A Night to Remember in November

As the January chill sets in, we’re warming ourselves with memories of the wonderful winter weddings we had the privilege of hosting in the twilight of 2018 - none more so than Holly and Alex’s stunning soiree in late November…

Holly and her bridesmaids descended on The Normans Cottage for the weekend, and it was here where they readied themselves for the Big Day, with the help of hair and make-up extraordinaire Julia Jeckell and hairstylist Lottie Haigh.

Bridesmaids were dressed in simple yet stunning gowns by Issa at House of Fraser…

… while bride Holly looked amazing in a Diane Legrand design, from Paverly Bridal in Wimbledon, London.

Outside, groom Alex ensured he didn’t let the side down, dressing in a snappy three-piece Hugo Boss suit.

For all the giddy excitement reverberating around The Normans Cottage, Holly emerged, composed and wedding-ready, holding a bouquet of roses, clematis, eryngium, Veronica, lavender, dusty miller, clary sage and asparagus fern. Bravo, Clock Dandelion, for crafting this botanical beauty!

And so, to The Normans Ceremony Barn, where Holly’s father walked his daughter down an aisle lined with verdant eucalyptus and solidago.

Holly and Alex did the ‘I dos’ in a heartfelt ceremony, which featured readings from friends and personalised vows. The scene was framed by two striking arrangements of white roses, dill, delphinium, more solidago and eucalyptus (again, the handiwork of Clock Dandelion).

The moving ceremony culminated in a kiss, which was greeted with cheers from guests - none louder than the bridesmaids, seen here wearing their eye-catching Issa gowns.

Outside, chilly climes did nothing to deter guests from al-fresco merrymaking - all and sundry headed into the Courtyard for drinks and canapes…

… served by those fine folk at The Hog & Apple Food Co.

Bride Holly took time to raise a glass and bask in the adulation of her guests…

… before heading out to explore Normans Farm with Alex in tow for photos (and a sneaky smooch).

Inside the Grain Shed, olive trees imbued with (yet more!) fairylights served as table centrepieces. “I loved Jo’s [of Clock Dandelion] suggestion of olive trees instead of big flower displays,” says Holly. “They kept tables clean and crisp and, more importantly, there was plenty of space on the tables for the delicious winter barbecue boards served by Hog & Apple!” 

Another notable feature on each table were the bottles of ‘Arblaster Ale’ (brewed by a guest and served at The Normans for one night only!).

We absolutely loved the personalised table settings - a Lego alter ego for each guest. “Alex will tell you this was his only real contribution to wedding planning - and now it’s the main thing that our guests talk about and remember about the day!” laments Holly.

Indeed, there seemed to be a handcrafted, personalised touch at every turn - take this copper arch from Little Deer, for example, which made for a unique alternative to a photobooth.

And there was, of course, the cake. Not only did this stunning four-tier toffee sponge (by Iced Yorkshire) look and taste divine, its dissection heralded the start of a wild and wonderful night.

Congratulations to Holly and Alex - a beautiful couple!

“From start to finish The Normans team were accessible and easy to communicate with, extremely helpful, and genuinely a pleasure to meet!
And the venue really just speaks for itself. It’s got enough character to stand on its own - yet at the same time it can be an amazing blank canvas to make into whatever you want!”

— our brilliant bride, Holly

BRIDE'S DRESS DIANE LEGRAND FROM PAVERLY BRIDAL

BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES ISSA AT HOUSE OF FRASER

BRIDESMAIDS’ HAIR LOTTIE HAIGH

MAKE-UP (& BRIDE’S HAIR) JULIA JECKELL

CATERER THE HOG & APPLE FOOD CO.

CAKE ICED YORKSHIRE

FLORIST CLOCK DANDELION

GROOM'S SUIT HUGO BOSS

PHOTOGRAPHER BLOOM WEDDINGS

CEREMONY MUSICIANS STRATUS

EVENING Band SOUTHWEST BAND

Winter Wow Factor at The Normans

It’s been a while since our last blog update, for which we apologise. We’ve been busy hosting a flurry of fantastic festive weddings, not to mention training up the latest member of The Normans team - our baby girl, Violet.

But we’re back! And we’re starting 2019 with a firecracker of a blog, courtesy of Mark and Laura’s wedding held here back in November.

Okay, okay - we appreciate that November is technically an autumn month. But, for us, this was the wedding that truly kicked off our magical winter wedding season. Take, for example, Laura’s stunning Jesus Peiro dress from Andrea Bambridge, York. A timeless classic, which exudes class and sophistication. We just love the faux-fur trim that finishes off her look.

Mark, meanwhile, kept the elements at bay (and looked rather dapper in the process) with a smart three-piece tweed suit from Moss Bros, embellished with a brown silk paisley patterned tie. A perfect example of how a groom’s attire can be understated, but still make a massive impact!

As splendid as bride and groom looked, both were nearly (nearly) overshadowed by page boy Sebastian, who preceded them down the aisle wearing a natty suit by Next and a bespoke waistcoat by Kaye Hannabuss from KayeHtextiles.

And so, to the ceremony, which provided (as always!) some truly memorable moments, captured here by supreme shutter-smith Luke Bell.

The soundtrack to the ceremony and the reception thereafter was provided by talented Flo Duo…

… while the couple took time to light a candle and remember their loved ones who couldn’t be at the wedding.

Guests explored the nooks and crannies and hidden corners of The Normans with glass in hand. Some even went as far as helping out behind the bar…

The Cow Stalls - the perfect cosy hideaway for a winter’s day - was gently illuminated with lanterns and our filament bulbs, and decorated simply yet effectively with crepe paper fans.

Guests were soon called into the Grain Shed for the wedding breakfast. As they took their seats, man and wife stole a quiet moment together in The Normans Courtyard.

Inside, tables were adorned with elegant floating candles and seasonal centrepieces by Stems Design. “We wanted to embrace all the seasonal colours for a winter wedding, and chose complimentary winter berry,” recalls bride Laura. “Lynne had some amazing pieces and was able to create the rustic, natural look.” 

Friends and family also played a hand in the decor of the Grain Shed - each contributing their own hand-stitched bunting triangle, combining in a remarkable, heart-warming keepsake.

Not to be outdone on the wow-factor front, caterers Hog & Apple Food Co. capped off a fine three-course meal with this ‘smoking box’ dessert, shrouded in dry ice. We can confirm: it tasted as good as it looked!

As night descended, guests chattered and small children toyed with glowing, mesmerising orbs (as is custom), until…

… The New York Brass Band decided to crash the wedding, getting the party started (and guests on the dance floor) with another trademark high-energy performance.

Guests danced…

… and danced some more, until the evening was capped off with a firework display to celebrate Bonfire Night. A magical wedding for a magnificent couple. Congratulations!

“A gorgeous venue run by a fabulous team!
Our friends and families are still talking about the wedding!
Oliver, Laura and Sharon made our wedding planning really easy. They were so accommodating. We felt confident we were in good hands and were completely relaxed on the big day!”

— the lovely Laura

SUPPLIERS

BRIDE'S DRESS JESUS PEIRO FROM ANDREA BAMBRIDGE, YORK

HAIR LUKE BUCK OF FUSION HAIR DESIGN & BEAUTY, HARROGATE

MAKE-UP JULIA JECKELL

CATERER THE HOG & APPLE FOOD CO.

FLORIST STEMS DESIGN

GROOM'S SUIT MOSS BROS

PHOTOGRAPHER LUKE BELL PHOTOGRAPHY

Falling for Fall at The Normans

Okay, okay - so we don’t technically refer to the third season as ‘Fall’, here in the UK, but it works for the title of this belated blog post, so we ran with it. What’s more, it perfectly sums up Rachel and Andrew’s wonderful wedding, which we had the privilege of hosting back in October.

The bride and groom, seen here stealing a kiss under amid the autumn hues, decided to work the seasonal oranges, browns and greens into their Big Day’s colour scheme.

Behold: the eye-catching rust-coloured ties and natty pocket squares worn by groom and groomsmen, which lit up their midnight blue Hawes & Curtis suits, and matched the stunning orange-rose buttonholes created by Jo Drake of Clock Dandelion fame.

The bridesmaids, meanwhile, couldn’t help but share (steal) the groomsmen’s limelight with their simple, subtly varied, and effortlessly elegant dresses from the Maya Collection.

But for all the beauty of the bride and groom’s besties, all eyes were on Rachel, who lit up our Ceremony Barn with a stunning Watters Wtoo number, imbued with intricate laced floral motifs. Her bouquet, again the handiwork of Clock Dandelion, brimmed with dahlias, roses, dill, snapdragons and achillea.

Rachel walked down the aisle to the mellow sounds of trio Free to Roam, who performed from our Ceremony Barn’s newly renovated mezzanine. It makes for quite the stage, if we don’t say so ourselves!

We loved the little details from this wedding. Case in point: the orange dahlias tied to the end of each row of chairs in the Ceremony Barn. A small, thoughtful touch, which created a big impact.

Much to the jubilation of their guests, Andrew and Rachel were pronounced man and wife in front of our iconic fairy light cascade, flanked by pedestals of liquid amber, beech, roses, dahlias and carrot flower.

The stunning colour scheme, created by Clock Dandelion, was rounded off in the Cow Stalls, where the mangers were lined with yet more dahlias, beech, oak and liquid amber.

After drinks in the Courtyard, guests were shepherded into the Grain Shed, where long, rustic dining tables, hired in from All Things Borrowed, set the scene for the wedding breakfast.

Guests were wowed, as always, by the fine fare served by Hog & Apple, but special mention must be made of the three stunning cakes baked by Rachel’s friend Gayle. The three flavours were lemon and elder flower, white chocolate and orange, and good ol’ Victoria sponge. And even the boards upon which each cake was served had significance: the wood platters were crafted from wood chopped at Gayle’s boyfriend’s family farm. (By Gayle’s boyfriend, we hope.)

As is customary in these parts, Rachel and Andrew engaged in a 'first dance’ and were duly mobbed by over-excited friends and family members - signifying the start of the evening’s merrymaking and…

… providing ample opportunity for obligatory selfies.

“We fell in love with the venue when we first saw it but it was even more magical seeing it on the day when it looked so beautiful and twinkly! Oliver, Laura and Sharon were amazing throughout our planning and on the big day. We had the most wonderful day at the Normans and our family and friends loved it too.”

— Autumn bride, Rachel

SUPPLIERS

BRIDE'S DRESS Watters Wtoo 

BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES Maya Collection

HAIR Jules Daniels

MAKE-UP Craig Parkinson

CATERER The Hog & Apple Food Co.

FLORIST Clock Dandelion

GROOM'S SUIT Hawes & Curtis

PHOTOGRAPHER Lumiere Photographic

Thanks to Lumiere Photographic for these wonderful shots of this autumn wedding with serious wow-factor!

Laid-back Love at The Normans

Seasoned travellers Louise and Ray knew they wanted a relaxed vibe for their big day. What’s more, they wanted to marry in a place that would suit the Aussie groom’s chilled-out character and Louise’s Yorkshire roots. And here we find them, at The Normans.

Luckily the weather was more Australian than Yorkshire, meaning the men of the moment could don their shades en route to the ceremony - dressed in suits from Peter Posh.

Meanwhile, bride-to-be Louise and her bridesmaids readied themselves in The Normans onsite cottage, but a stone’s throw from the spot where she would soon say ‘I do’…

As soon as she stepped out we fell head over heels for Louise’s boho bridal dress - Luca by Rue de Seine

A show of fine soft mesh, beading and fringing - and that low back detail…

The girls, meanwhile, wore mismatching gowns from super-cool bridesmaids’ brand, Rewritten. Meanwhile, flowers, by the mighty Kate Mell, were kept wild and pretty: gypsophila, grey lavender and eucalyptus among them.

One of Louise’s enduring memories of walking down the Ceremony Barn aisle, was how the scent of eucalyptus and lavender filled the air: “I wish ‘smellivision’ was a thing - the fragrance of the ceremony barn was everything!” she says.

Once wed, the happy couple left the Ceremony Barn amid a flurry of rose-petal confetti …

… heading out into the sun-soaked Courtyard to make merry with guests who had travelled far and wide to join them right here in Yorkshire.

But the couple enjoyed some all-important alone time, too - heading out into The Normans farmland for some ‘just-married’ shots, featuring our resident horses Heidi and Ben and rolling, sun-kissed fields.

Back inside the venue, a world map set the tone for the couple’s wedding breakfast - with each table named after the couple’s favourite destinations.

Each person’s place setting comprised a Polaroid photo, individually picked to show a favourite memory with that person. “Favours were a little bit from our homes,” explains Louise. “Yorkshire Tea from me, Australian biscuits ‘Tim Tams’ from Ray.”

Their gift and card table paid a final tribute to their travels and life overseas, featuring rustic boxes, a globe and a vintage suitcase.

Table-top centrepieces, meanwhile, were kept simple with tall vase displays of gypsophelia …

… a look that was echoed on the top table, which was lined with low, hessian-covered pots.

“Our incredible friend and ‘birthday cake queen’ Sonia made our cake,” recalls Louise. “The flavours of each tier were Ginger, Lemon, White Chocolate and Raspberry.”

Sated - not to mention deliriously happy - our loved-up couple kicked off the night’s dancing with their own first spin about the dancefloor as newlyweds. Congratulations!

“The Normans had everything we could have wanted and more. We had the opportunity to do as much or as little as we wanted - in our case it was the latter, because it’s perfect as it is. The whole team made the entire process easy from start to finish. We are still wondering what people are talking about when they say that weddings are stressful! Our guests were as blown away as we were.”

— the lovely Louise

SUPPLIERS

BRIDE'S DRESS LUCA BY RUE DE SEINE

BRIDE'S HAIR CARINA AT THE HARROGATE HAIR & BEAUTY CLINIC

BRIDESMAID'S DRESSES REWRITTEN

CATERER THE HOG & APPLE FOOD CO.

FLORIST KATE MELL FLOWERS

GROOM'S SUIT PETER POSH

PHOTOGRAPHER CRIS MATTHEWS PHOTOGRAPHY

Check out more photos from Louise and Ray’s day, by Cris Matthews Photography, on our Gallery!

Countryside Cool at The Normans

Arriving at The Normans in a 1950s Chevy, wearing a Jesus Peiro bridal gown, Phoebe ensured her wedding day was the epitome of ‘countryside cool’.

Phoebe’s glorious leafy bouquet - by Lily Pearls Floral Boutique - was broken up with fluffy white peonies and hydrangeas.“I just love it when [a bouquet] looks like it’s been scooped up from a hedge row and isn’t too tightly packed together!” says Phoebe.

In the Ceremony Barn, simple olive trees (purchased from Aldi!) lined the aisle - each placed in a rustic, hessian-covered pot.

Elsewhere, simple arrangements of jars filled with tea-lights and encircled by olive branches were placed atop the barrels.

“I wanted the same simple theme for the rest of the venue because it’s just so beautiful on its own,” says Phoebe. “We opted for plain foliage hoops in the Cow Stalls, made by the lovely ladies at Lily Pearls Floral Boutique.”

Matt and his ushers looked the part in their tweed suits from Moss Bros at York’s McArthur Glen Designer Outlet. “Matt also had a lapel pin, made by Harrogate’s Vinegar and Brown Paper that I gave to the best man to surprise him with on the wedding morning,” says Phoebe.”

The bridesmaids headed to the high street, choosing blush-coloured gowns from H&M, while the flowergirls wore gorgeous yellow and green floral dresses from Monsoon.

But its bride Phoebe who really stole the show in this Jesus Peiro gown from Andrea Bambridge Bridal in York. Phoebe added a bow around her waist for ‘a touch of sparkle’…

… and the back looked equally photogenic, with covered buttons and unique cut-out detail.

After exchanging vows in our Ceremony Barn, the pair headed outside to toast their newlywed status in the Courtyard…

… where guests looked on as an impromptu first dance took place to the tunes of guest and guitarist Mike Johnson.

When dinner was announced, the entrance to The Grain Shed was marked with this fab DIY table plan. “I think it was previously some sort of garden planter,” says Phoebe, who found it at Country Baskets. “We stained the wood darker and filled the shelves with jars of foliage.”

Printed stationery cards - the handiwork of Stephanie Davies - were secured using string and miniature pegs.

Inside, table centerpieces fused fauna, terrariums and tea-lights for a simple yet pretty effect.

Each place was set with a cookie favour, made by Nice Icing “I sent them photos of our two cats Millie and Obi and she replicated them, so all the men had an Obi and all the women had a Millie!” says Phoebe.

The newlywed Mr and Mrs Plant joined their guests - to rapturous reception, naturally - for a wedding breakfast rustled up by the marvellous Hog & Apple Food Co. …

… before cutting this four-tier creation - made by Phoebe’s mum - filled with no less than four flavours - vanilla, lemon, carrot and chocolate!

And so that ladies could ready themselves properly for party time, Phoebe arranged for a pop-up make-up bar to be set up in The Cow Stalls.

All make-up was by Amy George who, after beautifying the bridal party on the wedding morning, returned to host the evening beauty bar, complete with face glitter for the little ones!

With the night still young, Phoebe and Matt kicked off the party with their first dance as husband and wife…

Congratulations from all of us here at The Normans!

“We didn’t have to look far to find our dream venue - one look at the twinkling fairy lights and we were sold! The Normans really does tick every box and we fell in love more and more with every returning visit. Oliver, Laura and Sharon were the absolute dream team ensuring everything ran smoothly before and on the day itself. The whole setting and experience couldn’t have been more perfect.”

— The fabulous Phoebe

SUPPLIERS

BRIDE'S DRESS JESUS PEIRO AT ANDREA BAMBRIDGE BRIDAL

BRIDE'S HAIR ABI HARLAND MOBILE HAIRDRESSER

BRIDE'S MAKE UP & beauty bar amy george

BRIDESMAID'S DRESSES H&M and MONSOON

CATERER THE HOG & APPLE FOOD CO

COOKIE FAVOURS NICE ICING  

FLORIST LILY PEARLS FLORAL BOUTIQUE

GROOM'S SUIT MOSS BROS YORK

PHOTOGRAPHER esme mai photography

STATIONERY STEPHANIE DAVIES

Yorkshire Rose at The Normans

Born and raised in North Yorkshire, Amie felt it was only right to go back to her roots on her wedding day - tying the knot in her village church before heading to The Normans, with husband David in tow, for the classiest of receptions. 

The handsome couple arrived at The Normans in style, cruising up in a Beauford Tourer - courtesy of The Yorkshire Wedding Car Company. 

Stepping out of the car, Amie looked the picture of elegance in a bespoke Suzanne Neville bridal gown, from her Knightsbridge boutique. (Swoon!)

Inside The Normans Courtyard, the men of the moment sported traditional morning suits from Moss Bros with a Yorkshire twist: tweed flat caps. 

The venue was imbued with a simple yet chic colour scheme of white and green - from the duo of milk churn displays (made by Amie's aunt) were filled with roses and delphiniums... 

... to the pretty tubs that filled the Cow Stall troughs (the handiwork of Amie's green-fingered father, no less).

The white rose of Yorkshire was the central theme of the bouquet arrangements, which were punctuated with a touch of pink to tie in with the bridesmaids' Jenny Packham dresses. 

Aside from the white roses, the bouquets featured astrantia, eucalyptus, gypsophila - all from Flowers by Joanna Keely.

That symbolic Yorkshire rose reappeared at the entrance of our Grain Shed, framing the couple's table plan, which was perched upon The Normans' potato sack hoist!

Roses also cascaded down the side of the sumptuous cake, designed by Happy Tiers Yorkshire. Once cut open, the cake revealed itself to be a combination of fruit cake, chocolate and Victoria sponge. 

As "absolute National Trust geeks" (Amie's words, not ours!) the couple named their tables after trust properties, with the top table 'Fountains Abbey' - where the pair got engaged. 

Joanna Keely's floral touches formed centrepieces too, surrounded by pretty tea-lights... 

... while dinosaurs - David's childhood love - were used as place settings for the groomsmen, after David says he feared "everything was getting a bit too girly". 

And to ensure everyone could capture the day on camera, the couple constructed a DIY photo booth in the Cow Stalls - all the better after a glass or two of celebratory champers. Cheers!

“We felt so lucky to have had our big day at such a special and unique venue. The Normans team were amazing with any queries or questions from day one, up to the big day. Our guests are still talking about what an incredible venue it was… Thank you!”

— the awesome, Amie

SUPPLIERS

BRIDE'S DRESS SUZANNE NEVILLE

BRIDE'S HAIR RACHEL MARIE

BRIDE'S HEADPIECE IVORY & CO

BRIDE'S MAKE UP JULIE MERCER

BRIDESMAID'S DRESSES JENNY PACKHAM

CAKE HAPPY TIERS YORKSHIRE

CATERER THE HOG & APPLE FOOD CO

FLORIST FLOWERS BY JOANNA KEELY

GROOM'S SUIT MOSS BROS

HIRE CAR THE YORKSHIRE WEDDING CAR COMPANY

MUSIC SHERIDAN LOCKE - BELLA LUNA & SWITCH

PHOTOGRAPHER WYNN DAVIES PHOTOGRAPHY

Love from Down Under at The Normans

Bold colours, music from New York Brass Band and plenty of love and laughs made Rachel and Matt's big day at The Normans the most glorious of summer shindigs!

Rachel and Matt travelled all the way from Australia for their wedding at The Normans, with Rachel completing the last leg of the journey in her father's MGA 1958. Meanwhile, bridesmaids and mother- and brother-of-the-bride followed in a snazzy peppermint VW Camper Van.

The girls made a statement, carrying larger-than-life bouquets of bright pink peonies, Yves Piaget roses and orange pin cushion proteas, by Maryssa Dowe Floral Design.

The bold bouquets looked gorgeous held against the sunshine-yellow bridesmaids' dresses, worn with royal blue shoes for that 'something blue'. 

And let's not forget the happy couple! Matt's blue suit, from The Vintage Suit Hire Company, packed a colourful punch - finished with an aromatic buttonhole of Lolita Lempicka rose, corn flower, lavender, rosemary and eucalyptus. 

And for those of you dreaming of a Jenny Packham bridal gown, here's a closer look at Nashville, featuring the designer's signature lace detail and intricate beading. Beautiful! 

The couple started the celebrations from the get-go, with the New York Brass Band announcing the girls' procession down the aisle - playing Happy Together by The Turtles.  

A personal ceremony followed, conducted by humanist celebrant Louise Burns - against a colourful backdrop of tall urns displaying yet more rich textures and bold blooms. 

Smiling from ear-to-ear, the newlywed pair left the barn to a sun-soaked courtyard, where the revelries began ... 

The New York Brass Band took to their instruments, once again, to get the party in full swing.

While garden games - the ever-competitive Jenga among them - kept guests entertained ...

Over at the pop-up bar, meanwhile, ice-cold beers and fruity Pimms quenched guests' thirst.

Flanking the entrance into The Normans Grain Shed were two urn displays (manoeuvered from the Ceremony Barn), which stood beside large hurricane lanterns. 

As guests stepped inside, a mosaic of black-and-white photos of the happy couple lined the entrance for all to see. 

Table tops were each treated to a bright centerpiece, and the table numbers and place names kept fuss-free with bold, monochrome stationery. 

As guests took their seats to make merry and dine on fine fare served by The Hog and Apple Food Co., Rachel and Matt headed into surrounding farmland to capture a few moments alone... 

“Everything about the day was perfect: The Normans looked amazing and Oli and Laura were great both leading up to the day and on the day itself. Thank you!”

— the radiant Rachel

SUPPLIERS

BRIDE'S DRESS JENNY PACKHAM

BRIDESMAID'S DRESSES THE WITCHERY

CATERER THE HOG & APPLE FOOD CO. 

FLORIST MARYSSA DOWE FLORAL DESIGN

GROOM'S SUIT THE VINTAGE HIRE SUIT COMPANY

MUSIC NEW YORK BRASS BAND

PHOTOGRAPHER THROUGH THE WOODS WE RAN

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