HACKNESS GRANGE – NORTH YORKSHIRE WEDDING VENUE
I’ve had the pleasure of shooting weddings at Hackness Grange for over five years, and as a wedding photographer in North Yorkshire, I’ve seen this stunning venue evolve dramatically. It was no doubt beautiful back in 2018, but following the take over from The Gilchrist Collection, the transformation has been astronomical.
An overview of Hackness Grange
Hackness Grange can be found on the outskirts of Scarborough, North Yorkshire. The main building is a beautiful 19th century Manor House which is nestled within 17-acres of quintessential North Yorkshire woodland. It offers both indoor and outdoor wedding ceremony options and can cater for up to 120 wedding guests. Couples and their friends and family enjoy exclusive use of the whole venue including it’s grounds and it even provides accommodation for the wedding party.
Wedding day mornings…
Possibly one of my favourite features of Hackness Grange is the onsite getting ready room. This provides the bridal party with a perfect environment for all those big day preparations. It’s a gorgeous airy and spacious setting and is even equipped with a large hair and make-up station, full length free standing mirror and plenty of space (and light) for those pre-wedding photos.
I’m a huge fan of getting ready rooms and they’re always an absolute hit at venues for me. The timeline of a wedding day is super important to the flow of the day and I personally always find that being able to get ready onsite can help make things run smoother and keep everyone relaxed.
Ceremony options at Hackness Grange…
Another personal highlight of this venue for me is that it has several great options for where its ceremonies can take place. Let’s be honest, Great British weather is beyond unpredictable, so it’s important for a venue to be adaptable when it comes to ceremony spaces.
One of the options available at Hackness Grange is to have the ceremony on the island (Yes, Island!) in the Pavilion. The Pavilion is a dream for couples wanting to get married outdoors and looking for something truly memorable. Accessed by a bridge over the lake, the Pavilion can accommodate up to 80 seated guests and has room for an additional 60 standing.
Unique Pavilion Ceremonies
I love capturing ceremonies at the Pavilion. The bride and bridesmaids can be seen from the island leaving the main building and make their entrance over the bridge before walking down the aisle. It really provides an amazing spectacle and a sense of occasion which is quite unique. The island is also used for drinks receptions as well which I love. Particularly with the addition of a live musician and a few canapés.
Indoor Ceremony Options
The Elizabeth Suite and the Derwent Suite are the indoor ceremony options at Hackness Grange. The newly renovated Derwent suite is perfect for more intimate ceremonies and holds up to 50 guests. The Elizabeth Suite has stunning views over 17-acres of land and can seat up to 120 family and friends. This is also the room where the wedding breakfast and evening do generally take place. It’s a gorgeous space which is always flooded with natural light, making it a win for photographers!
Hackness Grange drinks receptions…
Wedding parties at Hackness Grange have exclusive use of the entire venue and grounds which is fantastic. This means couples have more options for the drinks reception following the ceremony. As mentioned, the island is an incredibly unique setting for canapes, fizz, music and mingling. The drinks receptions I’ve photographed on the island have always had a special atmosphere.
There is also the large lawn area which is ideal for garden games to keep your guests entertained. The gardens are always immaculately looked after and the views over the valley are pretty spectacular. There’s so much space, one couple even had laser clay pigeon shooting for their guests to have a go at!
In terms of interior space the venue also has a large bar area which has another large conjoined room. This is a great alternative should the weather take a turn.
Wedding Breakfast and evening do…
As previously mentioned, the stunning Elizabeth Suite holds the wedding breakfast and evening do. This space comfortably holds up to 120 guests and is the perfect setting for a celebratory meal, speeches and party.
Wedding breakfasts at Hackness Grange are always fantastic. The food here is superb and the menu options for couples are extensive. They also happily cater for any dietary requirements. I believe the meal at a wedding is one of the most important factors of the day so it’s an important consideration. I’ve had my fair share of meals here, so I can tell you first hand that the food is fantastic.
For the evening reception, the Elizabeth Suite is transformed while guests enjoy the rest of the venue at their leisure. With a large wooden dance floor, its own bar area, and space for photo booths, it’s the perfect space for a celebration. The suite also features a large seated patio with stunning views, ideal for warm summer nights. Whether the couple chooses a band, DJ, saxophonist, or ceilidh, Hackness Grange guarantees a fantastic night, perfect for capturing unforgettable moments in wedding photography.
A Photographers POV…
From a photographers perspective Hackness Grange ticks all the boxes. For me personally, there are a few things that I look out for in a venue from the POV of the photographer.
The first item on the list is how the venue runs the day and how adaptable they are if plans need to change due to poor weather or other factors. When arriving at this venue I know the day is going to run smoothly and they have the flexibility to accommodate beautiful weddings in any weather conditions. I can also vouch for the fact that the team at Hackness do everything they can to deliver the couples day how they dreamt it to be.
I shot a wedding here during a pretty nasty storm and they still managed to hold the ceremony outside as the couple wanted. They went above and beyond to make this happen and it made for a ceremony that none of the guests will forget in a hurry!
Obviously the location, setting and the photo opportunities a venue offers is a big factor for me. What I love about Hackness Grange is how it feels secluded, surrounded by picturesque scenery that creates a stunning backdrop for any wedding. It is perfect for both group photos and couples portraits and also has great options in all types of weather. Even at venues I work at often I like to try new shots at each wedding I do. Hackness Grange has countless opportunities for a photographs and I never struggle for inspiration here. It pretty much has everything a photographer could want.
The Perfect All-in-One Wedding Venue for Photography
Probably a less obvious factor I love in a wedding venue is the all in one element which Hackness Grange has. Having the whole day at one location which delivers everything is amazing for couples, guests and photographers alike. I almost feel like this can be a cheat code for the logistics of a wedding day and it can really help a day feel more relaxed for everyone. Sometimes it’s just the simple things that can add up. The transport, parking, accommodation, locations for photos etc. Having as many of these taken care of with a venue benefits everyone and low key can make a wedding day.
I always get super excited for weddings at Hackness grange and am always buzzing to take bookings here. I always think of this place as a bit of a hidden gem but once discovered it’s clear to see why so many people fall in love with it. Hackness Grange genuinely has everything and if a stunning Manor House in the midst of the beautiful North Yorkshire countryside is appealing to you, you should definitely look into visiting. They often host open days to show off the venue, so have a look at their socials for any upcoming events. I’m lucky enough to be a recommended supplier at Hacness Grange so you might see me there!
If you want a quick guide of some of my favourite Yorkshire wedding venues including Hackness Grange, click here!
A few highlights…
- Light and spacious getting ready room
- stunning indoor and outdoor ceremony options
- onsite parking
- Wedding party accommodation
- Exclusive use of the entire venue
- 17 acres of beautiful Yorkshire land
- Honeymoon suite
- up to 120 day guest and 170 evening
Useful info…
Website : https://www.hacknessgrange.co.uk
Instagram: @hacknessgrange
Telephone: 01723 882037
Address: Hackness Grange, Broxa Lane, Hackness, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO13 03X
LIKE WHAT YOU SEE?
Head over to my wedding photography portfolio page for more beautiful wedding photos. Here you can browse a collection of my photographs from various weddings throughout the years.
