Love flourished among the locos and the couple’s life journey began. Now David, who is a volunteer at Tanfield Railway here in the North East, and Sophie – who was the first female fireman at the South Wales heritage railway – live in Durham. They still manage to split their volunteering between the two railways, 300 miles apart!

Notes from the Bride

How did you manage to secure a steamroller for your wedding?

We intended on having a railway-themed wedding. But you can’t get a steam train to Ellingham Hall! We never really considered getting married at a heritage railway, like some of our friends had done. But steamrollers are pretty close to a steam engine and one of our friends owns one. It was the closest we could get, so we asked if he was free on the day of the wedding and our friend said, “Yes!”

What was Ellingham Hall’s reaction to the Steamroller?

Well, I said to them our wedding theme was like eucalyptus with a hint of railways – and I think everyone thought I was a little bit crazy. But the Ellingham team didn’t mind our unusual request and were super-welcoming to what we wanted. They said they’d had a funfair carousel in the grounds in the past, but never a steamroller. They said it would be ok; we just had to keep it off the grass! The steamroller arrived from Scotland the night before the wedding day. It wasn’t the only vehicle of interest however, David owns a yellow Ford Mustang, so there was no question that would be featured in their wedding day too!

Were there any other railway themed elements to your wedding?

We added certain touches to our railway themed wedding such as a themed railway cake, confetti train and guest book. We had a guard of honour made up of fireman’s shovels, which was beautiful. There were other hints, such as tables named after railway stations and the table names were decorated with railway lamps interspersed with flowers for a rustic feel!

Why did you choose Ellingham Hall?

Firstly, we really loved the venue, it’s gorgeous. We didn’t want a hotel with other people bustling about. We also wanted a long weekend wedding because our friends live all over, not just in the UK. My brother and some close friends live in Germany, I’m originally from Derbyshire, but we also had friends travelling from South Wales, Bristol, London and, of course, Scotland. We needed somewhere that was able to accommodate our guests for a long weekend. We didn’t want guests driving or travelling a long way for a one-day wedding. Ellingham Hall offered everything we wanted and more!

Did you make use of Ellingham’s Grounds?

Absolutely! We used the fire pit and had a barbecue outside the night before, which was lovely, as we got married in August. And we had the bar and everything open. We went for walks around the woodland, it’s such a magical place and I loved that area.

How did your guests react to Exclusive use of the hall?

Our guests spent the entire weekend telling us what a fantastic venue it was, especially those who were able to stay the full weekend as part of our celebrations. The amount of rooms available and space around the venue meant we could be sociable without tripping over each other all of the time. Those who travelled longer distances had all of their logistics simplified being in one place.

Were you happy with your wedding day?

Absolutely! The Ellingham team were great and Alicia our wedding coordinator looked after me the whole day. She was fabulous. I was anxious but she kept me calm. We had a railway-themed cake, and I wanted to make sure we got pictures of it and other items. Alicia and the team made sure all the pictures were captured and helped us in lots of ways including changing our wine supplier.

Have you any advice for couples planning a wedding?

The little details don’t necessarily matter to other people, but if they matter to you, then it’s important. Stick with what’s important to you both.

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

Wedding Day Suppliers

Photographer – Phil Smith
Registrar – Northumberland Registrars
MUA – Make up by Neveen
Hair – The Bridal Hair Stylists
Suits – Suits Direct
Bridesmaids Dresses – Ever Pretty
Florist – Floral Grace
Cake – Sticky Sponge
DJ – Chris Smith Wedding DJ
Steam Roller – @jameswestabz

Special Memory

As well as finding the ideal venue, Ellingham Hall was able to host Jordan and Jack’s wedding the day before the second anniversary of Jordan’s grandma’s passing.

“She really wanted us to get engaged and we were sad she couldn’t see us get married,” Jordan explains. “But we wanted March to have happy memories and the dates aligned perfectly. It was a lovely tribute to my grandma, too. ”

Notes from the Couple

How did you find Ellingham Hall?

Jordan: We came across Ellingham’s sister venue Lemmington Hall on Instagram and loved it, so we went for a viewing. While we were there, the team asked if we would also like to view Ellingham Hall as it is only a 10 minute drive from Lemmington. We were so set on Lemmington Hall, but we went to view Ellingham while we were in the area and we absolutely loved it.

Jack: It had a nice vibe. I loved how all the guest rooms were different. The staff were just kind and helpful. It was just amazing!

Jordan: We wanted a home from home, where we felt like the venue was ours. Ellingham Hall was unique because other venues hosted up to three weddings in one day. But Ellingham is exclusively yours for two nights!

Why did you travel so far for your Venue?

Jordan: We were considering getting married abroad, but there are not a lot of places that offer legal gay weddings. So, we decided a stay-at-home wedding was better for us. We wanted a venue with plenty accommodation as most family members would be travelling.

Did you view many venues?

Jordan: We viewed about 10 wedding venues before going to Lemmington and Ellingham Hall. But none took our fancy as some looked dated and had old fashioned carpets etc. We loved Ellingham, especially as it was it has modern touches but also has the original features of the building.

Why did you choose a Spring Wedding?

Jordan: We chose a spring wedding because we wanted a shorter engagement. March marked almost two years since grandma’s passing, we thought it would be nice to remember her as part of our wedding celebration. It was perfect because we were able to get married the day before her anniversary.

Although the UK weather is unpredictable, we looked out at blue skies on our wedding morning. It was so warm that some of our guests were taking off their extra layers during the photos!. We opted for a weekday wedding as you do not need to get married on a weekend anymore and it does save money for the same experience. Our guests made it part of a holiday. Some guests stayed in Northumberland after our wedding too.

How did you find Planning your Wedding from so far away?

Jack: We trusted the team at Ellingham Hall for the planning and recommended suppliers. We really enjoyed the food tasting evening and made a bit of a holiday out of that! We love the beaches in the area and visited Holy Island because we love watching the TV show Vera.

Jordan: The staff were very helpful. They didn’t just deal with suppliers; they came up with ideas to support our vision. They couldn’t have done more. We also went to the venue’s open day, which really helped and gave us the chance to chat face-to-face with suppliers.

What did you all think about your Two Night Wedding?

Jack: With a lot of our family and friends meeting for the first time at our wedding, our guests all said they loved the night before celebration. It was a perfect icebreaker to get to know each other before the big day, so when the ceremony commenced, everyone was really relaxed.

Jordan: We also loved the variety of photo spots available at Ellingham from the iconic Chapel window to the bridge over the stream, the locations gave us some incredible photos.

You also had Four-Legged Guests…

Jordan: We did. It was amazing that our dogs could join us. We didn’t know if we would be able to, but when Ellingham Hall told us they are a dog-friendly wedding venue, we were so happy. Their Dog Parlour was a game-changer. Other venues wouldn’t let the dogs stay overnight, but at Ellingham, they were part of the whole experience and acted as ring bearers during our ceremony. They were also able to run around and enjoy the grounds while we were having our photos taken. A highlight for us was taking them for a walk around the grounds the morning after the wedding, before we relaxed in our private hot tub, just the two of us taking in everything that had happened. The rest of the time the dogs were looked after by our superb dog chaperone. It was amazing!

Have you any advice for Couples planning a wedding?

Jordan: Try not to stress. Hannah operations manager at Ellingham Hall offered us great advice – your guests don’t know what you have planned and what to expect, so don’t worry about the details and just enjoy every moment.

Jack: If you choose Ellingham Hall, I’d recommend you go to their open days. You get some great ideas from their recommended suppliers. That’s how we found our dog chaperone.

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

Wedding Day Suppliers

Photographer – Dru Dodd

Videographer – DGM Productions

Registrar – Northumberland Registrars

Rings – Beaverbrooks

Suits – Slaters Menswear & Moss Bros

Make Up – Carly Michelle Make Up and Hair

Hair – Hairbydiinsta

Groomsmaid Dresses – Wed4less

Event Stylist – Made Simply Perfect

Dog Chaperone – Walk & Woof

DJ – Steven Maddison

String Quartet – Andrelli

Wedding Cake – Bake That and Party

At a glittering ceremony in Liverpool’s Adelphi Hotel on Wednesday 21 January, our team went head-to-head with eight other historic venues across the UK and was presented with the national award by TWIA founder Damian Bailey.

It’s an incredible feat for our exclusive use wedding venue, after receiving the National Winner trophy in 2024 for TWIA’s Events Team of the Year. We also scooped the regional title for three consecutive years for Yorkshire and the North East.

Watch the fabulous video from the National Finals here

Ellingham Hall was named Best Historic Wedding Venue in the UK which featured in Northumberland Gazette

If you are looking for an exclusive, unforgettable Two-Night Wedding Experience, contact the Event team at Ellingham Hall or book your private viewing appointment.

“However, we agreed that we would get married based on finding the right venue rather than the location!”

So, the couple drew up a list of prospective wedding venues to explore online and ruled out any that didn’t tick their boxes, to save on travelling.

“We knew we wanted a classic venue,” says Ellen, “we didn’t want a renovated barn or an outdoor wedding venue, as they wouldn’t work for the colder time of year. We wanted to be comfortable and warm, which shortlisted only a few venues in the end!”

And Ellingham Hall was the first exclusive wedding venue they visited.

“We were tempted to book the Hall while we were viewing it, to be honest,” adds Ellen. “But we decided it was only fair that we should go and look at the other venue on our list which was a hotel near Loch Lomond before making our decision.”

Notes from the Bride

How was your Viewing Appointment at Ellingham Hall?

The second we got in the car after viewing the hotel venue, Will said, “No!” The hotel and staff were lovely, but you felt like your wedding would be a spectacle for all to see. You would be walking through the hotel past other hotel guests. The ceremony rooms had big glass windows, which were lovely. But again, anybody walking past could look in. We wanted our wedding to be private for us and our friends and family. We just knew that Ellingham Hall was right. Nothing else compared to it.

Why did you choose a Winter Wedding?

We didn’t want to get married in spring and summer because for me, I didn’t want our wedding to be dependent on the weather. I think everybody who picks spring and summer says they don’t mind if it rains, but you’re always hoping for the sun and it can be a bit disappointing if it doesn’t show. I didn’t want to look out of the window and be disappointed. I like summer, but I love the autumn and early winter time especially. I think it’s really pretty. And everything is planned indoors for a winter wedding, so you know you won’t have the stress of having to change anything if it’s not sunny and warm!

Did you plan for a Christmas Wedding?

Not intentionally, but we knew we didn’t want a Halloween wedding. We hadn’t realised Ellingham Hall was going to be decorated for Christmas in mid-November and it was a really nice surprise. It made it a lot more special with the beautiful decor. Christmas hadn’t really been at the forefront of our minds as such, but it came together perfectly.

Tell us about your Scottish Wedding Theme?

As Will is from Scotland it was always going to be part of our day. Naturally Will and his wedding party wore tartan kilts, and our florals incorporated thistles, white Eustoma and native foliage’s. We chose a Quaich ceremony, where you use a two-handled cup as a union of the two clans. It marks your family’s coming together, which we wanted to celebrate. It really fitted in with what we had planned at Ellingham Hall. The registrar couldn’t be involved in this part as it includes alcohol, so the team at Ellingham planned this part for us. It was incorporated after our legal ceremony and speaks volumes for the Ellingham team as they delivered it all seamlessly.

And what other Scottish Traditions were Included?

We chose to have a ceilidh on the evening, which was brilliant. The Chapel was perfect because there’s so much space for us to dance. Usually at a ceilidh, it’s a bit cramped but the space in the room was ideal. And if guests got too warm during the dances, they could go outside to the cosy fire pit to cool off.

Did you use the Fire Pit on the Night Before Celebration?

We did and it was great fun. On the night before we toasted marshmallows on sticks and made smores with digestives. It was perfect and we took a lot of lovely photos around the fire pit which we used on our thank you cards for guests. .

Have you any advice for anyone planning a wedding?

Rely on your wedding planner or wedding planning team in Ellingham Hall’s case. It made everything so much easier for us, to know they were there to support us and offer advice every step of the way, which was really helpful.

If you are looking for Scottish Wedding Theme ideas or a Winter wedding venue in Northumberland contact our team today to arrange a viewing appointment.

Wedding Day Suppliers

Photographer – Phil Smith

Registrar – Northumberland Registrars

Make Up – Shelley Scott Makeup

Groomsmen Kilts, Plaid & Shawl – MacGregor & MacDuff

Photobooth – Snap a Selfie Magic Mirror

Ceilidh Band – Alba Ceilidh Band

Child Care – Northumberland Wedding Creche

“We simply had the ultimate family party, I’d say. On the Sunday, we had games outside, including rounders, and everyone got involved. Then we enjoyed a barbecue, with karaoke and there were other activities on the evening.

“It was something I wanted to do, but not many venues would offer it. So, when we came to Ellingham Hall, I already knew they offered a two-night wedding.

“We asked if we could extend to three nights, and they were very accommodating. So we did it, and that was exactly what we wanted. We didn’t think we’d be able to because other venues had said they couldn’t offer three nights. Some don’t offer two night weddings either!”

Notes from the Bride

What did your Family say when they realised it was a three night wedding?

They all thought it was amazing, it was like a mini holiday! Everyone enjoyed their weekend away. On the Sunday, some guests stayed at Ellingham Hall while others visited Alnwick Castle and the beautiful coastal beaches. We made a weekend out of it. It was nice to have that extra time enjoying Northumberland and then for guests to return later in the day for a delicious barbecue with drinks. It was the ultimate family Sunday.

What did your Guests say about the Experience?

Everyone said it was amazing. They said the venue was beautiful and so well looked after. They all thought it was fantastic and only two guests had been to an event at Ellingham Hall before. They said it was just a lovely weekend full of fun and everyone was in good spirits. We felt very much like we were at home. In fact it felt like it was our house!

Did Guests have far to Travel?

We’re live about an hour and a half away from Ellingham Hall, but our guests came from all over. We’ve got family in London, Sheffield and some travelled all the way from Australia to celebrate with us! A couple of friends came from New Zealand too, we were thrilled they could join us.

Why did you opt for a Black-Tie Themed Wedding?

Well, we thought it would be a bit different. Ellingham Hall also inspired us. It just fitted with the look and feel of the Hall.

Why did you choose Ellingham Hall?

As soon as we drove up the driveway, we got the “wow” factor! Then we went inside and it felt right. Everyone on the team was just so good and very friendly. It was different to what we’d experienced at other venues because we immediately felt at ease and at home. There wasn’t anything pretentious and it was all about us and what we wanted, and not about us choosing a package which feels restrictive.

Why did you choose to marry in Summer?

I always wanted a summer wedding, as I love the idea of being outside. So because the outdoor ceremony spaces were so good, it was perfect for us. We played lawn games on the Sunday, which finished a perfect summer wedding.

You brought your dog, Zola. Was that part of your wishes?

Ellingham Hall is a dog friendly wedding venue and having our dog at our wedding, was very important to us. Their dog parlour is great, and Zola was able to stay in the Hall on the Friday night. It meant Dan could take her for a walk on the wedding day morning. It helped calm his nerves and keep to his usual routine of taking her out for a walk around the gorgeous grounds.

What’s your advice for anyone planning a summer wedding?

Don’t worry about the weather. It will be what it will be and Ellingham is perfect whatever the weather!

If you are looking for a three night wedding in Northumberland contact our team today to arrange a viewing appointment.

Wedding Day Suppliers

Photographer – Holly Ruby Photography
Videographer – We Were Here
Content Creator – Moments Media
Registrar – Northumberland Registrars
Florist/Event Styling – Made Simply Perfect
Bridal Gown Day – Joana Bridal Harrogate
Bridal Dress evening – Unona
Hair – Up Do Darlin
Mua – HFS Make up Artist Make Up by Lau
Dog Chaperone – Wagging Tails NE
Cake – Cakes of Dales
DJ – PA Entertainments
Band – The Covers Club

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

“I feel I would have been too hot if I’d chosen to wear a long-sleeved dress in spring or summer. So, we thought a winter wedding would suit us best” said Hannah. “And as there was a date in February available, we thought that would be perfect for us.”

The couple tied the knot at Ellingham Hall’s nearby St Maurice Church, which was also something that featured on the couples dream wedding shortlist.

Notes from the Bride

Why did you opt for a Church Ceremony?

We wanted to get married in a church, and as Ellingham Hall is so close to the village church, this really helped our decision. It played a huge part as to why we chose the venue, and the location was perfect as our guests only had to walk a few minutes to the church. I arrived at the church in a horse-drawn carriage, which had always been my dream.

Tell us the Main Reasons for choosing Ellingham Hall?

We loved the venue; it’s a gorgeous house and the fact it’s exclusive use is a huge bonus. There are many wedding venues which host multiple weddings each day. I didn’t like the idea of that at all. Ellingham Hall is totally private for your friends and family, and the team were amazing too. As soon as we walked into the Hall, we felt at ease, and everyone was so helpful. The Ellingham Team offer a personalised service, and they really listen to your vision. We had viewed a lot of wedding venues and we’ve been guests at many weddings too, but we hadn’t been to a wedding at Ellingham Hall. So, as well as the amazing service, privacy and closeness to the church, the idea of getting married where no one else we know has been married was also special for us.

Had you looked at other Two-Night Wedding Venues?

No, it was totally new to us and no other venue we viewed offered that experience. We loved the idea of stretching out our wedding, because the day itself flies over. It was nice for me and Ryan because we had the chance to chat with our guests the Friday night before, so we felt less pressure to mingle on the wedding day. We visited quite a lot of wedding venues across the North East and Ellingham Hall was the first one we’d come across that offered the Two Night Wedding.

Tell us why you opted for Two Wedding Dresses?

One of my best friends told me one of her biggest regrets on her wedding day was that she couldn’t relax on the evening because she didn’t want to spoil her dress. So, I thought a second dress would be a great solution. Also, I knew that with a long-sleeved dress, I’d probably feel too hot on the dancefloor, so I wanted a shorter dress that I could easily move around in.

My main bridal gown was from Sorella Bridal boutique in Northallerton, and my evening dress I’d spotted online on Knutsford Wedding Gallery in Cheshire.

What Unique Elements did you include in your Weekend Wedding?

We really wanted to put our own stamp on our wedding. We booked an acoustic singer to perform the night before, to make it more of a cocktail party vibe. We enjoyed delicious food, the beef was gorgeous, as were the chocolate brownies.

In the church, we booked a string quartet to play, which created a nice atmosphere for the ceremony. We had personalised newspapers designed, which we laid out on the pews so guests could take a look while waiting for the ceremony to begin. The newspaper was full of fun details about our relationship over the years.

We hired a big glitter wall with neon sign, where lots of our friends and family had their photos taken. On the evening, we hired a DJ along with a saxophonist and bongos to get the party going and everyone on the dancefloor.

How was your Wedding Morning?

I recall looking out the window in Lady B’s Wedding Suite and the weather was gorgeous, so I was over the moon. It was so exciting, and I didn’t really feel nervous at all. I think, because we had been planning our wedding for two years and the wedding planning team at Ellingham had every detail captured, it really helped. Before the ceremony, me and my bridesmaids enjoyed pre-ceremony drinks in the wedding suite which was lovely. I also got a mention on BBC Radio 2 as they were doing a piece on their show about Saturday weddings. My mum wrote in when they mentioned it, and we were both live on the show.

Any Advice for Couples Planning a Wedding?

Just don’t stress, it will all come together in the end. Don’t worry about all the little things and just enjoy the planning as much as you enjoy the wedding day. Also, let people make a fuss over you!

Wedding Day Suppliers

Photographer – Stephen Beecroft Photography

Videographer – Ryan Etherington

Content Creator – Your Moment Captured

Church – St Maurice, Ellingham

Bridal Gown (day) – Sorella Bridal Northallerton

Bridal Dress (Evening) – Knutsford Wedding Gallery

Mua – Beatrice Hollie/Samantha Henry

Hair – Bridal Hair by Kayleigh

Groom Suit – Dandy Threads

Bridesmaids’ Dresses – Bridesmaid by JB

Groomsmen Suits- Moss Bros

String Quartet – Amici Musical Trio

Singer – Glen Roughead

DJ/Sax/Bongos – House of Sax

Horse & Carriage – North East Carriage Company

Cake – Batesman’s Bakes

Cold Spark Fountains – AG Events

Balloons & Glitter Walls – ALF Events

“As both our families are Catholic it was important for us to keep up the tradition. St Paul’s Catholic Church in Alnwick was perfect for us, and we wanted to find a wedding venue nearby.”

The couple looked at several wedding venues in Northumberland, but Ellingham Hall was the venue that stole their hearts…

Notes from the Bride

Why did you Choose Ellingham Hall?

We knew it was right as soon as we first walked up the driveway for the viewing. The building is stunning, and the grounds are amazing too – we both got the feeling that it was the one. The venue was a great size for all our guests, as we have two big families and the other venues we viewed were too small. Not all our guests stayed overnight as we live in Cramlington, but Ellingham Hall offers great accommodation. With a summer wedding you don’t know if you’ll get good weather, so you need to consider the indoor spaces too. And the fact it is a two-night wedding was perfect. It was amazing!

Did you know about Two-Night Weddings before Visiting?

It was the first we’d heard of it, and we loved being able to relax with our family the night before. We have family from all over the UK, and some stayed at the Hall, so the extra night was a huge benefit. Other guests stayed at the Pack Horse Inn and accommodation nearby. It was fantastic having the chance to spend quality time together the night before, as it gave everyone time to catch up.

Tell us about the Night Before the Wedding?

We enjoyed a delicious barbecue with drinks outdoors on the Chapel Terrace. The food was unbelievable, all our guests commented how amazing the food was. They loved all of it, including the food on the wedding day. It was lovely to sit outside on a summer evening and watch the peacocks parading the grounds, it was great entertainment for our guests!

Did you have a Theme for your Wedding?

I had absolutely no ideas at all! I was really starting from scratch with all the wedding planning. I’m not an organiser and I really needed that support. It was Lynn, the Group Sales & Marketing Manager who showed us around, and she was amazing and very knowledgeable. She put all our worries at ease and said that anything was possible, as they tailor each wedding to the couple’s aspirations. But the planning resources that we were sent initially with the booking pack were so helpful. That gave us a starting point to go from which included Ellingham’s recommended suppliers. The Real Wedding Blogs are super helpful too, they gave us inspiration, ideas for colours and flowers and all those things.

What did you choose for your Wedding Favours?

I’m a wildlife ranger, so we opted for wildflower seeds for our favours. I thought it was a nice little personal touch for guests to take away. We originally thought about getting married in Greece and had the idea of a blue and white theme, so we stayed with those colours, and it all came together really well.

How did you Travel from Ellingham Hall to St Pauls Church?

Stephen travelled with his good friend Connor, who was also our Master of Ceremonies on the day. I arrived at the Church in a traditional wedding car along with my bridesmaids. The reason we opted to have a church wedding was we wanted to have a traditional wedding, so the car was a must. It made me feel really special driving through Alnwick and everyone stopping and waving.

Did you see each other before Arriving at the Church?

As Ellingham Hall has two wedding suites; Lady B’s and the Ellingham Suite, it made it easy to stay separately the night before and on the morning. The team at Ellingham Hall were amazing. Alicia was fantastic and made sure everyone was out of the venue before I came down the grand staircase to get some photos before leaving for the church.

So, it all ran like Clockwork?

It absolutely did at Ellingham Hall. We had a little hiccup on the way to the venue the night before , as the cake collapsed in the back of the car. But it was one of those funny stories we’ll always remember. Alicia our wedding co-ordinator was brilliant and when we arrived, she said the team would sort it out. You couldn’t tell there’d been an issue with the cake in the end, we were extremely grateful for their help!

Now you’ve Planned a Wedding, what’s your Advice to Couples?

I’d say book Ellingham Hall!

From start to finish, everything was amazing. All the staff were helpful and always on the end of the phone. They answered emails quickly. I felt like I was nagging them, and I had so many questions, and they really put me at ease throughout the planning process.

Explore more beautiful images from Katherine & Stephen’s wedding here

If you are looking for a Summer Church wedding in Northumberland contact our team today to arrange a viewing appointment.

Wedding Day Suppliers

Photography – 2 Tone Photography

Videographer – Unveil Films

Church – St Paul’s Alnwick

Bridal Gown – Wed2B Bridal

Bridal Seamstress – The Little Seamstress

MUA – Melanie Hedley Make Up Artist

Hair – Bridal Hair by Cheryl

Suits – Suit Culture

Bridesmaids Dresses – Ever Pretty

Florist & Stylist – Made Simply Perfect

Wedding Car – AB Wedding Cars

Musicians- Andrelli Strings

Singer – Dave Red Music

Band – Hip Operation

Cake – Homemade

Wildflower Seeds – Etsy

The couple flew in with thirteen guests all the way from North Carolina in the US. They left the state, famous for the stunning Great Smoky Mountains and opted for the equally beautiful countryside setting in Northumberland for their relaxed micro wedding.

Devyn, who wore a stunning designer dress from the famous Kleinfield Boutique in New York says she and Jeremy fell in love with the UK. So, planning a UK winter wedding was perfect for the globetrotting couple. She says they wanted to make memories by enjoying an unforgettable wedding whilst doing what they love best – travelling.

Notes from the Couple

Why did you choose a Micro Wedding in Winter?

JEREMY: Truthfully, we wanted a winter wedding because Devyn loves long sleeved dresses and that styled perfectly with the darker colours we had planned. Winter has also always been a romantic time of the year for us. We got engaged in November and have always enjoyed the colder months where we can surround ourselves by a campfire, hot chocolate and warm blankets.

DEVYN: Our main consideration for our wedding was that it had to be intimate. We felt like having a micro wedding gave us the opportunity to truly be ourselves and celebrate our journey together with the ones we love. We were able to spend quality time with every one of our guests, creating new memories, and adding touches that made it special and unique. It allowed this intimacy between us, such as reading our own vows and our rose ceremony, that made it forever memorable

Why did you choose a UK Wedding?

JEREMY: Throughout our relationship, travelling has become something that we do quite often and is very important to us both. Devyn studied abroad during grad school and later got to return to the UK with our family. We, of course, fell in love with the country and got engaged in London. When planning our wedding, we knew we wanted to do a destination wedding and felt like it was meant to be.

DEVYN: One of the things we wanted was for our wedding not to feel rushed in a one-day event. One of the perks of having a small wedding party is that we were able to make a vacation of it. Our wedding experience started off with everyone meeting in London. A perfect opportunity to show our friends and family exactly where we got engaged and share with them all the special memories we had made. We later travelled up to Newcastle and then on to our two-night wedding at Ellingham. Our final pit stop was Edinburgh, before returning home to the US.

Did you have a Theme for your Wedding?

DEVYN: We always knew that we wanted something intimate with a darker colour scheme. Our overarching theme was dark romance, really leaning into the deep greens and reds to help make the space warm and intimate for such a small party.

Tell us about your Designer Bridal Gown

DEVYN: My dress was designed by Pnina Tornai and bought from the famous Kleinfeld Boutique in New York, which features in popular TV series ‘Say Yes to the Dress US‘. We joke that the dress helped inspire the vision for the whole wedding. I have never pictured myself in a wedding dress, so I knew it was going to have to be something different, but I wanted long sleeves. My sister, mother, and I were planning a trip to see a show on Broadway, when my mom randomly said, “Why don’t we just see if we can get an appointment at Kleinfeld. It will be something fun and memorable for us to do”.

What were the Special Touches for your Wedding?

JEREMY: We wrote our own vows which was nerve-racking for us both, but we are so pleased that we took the time to do it. It added personality and emotion to the wedding ceremony.

DEVYN: One of our favourite parts of saying ‘I do’ was our ‘Rose Ceremony’. Each of our guests had a rose on their chair and halfway through the ceremony they were asked to walk up and place it in a vase. This symbolised our families becoming one and to create “a garden of love”.

JEREMY: Devyn’s grandmother played the piano for our first dance which was amazing. We hosted our wedding breakfast in the smaller ceremony room and our evening reception in the Entrance Hall, which helped to create an intimate, ambient setting for our micro wedding. As a small wedding party, we chose a cheesecake instead of a traditional wedding cake. It’s one of our favourite desserts and the Ellingham Hall team made our dreams come true when their chefs said they could make us a bespoke Biscoff cheesecake decorated with some of our flowers. It was perfect and delicious!

What did your Guests think about Ellingham?

DEVYN: They loved it! They thought that it was gorgeous. From the stunning reception rooms, luxurious accommodation and décor to the wonderful team that made our day happen. They really enjoyed the two nights, and it allowed them all to really live in the moment.

Did you Enjoy your Two Night Wedding?

JEREMY: It was everything that we dreamed of. Micro weddings can be challenging in their own way, but the way that the Ellingham team were able to make us feel welcome and helped to bring our vision to life is truly a craft. Having the Two Night Stay allowed us the luxury of not rushing. We were able to take time to enjoy and celebrate our wedding day.

What’s your advice for Couples planning their wedding?

DEVYN: Have the wedding that YOU desire. There is no rule book on how a wedding should be, look or what to include. As long as you and your partner are happy, then everything else fades away.

If you want the perfect micro wedding, contact our team today. It doesn’t matter where you live, we’re highly experienced in making wedding dreams come true

Wedding Day Suppliers

Photographer – Steven Mcdonald Photography

Registrar – Northumberland Registrars

Bridal Gown – Kleinfield Bridal Boutique Designer – Pnina Tornai

Bride & Groom shoes – Christian Louboutin

Suits – Men’s Wearhouse

Hair – Kara Scott Hair

MUA – @megmurraymakeup

Florist/Styling – Made Simply Perfect

Pianist – Jane Gray Wedding Pianist

Cheesecake – @ellinghamhall

Karaoke – Karaoke4u

Casino – Vegas Casino Hire

As they arrived at Ellingham Hall, the grand aesthetic of the Hall and the scenic grounds looked perfect for their plans. However, they thought it may be too expensive.

Eleanor says, “It looked amazing travelling up the driveway and seeing the reveal of the Hall. We thought it would be out of our price range. But after looking at other venues, Matthew was clear: he didn’t care how much it cost! He wanted to get married at Ellingham Hall.

“We loved it. It’s got an upmarket feel, but at the same time, it’s homely and not pretentious. It’s amazing. And we chose to marry on a Tuesday as it was easier for our family who were travelling from all over. It turned out that it wasn’t as expensive as other venues we’d looked at which was a real surprise to us.”

Notes from the Bride

Why did you choose Ellingham Hall?

One aspect that we really appreciated about Ellingham Hall was that they made the effort to appeal to the groom as well as the bride. It has real character and a bold vibe. It is perfect as it has dedicated areas for the groom/groomsmen along with the Ellingham Suite, a place for straightening ties and beers with the boys’ pre-ceremony. Lady B’s bridal suite was spectacular. I really felt like a princess in there and having all that beautiful space for my girls to get ready and enjoy bubbles was a nice touch too. It was also clearly a stunning looking venue: glam, classy, unique, grand, it really ticked all the boxes. There were fantastic outdoor areas for guests to mingle, too

What did you think about the Two-Night Wedding Experience?

We loved the two-night wedding experience and felt the whole event was great value, given all we got and the setting. We also felt the Ellingham team were professional, attentive and knew exactly how to run a good wedding! This was important to us as this wasn’t something we had planned before. Feeling we were in good hands was reassuring.

Why did you choose a Lord of the Rings Theme?

Lord of the Rings is a huge passion for both of us, as it’s a story of friendship, goodness and perseverance. These themes are deeply meaningful and symbolic and are such a great source of immersion and joy. We wanted to incorporate this into the day to really make it our own.

The aesthetic was whimsical, ethereal and natural. The musical score is so beautiful it was easy to include much of this in the ceremony, wedding breakfast and general background music. We especially loved our table names of Middle Earth locations; our ceremony set to ‘Concerning Hobbits’ and our spectacular cake – complete with Middle Earth map and elven writing!

What Special Touches did you add to your day?

The entertainment we booked was fantastic. We heard from all our guests that the archery and axe throwing were so unusual to have at a wedding; not many people had tried it before! This went down really well with our guests and as a bonus it was in keeping with our theme.

Our band was another highlight. The feedback from guests was that it was one of, if not the best band they’d seen at a wedding. We would go to watch them again whenever they perform!

Did you enjoy your Two-Night Wedding Experience? 

Absolutely! It really elevated the whole experience. Having all our nearest and dearest gather on the night before enabled everyone to meet and mingle, making new friends and breaking the ice before the wedding ceremony. We organised a quiz for the night before and this was a brilliant way to get guests talking and bonding as a whole group. We also enjoyed stretching the experience out over the two nights. Everyone should have a two-night wedding, it is a big celebration after all!

What did your guests think about your Enchanting Woodland Wedding?

They said it was magical, very well executed and very ‘us’. The feedback we received was that it looked beautiful and was so befitting with the look and feel we were going for. It wasn’t just your run-of-the-mill wedding; it really was Eleanor and Matthew’s day.

People especially loved the trees and candelabras in the Chapel, as they really made it feel like you were dining (and later dancing) in an enchanted woodland grove.

What’s your Advice to couples planning a Themed Wedding?

Build up a robust base of ideas/knowledge to work from – the more detail, the better. Enlist the help of arty types! My Mother (who is an artist) was crucial in helping with designing and creating pieces that we used on our woodland wedding.

Be honest and descriptive to your suppliers, they want to help you create your vision. Make use of their expertise and communicate with them the direction you want things to go in. Visual inspiration is key.

If budget is an issue, try to create things like table decorations, flowers and favours yourself, or just stick to key elements of your theme to give an overall look, small nods to your chosen theme across the whole day can be very effective.

Throw yourself into it! All the funky little details and idiosyncrasies are where the magic happens. Embrace each element of your chosen theme, it’s a great way to express your personalities as a couple. And it gives guests an amazing, unique experience that will stick in the memories for years to come.

If you are looking for a woodland wedding venue in Northumberland for an exclusive two night wedding, contact our team today to arrange a viewing appointment.

Wedding Day Suppliers 

Photographer –  Thatweddings

Videographers – Big Day Productions

Registrar – Northumberland Registrars

Florist – The Enchanted Florist Durham

Tree Supplier – The Whole Schbang

Bridal Gown – Nuziale Bridal

Bridesmaids Dresses –The Pretty Infinity

MUA – Nichola Hope Makeup

Hair – Mink Studios

Suit – Hotspur 1364

Cake – Fathima’s Cakes

Musicians – Paul & Cath (friends of friends)

Axe Throwing & Archery – Battleaxe Sheffield

Band – AMV: Union Street