conceived soon after chatting through ideas when Jez and Jaimie visited the venue last year.

“We remember showing images on our Pinterest board as a bit of a pipe dream but the reality was even better!” says Jaimie.

We’re also big fans of Jaimie and Jez’s table plan - a simple yet striking guide for guests to find their seat…

… and then, the little touches… such as the place settings…

… which were quickly filled by sumptuous sharing platters for that informal feel.

As guests made merry, Jez and Jaimie escaped to the hidden corners of The Normans for a moment’s peace (not to mention some fantastic photo opportunities).

And so, to the first dance. (Note Jaimie’s subtle outfit change - a perfect look to kick start the evening’s revelries.)

Admittedly, the some of the dancing that followed wasn’t quite up to the standard of Jaimie and Jez’s graceful display - but it was nonetheless fun to watch…

Too fun for some, it would seem…

“The Normans is a really special place... The service and communication is second to none - nothing was too much trouble. And all our guests raved about how unique the venue was - we just cannot speak highly enough of this place!”

— Our shining bride, Jaimie

SUPPLIERS

BRIDE’S DRESS MAGGIE SOTTERO

BRIDE’S JACKET JUSTIN ALEXANDER

BRIDAL BOUTIQUE ABIGAIL’S BRIDAL BOUTIQUE

BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES MAIDS TO MEASURE FROM THE WHITE YARD

MAKE-UP JEN EDWARDS & CO

FLOWERS KATE MELL

GROOM’S SUIT RHODES WOOD

CATERING THE HOG & APPLE

RECEPTION MUSIC WANDERING HANDS

PHOTOGRAPHY LAURA CALDERWOOD