What’s a wedding without some jazzy decor to add the finishing touches? And let’s face it, the more OTT, the better! With so many brilliant decor and prop hire suppliers to choose from, as part of our 5 Best series of blogs we’ve managed to narrow down to some of our favourites.

I Do Hire

With an impressive range of neon signs, backdrops, light up love letters, lux carts, along with their giant iconic ‘To the Moon and Back’ backdrop and their popular photo booth, I Do have you covered for your wedding decor needs.

Check out their collections on their website and Instagram

Streamadelica

Make a BIG visual splash at your event with zero-waste, totally weatherproof streamers. Whether you’re DIY-ing it or going all-in with a full install, Streamadelica will help you turn heads and make your day unforgettable!

Check out their collections on their website and Instagram

Typical Type

These lighting and furniture specialists are always a favourite for couples looking to add a rustic touch to their day. Their lighting collection includes festoons, Edison bulbs, fairy lighting and 6ft light up letters while their furniture range boasts rustic tables, seating, a dry hire bar and more.

Check out their collections on their website and Instagram

Pinch Me Please

From the creative minds behind New Craven Hall, Pinch Me Please is truly a decor supplier like no other. Every piece is unique, originally designed, and handmade. Think bright, bold, colourful decor with a range of neon signs, mirrored neon light up letters, disco ball canopies, backdrops and more!

Check out their collections on their website and Instagram

Unique Balloons

Bring elegance, sparkle and glamour to your event with bespoke balloon displays, backdrops, total balloon room decor and personalised styling. Unique work with some of the top venues and suppliers in Yorkshire, creating unforgettable displays for all occasions.

Check out their collections on their website and Instagram

We’re truly blessed to work with some of the most amazing photographers in Yorkshire. Over the years we’ve had some incredible and frankly ICONIC images captured at the venue. As part of our ‘5 Best’ series of blogs, here are some of our favourites!

Hamish Irvine

We can only describe Hamish as a party magnet. Every wedding he’s shot at the venue has been truly off the scale in terms of party vibes and tomfoolery!

“I bring maximum colour, light and life into my photographs. I arrive early and leave late. I like to blend in and create an atmosphere of fun and spontaneity where everyone feels relaxed in front of the camera.

I will give you photographs that you will love forever. I’m there to build a body of images that when you sit down in a year, two or twenty, it feels like you’re there. Knowing I’m taking care of this, you’ll relax, take every minute in, and have the best day ever.”

Visit Hamish on his website and Instagram

Victoria Baker Weddings

Victoria is almost part of the furniture at NCH, and definitely our most booked photographer over the years. She’s also been our go-to for shooting the venue itself, always perfectly capturing our unique ambience.

“Whether your vibe is a city micro wedding, an epic celebration in a wedding barn or a full blown huge wedding in the most exquisite venue there is, I have experience of them all!

I love being able to work with incredible couples that want something a bit different and aren’t worried about keeping up with tradition.”

Visit Victoria on her website and Instagram

Mollie Higgins Photo

Cool story about Mollie: She once arranged a styled shoot at New Craven Hall, featuring gorgeous model couple Andre & Cynthia. Little did Cynthia know, Andre had secretly planned (with the help of the suppliers involved), to actually propose during the shoot! The end result was some amazing photography including an actual engagement on camera – how great is that?!

“‘prompting not posing’

My style is all about being relaxed and having fun!

Be prepared for lots of laughs and having a bit of fun. Like it says above, ‘Prompting not Posing’. So no awkward smiles, just me telling you to kiss with your new parter over and over again with a mix of hugs and dancing thrown in between.”

Visit Mollie on her website and Instagram

Paul Joseph Photography

Paul & Kelly shot our first ever wedding back in 2017, and while our venue may have changed a lot since then, these two have not! They’re the same friendly, down-to-earth, passionate and cool husband and wife duo that we fell for all those years ago.

“We deliver wedding photographs that take you back to that moment or show parts of your day you never even knew happened. We are there for getting ready through until it gets loud on the dance floor. There are two of us which results in more coverage of the day from multiple perspectives. We like to just blend into the crowd and capture things just as they unfold.”

Visit Paul & Kelly on their website and Instagram

Louise Barry Photographer

Another photographer that just gets our vibe! Louise has shot some amazing weddings at NCH and always captures the details of the day, while blending into the background to make sure the couple and their guests can relax and enjoy themselves.

“I photograph weddings all over the UK but do find myself in the realms of Yorkshire most of the year; usually capturing a cool city wedding at a brewery or a converted industrial wedding venue!

I shoot in a documentary style with a sprinkle of styling for good measure; I shoot the majority of the day un-posed, letting whatever happens, happen.”

Visit Louise on her website and Instagram

If you’re looking for a wedding venue in West Yorkshire, chances are you’ve come across a whole host of amazing places, ranging from family-run farms, luxury barns, independent city spaces, grand country homes, and everything in between! The region really does have something for everyone.

So why get married in an industrial warehouse venue on the outskirts of Leeds city centre? Here are our top reasons New Craven Hall could be the wedding venue for you!

We’re great at what we do.
We’re proud of the fact that we are Leeds’ original industrial wedding venue. And we’re not just a warehouse space that happens to do weddings – it’s what we set out to do, and put simply, we do it very well!

Since opening in 2016 we’ve hosted hundreds of amazing weddings, and our seasoned coordinators leave no stone unturned in giving you the most relaxing experience possible from the moment you view the venue to the moment you walk out as a married couple.

Don’t just take our word for it – see what our couples have to say!

We offer a range of packages
Along with our civil ceremonies licence accommodating up to 100 guests for a legal ceremony, we have a range of wedding packages available for varying guest numbers and timings. We offer bespoke and inclusive packages to suit all occasions, from micro and twilight weddings to large receptions and evening parties.

Location, location, location
Tucked away in the outskirts south of the city centre, only a mile from Leeds Station and adjacent to the M621 motorway, access is easy both for local and travelling guests. For those needing accommodation, we have exclusive discount deals with the nearby Clayton and Malmaison hotels.

Our unique surroundings offer up incredible opportunities for city chic photography within the immediate area. No gardens? No problem. We love it when couples and photographers get creative!

Eat what you want!
Food is one of the most important parts of your big day, and who are we to deny your wishes? We work with some of the best in the business, and with no in-house catering at the venue, you’re welcome to bring along your favourite caterer, or choose from our list of recommended suppliers. From sharing boards and feasts, wood fired pizza and BBQ to Mexican street food, our preferred suppliers have got you covered.

Exclusive supplier discounts
We’ve been around a long time, and we have great relationships with some of Yorkshire’s very best suppliers from photographers and videographers to venue decor, photo booths and entertainment. Our couples benefit from some exclusive NCH discount offers and package deals that you won’t find anywhere else!

Interested in booking NCH for your dream wedding? Enquire today and chat to our friendly team!

 

Intimate, covid-secure weddings at NCH

After our last full wedding back in February, if someone had told us the next time someone would exchange rings at New Craven Hall would be in September, they’d have been laughed out of the room. However, that has been the reality for all venues, caterers, entertainers, and all manner of suppliers this year. Suffice to say it has been a challenging one for everybody, not least the thousands of couples who have had to rearrange, reschedule, and make last minute plans.

Our spirits were lifted, however, when we held our first Covid-secure wedding at the start of this month for the gorgeous Kirsty & Ben, along with some of their closest family and friends.

While they had rescheduled their reception and evening celebrations to 2021, like many couples Kirsty & Ben simply couldn’t wait to get married! We are blessed with plenty of space in our Main Hall, so allowing for socially distanced ceremony seating, with standing room and bar tables for the drinks reception, was no problem.

It was a lovely, intimate afternoon enjoyed by all in attendance, as well as those watching via live stream courtesy of Your Story Films. It reminded us all that people can get through the most difficult challenges and still come out smiling!

The Cosy Package

For those couples who have been inspired to go ahead and tie the knot this year, we are now offering our brand new Cosy Package for up to 15 guests, exclusively for 2020 weddings. Whether you would like a ceremony only, a drinks reception or even a wedding breakfast, get in touch and we’d love to chat about your plans.

Images by Emily Green Photography

If you follow us on social media or have visited the venue, you may have seen or heard of our very own in-house styling service. Launched by co-owner Jane in 2019, NCH Venue Styling evolved naturally as a result of accumulating venue décor and helping our brides with decorations, flowers and greenery.

The small matter of having a baby boy put things on hold for a little while, and now Jane is ready to properly relaunch the service with some amazing new products in the pipeline for 2020! We are continuously adding to our collections and are excited to share them with our couples.

We have a range of décor that is perfectly reflective of our copper-worshipping industrial aesthetic. As well as decoration hire, Jane also offers bespoke floristry, from archways and ceremony arbors to centrepieces, greenery garlands and luscious hanging arrangements.

1-2-1 Showcase Weekend

In line with current government restrictions, we will be holding one of our popular Showcase weekends with a twist – we are offering private viewings throughout Saturday 18^th and Sunday 19^th July, where Jane’s gorgeous styling will be on full display, allowing you to truly visualise how weddings work in the venue.

Here are some shots from previous Showcases to give you an idea of what to expect on the day!

We’re probably all in the same boat – the announcement of the UK lockdown feels equally like it could have been 14 weeks ago or 14 days ago! Who knew in early March that the rest of the year would pan out as it has until now?

It’s safe to say that the wedding industry has near enough been turned on its head. Nevertheless, we have experienced a great deal of understanding, togetherness and support; from couples to suppliers, venues to law professionals – there is a real sense that everyone really is working towards a positive outcome, whatever they may look like under new circumstances.

At the moment it remains unclear when weddings will go ahead, but there seems to be a consensus that this may happen from August, albeit under number restrictions and adherence to social distancing measures. While this may not result in the same big day many couples imagined, we must accept that this could well be the norm for some time to come.

One of the most positive things encountered has been the overwhelming understanding shown by couples forced to reschedule, or at the least reimagine, their wedding day. From speaking to other suppliers and venues, as well as from our own experience thus far, it seems like there is a mutual understanding that nobody wins in the current situation, and those affected have been able to act with sensitivity and compassion to make new arrangements for what will be the biggest day of two people’s lives.

There are of course some horror stories being bandied around in the media and online, and often the details of these are either obscured or not accurately reported. There is an underlying concern in the industry that wedding venues and suppliers could come off looking bad as a result of a minority of poorly handled bookings, but fortunately the overwhelming majority of cases appear to have reached the most amicable solution available.

So yes, the face of not just weddings, but all larger scale social events, is likely to look very different for the foreseeable future. But if one thing has been proven throughout this uncertain period, it’s that people can always come together to find a way through.

And once we are through, we are all going to witness some the best parties ever seen!

Header photograph by Joe Stenson Photography

Okay, it doesn’t seem like our favourite bars, pubs and restaurants are going to be open for a little while longer; but it also doesn’t seem like that’s stopping anybody from enjoying a good drink at home!

Luckily the weather has been amazing during lockdown, and we’re keeping our fingers crossed for more sunshine to come.  We’ve teamed up with three industry professionals to hear about their #1 summer cocktail to get your tastebuds warmed up for those refreshing sips in the sun.

Wil (Bar Biccari & The Prosecco Bar / Two Seven Club)
Our first aficionado to offer a tantalizing recipe is Wil. As a Director of Bar Bicarri & The Prosecco Bar in Horbury, and co-owner of Two Seven Club, he knows a thing or two about delicious drinks. Here’s his take on the classic Sgroppino…

This is my number one because it screams summer and classic Italian spritz. A beautiful mix of lemon sorbet, Italicus liquor and topped with prosecco. What’s not to love? It takes me back to some great days in Italy with my wife and family.

Recipe:
20ml Italicus Liquor
Top with prosecco
Add one scoop of lemon sorbet
Garnish with lemon zest

Chris (Jonny Cocktail)
You may recognise Chris if you follow us on social media, as he and his wife Sarah celebrated their wedding with us back in 2018, and we’re always posting their amazing photos! Not only that, but Chris works for mobile bar supplier Jonny Cocktail, known for their bombastic, eye catching and mouthwatering concoctions. Chris has gone for an aptly-named English Country Garden…

Each ingredient compliments the next; the freshness of the mint, the sweetness of the apple & elderflower and the lime juice that cuts through it all. This tall cocktail barely touches the sides, and before you know it, I’ve gone through 10. It is the perfect summer drink. Perfect for garden parties, perfect for beach parties, perfect for sitting in the sun with not a care in the world.

Recipe:
Add to a highball glass;
50ml gin
25ml St Germain elderflower liqueur (or Monin elderflower syrup)
15ml lime juice
5-6 mint leaves
Add ice
Top with cloudy apple juice and a slice of cucumber to garnish

 

Lee (Sandinista Group / Smokestack)
If you work in the bar industry, chances are you’ve heard of Lee. A legend in his field, he is current Business Development Manager of Sandinista Group and is former GM at Smokestack in Leeds. Add to that his accolades including winning the Southern Showdown Global final, El Dorado and Buffalo Trace UK finals, and you have a serious cocktail maestro. Lee was even brave enough to step in the ring for the IBE charity boxing event back in November! You’d need a stiff drink after that…

What I drank all last summer and plan on doing the exact same this year is Suze & tonic. Suze is a French aperitif which is loaded with gentian, an ingredient most people would have experienced in Aperol. It dries out an otherwise sweet product and adds an abundance of flavour. Suze is also low ABV (15%) which for summer day drinking is perfect! It’s a simple pairing but when the sun is shining, I tend to opt for refreshment over complexity. Because of its slight sweetness I tend to pair with a bitter lemon/lemon tonic.

Recipe:
50ml Suze
Top with Double Dutch Double Lemon or Fever Tree Lemon Tonic
Serve in a highball/Collins glass with plenty of ice
Garnish with a slice of lemon.

One of the most common questions we get asked at viewings is ‘Where do we take photos?’

Our industrial aesthetics and surroundings are something we fully embrace, and for our couples it adds to the allure of the venue.  We understand that many people may struggle to fully envisage their big day photography in a less traditional environment, but over the years we have had some incredible photographers take full advantage of this, and create some truly unique visual memories. Here’s our guide on how to get the best out of your photography at New Craven Hall.

Lighting & Ambience
Our warm lighting, creating a cosy and contemporary atmosphere inside the venue, always receives compliments. We often have feedback about the ‘wow factor’ our guests experience on walking into the space, and great photography will capture this perfectly.

The Yard & Surroundings
A creative, imaginative photographer might see our outdoor area as a bit of a playground! Forget lakes, fountains and blossom trees; the best photographers can’t wait to get their teeth into the curious fences, imposing metal shutters and striking walls that offer themselves up around us – we are an industrial venue after all! But if you’re after something a bit leafier, fear not as there are some green spots in the immediate area to make use of.

Light It Up!
If you play with fire… you’ll get an amazing photo out of it! The more adventurous among our couples have opted for pyro-based shots including sparklers, flares and even fire breathers. This is a guaranteed way to get some wedding photography that will stand out from the rest!

The Details
An important part of wedding photography is not just snapping the happy couple and their guests, but capturing the finer details of the venue itself. The couple and their suppliers have worked hard to create the perfect-looking day, and photographs of things like centrepieces, the table plan, order of the day and any special decorations they have used will be much appreciated and cherished after the big day.

How can we help?
Some photographers may request to visit the venue in advance, so they can get a true sense of the space and feel for the venue, and this is something we would always recommend. If you have any questions about photography at New Craven Hall, we are always happy to help and advise.

Honestly, if we had to count all of our favourite photographers out there, we would run out of fingers and toes! There are some superbly talented people making everlasting memories for their couples, each photo book as unique and personal as the last. Here are just a few of those we have known and loved through the years.

Victoria Baker Weddings
A regular at New Craven Hall, Victoria is behind our Showcase Day and Venue Styling photography, as well as having captured some of our favourite wedding shots at the venue. With elegant, bespoke photography that’s all about you, Victoria’s style is relaxed, candid, and natural – you won’t even know she’s there!
Website // Insta // Facebook

Paul Joseph Photography
Our introduction to Paul & Kelly was when they shot the wonderful Caroline & Christian back in 2017, which happened to be our first ever wedding! A husband-and-wife duo who met at a foam party, they provide the ultimate partnership offering a highly personalised and down to earth service, not to mention unforgettable photos.
Website // Insta // Facebook

Amber Marie Photography
Formerly Leeds based, now relocated to the Cotswolds, Amber and New Craven Hall go way back. Amber shot the first ever photographs of the venue, and owners Jane & Ben loved her so much they booked her for their own wedding a couple of years later. Amber has a passion for emotional connections, and focuses on putting that into every bit of her work.
Website // Insta // Facebook

Toast of Leeds
With 30 plus years of photography experience, Shelly really is one of a kind. Quirky, down to earth and extremely personable, she really enjoys what she does, and does it extremely well. When she’s not snowboarding in the Alps or dancing in a Glasto field, she’ll be found hard at work somewhere in the world, creating beautiful photography and videography.
Website // Insta // Facebook

Epic Love Story
Kent/Sussex based but available nationally and for destination shoots, Emma specialises in capturing memories for non-traditional, laid-back, creative couples. Emma goes beyond photography, living every moment of your wedding with you, immortalising every minute of the the tears, smiles and laughter along the way.
Website // Insta // Facebook