20 Wedding Venues in Doncaster - a complete list
Getting married at the right wedding venue is one of the crucial requirements for a memorable wedding. At the very least, you need to be in a location with a fantastic atmosphere for your nuptial celebration. Somewhere that you and your partner both love. There are many beautiful wedding venues in Doncaster, but if you want to make sure your wedding is unforgettable, it's important to pick a venue you love.
Choosing the right venue is one of the most important decisions you'll have to make when planning a wedding. Deciding on the type of venue, whether you want an outdoor or indoor ceremony, venue capacity, guest accommodation and of course menu options..
Being a wedding photographer allows me visit a lot of the local venues and I want to share my experience with you. Below is my list of some of the best Doncaster wedding venues.
Doncaster wedding venues - Table of contents
Cusworth Hall
Cusworth Hall is a public hall and park with beautiful landscapes and views over Doncaster. It offers couples a chance to hold wedding ceremonies inside and outside in marquees. You and your loved ones will love this wedding setting for its beautiful scenery and elegance. Other things you’ll love include the beautiful buildings, lovely landscape and gardens. There is also an option to have a marquee there for larger weddings.
See this wedding at Cusworth Hall on my blog if you'd like to view more from that place.
Fishlake Mill Venue
Think of the magic you can make at a historic mill restored and transformed into a wedding venue. That place is Fishlake Mill, located in Fishlake outside Doncaster. Fishlake Mill gives you a place that is uniquely beautiful in all seasons. Your own wedding ceremony here will be unique, magical and perfect. It's one of the best unusual wedding venues if you are planning a chilled and relaxed outdoor wedding. A fairytale setting.
Check out this gallery from a wedding at Fishlake Mill.
Priory Place
The Great Kitchen at Priory Place is one of the finest register office venues in South Yorkshire. It was a fantastic move open this place to the public and host wedding ceremonies there after the old one at Elmfield Park closed a few years ago. They only host wedding ceremonies so you'll have to sort out your evening reception separately but it's one of the best small venues and it's a perfect place for a small or a micro wedding.
Check out this wedding at Priory Place.
Mansion House
Mansion House offers couples elegant spaces for their wedding celebrations. Built in 1755 this grade 1 listed building is one of only four in the country and is located right in the centre of town. It also used to be the ex-mayor’s office. This majestic venue can cater to both intimate and large wedding celebrations. A wedding at the Mansion House would be one of splendour and beauty. It would undoubtedly be a day to remember.
The Earl of Doncaster
For our art lovers, this art deco style hotel is located in the city centre. In existence since 1940, the Earl has been established as a Doncaster wedding venue for over 50 years and has become one of the most iconic venues in town. You can be sure that your wedding here will be a success. You’ll love the elegance, luxury and glamour at this wedding venue. The Earl offers plenty of accommodation and a restaurant.
More about weddings at The Earl of Doncaster.
Owston Hall
Owston Hall is a private hall and golf course where your wedding dreams can come true. It gives couples a chance to celebrate in style as they say their vows while hosting their loved ones. With a hotel dating back to the 17th century, Owston Hall is excellent for holding all kinds of weddings. Owston church is literally over the fence if you're wanting to have a church wedding ceremony.
Here is an example gallery from a wedding at Owston Hall.
Mount Pleasant Hotel
You can use three words to describe Mount Pleasant Hotel: Luxury, warmth, and hospitality. This family-run place is one of the finest venues in the area. An absolute classic in the area. It offers you a chance to celebrate your wedding day in a country house setting with gorgeous gardens and unspoiled woodland.
Warmsworth Hall
Warmsworth Hall is a premier wedding venue set within the walls of the Holiday Inn. It adds an elegant historical field to every wedding ceremony. It’s a favourite for couples who love historical romance. It is also exclusive, and you can work with a dedicated wedding coordinator to make your wedding dreams come true.
Rossington Hall
Rossington Hall is a luxury grade 2 listed Victorian home just outside Doncaster that is unique and is sure to impress you. You’ll love the beautiful Victorian vibes of this venue and the numerous wedding packages available on offer. It is a family-run space with attention to detail. At Rossington Hall, you can be sure of a fantastic wedding celebration.
Unique Occasions at Loversall
Unique Occasions at Loversall is a charming wedding venue situated in the picturesque village of Loversall, just a short drive from the town of Doncaster. This venue is perfect for couples seeking a rustic and intimate wedding experience.
One of the standout features of Unique Occasions at Loversall is the historic stone-built barn. The barn has been carefully restored to maintain its original charm and character, making it a truly unique setting for a wedding ceremony. The space is perfect for those looking for a rustic wedding venue that is both elegant and charming.
In addition to the historic barn, Unique Occasions at Loversall also features a marquee which can be used to host your wedding reception. The marquee provides a more contemporary setting and offers a spacious and flexible area for dining and dancing. The marquee is equipped with modern facilities such as a dance floor, bar area and heating to ensure that you and your guests have a comfortable and memorable experience.
The grounds surrounding Unique Occasions at Loversall are also a highlight of the venue. The site boasts a 35 acres Wedding Meadow, providing a picturesque backdrop for your wedding photos. The venue has an exclusive feel to it, meaning you can enjoy the stunning surroundings in privacy with your guests.
The Crown Hotel
The Crown Hotel, located in the charming town of Bawtry, is a premier wedding venue that offers a sophisticated and elegant setting for couples looking to tie the knot. The Crown Hotel is situated in a beautiful historic building that has been carefully restored to maintain its traditional charm, while also incorporating modern amenities.
One of the standout features of The Crown Hotel is its private and enclosed garden, which serves as the perfect backdrop for your family and group photos.
Hilton Garden Inn
Fantastic view and effortless elegance are some of the things that attract couples to the Hilton Garden Inn. Located on the Doncaster Racecourse with views of the course, hosting your wedding celebrations here is sure to make it a success. Hilton Garden Inn is also located quite close to the city centre and also offers accommodation.
Mercure Hotel Doncaster
Located in the middle of the city, Mercure Hotel wedding venue is the perfect place to start your happily ever after. It has been hosting weddings for over 100 years so you can be sure that your wedding is in good hands. The venue is also very scenic and has a team dedicated to giving you a fantastic experience. It can host wedding events of up to 180 people.
Hodsock Priory
A total dream spot for tying the knot. It's got this awesome mix of history and enchanting gardens that scream romance. The place is like a canvas, ready for your wedding style—whether it's cozy or a full-on party. The crew there knows their stuff, making sure your day goes off without a hitch.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park
Yorkshire Wildlife Park offers couples a chance to have the wedding of their dreams with no stress. Exotic and amazing endangered animals will surround you at this award-winning venue; what could be better than that? You also get to choose between the Outlook Suite that can host up to 100 guests and the Tsavo Lodge with a capacity for 180 people. You can be sure that your wedding day here will be filled with incredible memories.
Thornhurst Manor
Some of the things that stand out about Thornhurst Manor are its elegance and beauty. You’ll love your wedding at this countryside location. It offers the perfect backdrop for your day. You’ll love the private gardens, enchanting woodland, and ponds.
Weddings at Hooton Pagnell Hall
You will love the truly unique setting that Hooton Pagnell Hall offers. There are many lovely places where you can hold your wedding ceremony, drinks reception and dining. Your wedding pictures from this venue are sure to be breathtaking too. At Hooton Pagnell Hall, couples have the chance to curate their own wedding experience, ensuring that they and their guests have a great time. A truly magical place for a wedding just a few miles east from the city centre.
Christ Church
Another local landmark. A beautiful church right in the middle of the city. You can't miss it as it's spire can be seen from far away especially when you're coming into the city over St George's Bridge.
Hellaby Hall Weddings
A 17th century manor house converted into a 4 star wedding venue. With its picturesque gardens, it's a very popular choice for couples from both Donny and Rotherham.
Hellaby Hall and other venues from their family are renowned for their attention to detail, high standards of service and excellent value for money. They offer a choice of packages that can be tailored to suit your individual needs.
Rogerthorpe Manor
Rogerthorpe Manor is a 400 year old hotel located 13 miles north from the city centre. The manor house is surrounded by award winning gardens and stunning countryside. Rogerthorpe Manor is the ideal setting for your civil ceremony, wedding breakfast and evening reception.
Bear in mind that this is not a full list of available places to get married in Doncaster. This is not a wedding directory. I just wanted to use my blog to put a short list of local wedding venues together to give brides and grooms an idea of what's available. Kind of a selection of my favourites to get married in the area. You will also find example wedding galleries from these venues on my blog. Please contact these places directly to ask about their availability or to request additional wedding info and pricing.
FAQs about local venues in Doncaster and South Yorkshire
Choosing a wedding venue can be a challenging task as there are several choices to make, from menu options to size of the room. There are plenty of things to remember when looking for a wedding reception venue in Doncaster.
One of the first thing I would recommend is deciding on a budget. Which will give you a rough idea of what's available. There are lots of choices, just make sure you find the venue one that's right for you and that fits within your budget
It hugely depends on the type of the venue. Some of these venues provide accommodation for your guests. If you're planning a hotel wedding then chances are there will be plenty of guest accommodation there. In other case where you have to search for places to stay, there are many hotels and B&Bs in the area.
There are so many types of venues in the local area; both indoor and outdoor spaces where you can have your wedding. It boasts of beautiful churches, hotels, historic halls, mills, barns and farms.
It's best to book your wedding venue as soon as possible to ensure availability, especially if you're getting married during peak wedding season (May-September). Ideally, you should book your venue at least 12 months in advance.
Most wedding venues in Doncaster offer viewings by appointment. You can contact the venue to arrange a visit and see the facilities before making a booking.
Wedding packages in Doncaster can vary greatly depending on the venue and the services included. Typically, a wedding package may include venue hire, catering, drinks, decor, and accommodation for the bride and groom. Be sure to ask the venue about their wedding package options and pricing.
Payment terms can vary depending on the venue. Typically, a deposit is required to secure the booking, and the remaining balance is due a few weeks before the wedding date. Be sure to ask the venue about their payment terms.
Also read:
A list of wedding venues in Sheffield
Looking for someone to photograph your wedding in Doncaster?
I've been a wedding photographer in Doncaster for years I visited some of these places many times. If you'd like to speak to me about your wedding at one of these venues then please get in touch.
Thanks for stopping by!
Beach weddings - how to plan and what to wear?
Beach weddings are very popular among UK couples, with many choosing to travel abroad to white-sand beaches and sunshine for their big day. However, it’s important to realise that beach weddings are not limited to tropical destinations; beaches come in all shapes and sizes. From pebble beaches in the UK, to black-sand beaches in Iceland, the possibilities for beach weddings are truly endless!
If you have dreamt about saying ‘I do’ on a beach but have lots of questions, hopefully this blog will provide some of the answers.
How to plan a beach wedding?
If you have just begun the wedding planning process, your first thoughts will probably be the venue. Will you choose to marry in a grand stately home? Perhaps barn weddings are your kind of vibe? Or maybe you’ve always quite liked the idea of a beach wedding?
Are beach weddings expensive?
The great thing about beach weddings is that they can be as expensive or as cheap as you want them to be. Standing on a beach with the natural landscape behind you means that you don’t need to spend thousands of pounds on ceremony décor; you already have the perfect backdrop!
Destination also plays a big role in answering this question! If you dream of having a destination beach wedding in the Maldives, then of course that will be expensive. However, there are some stunning beaches in less obvious wedding destinations in Europe that would cost a fraction of the price. Or even cheaper still, have you considered a wedding on the good old British coast? Devon and Cornwall are just two of the places in the UK with beaches that could rival those in Europe. What better way to keep your guests happy than with fish and chips on the beach?
In short, the cost of a beach wedding depends on the destination. Don’t forget to factor in the cost for your guests; a Maldivian wedding may be within your budget, but that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily affordable for your guests. Be open to alternative ideas and you could have a very unique beach wedding that doesn’t break the bank for yourselves (or your guests!)
How do you plan a beach wedding?
The best beach weddings begin with lots of research. You want to find out what the weather is like at different times of the year, if you can legally marry on the beach and how you go about securing suppliers and a celebrant.
If you discover that a legal ceremony on your beach of choice is not possible, don’t threat! Have you considered having a legal ceremony first and then a symbolic ceremony on the beach? Or perhaps you could visit the beach for photos with your guests after the ceremony?
Weather considerations
Understanding the weather patterns of your chosen beach wedding location is crucial for a successful event. Research and share insights on the climate throughout the year, highlighting the optimal seasons for a beach wedding. Discuss potential challenges, such as rainy seasons or extreme temperatures, and provide advice on how to prepare for them. Encourage couples to have backup plans in case of inclement weather, whether it involves securing a tent or selecting an indoor venue nearby. Providing this information empowers couples to make informed decisions about the timing of their beach wedding and ensures a more enjoyable experience for both them and their guests.
Destination beach weddings
If you are hoping to have a beach wedding abroad, you may wish to hire the help of a Wedding Planner. They can be costly, however, if there is a language barrier with your destination of choice or if you won’t be able to travel there freely before the big day to meet with suppliers, a Wedding Planner could save you a lot of stress and ensure the planning process runs smoothly. Your wedding photographer can often offer plenty of advice as they are usually familiar with the local venues and suppliers.
Our advice would be to factor in the cost of travelling to the destination at least once before the wedding (even if you have enlisted a Wedding Planner) as you may be required to meet face-to-face to sort out the legal side of the marriage. Plus, it would be a shame to miss out on cake-tasting and menu-tasting as these are arguably the highlights of planning a wedding!
Guest Accommodation
When planning a beach wedding, it's essential to consider the comfort and convenience of your guests. Provide them with a list of nearby accommodations, ranging from hotels and resorts to vacation rentals. Include details such as proximity to the wedding venue, amenities, and any special rates or group booking options. Offering a variety of accommodation choices ensures that guests can find options that suit their preferences and budget. Additionally, consider creating a welcome package with information about local attractions, restaurants, and activities, making their stay enjoyable beyond the wedding festivities.
How to dress for a beach wedding?
Once you have settled on where to get married, you will start to wonder about what to wear. Again, this answer depends on the destination of your beach wedding but a general rule is to not wear stilettos! Many couples choose to have a barefoot ceremony as the beach is one of the few places this is possible and it creates a lovely, relaxed atmosphere.
If you have chosen a hot destination for your wedding on the beach, you will want to avoid any materials that will make you too hot. For the groom, a light material for his suit is a must or maybe he will decide to lose the suit jacket altogether and opt for a cool shirt. For the bride, lightweight chiffon or silk is what you want to look for and with beach weddings, it’s all about ‘less is more’.
If you are getting married on a beach in the UK, chunky blankets that match your colour scheme and umbrellas for your guests will be the perfect finishing touch to a truly authentic Great British wedding!
Hopefully this blog has opened your eyes to the many possibilities that a beach wedding can bring. Beach weddings are not just limited to high-end, white-sand occasions in the Maldives! A beach wedding can be tailored to suit a range of budgets and tastes and can take place almost anywhere in the world! Whatever venue you decide on for your big day, we hope that all your wedding dreams come true! We're a team of wedding photographers covering multiple locations in the UK and we're happy to travel to your chosen place.
Sheffield City Centre post wedding shoot with Jess and Tom
This photoshoot took place on a spring evening in Sheffield city centre, a few months after our Christmas wedding at Sheffield Town Hall. On the day of our actual wedding, a combination of terrible match-day traffic, busy Christmas markets and drizzly weather meant that some key photo ideas we had planned to do were sadly missed.
While planning our Sheffield Town Hall wedding we wanted to have some urban and alternative wedding photos taken on the way to the reception venue and we had a chance finally do it during this city centre photo walk.
But more importantly, this extra wedding shoot meant that Tom and I could do something a little bit more ‘alternative’ than we went for on our actual day, and Michal was able to capture some interesting shots using Sheffield murals and more urban backdrops.
Urban post wedding shoot in Sheffield City Centre
Although we wore similar outfits – of course my wedding dress was going to feature, I would wear it every day if I could and so I was thrilled to be able to put it back on for more photos! – a few tweaks to toughen up our looks echoed the more grungy, alternative feel of the photoshoot compared with the festive glitz of our wedding day. I went heavier on the makeup, finished with a burgundy lip instead of the classic red. We wore our Dr Marten boots, which was something we did consider for the wedding day but ended up with more elegant footwear in the end. Tom wore his leather jacket to match mine, and I switched my dainty emerald jewellery for bigger, statement gem earrings.
Putting our wedding outfits back on did feel a little strange, but it was so fun, and we are so glad we did! A few passers-by congratulated us, which was funny, but we just went with it! Because we’d already had so many photos done with Michal on the day, we felt even more at ease in front of the camera by this point and I think this meant we were able to take some shots which were more serious which comes less naturally to us. Saying that though, there are still plenty of us laughing at ourselves, it’s hard to take it seriously all the time! This makes me think it would be really helpful to have an engagement photoshoot if it’s something you can stretch your budget for, because it would mean you are more relaxed in front of the camera when it comes to your wedding day.
We had a few murals in mind to go to, and Michal mapped out a little route for us to walk round, but we also wandered down Milton Street to our old haunt Corporation, somewhere we have spent many a night having maybe a few too many coloured pints! It must have been meant to be because the owner was just leaving as we were taking photos outside, and he kindly invited us into the courtyard so we could take a few photos there. Those images in front of the Sonic mural are some of my favourites, the bright colours of the mural really contrast with the moody, darker tones of our outfits and the rest of the picture.
Smoke bomb wedding photos in Sheffield City Centre
Using the smoke bombs for our final photos was probably the most fun part, and I think all three of us were pleased to be able to get some photos with them as we didn’t end up taking any on our day back in December (we were enjoying our evening party too much to go back outside!). The colours look amazing, and because you only get one go at pulling the pin, you’ve just got to go for it which is so exciting!
It was great for us to have been able to explore a more alternative, rock ‘n’ roll style wedding vibe with this photoshoot, pay homage to our favourite city, and end up with some photos in which we look much cooler than we really are.
-Jess
I hope you enjoyed this post as much as I enjoyed photographing Jess and Tom. If you are looking for Sheffield wedding photographers for your fun post wedding shoot then please message me. Thank you!
Dress: Tilly by Brighton Belle, bought at Blushes bridal in Sheffield.
Shoes: Dr Martens
Makeup: Done by myself! jessicakatemakeup.co.uk
Necklaces: Debenhams
Groom’s attire: Reece Ford suit hire, Dronfield
Waistcoat: Noose & Monkey
Flowers: Faux from The Bride’s Bouquet
Owston Hall wedding - Jen and Matt
Today’s post takes me back to another fabulous Owston Hall wedding. It is always a pleasure to be there and it’s such a great venue to hold a wedding. Also I’m only few minutes away rom this fabulous venue. Being a Doncaster wedding photographer makes this place very accessible for me. This time it was a November wedding full of autumnal colours and warmth. Maybe the fact that it was this part of the year somehow made the day feel more relaxed and chilled out, although I have a feeling that is more to do with Jen & Matt’s planning!
Owston Hall Wedding – Jen and Matt
Jen and Matt met in York on a night out, and had a first date at Nandos which was the first time Matt had been. Matt proposed in Cuba in 2017. ‘I’d even taken receipt of my ring from the postman and he told me it was cufflinks for his dad!’ – said Jen.
‘I was SO lucky’ – says Jen. ‘My sister’s Mother in Law, Mary owned a bridal shop in York, and she was retiring. So she asked me if I wanted a dress. Weirdly before we got engaged. So I had to call Matt and say, this is weird and I know we aren’t getting married but Mary’s offered me a free wedding dress. What do you think? Matt told me to go for it (apparently we could ebay it or use it as halloween dress up) – but unbeknown to me, he’d ordered my engagement ring. So I went off with my mum and sister to Mary’s shop trying on dresses when I wasn’t even engaged. The dress was a Benjamin Roberts. I loved the simplicity of it.’
‘The most important thing that it was important for us to have our friends and family present and have a relaxing, fun day. We were fortunate that we have handy friends and family who made all of the table decorations. In terms of the colours – I ok’d a pink with the bridesmaids and they were happy so the men just had to go along with it!’ .
says Jen
Jen spent the night before the wedding at home with two of her bridesmaids and Matt was at Owston Hall with the best men. Jen went to her friends salon (Steph at Blush) as they have a bridal part where they all had drinks and nibbles and their hair done. Matt had a couple of beers at the bar! All very relaxed. Jens uncle drove her to church – he did the same for Jenn’s sister Kate so it’s now a family tradition. Jen looked stunning in her Benjamin Roberts wedding gown!
Owston Church Wedding – same place different time
The ceremony took place at Owston Church, which happens to be the same church that Jen’s grandparents got married in too – a very special ceremony in front of close friends and family. Here is a same place different time wedding photo of Jen with her dad under the lamp at the gate outside All Saints. Jen’s nan had her wedding photography taken 55 years earlier.
‘My dear Nan married my Grandad here and so it was so important to me (Jen) that I got married here. Nan was sick on the day, but knew we got married at ‘her’ church. Owston Hall is pretty – we chose to have the reception here purely as it was next door to the church. We had guests coming from far and wide and so we wanted everything to be easy and in one place.’ – says the bride.
They didn’t decorate the church. Firstly because it was beautiful and secondly because it was Remembrance Sunday the next day and the church had been decorated with poppies. They felt it would be wrong to try and cover up the poppies given what they stand for.
Jen and Matt wanted a religious and a contemporary reading. Mel and Jo picked these out as their input into the ceremony. They’ve know Jen for 26 years so they knew what she’d like. Hymns they picked because they thought them popular and remembered them from school.
After the ‘I dos’ they left the church to ‘All you need is love’ by the Beatles which really is so true!
Owston Hall Wedding
A beautiful sunny November day welcomed Jen & Matt’s guests to South Yorkshire – a fine day for a wedding! After the ceremony the newlyweds led their guests to Owston Hall, one of the finest Doncaster wedding venues, for drinks and canapes. It was a lovely day and the sunshine made it feel very summery. We completed all of the family and group photographs outside Owston Hall as planned on the wedding day timeline of time allowing the guests to relax and enjoy the afternoon.
The guests were called to the dining room all set out in its splendour. Jen went for DIY decorations for the reception and stuck with the pink theme. She had candle jars made by Mel and sweet trees with Lindt balls on each table made by her dad’s partner Gill and daughter Amy which replaced favours and table decorations. Place names were wooden laser cut outs organised by Kate, Jen’s sister. Balloons around the room, were organised and blown up by the groomsmen.
Matt’s mum Pauline made our wedding cake. We asked for something simple and she delivered, it was beautiful! They danced to Tom O’Dell’s ‘Grow old with me’. ‘Just the words are exactly us’ said Jen.
Jen says their favourite moment of the day was coming down the aisle and seeing each other at the end and everyone that came.
As a piece of advice for all brides and grooms to be, Jen says to take a few minutes to yourselves and stand back, watch everyone and absorb it all in as the day flies by.
Here are a few photos from that day…
All Saints in Owston
List of suppliers:
Venue: Owston Hall, www.owstonhall.com
Wedding dress and accessories: Benjamin Roberts, alterations were done by Nicole at Elise designs in York. I had my sisters veil, and mum got my earrings – a vintage like look. I had two bracelets – one matched the earrings and the other was what Matt had given me the day before.
Bride’s shoes: for the ceremony some Vivienne Westwood x Melissa silver globe heels – for later on (my feet hurt) some jewel encrusted pointed flat shoes.
Makeup: Elouise at Blush, Carcroft
Hair: Steph Hirst at Blush, Carcroft
Bridesmaid dress: Adult bridesmaids – ASOS , flower girl marks and spencer.
Bridesmaid shoes: Debenhams
Groom’s attire: ASOS and Next
Favours: Sweet treat with Lindt balls and white ferrero rocher
Flowers: Maxines florist (harworth)
Cake: Matts Mum, Pauline
Food/catering: Owston Hall
Ceremony music: I know he’s called Rich and does the DJ at the Regent Hotel Doncaster – he’s my sisters friends partner
Table decorations: Hand made by Melissa, Amy and Gill.
Wedding car/transport: My uncle took me to church, as he did with Kate my sister. We didn’t need anymore transport as we then walked next door to the reception
Rings: Ernest Jones
Photobooth: Giggle box
Wedding day timeline - a typical order of the day
Are you planning your wedding day timeline and don’t know where to start? I’ll try to show you a typical order of the day from a photographer’s perspective.
Anyone who has ever been to a wedding will know that there really are never two alike. As a wedding photographer this means being able to react to situations as they arise without compromising on the quality of your wedding photography.
My typical wedding timeline
My typical order of wedding day starts early with your preparations and ends late after your first dance. This usually is about 10 hours of wedding coverage and I would typically document your wedding preparations, wedding details (eg wedding rings, dress, jewellery), wedding ceremony, group and family portraits, toasts, speeches, cake cutting, first dance and some wedding boogie-woogie.
Typically after the ceremony, once all family formals have been taken and before the reception, there is enough time for a creative and artistic bride and groom photo shoot but this can happen at any time of the day.
Typical wedding day timeline UK
Fortunately most weddings follow a similar structure, even if the details are very different. I have put together a diary of a ‘typical wedding’ to help you plan a stress free wedding day and to give you an idea of what I would be aiming for during your wedding day.
My typical wedding day timeline broken down looks like this:
Order of the day – wedding day schedule
- Getting ready
- Ceremony
- Family and group photos
- Wedding breakfast
- Couples portraits
- Evening reception
1. Preparation
Weddings are all about preparation, so it makes sense that you would want to record this part of the day in your photos.
At this stage your house is normally buzzing with people – bridesmaids, parents, hair & make-up artists, maybe even a wedding videographer, and of course you.
At this point I aim to capture the atmosphere and energy that is going on all around us. This may include final touches to hair & make-up, the Bride’s dress and shoes, perhaps a little note from the Groom.
Depending upon the timescale of the preparation we may have opportunity for a few bridal portraits before departing for the ceremony venue, however experience has shown that often this is best left until we reach the ceremony venue due to the ‘wedding fever’ that descends as the ceremony draws near.
2. Ceremony
The Wedding Ceremony, or Marriage, is the centerpiece for the whole day. This is the point where two people make a promise to spend the rest of their lives together.
I like to arrive at the ceremony venue ahead of the Bride to capture some shots of the venue before the guests arrive. This means I am able to meet the Groom and his party for a few portaits before they become too busy / nervous to stand for a photograph.
Being at the wedding venue also allows me to capture the arrival of the Bride in her chosen mode of transport. Upon her arrival there is normally a very short window for us to capture a few portraits of the Bride with her party before she is sequestered by the officials conducting the wedding. During the ceremony I try to remain as anonymous and invisible as possible so as not to distract from the ceremony itself, while still capturing the key moments.
The ceremony concludes with the signing of the register and the exit of the Bride & Groom, which is normally followed by a period of congratulations from your family & friends.
3. Family and group portraits
Traditional wedding photography was based upon family portraiture, and this is still an important part of your wedding timeline.
This is the part of the day where I work with you beforehand to decide which photos you would like to include and how long to set aside for this portion of the day. This is one of the only times where we would ‘assume control’ of your wedding for a few minutes to organise your family photos.
Many people are unsure of how many photos to request or how long this will take to complete. My rule of thumb is approximately 10-15 group shots will normally take around 30 minutes to arrange. This is usually a reasonable time for guests to chat, have a drink and enjoy whatever entertainment you have arranged.
I would suggest that if you require more group photos than this then it may be best to arrange more formal entertainment for guests so that they feel included while photos are taking place. It’s also important to allow more time for those in your wedding day itinerary.
4. The wedding breakfast
Although I use the term ‘wedding breakfast’ this really relates to the activities that surround your afternoon reception, such as the speeches & cutting your wedding cake.
Your wedding breakfast is the most relaxed part of your wedding day in terms of photography. I use this time to move around observing and capturing yourself and your guests as you take part in the festivities that follow your marriage.
Highlights from this part of the day tend to be the speeches, and the cutting of the wedding cake.
5. Couple portraits
Aside from your Wedding Ceremony, your portraits as a couple are some of the most important photographs that I produce on your wedding day. These will be the images that will describe you as a newly married couple when you look back on your wedding with your family.
Although I will spend almost the whole day taking photographs of you individually and together, your Bride & Groom portrait session provides the opportunity for you to spend a little time together away from your guests. During this session we will work together to produce a series of portraits of your both in a calm and relaxed environment while your guests entertain themselves.
Do not worry though. I don’t do too much unnecessary posing. I will make sure that you are comfortable and confident now that all the formal elements of your wedding day have been completed, so that your portraits reflect you in the best possible way.
Instead of doing it all in one go I tend to take my couples for a few short photo walks around the venue. The exact times of these sessions may also be affected by the time of year if we are hoping to use natural light for your portraits. Usually 2-3 short sessions (approx 10 minds each) is enough to produce a good amount of photos. This way your guests don’t feel like they are left on their own for a long period of time.
6. Evening reception
Time to relax and enjoy yourselves with your family and friends on the dance floor.
The culmination of our coverage is your first dance together as a newly married couple. This is a tradition that family and friends love to watch and makes a great way to complete your photography.
During this time I work in a very fluid way to capture you as a couple. I do not pose you for your dance, instead I capture this part of your day as it is seen by your guests.
After your first dance I will stay for a while to capture some boogie woogie and maybe your weding sparklers exit and then I will quietly pack away and say goodbye to let you enjoy the rest of your evening with your family and friends.
Wedding day timeline UK
A rustic autumn wedding at Rogerthorpe Manor Hotel - Amy & Wesley
Link and Zelda, peanut butter and jelly, Amy and Wes - some things are just meant to be together. That was evident on a beautiful autumn day at Rogerthorpe Manor Hotel, where the couple exchanged vows and started their new life together. A wedding day is a gift, a celebration of love and commitment, and the perfect opportunity to capture memories that will last a lifetime.
As a wedding photographer, I was fortunate to be part of Amy and Wes's special day, capturing the joy and beauty of their rustic autumn wedding at the Rogerthorpe Manor Hotel. Join me as I take you on a visual journey through their love story and showcase some stunning photos of this memorable event. Keep reading to discover why Rogerthorpe Manor Hotel is the perfect venue for a romantic and rustic wedding, and why I believe I was the perfect fit as their wedding photographer.
Rogerthorpe Manor wedding – Amy and Wes
We met 2014 after being set up by a couple we both knew. After a few weeks of texting, we went to Bella Italian for our first date and followed by the cinema to see American Hustle and we’ve been inseparable ever since.
Wes proposed whilst we were on a mini break to a very wet east coast. It was a really wet and miserable week but we tried to make the most of it with various outings to Whitby, Robin Hoods Bay and Scarborough. I often joke that Wes had to do something to save the holiday!
The planning was for the most part pretty easy. Both being very laid back people, we didn’t get caught up in the insignificant details. We knew we wanted to get married after the summer and autumn is a beautiful season.
The venue is one we had been to before for a wedding and loved, so it didn’t take long for everything to start falling into place.
How would you best describe your wedding theme?
A rustic autumn theme. Lots of use of burnt orange and teal colours.
Wedding ceremony at Rogerthorpe Manor Hotel
The music before the ceremony were songs from musicians we both like that were somewhat on the mushy side (Mumford & Sons, Muse, Snow Patrol, The Lumineers).
Amy walked down the aisle with her father to ‘Northern Wind’ by City and Colour. City and Colour is her favourite artist and the opening verse was fitting for the autumn theme of the wedding.
The ceremony was perfect. It helped that the registrar was so lovely and laid back, she put our minds at easy and made the whole thing go smoothly (no fluffing up of lines!). We had one reading, which the registrar read which was taken from The Kindly Ones by Neil Gaiman, a light hearted poke at how horrible love is.
The closing ceremony music was much more upbeat and light hearted, taking inspiration from the Guardians of the Galaxy movie soundtrack.
‘You + Me’ by You + Me. This is a collaboration between Dallas Green and P!nk. The song is a love realistic look on love and how people just are just meant for each other – flaws and all.
Favourite moment of the day?
When we went to the front of the venue to take some photos following the ceremony and the mingling and group photos. It was the first time we really got to be alone (plus Michal) and talk.
Any advice for couples planning their wedding day?
It sounds cliche but don’t stress the little things. They really won’t matter!
Rogerthorpe Manor Hotel Wedding Photography
It was my first visit to Rogerthorpe Manor as a photographer but the place had been known as one of the most popular wedding venues near Doncaster for a long time. We had so much fun celebrating Amy and Wes at their wedding, and I wanted to share some of my favourite moments from the day!
Rogerthorpe Manor wedding suppliers
A shout out to some other talented humans that helped to make this wedding at Rogerthorpe Manor special:
Venue: Rogerthorpe Manor
Bride’s gown: Highstreet dress with minor alterations made. I wanted a lace dress with a vintage style this was perfect.
Bride’s shoes: Lace Converse which I added teal ribbons to for laces. I bought the shoes before I bought the dress!
Makeup: Laura Harrison
Hair: Euphoria Hairdesign
Groom’s attire: Tickled Pink
Favours: Alziheimer’ Society
Flowers: MKendraWedding @ Etsy
Cake: Vintage Cake Fairy
Photobooth: Viva La Booth
Photographer, me, Leeds wedding photographer