THE SUITE SPOT

Top hotels for celebrating the big day and beyond

THORPE PARK HOTEL AND SPA

0113 264 1000 | www.thorpeparkhotel.co.uk

This stylish four-star hotel is perfectly positioned to discover all that the cosmopolitan city of Leeds has to offer along with the delights of Harrogate, and the magnificent Yorkshire Dales. A sizeable and contemporary building, although sensitively built with a façade of muted tones Thorpe Park Hotel and Spa is part of The House of Daniel Thwaites collection and features a modern spa and leisure centre, boutique-style bedrooms and a contemporary restaurant.

The stunning 12m-high internal courtyard with a glass atrium is a great place to sip a cocktail or enjoy a tasty snack. While, the AA Rosetteawarded restaurant has a sheltered al fresco terrace for summer dining or guests can enjoy drinks beside the open fire in the cosy bar in winter. The first-class spa offers a 13m pool, indoor hot tub, spa treatments, gym, sauna and steam rooms, perfect for a wedding party to enjoy before or after the big day!

Ceremonies take place in The Gallery Suite, a spacious setting for up to 90 guests, with a beautiful formal seating area for the ceremony to take place but two additional spaces off the main venue for unobserved refreshments or for bridesmaids to assemble. After, enjoy private dining for up to 50 guests, tucked away from the restaurant, with views out to the pretty al fresco terrace.

For a large reception of up to 140 guests for a wedding breakfast, or an evening reception for up to 160, the Thorpe Suite is ideal as the space has use of the private bar near to the entrance of the building ‒ perfect for a receiving line to welcome your guests.

Thorpe Park Hotel and Spa offers several benefits to its wedding couples, although these can alter from season to season (and dependent on availability) they can include: a dedicated wedding coordinator, discounts with preferred wedding partners, place cards for your tables, a silver cake stand and knife, a most romantic four-poster bedroom for the happy couple, a hearty and delicious English breakfast the following day and, where possible, your first anniversary accommodation!

CRAB MANOR HOTEL, CRAB & LOBSTER RESTAURANT

01845 577 286 | www.crabandlobster.co.uk

In the heart of the North Yorkshire countryside the twinned establishments, Crab Manor and The Crab & Lobster Restaurant, are set in seven acres of picture-perfect countryside, and boast breathtaking tended gardens, terraces and for the more active visitor, a golf hole and practice tee. There’s even a courtyard hot tub and sauna – just perfect for that spot of well-earned self-indulgence – and the restaurant is accredited with a two AA Rosette.

The stunning 18th-century manor house offers luxurious accommodation where guests have the choice of 20 uniquely themed rooms, all designed and decorated to reflect a famous hotel from around the world – from Raffles in Singapore to Bellagio in Las Vegas!

When tying the knot here, ceremonies take place in the manor house conservatory, or weather permitting al fresco, with the capacity of 60 loved ones inside seated, 90 standing or 110 outside. Post-vows, receptions take place in the Private Seafood Room for 16 loved ones, the Pavilion (60), the Restaurant & Pavilion (110) or the Restaurant, Pavilion & Bar combined for up to 140 guests.

The planning of a wedding can be quite stressful, but the venue provides a professional and efficient service, as well as wedding coordinators to ensure your individual requirements are catered for.

THE PRINCIPAL YORK

01904 653 681 | https://theprincipalyork.ihg.com

Set immediately adjacent to York railway station, and a short walk into the beautiful cathedral city, The Principal York boasts three acres of landscaped gardens and jaw-dropping views of the 13th-century Minster. The hotel was built in 1978 of honey-coloured Scarborough brick and local Tadcaster stone to accommodate the aristocracy of the North.

Perfect for weddings, from the light and airy Garden room where guests can enjoy a glass of champagne, to the elegant interiors of the Crown, Wedgewood and Ebor rooms, the grandeur of the Klondyke Wing featuring the magnificent Oak room, there are certainly interiors to suit all tastes.

Ceremonies and receptions take place in the following spaces; The Oak Room, this opulent space boasts some of the most beautifully crafted rooms in the entire hotel, it combines oak panels and decorative carvings with double-height sash windows and sweeping views of the hotel gardens and Minster. Suited for ceremonies of up to 160 guests and wedding breakfast of up to 100 loved ones.

Located on the first floor of the hotel, the elegant Crown and Wedgewood rooms provide a neutral yet sophisticated backdrop. A charming blend of old and new, the Crown is panelled while the neighbouring Wedgewood has ornate plaster decorations in an Adams style – suitable for 80 ceremony guests and 50 for a sit-down meal.

Finally, if you’re looking for a more intimate room in which to hold a small wedding, the Ebor room is perfect. Just off the lobby of the ground floor, it overlooks the hotel’s landscaped gardens with views of the Minster and suits 50 day guests and 30 for a seated wedding breakfast.

Steeped in history, the Principal has been the setting for wedding couples celebrating their nuptials for generations, in fact three generations of the same family have posed for their wedding photographs on the same spot of the breathtaking, grand staircase that sweeps down into the lobby.

There are a variety of packages to choose from while the events team can also create bespoke packages to meet requirements. Some of the special services included in the packages are: glass of prosecco on arrival for each guest, with another glass to toast the happy couple, white table linen, candelabras, table plans, menus and place cards, banqueting manager to act as a toastmaster,and complimentary bridal suite for the bride and groom on their wedding night.

THE BRIDGE HOTEL AND SPA

01937 580 115 | www.bridgewetherby.co.uk

https://mhillaryphotography.co.uk

Located in a tranquil country setting, yet only five minutes drive from motorways, The Bridge Hotel and Spa is lucky to be surrounded by beautiful Yorkshire countryside.

The venue boasts French windows in the Walshford Suite that open onto the stunning Italian Courtyard, likewise the full-length French windows in the Ribston Suite open up onto a south-facing Courtyard.

The hotel has three function suites to choose from each offering something different, whether you’re after an intimate or grand wedding or prefer contemporary or historic décor. Although you can tie the knot in all of the function suites, The Byron Room is a standout space, an enchanting room boasting one of the finest examples of 18th-century Rococo plasterwork in the north of England.

For those looking for al fresco nuptials, there’s the option of saying ‘I do’ with up to 150 guests under the Gazebo ‒ it can be beautifully dressed with flowers to match your colour scheme.

Post-vows, celebrate in The Walshford Suite, it boasts an adjoining bar area and French windows onto the Italian-style Courtyard, a lovely setting for your wedding photographs and a place where your guests can mingle before the meal. In the evening, why not consider the use of this area for a barbecue (weather permitting) and the Walshford Room for your disco or band? It can host up to 75 day and 200 evening attendees.

The previously mentioned The Byron Room is illuminated by a beautiful English cut crystal chandelier and boasts an Italian marble fireplace as a backdrop. It’s an ideal venue for up to 50 day guests and 60 loved ones in the evening.

Finally The Ribston Suite, located on the ground floor, benefits from fulllength French windows along one side of the room leading out onto the new south-facing terrace. It contains a private bar and is ideal for both your wedding breakfast (150 guests) and evening reception (200).

When tying the knot here couples receive a complimentary menu tasting and accommodation for the bride and groom on night of the wedding.

THE YORKSHIRE HOTEL

01423 706 700 | www.the-yorkshire.co.uk

www.joannebphotography.co.uk

The Yorkshire Hotel sits in the heart of Harrogate as the most historic central hotel in the town. With impressive panoramic views across The Stray (over 100 acres of parkland), it’s also just a stone’s throw away from Valley Park Gardens and Harrogate ‒ a photographer’s dream.

With an imposing yet elegant Victorian façade, hotel echoes the era with a symmetrical six floor building, creating an impressive panoramic view from the rooftop floor.

Following a million-pound refurbishment it’s just unveiled its new wedding suite: the Sky Suite. Tastefully designed by leading interior design teams, it’s a stylish and modern setting with neutral grey tones and striking lighting to create a dramatic effect.

Wedding ceremonies take place in the Sky Suite, which is on the fifth floor of the hotel, with stunning views it can hold a maximum of 120 people.

Receptions (for up to 150) are in the exclusive Sky Suite and Sky Bar and private use function suite on the fifth floor. The Sky Bar is a contemporary private bar exclusively used for private functions and boasts impressive panoramic views, with industrial lighting and strong grey tones and textures.

All wedding breakfasts are created bespoke with the hotel’s AA Rosette head chef to suit each happy couple’s taste and budget. Plus, with Harrogate’s Barman of the Year creating your drinks menu, couples are sure to build the perfect dream package complete with complimentary tasting.

THE GRAND, YORK

01904 380 038 | www.thegrandyork.co.uk

As the name suggests, The Grand, York is one of the most impressive and iconic buildings in the city. Formerly the headquarters of the wealthy North Eastern Railway Company, the Grade II listed Edwardian building is bursting with architectural features including striking gable detailing and a bold gabled centrepiece. Only the best materials were used in its construction in 1906 including Huddlestone stone from a local quarry, an area which provided much of the limestone for York Minster.

Offering views of the iconic City Walls which once enclosed the whole of York, The Courtyard provides the perfect setting for an alfresco reception. The Courtyard was beautifully renovated in 2021 to include a dedicated bar and barn for cosy evening events.

The hotel’s impressive interior is characterised by wonderful detailing – such as beautiful garland ceilings and skilfully carved stone flourishes. The wonderful event spaces present stunning original features and sweeping stone staircases and wide arched corridors lead to tastefully appointed bedrooms.

Both the Grand Boardroom and Chairman’s Suite are licensed to hold wedding ceremonies. The spectacular Grand Boardroom - named after its former use – features high ceilings, oak panelling, original parquet flooring and ornate chandeliers and can host a ceremony up to 100 guests.

The Chairman’s Suite is perfect for a more intimate wedding ceremony up to with a capacity of 30 guests. The opulent setting features ornate fireplaces, dark wood pillars and beautiful wooden archways leading to the interconnected Grand Boardroom.

Post-vows, these two suites also play host to wedding breakfasts; for larger events, The Grand Boardroom can host up to 100 guests for a wedding breakfast, with the neighbouring Chairman’s Suites acting as the perfect overflow and private bar area for evening celebrations.

When saying ‘I do’ to this venue, couples benefit from a dedicate wedding planner, along with a complimentary menu tasting and a night in one of its Heritage Suites for the night of the wedding.

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THE NEW HOBBIT

01422 316231 | www.newhobbit.co.uk

Set within a country setting with magnificent views over the Calder valley, this country style inn is a fusion of rustic charm and contemporary interiors. Couples can tie the knot in the Function Suite in front of 60 loved ones, followed by a reception with up to 120 friends and family.

When choosing this big-day venue, couples can enjoy a free wine tasting and complimentary first anniversary stay in the hotel.