Just a couple of miles from the charming market town of Thirsk lies the stunning North Yorkshire wedding venue known as Thirsk Lodge Barns. This expansive wedding venue features a variety of different areas, which contribute to an even and seamless flow throughout the entire wedding day. Thirsk Lodge Barns provides convenient onsite parking along with options for you and your guests to stay overnight in the comfortable farmhouse accommodation. There is an undeniable romantic and luxurious feel that runs throughout its beautifully designed barns, all set within the picturesque countryside of North Yorkshire.
Read on to see the wedding photography highlights from Deborah and Michaels’s gorgeous wedding at Thirsk Lodge Barns. D & M also contributed a little Q&A. The morning started with Deborah and her family in the farmhouse for bridal preparation
Let’s hear about the proposal
we had a night stay in York. Mike arranged the proposal through the hotel. We went out for dinner & when we came back to our room, ‘will you marry me’ was spelt out on the bed in rose petals with the ring in the middle of a heart shape towel!
Tell us about you wedding dress
Deborah: When I saw my dress on the peg I wasn't too keen, however when I tried it on I loved it!
I didn't have an exact style in mind, other than I wanted a dress which highlighted my figure - waist and bottom! It made me feel amazing and to my surprise I loved the slit in the dress! All the detail on the dress around my waist was so beautiful!
Did you have a wedding theme?
Deborah: We decided on roses and thistles. Yorkshire white rose for Mike and the Scottish thistle for me. I felt it was important to have some Scottish elements throughout our wedding. We didn't want anything too formal or serious and hope we achieved a relaxed and celebratory feel to the day.
Mike loves coffee and cake - I really only became a coffee drinker from meeting Mike. We wanted to invite all our guests for coffee and cake an hour before the ceremony to share a moment with them (and to make sure everyone was there on time for the ceremony to start at 1pm!)
Wedding planning can be daunting, how did you start?
We knew we wanted to get married locally as we met in York and also relatively central for my family (family in Aberdeen & Bristol/Cornwall!) to travel (hoping they didn’t think it was too far to travel!) The location was the first step.
Why did you pick Thirsk Lodge Barns for your wedding venue?
Deborah: Finding a venue we both loved and could see ourselves getting married in was our first steps in wedding planning. We both had a ‘feel good’ moment when we went to visit the venue for the first time. We loved how much natural light fills the space from the floor to ceiling windows. When we first visited the venue, we loved the idea of having separate spaces for the ceremony and the wedding breakfast. The spaces just flow together really well.
Mike, How did you feel before the ceremony began?
I was super proud waiting with Dan by my side and then seeing Bella walking down the aisle. I felt really lucky having them both with us and it was a very proud moment. When I saw Deborah, wow ! I felt incredibly happy and my first tough moment, trying to keep my emotions together!
Deborah, what was you feeling as you walked down the aisle?
Walking down the aisle, I remember seeing 3 of my friends and then I looked for Mike. I was watching him the whole time and just remember smiling the whole way down the aisle. He was looking so handsome.
Are there any wedding suppliers you’d like to give a shout out to?
The team at Thirsk Lodge Barn made us feel so welcome and completely at ease. Our day ran so smoothly and a big thank you to them all.
Photographer - having had a previous family photoshoot with Gemma and feeling completely at ease in her company, we knew we wanted Gemma as our wedding photographer! We wanted photographs capturing our day and knew that she would do this so brilliantly well.
Was there a colour scheme?
Deborah: I didn't have a specific colour in mind. I was happy for the bridesmaids to help guide the colour of their dresses. We went with plum purple which suited them all so well and also worked great with the white roses and thistles!
What’s your favourite memories from the day?
Deborah - Walking down the aisle and Mike seeing me in my dress for the first time, this was the moment I was most looking forward to! I loved being piped into our wedding breakfast too - I love the sound of the bagpipes and it was a lovely 'Scottish' moment for me!
Mike - Seeing Deborah coming down the aisle looking even more beautiful than I could ever have imagined. Also sharing the song together as part of my Groom's speech.
Deborah: My speech - I felt I wanted to do something special for my Mum. I am so pleased I did a speech, a thank you to her and giving her my flowers. She deserves so much more than my flowers, but hopefully a memory she will treasure and always remember! Also we both loved and appreciated Gemma coming to get us for the photograph with the rainbow - that was amazing !
What advice would you give to couples planning a wedding?
Mike: Get a 'Deborah' !
Both: Make sure you have all the important people in our lives there to celebrate the day with. Start planning early with the suppliers and get them booked in. Then enjoy creating the personal moments and finishing touches to your special day.
Did you have a first dance?
We love a ceilidh and we both wanted a busy dance floor throughout the evening! Choosing our first dance as a ceilidh dance included all our guests and meant that we danced with everyone at least once!
Is there anything else you like to share about your wedding at Firsk Lodge Barns?
We both had the most amazing day!! A big thank you, to you Gemma, for capturing our day so beautifully. We are really looking forward to seeing all the photographs!
If you are looking for a Yorkshire wedding venue here’s some information that might help when considering Thirsk Lodge Barns
About Thirsk Lodge Barns in North Yorkshire
The Main Barn
The main barn at Thirsk Lodge Barns is where beautiful ceremonies take place. The natural light spills in on the couple as they say their heartfelt vows, creating a warm and intimate atmosphere. The red bricks, combined with fairy lights give a rustic feel and also a beautifully focal wall at the front of the barn, which is also works excellent as a backdrop for capturing formal photos if the weather isn’t particularly favorable. This versatile space is transformed for the evening party, with the wheelhouse conveniently located off to the side, making it a perfect hideaway for some quiet time and private moments at any point during the wedding celebration.
The Dining room
Thirsk Lodge Barns dining room is a spacious area that features beautiful, natural light streaming in through the skylight located in the center of the room. Its design exudes a charming rustic barn feel, which adds a warm and inviting atmosphere. The space can be set up according to your preferences, allowing for various configurations; both round tables and trestle tables are readily available..
The Bar
The Bar area definitely captures the warm and inviting feel of the original barn, beautifully enhanced by the shape and the charming exposed beams. Not many people know this fascinating detail, but it features a whole wall that opens up to the lovely courtyard, for those hot summer weddings, allowing guests to enjoy the refreshing outdoor atmosphere.
The Coutyard
The Courtyard is a wonderfully inviting area that becomes particularly charming after the wedding ceremony has concluded. It features a very old and majestic olive tree, which adds a distinctive Mediterranean vibe to the surroundings. During the summer months, this picturesque spot is truly the perfect location for enjoying cocktail hour, as well as capturing beautiful wedding portraits.
Farm House Cottage
Farm House Cottage at Thirsk Lodge Barns is available for over night stays for the couple and family. Again it is blessed with lots of windows for natural light, which is important to us wedding photographer.. especially for a winter wedding in February. The Laundry Cottage is also an option, sleeping 2 while The Farmhouse, sleeps 9, for the night before and night of the wedding.
Yorkshire wedding suppliers at Thirsk Lodge Barns
Wedding Photographer: Gemma Suckley Photography
Wedding Venue: Thirsk Lodge Barns
Florist: Wild Floral Couture
Wedding dress: Maggie Sottero Designs, Sorella Bridal
Bridal shoes: Rainbow Club
Suit: Moss Bros
HMUA: The Styling Lounge
Bridesmaid dress: wed2b
Music: the yorkshire piper
Catering: Blue Catering