Chic and unique at The Normans

Faye and Dan's July wedding was a glorious symphony of wedding whites, seasonal flowers and a gown chic enough to rival Meghan Markle's in the style stakes!

Faye's delicate bouquet summed up the day's decor: native flowers and lush green foliage, styled by The Gathered Garden.

As the clock ticked towards the ceremony, guests arrived and mingled in The Normans' lavender-strewn (and sun-soaked!) courtyard ... 

Meanwhile, Faye readied herself for the aisle with the help of her bridesmaids - all of whom were dressed in full-length, off-the-shoulder summer gowns, imbued with the softest of lavender hues.  

But the bevy bridesmaids couldn't hope to compete with Faye's flower girls - both of whom were the epitome of summer style, dressed in angelic Zara Kids cotton dresses and floral crowns. 

Dan and Faye were soon married in The Normans' iconic ceremony barn; their first kiss as man and wife illuminated by cascading fairylights and warm candlelight. 

As the love-struck couple made their exit in a shower of confetti, we couldn't help but pause for thought and admire groom Dan's dapper three-piece number, procured from Reiss.

Outside, little ones basked in the sunshine, amusing themselves by The Normans water feature ... 

... while the big kids made the most of garden games - hoopla and a fiercely competitive game of limbo (sets purchased from Marks and Spencer).

It was soon time for guests to their seats to in The Normans Grain Shed, and welcome the newlyweds. We just love the white balloons by The Little Balloon Co that lined the entrance!

Inside, the pair created a stunning setting for dining, drinking and dancing thereafter! 

For the wedding breakfast, the couple took their place at the centre of a traditional top table, dressed with a garland of weeping pear, dusty miller and apple, by The Gathered Garden.

Place settings were kept simple and rustic, with wooden boards and crisp white napkins. (If you love the look, just ask Hog & Apple Food Co. for the very same!)

Guests' tables were each dressed with a low centerpiece of white candles and a foliage wreath.

The couple kept it classic with a three-tiered traditional fruit cake (with one sponge layer), made by Faye's step-mum. 

Once dinner was done, Faye & Dan kicked off the evening with the first dance - showing their guests how to rock The Normans' illuminated dancefloor ... not that the crowd needed any encouragement! 

“The Normans was the first and only venue we viewed! It was exactly what we wanted: rustic yet modern and beautifully simple. One of the highlights of my day was waiting to walk down the isle and watching the swallows flying in and out of the barn - priceless!”

— the fabulous, Faye

SUPPLIERS

BALLOONS THE LITTLE BALLOON COMPANY

BRIDE'S DRESS ST PATRICK, BRIDAL ROGUE GALLERY

BRIDESMAID'S DRESSES OASIS

BRIDE & BRIDESMAIDS' HAIR WEDDING HAIR BY HANNAH TAYLOR

BRIDE & BRIDESMAIDS' MAKE UP DAN WOOD WEDDING MAKEUP

CATERER THE HOG & APPLE FOOD CO. 

FLORIST THE GATHERED GARDEN

FLOWERGIRL DRESSES ZARA KIDS

GARDEN GAMES MARKS AND SPENCER

GROOM'S SUIT REISS

MUSIC APOLLO SOUL

PHOTOGRAPHER HAMISH IRVINE PHOTOGRAPHY

Tickled Pink at The Normans

Love was in full bloom here at The Normans at the end of May, when Marie and James's big day boasted blossom trees, pink posies - and glorious sunshine.  

The colour scheme saw the prettiest of pinks, starting with the girls' bouquets, which exuded sugary summer hues, courtesy of York-based florist Once Upon a Thyme 

The bridesmaids' dresses followed suit with dusky-floor length gowns from AX Paris at ASOS.com. Marie, meanwhile, looked the picture of elegance in Allure Romance, from To Have and to Hold 

Meanwhile, James and his groomsmen sported bold blue suits with matching dusky-pink ties, from Dobell menswear 

Elsewhere in the venue, those dominant pink tones were punctuated with wild, English-grown garden flowers ...

... paying the perfect compliment to The Normans rustic vibes: as seen in our original Cow Stalls-turned-ultimate wedding snug!

But it was Ceremony Barn where heads really turned - upward! Cue two towering blossom trees, which formed a breathtaking frame to the couple's vows. (Available to hire from Ambience Venue Styling York!)

Adding yet more romance to the occasion, were Endymion String Quartet, who serenaded guests as Marie stepped down the aisle - and during celebratory reception drinks too. 

Officially husband and wife, James and Marie left the Ceremony Barn beneath a shower of petal confetti ... 

... before promptly joining guests in the Courtyard for traditional garden games - and champagne, naturally!

After ample merry making outside, guests took their seats inside - this time heading to The Normans Grain Shed, where yet more floral displays took shape. 

Centerpieces comprised flower-filled hurricane lanterns, while tea-lights added a touch of sparkle to table tops. 

Rustic name tags served as guests' place names, tied to a simple sprig of aromatic lavender. 

That lavender hue also appeared on our Chiavari chairs, courtesy of Ambience Venue Styling York, who added a mauve sash to each. 

We just loved the top table display of real moss, offset with pastel-coloured candles, roses and succulents. 

Even the couple's cake was dressed to thrill, with real flowers and yet more lavender finishing the vanilla sponge creation off a treat. (Layers included vanilla cream, sticky carrot and ginger and lemon drizzle.)

The overall effect was a pink and purple haven, with plenty of rustic wooden signage to boot. 

And with the scene so beautifully set inside, the couple were also sure to make the most of the rustic surrounds out, with those all-important newlywed shots... Congratulations, James and Marie!

“From our very first visit, we knew that The Normans was the one for our special day! The team were always on hand to make sure our day ran smoothly and was stress-free. The incredible backdrop of fairy lights coupled with the ambient light of the candles in the ceremony barn stunned us all. A perfect venue! ”

— the marvellous Marie

SUPPLIERS

BRIDE'S DRESS TO HAVE AND TO HOLD

BRIDESMAID'S DRESSES AX PARIS AT ASOS.COM

BRIDE & BRIDESMAIDS' HAIR ANNA STEPHENSON

FLORIST ONCE UPON A THYME

GROOM'S SUIT DOBELL

MUSIC ENDYMION STRING QUARTET

PHOTOGRAPHER CJ RODGERS PHOTOGRAPHY 

VENUE STYLIST AMBIENCE VENUE STYLING YORK

A decadent day at The Normans

Check out newlyweds Bec and Andy, sharing a love-struck moment in The Normans Cow Stalls! Their big April day was a showcase of decadent dresses, wedding-white blooms and warm lighting in abundance ... 

When it comes to bridal gowns, they don't come much more detailed than Bec's beautiful, hand-beaded Anna Campbell dress, Sierra 

Snapped up from Coco & Kate bridal boutique, we were admiring its silvery hues and decadent detail all day long (those beaded shoulder loops!) 

An equally sultry scene was set for Bec's arrival, with the Ceremony Barn dressed with elegant white floral arrangements - the handiwork of Stems Design - at the fore and hurricane lanterns lining the aisle. 

Bec's entrance was proceeded by a beautifully dressed bridal brigade: her friend Sarah in a white chiffon and sequinned maxi dress, by Goddiva

And, cranking up the cute factor, their page boy and flower girl in Marks & Spencer ensembles

After a seriously sparkling ceremony - not to mention a tear-jerking reading - Bec and Andy were officially wed, prompting a reception to remember ... 

The Normans Grain Shed set a sumptuous scene, thanks to winning floral arrangements by Stems Design, fine fare from The Hog & Apple Food Co. and our signature fairylights. 

Centerpieces paraded atop tall vases, allowing guests to talk across the table with ease. Each display comprising blousy white roses, ranunculus, spray roses, white Veronica and hellabores for a 'simple yet elegant' look. 

Low-level arrangements spanned the length of the traditional top table, along with Bec's beloved bouquet - plus countless glass vases with floating tea-lights for added sparkle. 

Favours came in the form of a miniature Raspberry Gin - perfect for toasting the couple. 

The Hog & Apple Food Co's cuisine proved a talking point, as always, kicking off with anti-pasta sharing platters, served on tall wooden boards.

The cake comprised a tier of lemon drizzle with lemon curd icing, another of Cherry Bakewell and a Salted Caramel praline top layer with Swiss meringue icing. Made by Andy's cousin, it was placed on the same cake stand used for Bec's great grandparents' big day.  

With the party in full swing, guests got down to the tunes of Hot Biscuit, while Espresso Martinis headlined at the bar. Here's to the happy couple, Mr & Mrs Preston!

“We couldn’t have wished for anything more than what The Normans had to offer: from the breathtaking lighting in the Ceremony Barn, to the dancefloor and stage for our band - and everything else in between, The Normans has it all. The team were on hand to ensure that the timings were perfect, the guests were looked after and the day was as stress-free as it could be. An outstanding wedding venue.”

— the beautiful Bec

SUPPLIERS

BRIDE'S DRESS SIERRA BY ANNA CAMPBELL

BRIDESMAID'S DRESS GODDIVA

BRIDE & BRIDESMAIDS' HAIR AMY AT OPTIONS

CATERING THE HOG & APPLE FOOD CO. 

FLORIST STEMS DESIGN

FLOWERGIRL & PAGE BOY OUTFITS MARKS & SPENCER

GROOM'S SUIT REISS

MUSIC ANDY FRENCH MUSIC

PHOTOGRAPHER TOAST OF LEEDS

Beauties and the beast (from the East!)

If you've been soaking up the sun lately, spare a thought for super-cool Catherine and Paul - whose March wedding was gatecrashed by the mighty Beast from the East!

But did they let the gale force winds and snow put their big day on ice?

Did they heck!

Bride-to-be Catherine arrived with a gaggle of gold-drenched girls and together they fought off the elements in these rather fabulous customised leather jackets... 

The bridesmaids' dresses were by Jenny Packham at Debenhams, while hair-dos were the handiwork of Emily Hawkes and make up artistry by Meg Lindow

And here's a better look at that dress: from The Harrogate Wedding Lounge, the show-stopping Micah by Sottero and Midgley marries a bejeweled bodice and layer upon layer of tulle!

Not to be entirely outdone, groom Paul looked mighty dapper in an emerald-green suit by Paul Smith, teamed with braces from Mrs Bow Tie

With everyone wedding-ready, The Normans Ceremony Barn welcomed guests with warm candlelight and white flora and greenery - ivy, eucalyptus and pampass grass among them - by Serendipity Floral Design

For yet more greenery, the Pew ends were garnished with a simple sprig of eucalyptus.

After a heartfelt ceremony, the just-wed pair walked back down the aisle amidst a flurry of multi-coloured confetti, carrying their flowergirl and daughter, Róisín

As The Beast from the East continued to rage outside, guests inside were oblivious, and moved onto The Normans Grain Shed for the next stage of revelries... 

We just love this floating table plan, just one of the creations made by Catherine herself (the lady behind CJ Designs), who also made all of the stationery for her big day. 

Mismatching table settings gave the couple's chic decor a modern feel, with flower-filled bottles and decorative books on some tables ... 

... and tall floral displays, courtesy of Serendipity Floral Design, gracing others. 

Menus - also the handiwork of CJ Designs - revealed the delicious dishes to be served up by The Hog & Apple Food Co, with Yorkshire Deli Boards to start, followed by a relaxed and meaty main of Tomahawk and Chateaubriand steak and triple-cooked chips ... 

... and the couple's decadent red velvet chocolate wedding cake (courtesy of Marks and Spencer) for dessert. 

Happily, outside the weather proved no obstacle for some fabulous photos - indeed, we'd say the wind showed off Catherine's princess dress to perfection!

While the Cow Stalls provided cosy - and romantic - respite from the elements.  

Come nightfall drinks flowed while Pretty Little Faces performed festival-style face painting of glitter and jewels on grown-up guests: the party spirit was well and truly on!

Our hearty congratulations to the super Catherine and Paul!

“From the minute we walked into the Ceremony Barn we knew The Normans was ‘our’ venue - it suited us perfectly. On the day it all went perfectly, even with The Beast from the East returning to give us a -6 chill factor and snow! I’ve never smiled so much and we can’t thank The Normans team enough for making it a day we’ll never forget.”

— the fabulous Catherine

SUPPLIERS

BRIDE'S DRESS & VEIL THE HARROGATE WEDDING LOUNGE

BRIDESMAIDS' DRESSES JENNY PACKHAM AT DEBENHAMS

BRIDE & BRIDESMAIDS' HAIR EMILY HAWKES BRIDAL HAIR STYLIST

BRIDE & BRIDESMAIDS' MAKE UP MEG LINDOW

CATERING THE HOG & APPLE FOOD CO. 

FACE PAINTING PRETTY LITTLE FACES

FLORIST SERENDIPITY FLORAL DESIGNS

GROOM'S SUIT PAUL SMITH

GROOM'S BOW TIE MRS BOW TIE

MUSICIANS SAM DOWNING

PHOTOGRAPHER JULES BARRON

WEDDING STATIONERY CJ DESIGNS

*PHOTOGRAPHER JULES BARRON IS OFFERING COUPLES WHO HAVE BOOKED THEIR WEDDING AT THE NORMANS A 10% DISCOUNT OFF OF HER PHOTOGRAPHY RATES! 

*SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY. APPLICABLE WHEN BOOKING DURING 2018.

Springtime vibes ... at The Normans

Spring has finally sprung here at The Normans (huzzah!) and the sun-kissed March wedding of Claire and Paddy is a vision to behold!

Bride Claire and her gaggle of girls readied themselves in The Normans onsite cottage, located a stone's throw from the venue ... 

And, with flowers abound inside the venue, the girls decided to add a floral touch to their own wedding look - with a single rosebud for the bridesmaids ...

... and a full and fabulous floral crown for the lady herself, created by the couple's wedding florist, Clock Dandelion

Indeed, Claire's crowning glory and verdant bouquet reflect the look of the day perfectly;  a fusion of elegant white roses with wild ferns, thistles and rustic foliage - to name a few. 

Clock Dandelion's fresh, country creations could be found in each of the venue's key spaces: over-sized vases took pride of place in the Ceremony Barn, marking the spot where Paddy and Claire would say 'I do'. 

In the Cow Stalls, miniature Yorkshire ferns and white orchids were suspended from beams, creating a magical, botanical backdrop. 

While guests entered The Normans Grain Shed beneath this show-stopping archway ... 

Not to be outdone, the bridal party were equally well-dressed from head to toe. The bridesmaids chose mismatching blush-hued dresses from ASOS.com

Man of the hour, Paddy, donned a bespoke suit, handpicking his fabric and lining from Huddersfield Fine Worsted's before Raymond Andrews Tailors created the finished article. Groomsmen, meanwhile, wore brown wool suits from Slater Menswear. 

Claire's gorgeous bridal look comprised a Stella Yorke gown from Celebrations Bridal in Ossett and a faux fur wrap from Reiss to take off the March chill. 

And let's not forget the shoes ... Barkers brogues for him and Manolo Blahnik's for her. 

When it came to the cake, however, the couple decided to do away with tradition, opting instead for a tower of chocolate brownies - created by friend, Catherine. As delicious as the big day itself!

“We couldn’t have picked a more perfect venue for our wedding. From the meticulous attention to detail by The Normans team to the flow of the venue, both ensured success. The bar being by the dancefloor keeps people on the dancefloor all night, while the beautiful courtyard - where we had our photos - meant we could be with everyone all day. Thank you for providing the perfect venue for our perfect day!”

— blonde bombshell, Claire

SUPPLIERS

BRIDE'S DRESS CELEBRATIONS BRIDAL SHOP

BRIDESMAIDS' DRESSES ASOS.COM

FLORIST CLOCK DANDELION

FOOD TASTE CUISINE

GROOM'S SUIT HUDDERSFIELD'S FINE WORSTEDS (FABRIC); RAYMOND ANDREWS TAILORS (TAILORING)

MUSICIANS DR FUNTIMES

PHOTOGRAPHER TIM ZOLTIE PHOTOGRAPHY

All that glitters at The Normans

Here at The Normans we like to party. And what better time to let one's locks down than New Year's Eve?! Cue Victoria and Martin, our NYE couple, who welcomed 2018 in style ... 

The outfits! Bride Victoria dazzled guests in this gorgeous gown, from Accent Original Bridal Boutique - with the kind of trail a bride-to-be's dreams are made of...

Her bevy of bridesmaids, meanwhile, were dressed perfectly for the occasion, pairing floor-length navy gowns from Coast with glam-yet-cosy faux fur wraps. 

The chaps cut a dash in three-piece suits - the grey and blue tones tying in with girls' garb to a tee.

Of course, it's not a party without an abundance of decor - cue local florist, Clock Dandelion who dressed every space of The Normans with originality and flair. (The grey accents in Victoria's bouquet make it one of our favourites of 2017!)

Over in the Cow Stalls, the partitions were given the royal treatment, wrapped in the thickest foliage, interspersed with wedding-white roses 

We just loved these hanging floral installations by Clock Dandelion too - with one suspended from every Cow Stall bay. 

Indeed, we think these deserve a closer look - if only for those delightful dandelion clocks! #weddingflowergoals

After a champagne-fuelled drinks' reception, guests made their way into The Normans Marquee - guided by a gin-inspired table plan (what better boozy theme for New Year's Eve?)

Inside, guests found the starriest of backdrops to the evening event - in the form of paper lantern stars, hung overhead by the couple's florist, Clock Dandelion. 

Even the cake glittered: four tiers by Celebrate Country Cake Design comprising Victoria sponge, chocolate sponge, lemon sponge and spiced cranberry and brandy ganache flavours. 

As dining came to an end, the tempo reached for the stars, with The English Country Gentlemen taking to the stage

Meanwhile, roulette and Black Jack tables, courtesy of Casino Hire UK added a party vibe for the dance-shy

But as the clock struck midnight there wasn't a soul off the dancefloor, with guests seeing in 2018 - with a little help from party hats, poppers and glitter canons!

Wishing a Happy 2018 - and beyond! - to newlyweds, Victoria and Martin. 

“The Normans is incredible and the team made our day even more special! The venue is utterly charming and atmospheric on its own - but once you add your own touches it turns into an incredible venue that received praise from all our guests. A wedding here will live long in the memory.”

— Man of the moment, Martin

 

Suppliers

BRIDE'S DRESS & HEADPIECE ACCENT ORIGINAL BRIDAL BOUTIQUE

BRIDESMAIDS' DRESSES COAST

BRIDE'S HAIR & MAKE-UP DEBI PARSONS MAKEUP ARTIST

CASINO HIRE CASINO HIRE UK

FLORIST CLOCK DANDELION

FOOD Fryton Catering

GROOM'S SUIT JACK BUNNEYS 

MAGICIAN MARTIN COLLINS

MUSICIANS THE ENGLISH COUNTRY GENTLEMAN

PHOTOGRAPHER LUKE BELL PHOTOGRAPHY 

PHOTO BOOTH DIAMOND PHOTOBOOTH

WEDDING CAKE CELEBRATE COUNTRY CAKE DESIGN

All photographs of Victoria and Martin's big day are courtesy of Luke Bell Photography

Let it Snow... at The Normans

In case you haven't noticed, it's pretty darn snowy at the moment - a perfect opportunity, perhaps, to share Claire and Andy's big day, and showcase The Normans in all its wintry wedding glory.   

Before the Beast of the East reared its ugly head, The Normans Courtyard found itself blanketed in snow back in December - creating a rather magical backdrop to the couple's festive wedding day. 

Happily, Claire was warm as toast, just a stone's throw away inside The Normans Cottage, where York-based make-up artist Julie Mercer created a fab, photo-ready look for the girls. 

While snowflakes continued to fall in flurries outside the Cottage, we at The Normans didn't fret a jot ... 

... for inside the venue an array of winter loveliness awaited guests: warm candlelight flickered in our Ceremony Barn ... 

... while dramatic displays of snow-white flowers, by Kate Mell, were paraded on our rustic barrels, marking the spot where Claire and Andy would say 'I do!'

Back outside, our Christmas tree branches shimmered under a dusting of snow.

Happily, all the guests made it to the ceremony on time to witness the punch-the-air-moment when Claire and Andy were declared husband and wife - huzzah!

Champagne flowed in our rustic snug, The Cow Stalls, where guests could cosy up and toast the newlyweds.

Outside, others were happy to brave the frost in their finest - with winter-warming canapés from The Hog & Apple Food Co.  

The chillier climes didn't hamper our couple's spirits either. After all, what's not to love about a snowy wedding photo?!

With the drinks' reception drawing to a close, guests took their seats inside The Normans Marquee - where this seasonal light-up tree made the prettiest of table plans. 

Table tops were awash with sparkle too: from gold terrariums in the centre to mini Christmas baubles on napkins - one hand-tied with a name tag and sprig of gypsophila for festive place settings. 

The simple yet chic stationery was designed by the couple themselves, reflecting the white and gold colour scheme.

The menu featured indulgent Yorkshire Deli Boards and mouthwatering Spanish Tapas from The Hog & Apple Food Co, creating a sociable yet relaxed dining style for guests. 

Dessert, meanwhile, came in the form of three delicious tiers of buttercream-encased cake.

With so much fine food and drink consumed, all that was left for Claire and Andy to enjoy was their place on the dancefloor! Congratulations to the bride and groom!

“The Normans is simply stunning and added such magic to the atmosphere of the day. There are not enough ‘thank yous’ to The Normans team for how they helped coordinate our day. They made it effortless and stress-free; which meant the world! ”

— The oh-so-lovely, Claire

CATERER THE HOG & APPLE FOOD CO

BRIDE'S DRESS SUZANNE NEVILLE

FLORIST KATE MELL

GROOM'S SUIT MARKS & SPENCER

MAKE-UP JULIE MERCER

PHOTOGRAPHER ALEXANDRA HOLT PHOTOGRAPHY

BAND SHINE ON

STATIONERY PRINTED BY HOBS REPRO (DESIGN, COUPLE'S OWN)  

TREE TABLE PLAN JOHN LEWIS

WEDDING CAKE COUPLE'S OWN

All photographs of Claire and Andy's big December day are courtesy of the rather ace Alexandra Holt Photography. More images can be seen on our Gallery soon ... 

Wintry wonderment at The Normans

While most Yorkshire folk are cursing the cold right now, we're feeling all nostalgic about winter weddings gone-by: take these newlywed babes, Laura and Nick Jackson who wed here at The Normans in December. 

Laura looked beyond lovely in a St Patrick dress, from Harrogate's Bridal Rogue Gallery.

Her bevy of bridesmaids, meanwhile, sparkled against the Ceremony Barn's candlelight in golden, sequinned gowns by Maya at ASOS.com

And while, in our opinion, nothing says 'Christmas' like a bit of sparkle, The Lofthouse Brass Band really set the tone: playing the likes of White Christmas and Jingle Bells, as guests gathered in the crisp Courtyard to toast the happy couple. 

For festive fauna, Laura opted for simple posies of Baby's Breath for her bridesmaids - which looked positively snowball-like on a December day. 

And we just loved these over-sized wreaths by the couple's florist - Natasha Coustol Floral Designs - using thick, rich green foliage with pops of dark berries and white buds. 

Inside The Normans Marquee, meanwhile, it was a show of winter elegance: delicate pinks and wedding whites combined, with Pussy Willow branches giving centrepieces added height. 

Place settings were kept simple, with sprigs of rosemary, each tied with a guest's name. 

The couple's stationery too, was simple yet super chic. We love these menus by online company, Papier - not to mention the mouthwatering courses listed, courtesy of top caterers The Hog & Apple Food Co.

For the wedding cake, York-based Crumbs Cupcakery created three tempting tiers: red velvet, lemon and Victoria Sponge. 

And as if the food offering's weren't enough to feed guests' senses, a pianist - James Hey Piano - took to the stage to tinkle those ivories as guests dined.

Come nightfall, the couple managed to take a few moments away for those all-important just-wed photos ... 

Before dancing the night away, thanks to the floor-filling hits of DJ Grant Saker. Our hearty 'congratulations' to Mr & Mrs Jackson!

“We searched for our wedding venue for over a year (including a trip to Italy!) but instantly knew we had found ‘the one’ when we stepped inside The Normans.
It gave us everything we had been looking for and our day really couldn’t have been better. The team were brilliant right from the start and we couldn’t have done it without all their help. We just want to do it all over again! ”

— the lovely, Laura

SUPPLIERS

Caterer The Hog & Apple Food Co

Bride's dress St Patrick at Bridal Rogue Gallery

Bridesmaids' dresses Maya at ASOS.com

Florist Natasha Coustol Floral Design

Groom & groomsmens' suits John Lewis

hair stylist Hair by Craig Parkinson

make-up Laura Maria Makeup Artist

Photographer Luke Bell Photography

Pianist James Hey Piano

RECEPTION BAND Lofthouse Brass Band

Stationery Papier

Wedding cake Crumbs Cupcakery

These oh-so-fabulous photos are the handiwork of Luke Bell Photography. 

Festive finery at The Normans

New Year's greetings, one and all! While The Normans has closed its doors for January, we're still feeling the love for weddings - especially now that photos of December's big days are ready to share with you! 

Meet the gorgeous Megan née Bottomley who says she wanted a "classy Christmas" theme for her December day. She chose an Olvis gown - from York's Bridal Rogue Gallery -  for herself, while her bevy of bridesmaids wore a seasonal, rich-red hue.  

After readying themselves onsite, at The Normans Cottage, the girls sauntererd to our Ceremony Barn in those rather fabulous top-and-skirt combos, from Coast. 

Hot on their heels was this smart fellow, the couple's miniature labradoodle, Albert - quite possibly the most dapper pooch to step down The Normans aisle. 

Inside the Ceremony Barn, pew ends were festive and seasonal, with Christmas tree branches and fir cones hand-tied with taffeta bows. 

Two tall, standing candelabras marked the spot where Megan and Ryan would say 'I do', dressed in seasonal foliage and white flowers. 

The Kendal String Quartet set the most romantic of tones, playing as guests took their seats - and as Megan walked down the aisle toward husband-to-be, Ryan. 

Here, Ryan and Megan said their vows by candlelight, before being declared Mr and Mrs Mitchell - huzzah!

Outside, the winter climes stayed crisp and dry, allowing photo moments aplenty - with Albert, of course. 

Guests sought cosy retreat in The Normans Cow Stalls, which Megan and Ryan turned into a festive snug, with Christmas garlands hugging the mangers...

... and oh-so-soft blankets placed in baskets for those wishing to snuggle up.  

In The Normans Courtyard the bridesmaids embraced the season, donning these georgeous faux fur-collared capes, from Doncaster-based Amon. 

Megan's flowergirls looked angelic in snow-white dresses and capes by Monsoon - not to mention those floral crowns, created by the couple's appointed florists; Ryan's aunt and Megan's best friend. 

Megan's mum, Janet, also showcased her creative skills with this yummy three-tier creation, comprising a vanilla sponge, chocolate sponge and, finally, a carrot cake!

When the time came for guests to make their way into The Normans marquee, the couple ensured a photo-worthy entrance for all! Mistletoe was suspended over head... 

... and we just love this trailing ivy encircled doorway by What Katy Did

This neon sign proved a real crowd-pleaser too, hired - along with giant initial lights - from Party Pics Photo Booth Hire

Indeed, those words couldn't have been more fitting for newlyweds Megan and Ryan - who didn't just look good on the dancefloor, but utterly amazing. Congratulations!

“We both fell in love with The Normans and booked it at our viewing – even though the venue wasn’t yet complete! The team were fab throughout all the planning and made sure everything ran as smooth as possible on the day – everyone commented how fab they were! We had the most amazing day ever, I just wish we could do it again!”

— The marvellous Megan

All photographs - and videography - of Megan and Ryan's December day are by Alfie Wright at Clique Visuals. To see more, check out our Gallery  soon!

Vintage Vibes at The Normans

When Claire and Ben tied the knot at The Normans they brought with them some seriously cool vibes, killer decor and - later - photos that looked as if they were plucked from the pages of a glossy mag. Here are all the happenings and highlights... 

After saying their 'I do's in a local church, the pair arrived at The Normans in a vintage cream VW Beetle, courtesy of Vintage VWs 4 Hire.

Happily, the sun shone on their September wedding day, allowing the light to shine through our Grain Shed woodwork - providing a rather awesome backdrop to the bridal party shots. 

But allow us to zoom in on those those oh-so-pretty bridesmaids' dresses... the lace tea-length numbers are by Chi Chi London at ASOS.com (we like!).

As for the couple of the hour: Claire's stylish gown hailed from dress La Belle Boutique, while Ben opted for a slick suit from a high street chain...  

... which he teamed with a dapper pair of Loakes. (Betty, The Normans resident pug, came along for a look - and heartily approved.)

Back inside the venue, the mini photo shoot continued with the couple's nearest and dearest - who recreated that much-loved confetti chucking moment in our fairy-lit barn.  

Guests next moved into The Normans Marquee, where the couple's vintage vibes and colour scheme took shape with these cool copper centrepieces, created by All Occasions. 

The cake managed to sum up the feel of the day too, made by the couple's friend Dale Smith, it comprised three tiers in red velvet, chocolate and vanilla flavours. 

Place settings and favours combined, with name tags hung around the necks of miniature Jägermeister bottles... 

... used to toast the couple after the speeches in the form of a Jäger Bomb! (Huzzah!)

Outside the sun began to set, serving up yet more stellar photo opportunities for the couple's chosen photographer, Shutter Go Click Photography. 

While inside it meant only one thing: party time! With the dancefloor well and truly filled, thanks to Sing Ramona Sing and a DJ from Hi-Life Entertainment. (Top tunes abound!)

But we can't leave without sharing a First Dance photo of the happy couple... Congratulations Claire and Ben! 

“Choosing The Normans was probably the easiest decision we made. From our first visit - when the renovation wasn’t quite complete - we knew it was the venue for us, and every time we came back for a visit it just got better. Oliver and Laura were so welcoming and made the planning process so easy. They say it’s an all weather venue and that really is the case. I only wish we could do it all over again!”

— The super cool, Claire

All photos are the handiwork of the exceedingly excellent Ryan at Shutter Go Click Photography. To see more from Claire and Ben's big day, check out our Gallery