We ended up on a bit of a road trip,” Chloe explained. “We live in Darlington, but both originally from Newcastle.  Our search was based in Northumberland, which made the most sense for us as we knew family would need to travel and we have a love of the area. We saw an Instagram ad for Lemmington Hall and we booked a viewing appointment to tie in with another viewing we already had booked.

“We didn’t realise the venue was so far from the other wedding venues we were viewing! But as soon as we drove up the driveway, we instantly got the wow factor.

“It’s an imposing building and the setting was so beautiful. We left thinking we wouldn’t be able to afford it,” said Chloe.

But the couple couldn’t get Lemmington Hall out of their heads. Especially Nathan!

He said, “Every venue we saw after that, we compared with Lemmington and nothing matched it. And when Chloe asked me which venue I wanted to get married at, I said ‘Lemmington Hall.”

NOTES FROM THE COUPLE

What was it that Sealed the Deal for you? 

Chloe: Having worked at a wedding venue, I knew what I wanted for our wedding, and what I didn’t want. We didn’t want to rush in and out like we were on a conveyor belt. So that narrowed down the venue search for us. You felt the exclusivity straight away when the Lemmington Hall team discussed their two-night wedding experience with us.

Nathan: We realised very quickly that we wanted a two-night wedding. And as Lemmington Hall is a summer-only wedding venue, it’s very exclusive with only a limited number of couples able to marry there. We loved that aspect!

Had you Heard of Two-Night Weddings? 

Chloe: It was something I’d heard of before. My cousin got married at Lemmington Hall’s sister venue, Ellingham Hall about 10 years ago, where they enjoyed a two-night wedding. For me, there’s nothing worse than being rushed out of the venue the next day because the next couple are arriving early.

Nathan: We wanted to be able to fully enjoy the experience and not be rushing about getting everything sorted. As Lemmington hosts two weddings per week, you are able to arrive early from 2pm the day before and you enjoy late departure at 12 noon the day after the wedding.

Did the Aesthetics of Lemmington Hall Inspire your Wedding? 

Chloe: Yes, I think they did. It doesn’t just look like your generic wedding venue and our theme evolved around that elegant and grandiose look of the venue. We chatted a lot with our florist about how the styling would look in the bigger picture and bring everything to life. The venue has a whimsical and romantic feel. I guess it’s a bit of a Bridgerton vibe.

Nathan: We said to our string trio to think “Bridgerton soundtrack” for the music. We wanted modern contemporary with a twist.

Why did you opt for an Outdoor Wedding Ceremony?

Chloe: How can you not – when the grounds are so stunning, especially the Water Garden and West Terrace. I’ve seen plenty of outdoor weddings go awry with the weather and people have had to rush indoors. But that was what I liked about Lemmington Hall, the team plan for two weddings. The indoor ceremony spaces are equally as beautiful as outside. Lemmington is such a tranquil and peaceful setting, you can’t hear any road noise. As you drive up, it feels like you’re in the middle of nowhere and that adds to the exclusive feel, not being overlooked.

How was the Weather on your Wedding Day? 

Nathan: The weather was absolutely glorious on the day, which was perfect for our wedding ceremony which we held on the West Lawn.

Chloe: The bridesmaids and some of our guests really caught the sun! The weather forecast said it would be a bit cloudy and grey, but dry. Then suddenly, the sun came out, which I think caught everyone off guard!

Was your Wedding a Big Success!

Chloe: It was, I woke up in the morning and was very nervous, which isn’t like me. But Debbie, Lemmington’s Group wedding and events Manager, reminded me that you don’t get married every day, so it wasn’t surprising that I’d be nervous! I lay in the glamourous golden bathtub in Lady A’s wedding suite to self-regulate in the morning which was relaxing!

Nathan: I felt a lot calmer waking up at our venue rather than having to travel to the venue on the morning. The day went so quickly. First thing, I started thinking about all the little jobs I could do, like moving things up into the groom’s suite, and then our suppliers arrived. It was all happening and then it felt like I blinked, and I was standing in the aisle waiting for Chloe to make her grand entrance.

What did your Guests think about your Wedding?

Chloe: We booked so far in advance that everyone had been anticipating this day for ages! But honestly, we had glowing compliments throughout the entire celebration. Our guests kept commenting how beautiful the Hall and grounds were. As the designated wedding planner in our family, I think everyone was expecting something special from us, and they weren’t disappointed! What really stood out to everyone was how gorgeous the water garden looked during the drink’s reception – there’s something so magical about the relaxing, ambient sound of the water fountain. The whole venue felt so exclusive and intimate, like it was designed just for us. The team were fantastic and went above and beyond to make sure every detail was perfect.

What’s your Advice to anyone Planning an Outdoor Wedding?

Chloe: It’s your wedding so do what you want. Play the music you want, have the food you want and the venue you want. And don’t forget the sunscreen! Oh, and I made a mistake of buying parasols online thinking they’d be useful for the sunshine. But they were useless. They were so small they didn’t cover you at all. Don’t buy things on a whim online!

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

Wedding Day Suppliers

photographer – Sophie Ruck Photography

Videographer – Studio Dark

Registrar – @weddiingsinnorthumberland

Dress – Mia Sposa Bridal Boutique – Designer Morilee Official

Suits – Suit Culture

Hair – Eleanor Jayne Makeup Artistry

Mua – Ness Wong Bridal Hair & Make Up Artistry

Bridesmaids’ dresses – JJ’s House

Florist/Styling – Fleur Couture

String Trio – Scotia Strings

Cake – Bake Make Eat

DJ – Ultimate Wedding DJ

Photobooth – Valentina Photobooth

With a love of Northumberland, the couple were certain about where to search for their dream wedding venue.

“We love Northumberland, and we knew the county has some amazing wedding venues. We also love Scotland, but felt it was going to be too far for our guests to travel. Who can resist the Northumberland countryside landscape’s – they are really beautiful!”

NOTES FROM THE BRIDE

Why did you choose Lemmington Hall?

We were struggling to find a wedding venue where we loved the inside as well as the outside. Being wary of the British weather, we knew we might end up with our Ceremony taking place indoors.

When we visited Lemmington Hall we both loved the Grounds, and we absolutely loved the inside too. You feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere, but at the same time, the venue is easy for all your guests to find and travel to.

Were you expecting the Hall to be so Perfect?

We had seen photos of the Hall’s interiors online, but as a new venue, there were no wedding galleries to view when we looked. So, we didn’t know what a wedding would look like at Lemmington Hall.

But when you visit, the interior, especially the Forgotten Tower, is just incredible. Our guests were really blown away by it as well.

It was great that we had exclusive use of the venue and grounds and were able to use all the different areas inside and out. It was the perfect setting for our family and friends.

Tell us about your Wedding Day

We held our ceremony outdoors on the West Lawn and then we moved down to the Water Garden for our drink’s reception. The children were fascinated by the fish in the pond and enjoyed running around the topiary trees. Afterwards we moved indoors to the 11th Century Forgotten Tower for our Wedding Breakfast.

After our meal, guests could roam wherever they liked and the children played some lawn games, which were fun!

In the evening, guests enjoyed drinks in the Adams Bar and the DJ and dancing were in the Music Room.

Did your Guests enjoy your Two Night Summer Wedding?

They did, they loved the fact it was a Two-Night Wedding celebration.

Our family stayed with us, and it was perfect for the children. Ben has several younger nieces and nephews, and they could settle in before the big day without any stress. It was nice knowing that they would be safe to run around and have fun, which they couldn’t freely do if we were at a hotel. It was much easier for the family members who have kids to relax too.

The guests also loved the lemon meringue – they said it was the best they’d ever eaten. They raved about it all and loved the Forgotten Tower.

What’s your Advice to Couples planning an Outdoor Wedding?

We wanted to be out in nature, but we knew we needed to think about getting married indoors if the weather wasn’t good. You need to think about having an alternative indoor space as a contingency, should the weather let you down. And yes, my fringe was blown a bit, so think about how to do your hair in case it is windy!

At Lemmington Hall you get lovely photos because of the woodland and stunning grounds. So, think about what the venue will look like in the photographs.

Lemmington Hall really was the perfect backdrop!

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

Wedding Day Suppliers

Photographers – Sean Elliott Photography

Registrar – Northumberland Registrars

Wedding Gown – Essence of Australia

Suits – Suits Direct

Bridesmaid Dresses – JJs House Online

Hair – Bridal Hair by Alexandra Jane

Bridal Party Hair – @bexhairbeautyboutique_

Florist – Simply Flowers in Brighouse

DJ/Uplighting – AMDJ Services

Wedding Cake – couple supplied.

So, what was it that really grabbed the couple’s attention?

“When you view venues on wedding open days, the ceremony spaces can look good because they’ve dressed it up,” Rachel explained. “But with the Forgotten Tower you don’t need to add anything else to the room as it’s so incredibly special the way it is. It sounds silly to say this about a room, but it has a really emotional feel when you walk in, especially when you see it for the first time.

“My Mum cried every time she saw it. I don’t know how to describe it, but it just has a really special feel to it. It has touches of modern décor, but its rich history is breathtaking with the gorgeous stained-glass windows and original stone fireplace. It feels like you’re adding to that history if you get married there.”

NOTES FROM THE BRIDE

What did your Guests say about your Forgotten Tower Ceremony?

So many of our guests said ‘what a room’ when they talk about the Forgotten Tower. They were equally blown away when they saw it, as we were when we first visited. I wish I’d been in the room before the ceremony commenced so I could see their reactions!

The Registrar really made it extra special too, because she added details to our service about Northumberland tradition and history. It all added to the atmosphere and character of the room and our ceremony felt very special and unique.  It didn’t feel like you were just getting married, it was such a memorable moment for everyone.

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

It was something we decided on, after booking Lemmington Hall. I think seeing the venue, set the theme. It felt so luxurious and exclusive that we felt we wanted to match it with our attire. When you’re a bride, you get to choose a beautiful dress which makes you feel special. We thought the black-tie theme would be perfect for Sam, as the groom, to stand out and make him feel equally as special on the big day. It fitted really well with the luxurious surroundings and gave our guests an opportunity to dress up too.

How did you Feel about being one of the First Couples to Marry at Lemmington?

It really appealed to us because the venue only hosts a limited number of weddings each year during the summer months, so it’s very exclusive. It’s an amazing feeling to be one of the first couples to get married at Lemmington Hall. We get invited to a lot of weddings and you often think, “Oh, that venue again! It’s nice to have something new, and it made our wedding feel unique from what we’ve experienced before.

Did you Visit other Venues before Lemmington Hall?

We live about an hour and a half from Northumberland. We had looked at venues closer to home and further afield. They were all lovely in their own way, but we just didn’t have any connection to them. Actually, we had stopped looking and thought we’d get married in 2025 instead because we didn’t want to put any pressure on ourselves. We booked a holiday and then Lemmington Hall came up on my Instagram and it caught my attention. We booked a viewing and once we’d visited Lemmington, we both said, “This is the right venue!” We then got back into wedding planning mode!

Did you have many Guests staying Overnight?

 There were 14 of us staying the night before which was lovely that we had the whole venue to ourselves. The venue is exclusively yours and it means you are not worried about people walking into your wedding that aren’t meant to be there. Our family and friends all loved the two-night wedding experience as it made it feel more than just another wedding.

Did they enjoy the Two-Night Wedding Experience?

We’ve had so many comments about the venue, and everyone has commented about the food. Guests have all said the food was incredible! Normally you get the same old standard things, like a roast dinner, so it was nice that guests had some variety and could choose their own food options. I was gutted I couldn’t eat any more on the day as it was all so delicious, but I was restricted with my dress. 

What’s your Advice for Couples looking for a Wedding Venue?

I would say just go with your heart and go with what you want. Don’t worry too much if you can’t find the dream dress or venue straight away. Stick with your heart and you will find what you’re looking for. It’s your day and you need to have it how you want it. We were disappointed that we weren’t finding our dream wedding venue – but then we found Lemmington Hall, and the rest is history!

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

Wedding Day Suppliers

Photographers – Gary Walsh Photography

Videographer – UK Wedding Films

Registrar – Northumberland Registrars

Wedding Gown – Elizabeth George Bridal

Suits – Suit Culture

Bridesmaid Dresses – Wed2B

Hair – Beth Nattress & Ashleigh Hutton 

Mua – Cara Davison

Florist – The Flowerhouse, Hartburn

DJ/Dancefloor/Photobooth – AG Events

Wedding Cake – Cakes by Oscar

Violinist – Nadia Violin

It’s the cherry on top of the cake, as our business has had such a fantastic year. In the past 12 months, our new parent company ‘Unveiled Venues’ was launched to incorporate Ellingham Hall alongside two new sister venues.

As well as Ellingham Hall, the Unveiled Venues group has added luxury wedding venue Lemmington Hall in Alnwick and family gastro pub The Highlander Ponteland to its portfolio.

Unveiled Venues’ Group Director Anthony Hunter said the TWIA award for the wedding events team had signified an amazing year.

“The fact the team has scooped the Best Wedding Events Team at the Regional final for the third year running, shows that Unveiled Venues has firm foundations,” he said.

“I want to congratulate every member of the Ellingham Events Team that has been part of this success over the past three years. This recognition illustrates the importance of creating the best wedding experience for all our couples. I am immensely proud of every single member of our team!”

TWIA brings together the Regional Winners from all categories, which culminates in a National awards event each year. After beating a host of events teams from across the North East and Yorkshire last January, our team collected a Highly Commended award in the National final.

Group General Manager David Fordham-Scott said it was a privilege to represent Northumberland and the North East for the third year in a row.

“We’re hoping to bring home the National accolade to illustrate what the North East is renowned for – its warm hospitality,” he said.

“TWIA uses feedback from couples to make its decisions. Knowing that this industry award is down to the experience and comments of our valued couples makes it even more rewarding, because it tells us we’re giving people the high standard of service that every couple deserves.”

TWIA’s National final takes place on 24 January at London’s Underglobe. Last year, we were Highly Commended and we’re hoping to top that in the 2024 Final!

If you are considering a wedding venue in the North East, contact our wedding planning team today.