Wedding suppliers in North Yorkshire

Planning a wedding in North Yorkshire

Few English counties pack in as much variety as North Yorkshire. It covers two national parks, the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors, a dramatic stretch of coastline, the medieval city of York and elegant Harrogate. For couples, that means the hardest part is often deciding which version of Yorkshire you want.

York suits city weddings, with the Minster and the old streets making a striking backdrop for photographs. Harrogate and Knaresborough lean towards grand hotels and Victorian elegance. Out in the Dales around Skipton and Ripon you will find barns, country estates and stone-built inns, while Whitby and Scarborough offer clifftop views and harbour towns. Whitby Abbey, high above the town, is one of the most recognisable silhouettes in the north.

Practical points

York sits on the East Coast Main Line, so guests from London, Edinburgh and the north east can arrive by train, and the A1(M) runs through the west of the county. Rural venues are another matter: roads in the Dales and Moors are narrow and slow, and mobile signal can be patchy, so send clear directions and arrange transport home.

York and the coast get very busy in school holidays and around race meetings, which pushes up demand for guest rooms. Reserve blocks of accommodation early if your date falls in peak season.

• Spring and autumn are lovely in the national parks and often easier to book.
• Ask suppliers whether they charge travel for remote venues.
• Civil ceremonies must take place at a register office or approved premises; give notice at your local register office and confirm details with the North Yorkshire registration service.

Use the suppliers listed here to build a team that knows the county's venues and its weather.