Leeds and the surrounding area offer some of Yorkshire’s best wedding venues, from historic settings to modern barn conversions.
Carlton Towers is all about grandeur, with impressive architecture and period interiors. Hazlewood Castle brings history and atmosphere, set in beautiful grounds. For something contemporary, Wharfedale Grange combines a modern barn feel with high-end finishes, while The Oakwood at Ryther offers a sleek, versatile space for couples wanting a clean, stylish backdrop.
If your looking for some venues outside of Leeds, it’s also worth checking out the Tithe barn located 20 minutes from Leeds centre
Whether you’re planning a classic, modern, or countryside wedding, Leeds has a venue to match.
With so many incredible options out there, I’ve put together my list of the very best wedding venues in the area. Choosing a venue is no easy task, so I’ve narrowed it down to my personal favourites from across the region. As a wedding photographer, I’m lucky enough to visit a huge variety of stunning locations — and these are the ones that truly stand out.
The Chilli Barn in Otley is an exclusive DIY wedding venue, perfect for couples who want to style and set up their day exactly the way they envision it. With access the day before and after, you have the freedom to take your time, add personal touches, and make the space truly your own.
Just three minutes from Otley Chevin Hotel and within easy reach of nearby towns and cities, it’s ideally located for looking after your guests.
Surrounded by rolling countryside, the barn offers endless backdrops for photos. And if you fancy something a little extra, a quick trip to Otley Chevin’s Surprise View gives you an incredible panorama for those wow-factor wedding portraits.
Woodlands Hotel sits on the outskirts of Leeds in Gildersome — a restored Victorian country house with exclusive use, so Adam and Katie had the whole estate to themselves. For a summer wedding like theirs it is the gardens and the terrace steps that earn their keep, and the confetti line outside the main building is hard to beat.
Everything about weddings at Woodlands Hotel →
weddings at Carlton Towers are nothing short of magical. Set in the heart of the Yorkshire countryside, this grand stately home combines elegance and romance in every corner. The gothic architecture and sweeping staircases make an incredible first impression, while the lush gardens offer stunning backdrops for portraits. Every time I photograph here, it feels like stepping straight into a fairytale – and the atmosphere on a wedding day is just unforgettable.
If you’re dreaming of a truly unforgettable Yorkshire wedding, Hazlewood Castle is a venue that never fails to impress me. Nestled in beautiful countryside near Leeds, this historic castle combines centuries of charm with everything you need for a perfect celebration. From its elegant ceremony spaces to its enchanting gardens and woodland walks, Hazlewood Castle offers endless opportunities for stunning wedding photography.
As a wedding photographer, I’m always excited to return here the backdrops are spectacular and the team ensures every couple enjoys a day that’s nothing short of extraordinary.
Woodlands Hotel is a restored Victorian country house on the edge of Leeds, with exclusive use and 23 bedrooms on site. Mollie and Matt married in winter, which is when the Orangery really proves itself — a light-filled room that carries a whole day indoors without ever feeling like the weather won.
Everything about weddings at Woodlands Hotel →
The Oakwood at Ryther, set in the lush countryside near Tadcaster and just a short drive from Leeds, is a stunning new barn wedding venue overflowing with rustic charm and contemporary elegance. From the romantic Oak Ceremony Room with its oak arches and York stone flooring, to acres of manicured gardens, soft grass walkways, and fabulous bridal prep suites, it’s a true all-in-one venue.
Weddings here flow seamlessly from indoors to outdoors. After saying “I do” in the Ceremony Hall (which seats up to 160 guests), couples and their guests can enjoy fizz and canapés in the Courtyard before moving on to The Old Grain Store for the wedding breakfast and evening celebrations. This beautifully converted barn, with its exposed brickwork, wooden beams, draped fabric, and chandeliers, feels warm, atmospheric, and ready for a party. A grand central staircase provides a show-stopping newlywed entrance and even leads to a cosy upstairs chill-out zone for quieter moments.
With on-site accommodation for guests, convenience is another big tick on the list. When I visited, I was truly spoiled for choice — every corner has character and photo potential. From the pergolas and flowerbeds to the Courtyard, The Oakwood at Ryther is a photographer’s playground and a couple’s dream venue.
Priory Barn & Cottages is a stunning countryside wedding venue tucked away in the heart of North Yorkshire near Leeds and Tadcaster. Set around a charming courtyard, it offers a beautifully rustic barn, stylish marquee, and cosy self-catering cottages for you and your guests. With exclusive use, gorgeous rural surroundings, and plenty of space to celebrate, it’s the perfect mix of relaxed, homely comfort and picture-perfect wedding setting.
The Walton View Hotel in Leeds is a lovely, laid-back spot for couples wanting a relaxed wedding with beautiful countryside views. It’s got a cozy feel, perfect for smaller weddings, and the garden area makes for stunning photos without feeling over-the-top.
The venue has a down-to-earth vibe, offering a mix of natural charm and modern comforts that help keep things stress-free and enjoyable. If you’re after a chilled-out place to tie the knot, Walton View could be just what you’re looking for. Rest assured your wedding photos will look incredible here
Wharfedale is a spacious wedding venue offering everything in one location. with alarge function room that can host both the day & night, giving you flexibility to plan the day your way.
On-site recently built accommodation makes it easy for close family and friends to stay near by, The venue is surrounded by open countryside with far-reaching views, providing a stunning backdrop for your wedding photographs. With plenty of space, practical facilities, and a setting that feels open and bright, Wharfedale is fantastic choice as a leeds wedding venue
Getting married at Woodlands Hotel? Here is everything I have learned photographing weddings there — the spaces, how the day tends to run, and the real weddings I have shot in them.
Nestled on the outskirts of Leeds in Gildersome, Woodlands Hotel is one of West Yorkshire’s
most sought-after wedding venues. This beautifully restored Victorian country house offers couples
the rare luxury of exclusive use, giving you and your guests the run of the entire
estate for the day.
It strikes a balance between elegant charm and modern comfort: 23 individually designed
bedrooms, an award-winning restaurant, and landscaped grounds that photograph beautifully in
any season. The team takes a bespoke approach with no rigid packages — just a day built around
what you actually want.
I am one of Woodlands Hotel’s recommended photographers, and I have now shot
weddings there across every season — a bright spring day out on the lawn, a black-tie summer wedding in
the gardens, and a winter one where the whole thing happily lived indoors. Venues do not hand that out
lightly; it means the team there know my work and know I will not get in the way of theirs.
What it means for you is simpler. I already know where the light falls, which corners work when it
rains, and how a Woodlands day tends to run — so none of your wedding gets spent explaining the
building to me.
The jewel in the crown, and where most couples spend their day. A light-filled contemporary space
that can host ceremonies and receptions for up to 250 guests, so you can run the
ceremony, wedding breakfast and evening entertainment in one room without a scramble to turn it
around. For a photographer that light is the whole story — it is soft, plentiful and forgiving,
which is exactly what you want for a ceremony and for speeches.
If you want an outdoor ceremony, you can say your vows on the terrace of the main building
overlooking the gardens. The grounds then come into their own for drinks and canapés, and
they are the spot for group photographs and couple portraits — room to spread out, and enough
variety that you are not repeating the same backdrop all afternoon.
Woodlands spoils couples here. There are dedicated prep rooms on site, and both of you can get
ready within a few doors of each other. It makes for a relaxed morning and it means I can cover both
sides of the story without anyone travelling between locations — which quietly buys you back
half an hour of your own day.
The venue is fully licensed for civil ceremonies, so you can hold everything on site. The Orangery
is the most popular choice; the terrace is the outdoor option when the weather plays ball.
Woodlands Hotel
79 Gelderd Rd, Gildersome, Leeds, LS27 7LY
0113 238 1488
woodlandsleeds.com
Woodlands Hotel in Leeds is one of those wedding venues that just works perfectly for any style of celebration. Set in beautifully kept gardens, it offers endless opportunities for stunning wedding photos, especially in the golden evening light. I’ve photographed both intimate ceremonies and larger weddings here, and the mix of old-world charm with modern style means it always looks incredible. Inside, the chic ballroom and adaptable spaces can be styled to match any vibe – from classic elegance to something more contemporary. The team at Woodlands are fantastic to work with, making sure every detail runs smoothly so you can simply enjoy your Leeds wedding to the fullest.
