eh-admin, Author at Ellingham Hall

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From watching The Wedding Planner to heading up our Wedding Team!

Watching movies such as 27 Dresses

As well as Jennifer Lopez’s blockbuster The Wedding Planner gave Debbie Armstrong the desire to plan and deliver weddings. That said, it wasn’t until Debbie decided to change career that the opportunity to fulfil her dream arose and join the award-winning Ellingham Hall team.

Whilst having an informal chat with Debbie our General Manager, David, recognised her warm and friendly personality, it was clear to him that Debbie was ambitious and passionate – all attributes that David knew would be essential in becoming a successful wedding and events planner. Little did he know that later that year the stars would align, and Ellingham Hall would be looking to recruit a new wedding and events co-ordinator, which Debbie later became the successful applicant of. Having no hands-on experience in the world of weddings it was Debbie’s sparkling personality, kindness and transferable skills from previous employment that made her stand out.

During Debbie’s first year with Ellingham Hall, she really earned her stripes by planning and part delivering the extensive backlog of weddings that were sadly not able to take place during the pandemic. Under tremendous pressure Debbie had to plan multiple weddings side by side, all the while making each couple feel special. It was Debbie’s calm approach and excellent customer service skills that gained her a promotion, awarding her the title of Head of Weddings and Events.

With Debbie’s new role and Ellingham Hall winning the title of ‘Events team of the year’, awarded at the regional final of The Wedding Industry Awards, we thought we’d catch up with Debbie and see how she’s enjoying being the real-life Mary Fiore, planning and delivering bespoke weddings at our exclusive Northumberland Wedding Venue.

What did you do before joining Ellingham Hall?

I am a trained nurse but was working in retail when I was chatting to my neighbour, David, who is General Manager, about a career change. When I asked him what he did, I told him it was a dream of mine to plan weddings as I’d been inspired by movies, like The Wedding Planner. It isn’t quite the same as what you see on screen, of course. It is a real privilege to help couples plan and deliver their dream wedding.

Any standout moments?

Well, there was one time when a florist forgot the confetti and suddenly realised before the ceremony. We pulled out all the stops and managed to contact our admin assistant, Wendy, who had some. It arrived about three minutes before the couple left the Ceremony Room. The bride was so grateful because it was important to her. It was a lovely photograph. One bride was in the process of getting ready, and when I popped into the suite to check everything was OK, she jumped up and gave me a huge hug because she was so thrilled with everything!

What have you learned so far?

It’s nice to make people feel good and make them happy. It maybe just my job, but it’s important because their wedding memory will be with them forever. It’s more than just a job, and it’s why I even take work home because I want every couple to know that every detail is as important to us as it is to them.

A Wedding Suite steeped in History and Romance

Lady B’s Wedding Suite

When choosing to marry at Ellingham Hall, you’re experiencing more than just a luxury wedding venue in the heart of Northumberland you’re immersed in history.

And for couples who tie the knot here, they’re walking in the footsteps of a member of high society when enjoying the Wedding Suite, Lady B’s Suite.

Belinda Ann de Marie Haggerston the eldest daughter and heiress of Sir Carnaby Haggerston was the last of the landed family to live at Ellingham Hall before it became an education establishment.

Such was Belinda Ann’s standing in society, the announcement of her engagement in 1955 to the distinguished Peter Gadsden was the cover story of Country Life magazine.

After her marriage, she became Belinda Ann de Marie Haggerston Gadsden, keeping her connection to the heritage of the famous Northumberland family. The couple went on to have four daughters and Peter became known as a globe trotting trader, who was also the Lord Mayor of London between 1979 and 1980. Indeed, Peter eventually added the name Haggerston to his name such is the importance of the family.

Room with a view and more

While we were unable to host weddings during the pandemic, we decided it was the right time to carry out some renovation work at Ellingham Hall. One of the rooms to be given a refresh was Lady B’s Wedding Suite.

Reflecting the genteel nature of a time gone by, the suite has been sympathetically decorated in the sumptuous styling that would have been enjoyed at Ellingham Hall in it s early years. It also boasts everything you would expect of a modern, luxury wedding venue.

As well as offering a place to rest, brides also get the chance to relax and experience the stunning grounds from the oriel, south facing window, where the sophisticated lady of the house is likely to have once reclined. It’s certainly a wonderful way to start your wedding day!

Brides also have a treat in store: a discreet lavish dressing room where they can prepare for the ceremony in style. And it’s big enough for up to 8 bridesmaids to join them.

History meets modern day

Owner Helen Ruff says, “We wanted to build a bridge by recognising a significant former resident and period in time, but also ensuring modern tastes and requirements were met. So, the room has classic French style furniture and lavish fabric curtains, cushions and drapes that suit s the room perfectly and is very romantic.

“One of the joys of Lady B’s Suite is the dressing room. When couples view the suite and see it leads into the dressing room it’s always a lovely surprise.”

If you would like to experience Lady B’s Suite and walk in the footsteps of history for yourself, contact our team today to arrange a visit to Ellingham Hall.

Ellingham Hall proves weddings are Child’s Play!

Charlene & Brett

2nd September 2021

A family friendly wedding venue was essential when Charlene and Brett decided to tie the knot. As parents of three gorgeous young boys, it was vital that they were a central part of the wedding celebrations.

So, the couple’s choice of venue had to have enough space for Roco, Teddy and Kitt to let off some energy! Ellingham Hall’s fun treehouses, woodland and lawns all set in the private grounds, were the perfect place for the boys to have fun on mum and dad’s special day.

Charlene says that having exclusive use of a venue was also a key factor in their decision when it came to finding their dream venue.

CHARLENE SAYS…

How did Ellingham Hall stand out for you as parents?

It’s a long day and we wanted our boys to be part of it. Unlike a big hotel, where they could end up goodness knows where or mixed up with other hotel guests, we were comfortable that Ellingham Hall had enough space available for them to play and have fun. What really helped was that the venue was completely private to our family and friends for two days and that it felt relaxed like home.

Did they come to the viewing?

We took Roco with us and he had such an exciting time he already felt at ease at the viewing! It’s the warmth of the place that made us feel really relaxed and that helped make our decision.

Your photos show the treehouse featured in your day.

The boys spent a lot of time at the treehouses, even on the morning of the wedding. As I was getting ready, I didn’t have much time to spend with the boys, so my dad took them along to play. The photographer used it in our photos, too, as it was such a great memory for them to look back on! My dress was in a bit of state after that…

Stand out wedding moments?

We were really well cared and catered for. We had a casino the night before and the Ellingham Hall team made sure there was room for it. Nothing seemed to be any problem. We really enjoyed having our photographs taken and the 3-course wedding breakfast was delicious. We had booked our original date in July, but Covid restrictions meant we had to push it back to September as it was the date when all the entertainment, we booked was available again. We had a wonderful time.

What was your guest’s feedback?

Every one of our guests enjoyed the two days, including the evening before. They were pleased to get quality time together. Also, I didn’t feel pressured to see everyone on the wedding day as I’d already spent time with them which was great. We had a lot of guests staying the night before and the cottages were also lovely. It’s nice that they’re set behind the main Hall, so you don’t feel like everyone’s getting under each other’s feet.

If the idea of an exclusive family friendly wedding venue in the heart of Northumberland is your dream destination, then contact our team today.

CREDITS

Photographer – Sarah Jane Ethan

Videographer – Unified Films

Registrar – Northumberland Registrars

Flowers & Décor – The Whole Schbang

Cake – The Master Cakesmith

Wedding Dress – The Wedding Dress Company

Evening dress – Marrime

Bridal Hair – Waves and Veil

Make Up – Beauty Box Studio

Studio DJ – Beat Boutique

Saxophonist – Steve Bone Sax

Rings – Angelic Diamonds

Designer Bridal Style from Nuziale for your Ellingham Hall Wedding

Supplier Spotlight – Nuziale Bridal Boutique

Glynis & Susan, owners at NUZIALE Bridal Boutique in Amble say there’s a certain sense of occasion that comes from a wedding at Ellingham Hall. It’s grand staircase, soaring ceilings, and candlelit ambience provide the perfect setting for a gown that is unforgettable.

At NUZIALE, we curate collections from internationally renowned designers, including Steven Khalil, Royaldi, Luce Sposa and AIRE Barcelona, often unavailable anywhere else in the North East. Brides can experience the luxury of world-class design without the need to travel to London, discovering gowns that are refined, fashion-forward and perfectly suited to the grandeur of Ellingham Hall.

Dressing for the Setting

Glynis says “Ellingham Hall’s grandeur calls for dresses with structure, presence, and elegance. Architectural silhouettes, statement textures, and tailored lines compliment the venue’s historic interiors and grand architecture. Whether you imagine a sweeping entrance staircase or an intimate candlelit reception in the 19th century Chapel, your gown becomes part of the story, marrying perfectly with the setting.

We often advise brides to think about scale and proportion: a voluminous skirt in a small venue can feel overwhelming, while a sleek, sculptural silhouette can look understated in the vast ceremony hall. Our designers create gowns that balance drama, movement, and refinement beautifully.”

Planning Your Bridal Journey

1. Start Early – Exclusive international designers often require longer production schedules. We recommend starting your search 12–18 months before your wedding to allow ample time for ordering, fittings, and alterations, especially for gowns with intricate detailing or structured construction.

2. Arrive Inspired, But Open-Minded – Bring imagery of gowns or styles you love, it helps our team understand your aesthetic. However, many brides find the gown they fall in love with is one they had not imagined, and that’s part of the excitement of a curated appointment.

Venue vs Gown

3. Think About Movement and Venue Compatibility – Grand venues like Ellingham Hall suit gowns that flow and move beautifully, whether a cathedral-length train, a layered skirt, or a tailored silhouette. Seeing your dress in motion during your appointment helps you envision how it will look in photos and in the space itself.

4. Construction Matters – Luxury gowns are defined not only by silhouette but also by construction, fabric, and detailing. Mikado, tulle, and expertly tailored crepe create a shape that feels effortless yet structured, perfect for editorial-style wedding photography.

International Designers, Curated with Intention

We specialise in internationally renowned designers typically only found in southern boutiques. Our collections are carefully curated for brides who want something distinctive, gowns that feel considered, elevated and fashion-forward.

For an Ellingham Hall bride, that might mean:

· Architectural sleeves framed by grand interiors

· A modern crepe silhouette flowing down the staircase.

· A dramatic train for those unforgettable confetti moments

· Understated luxury that photographs beautifully in every light

Each piece is chosen not just for how it looks on a hanger, but for how it moves, feels, and transforms in a space like Ellingham Hall.

The Boutique Experience

At NUZIALE, we believe the experience of finding your gown should be just as memorable as the day itself. Our appointments are private, welcoming, and tailored, allowing you to explore your options with expert guidance, try exclusive international designers, and enjoy a luxury experience in the North East.

We are proud to be a recommended supplier for Ellingham Hall and look forward to helping you find your dream gown.

Begin your bridal journey today at NUZIALE, experience international designers and gowns carefully curated for Ellingham Hall brides. Book your private appointment online or contact our team to start your journey in luxury and style.

If you would like to explore Ellingham’s list of recommended suppliers, contact our team today!

Breathtaking background makes Autumn Wedding perfect!

Charlene & Brett

2nd September 2021

Charlene says that having exclusive use of a venue was also a key factor in their decision when it came to finding their dream venue.

Notes from the Bride

AMY SAYS….

How was your switch to an autumn wedding?

It couldn’t have been more perfect. Looking at our photos, the colours of the leaves of the hall outside are just amazing. I felt so lucky that they were still there in November when we got married. It had such a different vibe!

We had planned to get married in July 2020, but the restrictions meant we moved it to June 2021. But with restrictions still in place, we couldn’t have all our guests with us. We then decided to move the date again to November!

So, it worked out ok?

Definitely. It was even more cosy and homely, with the red and gold leaves and the deck all lit up with fairy lights. We had autumn sunshine and it was quite a mild day. The photographer loved how the light was coming into the Wedding Suite. They said it was fantastic for our photos, which look amazing.

What was your guests experience?

They said the same about it being such a welcoming place. It was so relaxing, and a couple of people commented on the relaxed and warm vibe. There was a range of ages, and they were all happy. As we had exclusive use, it was nice and easy for everyone, and it suited those who are parents. We had about five children in our party. All our guests loved the food!

Were you both happy with the food?

The food was out of this world! We had a lemon theme because we got engaged in Sorrento, so we wanted an Italian vibe. I’d put out lemons on the tables to go with the flowers, and I guess you couldn’t do that in a hotel! We noticed that even though we didn’t mention the lemon theme to the Ellingham Hall team, the chef had put candied lemon on our sticky toffee pudding dessert, which was such a lovely thoughtful touch. It was that attention to detail that made it so special. And we were also able to tweak our drinks package to include limoncello for our toast, which was very good of the team.

Did you manage to relax?

Oh yes. We drove up from Sunderland the night before and I was quite nervous but also excited. But as soon as got unpacked and put our comfy clothes on we felt relaxed. It was lovely to be here the night before with our guests especially with it being autumn and that made i t feel even more cosy inside.

Why did you choose to travel to a venue?

We wanted to get married in the stunning Northumberland countryside and we had looked at a few venues around the area. But as soon as we got to Ellingham Hall and pulled up in front of the Hall we just knew this was going to be the right place. It has a “wow” factor, and the rooms are modern, but not too modern that it spoils the history of the Hall. We noticed it was surrounded by all those lovely trees, which turned out to feature more in our wedding than we expected them to.

CREDITS

Photographer – Sarah Jane Ethan

Videographer – Unified Films

Registrar – Northumberland Registrars

Flowers & Décor – The Whole Schbang

Cake – The Master Cakesmith

Wedding Dress – The Wedding Dress Company

Evening dress – Marrime

Bridal Hair – Waves and Veil

Make Up – Beauty Box Studio

Studio DJ – Beat Boutique

Saxophonist – Steve Bone Sax

Rings – Angelic Diamonds

If you are interested in a dream autumn wedding, then contact our weddings team today.

A Tail with a Happy Ending!

David & Deborah Stubbs

Tuesday 1st Feb 2022

When David and Deborah Stubbs were planning their wedding, they needed a dog friendly wedding venue that would welcome a special guest, their German shepherd, Loki.

Apart from enjoying the beautiful grounds, their four legged friend also had a very important job to do: he was to be the couple’s ring bearer.

“We instantly knew Ellingham Hall was the perfect venue for us and when we were told it was also pet friendly, there was nowhere else for us,” says Deborah. Loki did them proud as he carried out his duties down the aisle without any drama…

Notes from the Bride

DEBORAH SAYS….

What was the response to Loki?

“I think everyone was shocked! He is such an important part of our life and like a child, so to have him at our wedding was amazing. Our family was over the moon that he was there, too. Everyone was impressed with him as he is so well behaved. No one knew until the ceremony about Loki being a ring bearer until he was introduced!”

What were your venue requirements?

“We wanted somewhere we could have exclusively. That limited our choices and Ellingham Hall was only the second place we visited, but we knew it felt right straight away. We were advised to visit other venues, which we did, but none of them compared to Ellingham Hall.”

Why is exclusivity important?

“I didn’t like the idea of seeing other wedding parties. I’ve been to weddings where you get mingled in with other wedding parties and I just didn’t like the atmosphere. Having the venue, the night before and for the day of the wedding made it more perfect. The first night gave everyone time to get to know each other. It meant everyone was relaxed on the day of the wedding as they had already caught up or got to know each other. It meant the day of the wedding was focused on the ceremony… it was really nice.

What did your guests think?

“They loved it. I got asked many times during the day how we’d found the venue. There were so many compliments about Ellingham Hall, it’s just stunning. We are from Stockton, which is about two hours drive, so the fact everyone could stay over, too, meant it wasn’t too much travelling in one day for our guests, who are from the same area.”

Did you honeymoon?

“I’m a full time student so couldn’t take time off, but we stayed in a hotel nearby for one night and then went to some cabins. The honeymoon will happen after I graduate. We don’t know where yet, maybe the Maldives.

Your advice to future brides?

“Relax because it all comes together in the end! People used to say that to me, and it turns out they were right! It all falls into place.”

If you are looking for a dog friendly wedding venue in Northumberland, contact us today, our wedding team are here to help.

CREDITS

Photographer: https://www.paulflanniganphotography.co.uk/

Videographer: Table Top Films https://www.toptablefilms.co.uk/

Registrar – Northumberland Registrars

Cake: Bake for the Soul https://bakeforthesoul.com/

Florist: Wild With Love http://www.wildwithlove.co.uk/

Hair & Makeup Artist: https://www.cherylgriffithsmakeupartist.com/

DJ: AMDJ Services https://www.amdjservices.co.uk/

Musician: Matt Case Sax https://www.mattcasesax.com/

Photobooth: The Guestbooth https://theguestbooth.co.uk/

Magician: Paul Lytton https://www.northeastmagician.co.uk/

Couple drive 400 miles to beat Lockdown restrictions

Ami and Kam

Original Wedding Date : Saturday 7th November 2020
Wedding Status : Married 4th November 2020

Amy and Kam drove 400 miles to their dream Northumberland Wedding Venue, only hours before Covid restrictions were put in place.

Notes from the Couple…

As soon as we walked through the door, we knew Ellingham was the right venue for us. It was really warm and cosy, with all the fires roaring and Anthony, the Managing Director who we met on our first visit, was just so lovely and down-to-earth! We were greeted with big mugs of hot tea and sat by the fire in the blue room for our initial conversation and didn’t want to leave. The service we received from our very first visit at Ellingham Hall wildly outdid any other venue we saw…and we saw a lot!

Our original plan was a huge 130 guest Autumn wedding so we could share our big day with all our family and friends from Northumberland (where I am from) and Dorset (where Kamron’s family are from and where we now live). We had booked a band, almost sorted out everyone’s accommodation and were very excited to enjoy a weekend of festivities at the stunning venue.

Once the pandemic hit and as our wedding date got closer, the team at the Hall guided us through what our various options were when restrictions changed, and changed again!

Our original date was 07.11.2020, until less than a week before this, Boris announced Lockdown 3.0 was to come into effect from 05.11.2020. That put a stopper on our original date! But, by nothing short of a miracle, we were able to reschedule our day at our dream Northumberland Wedding Venue to the 4th November. Our calls with Anthony on the run up to the wedding kept us sane. When we did decide to move our wedding forward by a couple of days at very short notice – they really pulled out all the stops and worked through the night to make it happen for us and we will forever be grateful.

Our family have described our wedding day as “magical”, “a fairy tale” and “just the best day”! Not having over 100 guests present meant our two families really got to know each other, which really means a lot to us as they live a seven-hour car journey apart.

Despite all the last-minute changes, and the stresses of the last year-and-a-bit of planning a wedding during a global pandemic, our wedding really was the best day of our lives – and we wouldn’t have changed a thing! Apart from maybe booking our string trio, Aurora Strings, for longer than we did – they were simply incredible and filled the hall with the most enchanting music!

If there’s any advice we could give to couples it would be 100% be to just go for it! Go ahead, stick to your date and have the best day of your lives with the people around you who you care about most. We only had two small concerns on the days running up to the wedding which was would 15 people look out of place at Ellingham? i.e. reception rooms would look empty with our restricted numbers? Not at all! Even the large airy chapel, where we chose to have our wedding ceremony worked so well.

One of our other concerns was that there wouldn’t be much we could do to keep guests (and ourselves!) entertained for a full day, but we didn’t stop – in the best way! In the absence of an evening of dancing, we had our first dance outside surrounded by sparklers before we all gathered round the newly installed firepit where the Ellingham team surprised us with hot chocolates, marshmallows and extendable forks for melting them! We then retreated inside for a game of “Mr & Mrs” and later in the evening we settled down in the “blue room” for a movie night on a gigantic projector screen with comfy sofas and beanbags, drinks, popcorn, sweets and wedding cake. It was a blissfully busy day!

From the very outset, the amazing Ellingham team could not do enough for us. David and Wendy were fantastic and couldn’t have done any more for us throughout the day itself, nothing was a bother and they felt like an extension of our guestlist!

You won’t regret it one little bit. Secondly choose an amazing photographer and videographer to capture your day in all of its glory – you can then share all the best bits with all the people who weren’t able to attend on the day and they will feel like they were there anyway! We would highly recommend Carn Patrick Photography and Abigail Grace Videography – they were the actual dream team!

If you are looking for your dream Northumberland Wedding Venue, contact our team today.

Credits:

Photographer Carn Patrick Photography

Videographer Abigail Grace Videography

Registrar – Northumberland Registrars

Florist Zoe the Wedding Florist

String Trio Aurora Strings

The Statement Dress that puts the ‘Black’ in Black Tie!

Alex & David

Tuesday 16th Dec 2021

When Alex and David Reed began looking for the ideal place to celebrate their wedding; it became apparent that they’d need to look further afield than their home turf in Lancashire and decided on a picturesque Northumberland Wedding Venue.

They quickly realised that they were looking for something timeless; but with a quirky twist. With a strong affinity to the North East (Alex studied in Newcastle for 4 years and they both love the area), they discovered Ellingham Hall and the rest is history.

Having been legally married in October 2020 (after 13 years of being together) the couple were keen to celebrate with their friends and family. Their legal marriage had taken place at the Queen’s Chapel of the Savoy in London as a nod to Alex’s late father who was appointed an MVO (Member of the Royal Victorian Order) in 1990 for his services to the Queen. This honour meant that Alex and David were entitled to marry at the chapel; however due to the Covid pandemic, they were only able to celebrate with 15 people.

Alex explained that “whilst the legal marriage was incredibly special, we really missed having all of our loved ones there – so we knew that we wanted to have a proper celebration.”

The couple, who live in Lytham St. Annes, had originally planned to have their legal marriage and celebration within six weeks of each other; however, Covid had other plans. With their celebration at Ellingham Hall postponed from December 2020 until December 2021, like so many other couples, they had to wait a little longer to celebrate at the Northumberland Wedding Venue with their nearest and dearest!

Notes from the Bride

ALEX SAYS….

Why we chose Ellingham Hall

After looking around a few venues in Lancashire that were very traditional; we quickly knew that we were looking for something that had the wow factor. We were quite picky in the sense that we wanted a venue that was classic, but with some quirky character. We visited Ellingham Hall on one of its open days and we were immediately blown away by the venue. The building itself is just stunning – and teamed with the fact that it offers exclusivity for two nights (which is uncommon); we knew it was perfect. We also loved the fact that the majority of guests were able to stay on site in the Hall itself and in the cottages on-site.

The Statement Dress

When looking for my wedding dress, I didn’t set out with the intention to wear black. In fact, it was quite the opposite. Black is my favourite colour – so the novelty of looking for a white dress was quite exciting. When I arrived at the wedding dress shop (The Ivory Dressing Room) with my mum and Maid of Honour, we immediately saw the black dress hanging up. It was suggested that I try it on as a joke, but when I came out of the fitting room to see my mum starting to tear up; it became less of a joke and more of an actual contender. I did try on a few white dresses that were more traditional; however, nothing felt as ‘me’ as the black wedding dress. With a bit of moral support, I decided to take the plunge and go for something different. It was the very first shop I visited and the very first dress that I tried on – so it was meant to be!

Guests Reaction to the Dress

It definitely had the shock factor! I don’t think anyone was expecting a black wedding dress – despite a little note on our invitations that tried to discourage the ladies from wearing black. It seemed to go down well though – and it really fitted so well with our black tie/winter glam dress code.

Best part of your wedding day

It was all amazing! The best moment was arriving at Ellingham Hall knowing it was going ahead because we had to postpone it 18 months earlier due to the Covid restrictions. It was only meant to be six weeks apart from the legal wedding in London! But I would say that without Ellingham Hall, the day wouldn’t have been what it was. David only wanted a small wedding but after the ceremony, where a mutual friend of ours acted as celebrant, he immediately said it was amazing.

Your overall experience

The Ellingham Hall team are incredible and we can’t praise the team enough – they were absolutely amazing. Some venues can feel like a wedding factory with tight turnarounds and the feeling of it being one in, one out – but we certainly didn’t have that experience at Ellingham. If we could do it all again, we definitely would. It makes us feel sad that we probably won’t ever return to Ellingham for another wedding – but we’re already lining up a trip to stay in one of their gorgeous cottages.

Advice for brides-to-be

Don’t sweat the small stuff. You can have a set vision of what you want, but even if something doesn’t quite go to plan, you’re so in the moment that you won’t even notice it. Just try to focus on the things that really matter – your day will be amazing no matter what!

If your looking for a Northumberland Wedding Venue with the wow factor, contact us to arrange a private viewing appointment.

CREDITS

Esme Whiteside Photography – https://www.esmewhitesidephotography.co.uk

New Venture Wedding Films – https://www.newventureweddingfilms.com

Celebrant – George Jolliffe (friend)

The Ivory Dressing Room (dress by Pronovias) – https://theivorydressingroom.co.uk

Lisa Jones Hair And Make Up – https://lisajoneshairandmakeup.co.uk

The Whole Sch-Bang Venue Styling – https://www.thewholeschbang.co.uk

The Lytham Cake Company – @thelythamcakecompany

Moss Bros Suits – https://www.moss.co.uk

Bridesmaid Dresses TFNC – https://www.tfnclondon.com

AMV Agency (Livewire Band) – https://amvlivemusic.com/artists/livewire

A Quality Christmas Wedding is ‘Streets’ Ahead!

Chris and Sarah Quigley

Tuesday 7th Dec 2021

A confectionery treat made the Christmas Wedding of Chris and Sarah Quigley stand out, when they joined us in December. Quality Street was the theme of their wedding cake, which was inspired by their personalised ‘Quigley Street’ tins.

The theme was chosen after Chris proposed to Sarah in Budapest, when she sported nails in the colours of the chocolate’s wrappers. With the sweet treat’s association of Christmas and memories of her nails from the proposal, it was the perfect theme.

Chris and Sarah booked their wedding for December 2020, however lockdown postponed the wedding for a year. Sarah says, “In that time the Hall got even better. I was impressed that you invested so much into improvements, especially when you were forced to turn away weddings.”

Notes from the Bride

SARAH SAYS….

Why we chose Ellingham Hall

We viewed 5 or 6 venues in the Northumberland area and as soon as we walked into Ellingham Hall, we got the feeling it was the right place. It sounds clichéd but it’s true. We were planning a Christmas Wedding and we wanted somewhere that felt warm, and we loved the cosy feeling when we viewed it with all the fires lit. The exclusive hire was one of the big attractions as there wasn’t going to be another wedding going on at the same time; it was totally private.

The dress, cake and flowers

We used local suppliers and found them through word of mouth. Marrime Bridal in Jesmond provided my beautiful dress and veil, and our wintery themed flowers came from Sprig and Thistle who also brought our vision to life with a huge wreath above the fireplace behind the top table, beautiful chair drapes and centre pieces that matched our theme, as did our cake maker Chemily’s Cakes who incorporated our flowers and even some chocolates into the finished design.

Stand out wedding moments

We hired a saxophonist quite late on after seeing something on TikTok that we wanted to do, which was them playing me and Chris into the room before the wedding breakfast. They weaved in and out of the guests playing ‘Freed From Desire’! Everyone was on their feet clapping and that set the tone after the ceremony.

We had a cardboard cutout of our lovely dog! He’s a bouncy Cocker Spaniel and he would have ruined everyone’s dresses if he’d been there. We made sure other dogs of our guests got a little dog goody bag of treats to takeaway.

Sarah dazzled on the dancefloor when she donned a pair of fairy light angel wings. She says, “They were a present from my Mum on the morning of the wedding after seeing another bride-to-be wear them on a hen do!”

Best part of your wedding day

It’s hard to choose one thing but I’d say the most memorable bit was the ceremony itself and saying the vows. Our registrar was so lovely and sincere. It felt like I was in a bubble! Chris would say that too, I think, though he might say the party was the best part!

Your overall experience

The Ellingham Hall team were brilliant. We planned our wedding through lockdown, but everything was seamless and relaxed. I thought there’d be an endless list to tell a venue what we needed, but everything was organised in one meeting. We had the ‘night before’ meeting and it was so relaxed; nothing was too much trouble.

It was so magical because getting married in December meant the Hall was beautifully decorated and the trees were gorgeous. We were also the first couple to have the After Dark experience, it was cool and a really good touch. It was a like a mini-after party with our music because you can plug into your own Spotify list.

Our family and guests loved it, too. The night before our wedding it was great. No one had been to a wedding like it where you have the whole venue to yourself, and it spans across a few nights. It was a nice icebreaker for everyone, and they could make the most of the time off work. Everyone loved the food and we got so much feedback from that.

We enjoyed not having to share the venue with other guests like you would in a hotel, so even breakfast the day after felt personal and intimate.

We loved that because it’s not a hotel where you have to share breakfast with other guests the day after your wedding, and we didn’t have to hurry for a check-out time!

Everyone was really friendly, and your team would always be in touch, even through the difficulties of lockdown. It was like clockwork. You can tell the team arrange 3 weddings a week!

Advice to brides-to-be

Have a spreadsheet so you can keep in line with your budget and plan your day how you want it. Don’t be led by others and keep it to your own vision. You can’t cater for everyone and it’s your day that you want to look back on and have no regrets!

CREDITS

Margarita Hope Photography – https://www.margaritaphotos.com

Dan Lewis from We Were Here – videographer – https://www.wewerehereuk.com

Registrar – Northumberland Registrars

Marrime Bridal – https://marrimebridalwear.co.uk

Chemily Cakes – https://www.chemilyscakes.co.uk

Sprig and Thistle florist and event stylist – https://www.sprigandthistle.co.uk

Suit Culture – https://suitculture.co.uk

Sarah Stonehouse makeup – https://www.instagram.com/f.a.c.emakeupartistry/

Samantha Jane Bridal Hair – https://www.instagram.com/samanthajanebridalhair/

Freak Music Agency (The Emperors Band) – https://www.freakmusic.co.uk

If you looking for a Christmas wedding as quality as Chris & Sarah’s, contact us today!

TWIA Regional Winner – Event Team of the Year Award!

TWIA Regional Winner 2022

We are delighted to announce that our events team has been crowned the North East and Yorkshire’s Event Team of the Year 2022 at The Wedding Industry Awards!

Our team was presented with the award, at a glittering ceremony at Newcastle’s Vermont Hotel.

Director Anthony Hunter said “The award is not just an accolade for the event team, it acknowledges the tremendous effort that every single member of staff makes for our couples. Being the named the North East and Yorkshire’s best event team is a real honour. We are now excited about going through to the national finals.”

The team will now head to London next month for national award ceremony.

General Manager David Fordham-Scott said, “the entire team at Ellingham Hall should feel very proud and he thanked the couples who voted for us.”

He said, “As well as our wedding planning, catering, and operational teams, we also employ staff who work on maintenance, housekeeping and sales and marketing. This award is a testament for their hard work too.

“Our approach is different to what is traditionally expected of a wedding venue because the couple and their guests have quality time to relax and immerse themselves in their surroundings.

“Ellingham Hall becomes a real home from home for our couples and their guests and a wedding to truly remember for a lifetime. Our team works on all aspects to deliver a memorable celebration. Every element has to work, and this award demonstrates the importance of doing the best we can to get it right.

“We’re now looking forward to welcoming couples to the Hall for VIP Open Days on January 16 and 30 to meet our award-winning team and experience what the Hall has to offer. ”