After tying the knot at their family farm in 2014, Laura and Oliver Robinson decided to open their barn doors to brides and grooms in search of rustic charm at its best. Since its opening, The Normans has attracted couples from across the UK to the undulating Yorkshire landscape.
Creatives at heart, this husband and wife super team met while working as magazine editors in Dubai. Though the glitz and glamour of this luxe city is often all-consuming, the call of the English countryside and Oliver’s family-ran farm was hard for the duo to ignore.
Thus, with wellies in tow, the couple returned to the 18th century Yorkshire farm and decided to marry at the very place that had drawn them back. Its charm was undeniable and inspired the newly-weds to revamp part of the farm into an exclusive wedding venue – The Normans.
But before opening their doors, Laura and Oliver made a few changes to the original farm buildings and fold yard, reimagining the rural spaces with a contemporary treatment that oozes ‘countryside cool’.
“It is a stunning countryside wedding venue where contemporary design features have been skilfully aligned with the traditional rustic elements of the farm on which it is set,” says the venue.
Now, four revamped and ready-to-go barn-like structures; the Ceremony Barn, Cow Stalls, Tack Room Bar and Grain Shed congregate around a modern courtyard to form The Normans. And, for three days, your wedding package will include exclusive use of all these buildings.
With these spaces at your disposal, you have complete flexibility to plan your day as you wish. But if you’re after some inspiration, a wedding at The Normans may look a little like this…
Arriving guests will be warmly welcomed into the south-facing courtyard. Once the old flow yard, this outdoor area brings the vision of architectural duo Mosley & Mann to life and allows family and friends to mingle and catch-up before entering the Ceremony Barn.
Now the Ceremony Barn is unsurprisingly the most romantic of the four buildings. Exposed-brick walls tower either side of the 140 seated guests who sit under a cavernous ceiling punctuated with rustic wooden trusses. Although in itself this is a spectacle to behold, you’ll be unable to pull your eye away from the floor-to-ceiling sheet of fairy lights which cascade down the end of the barn, marking the end of the aisle and leaving the bride and groom in a warming glow as they take their vows. Oh, and for those wondering, yes this is fully licensed.
Post vows, the ceremony party will leave through the double doors back to the outdoor courtyard to enjoy a glass of bubbly on the patio while the happy couple can have photos taken around the gorgeous, rural grounds.
For drinks, guests can head straight to the Tack Room Bar. This former stable is wonderfully cosy, particularly in the winter when the log fire begins to roar. This perfectly curated ambience flows through to the attached Cow Stalls where guests can retreat for a more intimate, and possibly quieter (depending what time it is…or how many bottles of bubbly have been consumed!) space to sit back and relax.
Once the party is really ready to start, swing the doors to the Grain Shed wide open and let your wedding party saunter into the white-washed, timber-clad space that is, of course, embellished in streams of fairylights.
Here you and your guests will feast upon a personalised menu from The Normans’ exclusive caterer The Hog & Apple Food Co before dancing the night away to your meticulously curated playlist. While the tables cater for 120 to dine, an additional 60 friends can join you for an evening groove until the clock strikes at midnight.
And after a whirlwind of a day, the bride and groom can waltz into The Normans’ cosy cottage for a night cap and much-needed sleep!
Spending your big day at this rustic wedding venue will undoubtedly make it one to remember by all. And while it’s the day that counts, much like the farm, the venue is family-ran so guidance throughout the planning process is constant. No question is too small and no worry is too large – the team at The Normans are simply ready and waiting to bring your dream wedding to life.
The wedding package itself is a one-off fee, so you can invite as many, or as little, people as you’d like without worrying about a change in cost. It also includes use the day before and after, so you won’t have to drag yourself out of bed on the big day to decorate. Additional costs however are required for a PA system and catering.
Viewings, both in-person at the Bilbrough venue and online, can be organised directly with the team.
For more information, head to their website.
For more glorious wedding venue inspiration, keep exploring with Your Day.
