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

A blossoming romance at The Normans

Romance doesn’t get much more blossomy than an actual real-life wedding - which is exactly what happened here at The Normans (no surprises there).

Krista and Dan couldn’t have picked a better day for their Easter wedding. The sun was shining, the skies were brilliant blue, and the flora and fauna was in full bloom - inside and out…

Dan and his groomsmen fully embraced the weather - donning shades and sharp-fitting navy suits from the ever-reliable Moss Bros.

Blue was a reoccurring theme of the day. Krista’s girl squad were her ‘something blue’ - all dressed in effortlessly elegant powder-blue dresses from online retailer ASOS.

Krista, the undisputed star of the show (sorry, Dan), wore a bespoke gown from Brides of York.

“I loved the off-shoulder style and thought the floaty skirt was perfect for my Spring wedding,” says Krista. “My favourite thing about the dress was the white lace. I also wore a sheer long length veil which complimented the lace.”

We couldn’t agree more.

“We wanted the colours to be romantic,” continues Krista. “Soft dusty blue paired with more of an organic white and green for our rustic wedding.”

The combination of white roses, blue hydrangeas, and forest-green eucalyptus of the bouquet were exquisite. We tip our caps to florist Miss Elle’s for these botanic beauties.

Since we can’t quite get enough of that veil - here’s another gratuitous shot of Krista walking to the Ceremony Barn via the farmhouse courtyard.

Needless to say Krista owned the aisle. We love this shot of her and her dad, framed by fantastic blossom trees from Ambience Venue Styling - set against the fairylight backdrop of our Ceremony Barn, it’s a look that’s hard to beat.

And so, as is the custom in these parts, Krista and Dan were married, confetti was thrown, and the couple stepped out into the sun.

Drinks somehow taste better in the sunshine, so it was a joy to see guests enjoying a tipple or two in The Normans Courtyard.

And no one was more pleased to indulge in some al fresco merriment than Poppy - Krista and Dan’s adorable chocolate lab. We loved Poppy’s collar, crafted by Krista as one of the (non-drink-related) activities on her hen - check out Crafty Hen.

And here she is again - meeting and greeting guests (and sniffing out canapes).

Meanwhile, not content with the stunning blossom trees in the Ceremony Barn, Krista and Dan found the real thing just outside the venue.

And they even managed a bit of quiet time with Poppy in our Cow Stalls…

Once guests had had their fill of drinks and canapes, the Grain Shed doors were flung open to reveal this quite unique table plan, crafted by the bride herself.

Dinner was served under the Grain Shed’s sparkling canopy by caterers F4D, who delighted guests with a ‘host your own roast’ main course. Think: glazed leg of pork, mustard mash, sage and onion roast potatoes, glazed carrots, curly kale and thick pan gravy. Dessert? Everyone’s favourite: sticky toffee pudding.

After the wedding breakfast, and before the party kicked off in earnest, guests returned outside to bask in the evening light.

(Shout out, also, to Krista’s Granddad, who fashioned the welcome sign, below.)

And, as guests, made merry in The Courtyard, Krista and Dan escaped to watch the April sun dip below the horizon, capping off an Easter Sunday to remember.

“The most amazing wedding venue we could have wished for. Absolutely perfect in every way - the candle-lit barn, the cosy cowsheds... the pretty courtyard, which was perfect to sit in the sunshine for our Easter Sunday wedding! We loved it. Our guests loved it. And the best part.: having our chocolate Labrador there with us for the whole day!
Thank you to the Normans team for giving us the most beautiful wedding day of our lives. ”

— Blossoming bride Krista

SUPPLIERS

BRIDE’S DRESS BRIDES OF YORK

BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES ASOS

HAIR & MAKE-UP AIMEE LONG

GROOM’S SUIT MOSS BROS

FLOWERS MISS ELLE’S

BLOSSOM TREES AMBIENCE VENUE STYLING

CATERING F4D

ENTERTAINMENT THE UNDERCOVER WAITERS

PHOTOGRAPHY INSPIRE IMAGES

VIDEOGRAPHY A+A VIDEO

BAND ORDINARY MEN

A quintessentially English wedding at The Normans…

… that is, English by name - not so much by nature. In fact, Laura Murray and James English’s stunning Spring wedding here at The Normans was an international affair, drawing guests from across the country, and, indeed, from across the Atlantic (James’s family heralds from Canada, you see).

Guests convened on a lovely April’s day to celebrate the marriage of an even lovelier couple - one half of which is pictured here, seeing herself in her Rembo Styling gown for the very first time.

“It was more beautiful than I could have imagined,” says London-based Laura. “I Googled Rembo Styling stockists and found that Lace & Co Bridal in Wakefield was one of the biggest in the UK - so my dress-shopping experience moved Up North!”

Laura’s bridesmaids - the two Katies - are seen here sipping bubbly, shedding a tear (of joy), and wearing oh-so-simple yet stunning gowns from Asos, which were tailored for the occasion. And their shoes? New Look. Smart shopping skills from bride Laura.

Once the pre-wedding emotions had subsided, Laura - ceremony-ready - greeted her adoring masses (The Normans staff and a passing cyclist) from her bedroom window. Bravo to Julia Jeckell (hair) and Hannah Edwards (make-up) for Laura’s look.

But it takes two to tango. And, indeed, to get married. So let’s turn our attention to groom James, seen here with is groomsmen, hanging out in front of a random blossom tree. Because that’s what you do on your wedding day.

James looked fantastic in his blue three-piece suit, which he designed via online tailor Suit Supply. (Gents: if you haven’t checked the website out, do so now.) He finished off his look with a deep green Aiden tie from Reiss.

With groom in place, it was time for Laura to make her entrance in The Normans Ceremony Barn. Here she is walking down an aisle lined with candles floating in tall vases, clutching a bouquet of whites and greens by Kate Mell.

The ceremony was sealed with a kiss…

… which signified the beginning of the drinks reception out in The Normans Courtyard.

The Hog & Apple were waiting, armed with canapes - check out these to-die-for arancini balls.

“We hope that one day we wake up and Hog & Apple are on Deliveroo in London,” jokes Laura. “The variety of food was incredible and made it hard to choose [our menu]!”

As guests ate, drank and made merry, Laura, James and their entourage of groomsmen and bridesmaids explored the hidden corners of The Normans.

From scenic barn doors…

… to rolling fields …

… to the farm buildings across the road.

They even found time to shoot the cover for their new album…

… and make an otherwise nondescript shed look absolutely awesome. Credit to fantastic photographer Will Patrick, who had the vision to capture this shot. We love it!

From one shed to another … our new-look Grain Shed looked glorious lined with our custom-made long rustic banqueting tables.

Florist Kate Mell was at it again, lining the tables with simple white runners and eucalyptus.

“We used two of our engagement photos by Will. We coupled these with wooden signs from Not on the High Street, which we thought were simple but effective,” says Laura.

While guests were seated, James and Laura took a moment in the Courtyard together…

… before making their entrance beneath a ceiling full of copper, silver and green balloons (the colour-scheme of the day) by The Little Balloon Company.

The wedding breakfast, courtesy of The Hog & Apple, featured a sharing-platter starter with pulled-pork nachos, tempura prawns, and jackfruit nachos for veggies. Mains included lip-smacking options including smoked beef brisket and halloumi pepper kebabs, but it was the cheesecake dessert that lingered longest on Laura’s memory.

Speeches (and suitable embarrassment for bride and groom) followed thereafter…

… and then drinks. All the drinks.

And, of course, assorted dance floor-orientated revelries.

“We honestly couldn’t have asked for anything more - from the venue, The Norman’s team, the Cottage... or for our day. An absolutely stunning venue in its own right, and a team like no other. No email or call was too much in planning, and no visit was turned down. Every request was accommodated without hesitation.”

— Mrs English

SUPPLIERS

BRIDE'S DRESS REMBO STYLING

BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES ASOS

HAIR JULIA JECKELL

MAKE-UP HANNAH DORA MAKE-UP

CATERER HOG & APPLE FOOD CO.

FLORIST KATE MELL

GROOM'S SUIT SUIT SUPPLY

BALLOONS THE LITTLE BALLOON COMPANY

PHOTOGRAPHER WILL PATRICK WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

VIDEOGRAPHER THE WILD BRIDE

EVENING MUSIC SOUTHWEST BAND

A Fitting Finale at The Normans

As we embark upon our 2019 season, we take one last glance over the shoulder at 2018 - to New Year’s Eve, to be precise - a fitting finale to a wonderful year of weddings here at The Normans.

So, where to begin with the wedding that had it all? With the couple, of course: Sasha and Tom, who knew exactly how to throw a New Year’s bash that will live long in Normans folklore.

Sasha and Tom certainly made the most made the most of The Normans’ environs for their New Year’s extravaganza. The Ceremony Barn was simply decorated with Christmas trees flanking the cascading fairylights, with hurricane lanterns lining the aisle.

And then there were the lovely personal touches - skis in the Cow Stalls…

… a hot-chocolate station, complete with marshmallows and Maltesers - a warming welcome for guests coming in from the cold.

And we loved the order of the day, written on this beautiful, gilt-edged mirror.

Then, of course, there was the dress code: black tie to see out 2018 and ring in 2019. Check out Tom’s Reiss suit (keep scrolling down for a close-up). His groomsmen, meanwhile, were decked out in Moss Bros tuxedos.

Sasha, of course, stole the show in terms of style.

Her crystal-encrusted Jenny Packham dress sparkled with effortless sophistication…

… we just loved how her look was finished off with these stunning blue shoes from Anthropologie.

The result, as you can imagine, was quite stunning. Here’s Sahsa, wedding ready, with her proud pa, clutching a bouquet crafted by Alison of Wild Floral Couture.

As you might expect from a classy New Year’s bash held at an award-winning venue (ahem), a string trio greeted guests as they took their seats in the Ceremony Barn. Sublime sounds came courtesy of the lovely ladies of Simply Strings.

Sasha’s adorable flower girl set the tone for the ceremony, melting hearts as she scattered petals down the aisle.

There followed the beautiful bridesmaids, seen here dressed in stylish black maxi dresses from Monsoon.

But all eyes (and iPhones) were on Sasha as she graced the aisle with a smile to brighten even the greyest of December days.

And so began our last marriage ceremony of 2018…

… concluding with Sasha and Tom emerging from the Ceremony Barn into the Courtyard.

Drinks, put on by Hog & Apple, awaited bride, groom and their guests…

… and the venue was filled with mirth and merriment - both inside and out. Guests who preferred not to brave the late December chill, opted to cosy up in our Cow Stalls…

… while Tom and Sasha snuck away to gaze lovingly at one another… in an empty farm shed.

Back in the venue, the Grain Shed dining area has never looked better, with stars suspended from the ceiling and our new rustic banqueting tables being showcased for the first time.

The table gantries added another dimension to the decor - below, you’ll see glass baubles and tealights hanging along the lengths of the tables.

It’s safe to say Sasha and Tom received an enthusiastic reception from guests, as they took their place at the top table, alongside close friends and family.

From here on, wine was taken, food devoured, and this stunning stack of macaroons didn’t last long after dessert…

… and the party quickly began to heat up (read as: unravel) as guests wielding swords tried their hand at opening bottles of bubbly (sword courtesy of a guest cavalry officer; not included in venue hire).

And if ever this crowd needed a little extra encouragement to get on the dance floor (they didn’t, trust us), our friends New York Brass Band dropped in, to ensure 2019 was greeted with a flourish.

While some were happy to shake it on the (designated) dance floor…

… the groom elevated proceedings by strutting his stuff up on the bar …

… as well as showcasing his trumpeting skills - much to the amusement/shock/horror of musicians and guests alike.

Of course, Sasha was never going to let Tom grab too much of the limelight and was soon up there with him. If ever there was a photo to sum up an after party at The Normans, it’s this!

Of course, no New Year - or wedding, for that matter - is complete without an impromptu appearance from a ‘stripper’/partially-clothed guest.

And you know you’ve been to good wedding when you witness the bride (wearing Jenny Packham) give a piggyback to a half-naked man.

Sasha, Tom - we salute you.

“From start to finish Oliver, Laura and Sharon were the A- team! The planning was easy and they were accommodating at every stage. On the day they were secretly running a very tight ship to keep the day to plan, but our guests commented on how the day felt relaxed and effortless. They consider every little detail of the day... We couldn’t be more grateful for these guys and their beautiful venue!”

— Superstar Sasha

SUPPLIERS

BRIDE'S DRESS JENNY PACKHAM

BRIDE’S SHOES ANTHROPOLOGIE

BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES MONSOON

HAIR/MAKE-UP LAURA MAC

CATERER HOG & APPLE FOOD CO.

FLORIST WILD FLORAL COUTURE

GROOM'S SUIT REISS

GROOMSMEN’S SUITS MOSS BROS

PHOTOGRAPHER BLOOM WEDDINGS

Videographer Mr & Mrs

RECEPTION MUSIC SIMPLY STRINGS

EVENING MUSIC NEW YORK BRASS BAND

The North Pole comes to The Normans

December feels like a long time ago (and a long way away - depending on how you look at it), but we’ve been overcome with festive cheer all over again, having seen the photos from Jess and David’s amazing Christmas-themed wedding here at The Normans!

While this pretty little reindeer sets the tone for this blog post (more about these fantastic table centrepieces, later!), our focus was always going to be bride Jess. Here she is, getting ready at home, with the help of make-up artist Jaime Edwards.

Jess’s stunning dress was quite the talking point. “It was my absolute dream dress and definitely a challenge to find,” she says of this angelic Nicole Spose number. “I almost gave up hope, but eventually found the perfect fairy-tale Christmas wedding dress at Dotty Bridal boutique in Holmfirth.”

Jess’s bouquet - all ivory whites and seasonal greens - was the handiwork of Petals by Louise.

Meanwhile, at The Normans, David awaited Jess’s arrival with the support of his two groomsmen (and a couple of beers). Here he is (centre) in a King & Allen three-piece suit, embellished with a Louis Vuitton tie and Gucci pocket square. Our favourite detail, however, is out of shot - the Blackburn Rovers crest stitched into the lining of his suit jacket. (David’s a Blackburn Rovers fan, in case anyone’s wondering.)

As lovely as David and his groomsmen looked, they had to play second fiddle to these two gorgeous flower girls (wearing White Company), who melted hearts all the way down the aisle, ahead of Jess and her bridesmaids.

Jess’s entrance was as emotional as this below picture suggests - hats off to Dad who did well to keep his composure!

Vows were recited, rings were exchanged, tears of joy were shed, and Jess and David left The Normans Ceremony Barn as man and wife. And were pelted with confetti by their giddy guests.

Outside, they were greeted by warming canapes, courtesy of our chums Hog & Apple …

… festive tunes, provided by Top Brass band …

… and assorted hi-jinks and/or tomfoolery as guests made the most of The Normans’ cosy hideaways and contemporary Courtyard stylings.

While all and sundry ate, drank and made merry, Jess and David stole themselves away to whisper sweet nothings (read as: pose for some photos) in front of the Ceremony Barn’s cascading fairy lights.

But it was only when the doors to the Grain Shed were flung open that Christmas was turned up to 11. Where to start? Well, with the show-stopping centrepieces, which were all handcrafted by Jess’s dad, Tony. St. Nick would be proud.

The Grain Shed dining area was further illuminated by light-up letters (provided by Event Light & Sound), spelling out ‘Fairy Tale’. By her own admission, bride Jess is a Christmas fanatic, and wanted to bring as much holiday spirit to her wedding as possible …

“I - sorry, we - had a really specific vision for the day: a chic winter wonderland with elements of fun,” explains Jess. “My dad is really creative, so, over the course of 18 months, we'd sit down together and chat through what I wanted and he’s just go for it! I’d get a photo at 3am showing me what he'd made.”

Case in point: this amazing Coca-Cola truck …

… and not forgetting the magic, fairy tale, Christmas castle card box. No wedding is complete without one. Bravo, Tony. Bravo.

And Tony wasn’t the only one getting creative - caterers Hog & Apple brought the three course meal to a climax with these Harry Potter-inspired ‘golden snitch’ desserts.

As the party heated up inside, it was a (relatively) silent night outside - a perfect December evening for the perfect Christmas wedding.

“The Normans team helped us bring to life the most magical day of our lives. I don’t think you could ever find a better venue for summer or winter - I’ve already started recommending it to all my newly engaged friends!”

— The Queen of Christmas (aka bride Jess)

SUPPLIERS

BRIDE'S DRESS Nicole spose from dotty bridal

BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES Boohoo.com

MAKE-UP JaIme Edwards

CATERER Hog & Apple Food Co.

FLORIST petals by Louise

GROOM'S SUIT King & Allen

PHOTOGRAPHER The Twins Weddings

RECEPTION MUSIC Top Brass

EVENING BAND The Viscounts

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