BBQ/Picnic Reception Venue - North East

Dee-Dee

Hi All,

My H2B and I are looking to get married next year (we have been engaged for 5 and a half years so the wedding is long overdue ) and are looking for a wedding reception venue ideally in Co Durham or North Yorkshire (our families are based in Darlington).

We have looked at a few places but it seems as though there isn't much scope for doing things the way we'd like and the costs for most places seem pretty high. I am not totally opposed to a traditional reception in a hotel but I really love the idea of having a picnic/BBQ style reception in some lovely grounds, maybe at a village hall type venue. I was wondering whether anyone had any ideas for reception venues in the area where the charges to do this kind of thing would be relatively low. Venues where you have the freedom to decorate as you like and the option to bring in outside caterers etc would be ideal.

I have to say I have got loads of ideas from this board already for doing things on a budget so thanks to everyone for being so generous with your ideas, advice and help! :T

mshelsbels

Are you looking to get married in a church / licensed premises then have the reception somewhere else? If so, how far would you want to travel?

Hels

Dee-Dee

Hi,

We are going to be married in a church before hand so we just need a venue for the reception. We'd be prepared to travel about 10-5 miles.

Cheers.

sunshinejoclaire

I think you are taking the chances in the NE with a picnic

(only cos i'm scared of the rain in 2.5 weeks!!)

karen_newcastle

Quite a few places offer BBQs for the wedding breakfast but I dont know of any village hall type places. I know Longhirst Nr Morpeth and Horton Grange Nr Ponteland both offer BBQs.

I too would worry about planning an outside do in the North East LOL!

mshelsbels

Hmmm, I'm only really familiar with the ones like Horton and Longhirst (both fab!!), and they're going to be too far for you I think. Have you tried Ramside or Hardwick Hall? Also Crathorne hall is an option too - they're nearer you but might be pricey?

Another good piece of advice is to go into your local Tourist Information office and ask them. They'll know places where BBQ's / garden parties / concerts etc take place during the summer. They'll also know parks and private gardens too.
Some National Trust properties may help - look at the Landmark trust too - they have amazing buildings to rent to stay over, usually smaller properties though, but they might have huge grounds?
Some private self catering holiday homes are huge country houses and have the space for marquees / bbq's etc. Heres one example, but its too far north for you. It will give you some idea of what's available though, and it has 4 acres of land - big enough for a picnic!!

Also, I once went to an evening wedding reception in my local village hall - it was amazing!! She had fairy lights and candles all over the place, dancing and food inside and all the locals loaned gazebos and chairs for outside, it looked magical with all the lights!!

Hope this has given you some ideas.
Regards,
Hels

lindaatno9

May seem like a totally daft suggestion but any farmers willing to "hire" out a bit of land to you? You would probably have to look into fire regs for the bar b but if you just go for the picnic?

cuthbert_the_octopus

We have hired a village hall for a hog roast - but we had problems finding a hall that would let us have a hog or BBQ..... but out of 10, 3 said yes.

Ruthie5

I don't live in that area and so can't suggest any places, but I agree that you perhaps want somewhere that doesn't depend entirely on the weather. A village hall that had big doors opening onto outside sounds lovely, and if it is chucking it down, you can be inside. You don't want to be stressing about the weather for weeks beforehand.

The last Council I worked for had a 'halls for hire' leaflet with details of all Council owned venues. The leisure department looked after them all, so it might be worth contacting your local council too....ooh just thought - what about a forestry commission cafe or something like that? They have some lovely ones, and it would be in a great setting?

Good luck!

lindaatno9

I know you said you had the ceremony sorted but www.redlion.co.uk do wedding ceremonies and then can provide a hog roast etc. You can even go along to appletreewick http://www.craven-cruckbarn.co.uk/cruckbarn.htm and have a hog roast or something there. It's all in North Yorkshire but not too sure on distance for you.
We actually got married at the Red Lion and had the reception there too. Was a fantastic day. The scene in Calander Girls where they discuss "the cake" on the green is right outside the Red Lion on the banks of the River Wharf.

Violetta_2

We are away up in Scotland but we have a lovely country park nearby and they have a marquee to hire & big barbeques, if it wasn't for our unpredictable weather I would have loved to get married there, is there nowhere like that near you? Might be worth having a look at your local council website, they might also have info on local community centres that would be suitable.