HISTORIC SETTINGS

www.jamiemacphotography.com HISTORIC VENUES Historical settings Stunning venues with a story to tell

ST MARY’S HERITAGE CENTRE

01914 334 699 | www.gateshead.gov.uk/stmarysheritagecentre

Situated in Gateshead, a beautiful town famous for its architect and iconic bridges, St Mary’s Heritage Centre is a former Medieval church that’s been lovingly restored to it’s original beauty. Conveniently located on Gateshead’s Quayside, with the majestic Tyne Bridge forming a breathtaking backdrop, the property is an ideal location to capture beautiful outdoor photographs.

The approach to the building is impressive, with an illuminated clock face on the bell tower and Norman-stoned mullioned window. The building has retained its Medieval exterior with some contemporary additions including a modern extension for the utilities.

Inside the venue, the Main Hall is the perfect backdrop to receptions with pillars, arches and tall-gothic windows, which provide ample lighting. The space accommodates up to 110 guests for a banquet-style celebration or 140 for a more informal layout or evening reception.

Another ideal location is The Chancel, a Grade I listed building that’s best suited for a bar or a intimate reception area for 50 loved ones. The location needs very little decoration, but the staff will advise couples on ways to add special touches to personalise the space. Not only that, but the team can suggest other local companies to help create dream weddings.

We love...

As the Quayside comes to life at night and the bridges across the Tyne are illuminated, St Mary’s Heritage Centre offers a spectacular vantage point to absorb the magical atmosphere.

THE MANSION HOUSE

01912 787 878 | www.newcastle.gov.uk/weddings

Take a step back in time with The Mansion House, which has been welcoming travellers to Newcastle upon Tyne for more than 150 years. Surrounded by mature gardens and grounds, this space is perfect for wedding photography.

Wedding ceremonies take place in the beautiful Entrance Hall in front of the open Victorian fireplace. This is the large dining room, which can accommodate 80 loved ones for the vows, 80 during wedding breakfasts and 130 for evening receptions. Lovebirds have the opportunity to hire the whole ground floor, which has various areas for guests to relax and enjoy the surroundings.

The Victorian house offers couples an opportunity to stay in such a historic space in one of the beautiful bedrooms.

When nearlyweds book the venue for their wedding, they can taste their chosen menu and meet the team, including the head chef. The menus are all carefully prepared and can be tailored to fit any dietary requirements or preferences. Any special requests or ideas are welcomed, and the team will try to accommodate whenever possible.

We love...

NEWCASTLE CASTLE

01912 306 300 | www.newcastlecastle.co.uk

Located in the heart of the city, Newcastle Castle is one of the UK’s finest surviving examples of a Norman stone keep. Built in 1178, the sandstone building has been well maintained by staff over the centuries; its crenulations, turrets and Victorian additions provide evidence of the buildings original use. All rooms in Newcastle Castle are special in terms of their architectural features, atmosphere and historical connections. The venue offers exclusive hire packages and the hardworking team will be there every step of the way to help couples create their dream day.

The Black Gate is home to both ceremony rooms at the venue; the Harbottle Suite has many 17th-century features and can accommodate 50 loved ones, while The Museum Room is perfect for intimate nuptials with 30 guests. Alternatively, The Castle Keep can be used for a more personal blessing or celebration in The Chapel, Gaol or Great Hall – there are endless possibilities at Newcastle Castle! Drink receptions occur on the roof with 45 nearest and dearest who can enjoy the stunning views of the River Tyne, the whole city and beyond.

Wedding breakfasts take place in the Great Hall with 50 guests and couples can continue their celebrations with 80 throughout the castle in rooms such as The Gaol, where prisoners were once held captive, and The Chapel. Imagine walking through the ceremonial doors into the atmospheric Great Hall with its 43ft high-arched ceiling, rusticsandstone walls, dominating windows and a centrepiece fireplace. Couples can use the antechambers for bars, buffets, chill out areas and more.

On the property, The Castle Garth is a historic haven surrounded by buildings that demonstrate the centuries and industries of growth of Newcastle. The surviving rustic walls, the tree-shadowed Black Gate and the grassy moat provide excellent options for wedding photos.

We love...

The blank-canvas spaces allow couples to get creative and plan a day that matches their colour scheme and wedding theme.

DUNS CASTLE

01361 883 211 | www.dunscastle.co.uk

Located in 1800-acres, Duns Castle is an exclusive-use wedding venue in Durham that dates back to 1320. The castle sits within a nature reserve with a beautiful lake, different wildlife species, extensive lawns, forest trails and areas for bespoke activities.

The celebrated architect James Gillespie Graham remodelled the castle’s exterior in 1820; he added a gothic-revival style with castellated turrets, a series of gargoyles and a crown arch. The grand entrance makes the perfect backdrop to wedding photography, with two eagles standing guard on either side of the door and a stone staircase leading guests to the main rooms.

Ceremonies for up to 60 people usually happen in the main Drawing Room, a large area with impressive-bowed windows, a fireplace and a detailed cornice. A stunning mirror, which almost reaches the ceiling, is the main focal point of the space with carved-wooden figures adorning each side. Alternatively, the “I dos” and receptions can take place on the lawn in front of the castle, weather permitting, and a marquee is also an option for larger weddings. Intimate receptions occur in the Drawing Room or the Grand Hall, which is an impressive space with a vaulted ceiling and bar area.

We love...

BEAMISH HALL HOTEL

01207 233 733 | www.beamish-hall.co.uk

Located in 24 acres of picturesque parkland and forest, Beamish Hall Hotel is a 12th-century country house with beautiful interiors with traditional character and contemporary touches.

Upon arrival, visitors are struck by the stunning-columned structure with manicured lawns and fl owerbeds bursting with colour surrounding the front aspects of the hall. The hotel’s the perfect setting with mature trees, a stream, forest, a gazebo, a fi repit area and outdoor seating.

The venue has gained a wealth of experience in hosting Gujarati, Bengali, Punjabi and Muslim weddings over the years and is one of the most impressive Asian wedding venues in the North East.

Ceremonies can take place in any of Beamish Hall’s function spaces including The Common room for 70 people and 20 to 40 for intimate receptions, while the Monboucher caters for 100 loved ones.

Or why not opt for The Winter Gardens, a spectacular suite with a marquee-style roof and a stunning terrace with large windows overlooking the grounds? The area can accommodate 80 to 280 guests for wedding breakfasts and up to 300 for evening celebrations. For couples wishing to exchange vows outside, the Winter Gardens Terrace can hold 120 loved ones and the signing of the register takes place in the beautiful indoors.

The Shafto Hall is also a stunning space for 70 to 120 guests for wedding breakfasts and features oak panelling, stained-glass windows and a minstrels’ gallery.

The award-winning staff will work with nearlyweds to help create the perfect day, while ensuring every detail will be taken care of to the highest standard.

We love...

The venue’s exclusive use package allows couples to enjoy solitude and access to all wedding function suites, the beautiful rolling parklands and timelessly styled bedrooms. The package caters for 80 guests and includes everything from reception drinks, a wedding breakfast, 32 bedrooms, evening food and a master of ceremonies on the day.

www.diverseinteractive.com/what-we-do

DALTON OLD PUMP HOUSE

01915 800 830 | www.daltonoldpumphouse.com

Located only a stone’s throw away from both the coast and countryside, Dalton Old Pump House is a glamorous wedding venue situated in tranquil settings. Built between 1873 and 1879, the house is an imposing Grade II listed building designed by the renowned engineer, Thomas Hawksley, and showcases grand architecture, ornate machinery and landscaped grounds. The venue’s original purpose was to house the awe-inspiring water pumps, all of which remain intact to this day.

The charming exterior features traditional brickwork and the grand steps at the entrance, while the interior hosts modern accents that blend seamlessly with original features – think dried blooms, industrial-style hanging lighting, splashes of green velvet and an relaxing atmosphere.

Victorian architecture and industrial elegance surround couples as they exchange vows in either the Pump room with 200 guests or the outdoor terrace for 120 people, which has a purpose-built fi replace and a elegant living wall. Not only does the venue have a ceremony license, but it also offers an in-house celebrant to offer lovebirds extra fl exibility to have their day exactly how they desire.

Receptions takes place in the boiler room with a capacity of 250 for the wedding breakfasts and 350 for evening celebrations. The room is the heart of the building, originally built to house the huge machinery essential for the Pumphouse’s previous life. It’s the perfect space for entertaining guests and features elegant chandeliers, vintage mirrors and opulent table décor.

We love...