Notes from the Couple

Why did you choose Ellingham Hall?

We viewed Ellingham Hall in early November 2023 while we were in the North East looking at wedding venues, and we were just blown away by how beautiful the Hall looked. Northumberland is a stunning part of the North East and the Hall is so beautiful and well decorated that it was really easy for us to imagine ourselves and our guests there.

We were looking for somewhere that could accommodate most of our family and friends and that would offer a two-night wedding so that everything could take place in the one setting. We’d viewed some venues that were a bit too oldy-worldy in terms of décor, and some that were much too modern and a bit “quirky” for our taste. Ellingham struck the right balance between the two!

It was a lovely, cold, sunny day when we viewed the Hall, and the leaves of the creepers had turned to gorgeous red tones with the arrival of autumn. That aesthetic helped our decision to opt for an autumn wedding over a spring wedding that we’d originally planned! And when we found out there was some availability for the following November it was a no brainer for us!

Why did you opt for a Celebrant Ceremony?

We were legally married at the Holy Name of Mary Church in Middlesbrough a month before our wedding celebration. Mikhaila adds, “We chose to do that because a lot of my family have been married or christened there and it was my grandparent’s local church, so it means a lot to me!”

At Ellingham, we wanted a ceremony that felt more personal, relaxed, fun, and that meant something a bit more special to us both. We came across Jo the celebrant quite early in our search and she was so bubbly and fun when we had our initial chat, so we booked her straight away.

What was your favourite part of your Wedding Day?

Mikhaila: That’s such a tricky one! If I had to pick one part, it would be the walking into the Ceremony room with my mum and seeing Jesse standing there waiting for me and smiling. Neither of us knew what the other was wearing, so we both had a nice surprise! He looked great, and behind him I could see Jo our celebrant grinning at me at the end of the aisle and the incredible fireplace flower garland that Becca had arranged for us, and it was just a beautiful moment. But my uncle playing Ellingham’s grand piano after dinner and getting everyone singing along would be a close second!

Jesse: It’s a cliché but seeing my wife-to-be appear and walk down the aisle is a memory I will never forget.

What did your Guests think about your Two-Night Wedding?

They loved it! It’s not an exaggeration to say that everyone we spoke to raved about Ellingham Hall and how lovely it was. The indoor open fires were a big hit (as was the fire pit) and people remarked how great it was to have almost everyone in one place. Guests also commented how seamlessly the day itself was managed by the Ellingham team!

What’s your advice to couples planning their Autumn Wedding?

The main thing we would advise is being very mindful about your venue and the optionality it offers: you could get a gorgeous, crisp, sunny day or you could get rain or wind. For us, Ellingham was the perfect choice because we knew that if the weather was good our guests could wrap up and enjoy the outdoor fire pit and lovely grounds – but equally, if the weather was bad, the Hall is large enough with beautiful interiors that we could spend the entire day indoors and it would still be fabulous!

So, when you’re looking at venues think can your venue adapt to the weather? Is it roomy enough inside that everything could happen indoors if it had to? And beyond that, we’d suggest paying attention to the venue staff: Ellingham’s experienced team were fantastic and handled all parts of our wedding day, so we didn’t have to think about a thing! Being able to trust your events team to take care of everything just means the day’s more enjoyable so you and your guests can properly relax!

To explore more beautiful images from Mikhaila & Jesse’s Autumn Wedding click here

If you are looking for an Autumn wedding venue in Northumberland contact our team today to arrange a viewing appointment.

Wedding Day Suppliers

Photographer – Steven McDonald
Videographer – Top Table Films
Celebrant – Love Jo Ceremonies
Bridal Gown – Hugo & Elliott (Anna Campbell designer)
Hair & MUA – Claire Alexandra
Suits – Moss and Charles Tyrwhitt
Bridesmaid Dresses – Ghost
Florist – Wild in Tyne
DJ – Tartan Entertainment