Wedding suppliers in Durham

Planning a wedding in Durham

Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle stand side by side on a wooded peninsula, wrapped by a loop of the River Wear. Together they form a World Heritage Site, and the view of them from the riverbanks or from the railway viaduct is one of the finest in England. It is a dramatic setting for a wedding, and photographers make the most of the riverside paths, old bridges and cobbled streets.

City and countryside

Within the city there are historic buildings, hotels and riverside venues. Beyond it, County Durham has a rich mix of settings. The Durham Dales to the west, including Weardale and Teesdale, have stone villages, moorland and waterfalls, with farm and country house venues. Bishop Auckland, with its castle and historic market place, lies to the south-west, and Spennymoor and Ferryhill to the south. Chester-le-Street, Washington and Houghton-le-Spring lie towards Tyneside and Wearside.

Dates to keep in mind

Durham is a university city, and graduation ceremonies bring large numbers of visitors and fill hotels. The Durham Miners' Gala, held on a Saturday in July, is a huge event for the region and the city becomes extremely busy. Check dates before you commit, and encourage guests to book early.

• City-centre streets are steep, cobbled and partly restricted to traffic. Plan drop-off points for wedding cars and supplier vans.
• The Dales can be cooler and wetter than the lowlands, so always plan an indoor option.
• Rural venues may involve long, narrow roads. Arrange transport for guests at the end of the night.

Getting there

Durham sits on the East Coast Main Line, with fast trains to London, Edinburgh and Newcastle. The A1(M) runs just to the east, and Newcastle and Teesside airports are within reach.

In England, civil ceremonies must be held at a register office or approved premises, and you give notice at your local register office. Durham's register office can confirm current notice periods and options.