Choosing your wedding venue is arguably one of the biggest and most important decisions you'll make when it comes to planning your wedding. There are sooooooo many options that it can sometimes feel overwhelming and difficult to know where to start! Well, fear not! If, like me, you're the type of person who does things a bit differently and you're looking for inspiration for your big day, then look no further! Here are some of my favourite wedding venues across the North West, complete with bonus wedding inspo for your viewing pleasure. Feast your eyes on these....
1. Victoria Baths, Manchester
A grade two listed building, this old Edwardian swimming pool complex combines striking architecture, original features and a huge variety of unique spaces that promise to offer a truly unforgettable setting for your wedding day!
The best bits:
A blank canvas so that you can coordinate, decorate and cater your wedding day however you like.
Exclusive hire of all spaces and the freedom to pick what happens where. You can also include a venue tour for your guests!
Weatherproof! With bags of character and original features, Victoria Baths has something for everyone and you won’t want to leave the building!
2. Manchester Museum, Manchester
Manchester Museum offers a truly unique setting for your wedding day. Say "I do" under a t-rex, venture through the living worlds gallery to your wedding reception and party the night away under a giant Buddha statue!
The best bits:
A stunning backdrop, incorporating iconic elements of the museums collection
Exclusive hire of the venue and flexibility around what happens where
Dedicated, experienced team on hand to help you throughout the planning phase and on the day
3. The Wellbeing Farm, Lancashire
The Wellbeing Farm is an award winning fun, rustic wedding venue based near Bolton. With llamas, donkeys, alpaca and bags of character, this is the perfect spot for a quirky countryside wedding with a difference.
The best bits:
Endless unique photo opportunities with the rolling countryside or the quirky farm features
Exclusive hire of the venue and a dedicated, experienced team helping you ever step of the way
Optional extras include garden games, celebration cheese cakes as a wedding cake alternative and use of the beautiful wedding house in its own grounds, close to the venue
4. Oddfellows, Chester
An ultra quirky boutique hotel located centrally in the beautiful city of Chester, Oddfellows describes itself as having "character, charm and a little bit of 'odd..." Think mad hatters tea party meets The Mighty Boosh and you're half way to picturing how awesome it is!
The best bits:
Quirky decor and features including an upside down room, giant boxing hares, a roof terrace and a secret garden
Dedicated, experienced team on hand to help you throughout the planning phase and on the day
Centrally located in Chester with beautiful surroundings, public transport links and plenty of accomodation for your guests
5. Sefton Palm House, Liverpool
A stunning, Grade II listed Victorian glasshouse located in Sefton Park, surrounded by 235 acres of greenery with a waterfall, bandstand and boating lake nearby. Not only is the building itself a sight to behold, the surrounding area makes this a perfect setting for an extra special wedding.
The best bits:
A stunning building and colourful botanical backdrop for your big day
Exclusive hire of the venue and a dedicated, experienced team on hand to help you throughout
Great for weddings of al sizes, this venue can comfortably seat up to 220 guests!
6. Thornsett Fields Farm, Derbyshire
Nestled in the rolling hills of the Derbyshire countryside, Thornsett Fields Farm is a working dairy farm and the perfect blank canvas for a super memorable wedding day. With a recently renovated barn and the flexibility to do what you want, the options really are endless.
The best bits:
The venue is yours for a whole week, giving you time to create your vision
At no extra cost, hay bales are provided to help set up the space, you have the option of arriving by tractor and special wedding guests like Pugsley the Pug and Mabel the Sheep (pictured above) will gladly feature in your photos
Set up a tipi, bring a camper van or pitch a tent to stay onsite and really make the most of it all!
7. Big Chief Tipis, anywhere
Speaking of tipis, if you're planning a festival-style wedding, you need to check out Big Chief Tipis. An award winning wedding supplier based in North Manchester, they cover events across the UK and pride themselves on helping to make dreams into memories.
The best bits:
Weatherproofing is including in the price, making your tipi setup perfect for all weathers
You can interlink multiple structures or use individual ones to create the right setup for you
Customise your tipi with rustic furniture, heaters, a dance floor and a disco ball!
8. King Street Townhouse, Manchester
Located in central Manchester, King Street Townhouse offers modern luxury in bucketloads. Contemporary & stylish, this is perfect for urban lovebirds who are looking to celebrate in style!
The best bits:
Exclusive use of the 6th floor event space which offers stunning views across Manchester from it’s roof terrace
Centrally located, this venue is easy to get to with accommodation for your guests onsite or nearby
Wedding packages that include access to Manchester’s first infinity spa pool
9. Larkspur Lodge, Knutsford
A 200 year old vintage barn that has been lovingly restored, Larkspur Lodge is full of rustic charm. Based in Cheshire not far from the market town of Knutsford, it beautifully combines quirky interiors with a rural setting.
The best bits:
Incorporate a range of different spaces into your day, including the striking ceremony room, the bright and airy lodge and the beautiful gardens
Enjoy quirky features like the vintage cinema seats in the ceremony room and exposed red brick walls, barn style windows and timber trusses in the lodge.
A dedicated in-house team with a Wedding & Events Manager who will help to make your dreams a reality
10. Whitebottom Farm, Stockport
Whitebottom Farm is a hidden gem, nestled away behind Etherow Country Park near Stockport. Often used as a festival site, they now host weddings of those looking for a fun, festival-style celebration.
The best bits:
A blank canvas space to create your own wedding day vision
Embrace the full festival spirit by camping overnight in their yurts
Curate your own festival lineup and have live performances on your own stage
If you're looking for a creative photographer who shares your love of all things wild, wacky, weird and wonderful, head to my packages page to find out more and feel free to get in touch if you had something different in mind. After all, variety is most definitely the spice of life!