Yorkshire Celebrant-Led Weddings at The Mansion, Leeds
Life as a wedding celebrant in sunny Yorkshire:
June has been such a treat for me, so far. Not only has the weather been glorious, (typically as I write this, it’s started raining!)I've been lucky enough to get ‘out and about,’ visiting some really wonderful wedding venues.
Working alongside wedding venues is such an integral part of my job. Of course, It’s one way for me to bring in business, but it also means I can keep my website updated with useful content like this one. It helps me know what to expect and be better prepared when I’m officiating a ceremony there and ensures everything runs more smoothly on the day. Let’s face it, your wedding day is an occasion that holds tremendous significance and creates memories for a lifetime; Choosing the right venue sets the stage for an unforgettable celebration. Both the wedding venue and myself want to get it right!
Last week I ventured into Leeds to visit The Mansion which is a wedding venue based just outside the city centre in Roundhay Park. If you're seeking a stylish and ‘magazine-worthy’ setting then look no further. This historic, Georgian wedding venue, built in the 1820s, exudes charm, sophistication, and provides everything you need to personalise the wedding of your dreams. In this blog post, I’ll highlight the reasons why I think The Mansion should be at the top of your list as the perfect location for your special day.
Where in Yorkshire is The Mansion?
As I mentioned, this delightful venue is located within Roundhay Park; an area of Leeds I love to visit with my own family. You could be forgiven for not knowing that the Mansion exists as it's situated at a quieter end of the park. I like to think that The Mansion stands as a testament to the grandeur and history of Leeds. As its name suggests, it is a Mansion; a very handsome, Grade II listed Georgian mansion no less. The exterior features some splendid columns, which are over 200 years old and have aged beautifully. Look closely and you’ll also spot intricate detailing and large floor to ceiling windows which are synonymous with Georgian properties.
If you’re planning a wedding at the Mansion then feel safe in the knowledge that you and your guests will be captivated by the elegance and intimacy of this setting, creating a truly memorable atmosphere for your wedding day. You can also expect to work with a conscientious and knowledgeable wedding team who consider all the intricacies of the day and will plan it meticulously. With that in mind, allow me to walk you through what a typical wedding would look like at The Mansion.
The Mansion as a wedding venue:
On the day of your wedding, guests will be welcomed by a host at the front entrance. From here, your guests can mingle in the open reception area and in good weather, outside. The terrace area is roped off and tables and chairs are based either side of the pillars (but nothing across the middle so they don’t restrict photographs.). Alcohol can be served outside in the courtyard after the ceremony but guests are asked not to walk off into the park with their drinks. There is a sound system in the reception area so music can be played whilst your guests arrive and it’s a lovely space for your photographer to capture your guests soaking up the ambience.
In the entrance hall, you might choose to stage post boxes etc- which would all then be moved upstairs at the earliest possibility. (Mobility access bathrooms are also located downstairs along with the kitchen area.) Depending on the weather implication, you can also locate a cloakroom in this space.
A major feature of this reception area is the original, grand staircase, above which hangs a truly awe-inspiring centrepiece in the form of a magnificent 64 thousand crystal chandelier. Inside the cascading chandelier, there are colour changing lights with standard colours being selected according to your colour theme. These emit an enchanting glow (with the rest of the wall lights being turned off to symbolise the start of the evening reception.) It’s also worth noting that whilst you can decorate the stairs in keeping with your style and theme for the day, you can’t put anything water based on the wood. So for example, if you were to attach real flowers, they need to be wrapped up in some sort of protective gauze. The landing at the top of the stairs is the perfect spot for a seating plan, guest book etc.
Whilst walking around, I also spotted exquisite antique chests, cabinets and console tables dotted around the entrance way and reception area, offering an extra layer of sophistication and glamour to the venue's timeless allure.
Wedding Ceremony and Reception Spaces:
The Mansion offers a variety of versatile spaces, allowing you to tailor your wedding experience to your unique preferences. Whether you envision a more intimate gathering or a grander celebration, you can choose to use two indoor spaces for your ceremony, wedding breakfast and reception: The Colonnades Room and The Mansion Room.
The Colonnades Room:
Situated just off the main reception, this stunning space is sort of a room of two halves; it has a capacity of 134 people- 80-90 at the front and 44 at the back. With floor to ceiling windows it boasts lots of natural daylight. The room is equipped with a blue-tooth connectivity sound system and a bar. From this room, there is also direct access to the terrace for your post ceremony drinks. This room can be decorated in any way you like; real candles can be used as long as they are enclosed (it’s a ‘no’ to floating candles) and you could adorn the space with features such as blossom trees and other flower arrangements.
The Mansion Room:
Upstairs is another larger ceremony space, again with a bar (which would be removed if used for a ceremony), beautiful windows and a sound system. Due to its size, it’s commonly used for the wedding breakfast and reception, with a full ceremony capacity of 180 people.
A plan for the day of your wedding ceremony:
As I said, the wedding team are extremely experienced and have considered every detail of the wedding day. A typical schedule for the day would be as follows: Guests arrive 30 minutes before the ceremony to be seated 15 mins before the ceremony commences, the bride or groom meet with their celebrant or registrar downstairs 10 mins before the ceremony. The ceremony takes place and a bride or groom takes to the hall for drinks and canape whilst the rest of the guests go out for a group shot. About an hour later, the couple and their guests would go upstairs to be seated for the wedding breakfast, the bride or groom would be announced about 15 minutes later. Around 2 hours is normally allocated for food, 30 mins for speeches and then everyone is encouraged to go back downstairs to stretch legs, have a change of scenery and spend time outside, weather permitting. During this time, guests can also use the Colonnades Room (downstairs) as a more informal space and make full use of the bar. They would then retreat back upstairs to The Mansion room which would have been transformed to a party space, with a DJ; music continues to 11.45pm and guests would need to vacate by 12.30am at the latest.
Will my wedding feel private?
Let me now just take a moment to reference the Mansion’s surroundings. As I mentioned before, this venue offers the unique advantage of being situated in a public park; allowing you and your guests to explore and enjoy the picturesque surroundings before or after the wedding festivities. This could be a cause for concern for some couples and The Mansion acknowledges there is the potential for public interest, though it isn’t something that has caused problems in the past. The dedicated events team takes great care in ensuring your wedding experience remains intimate with exclusive access to guests in the House and surrounding terrace. They work diligently to create a seamless and private atmosphere, implementing measures to minimise any impact from public visitors such as roping off the terrace from the neighbouring public park. This allows you and your guests to fully immerse yourselves in the celebration without worrying about disturbances.
How to find The Mansion in Leeds:
Situated just a few miles from Leeds city centre, The Mansion can be considered as a ‘city luxe’ hotel, offering a convenient location for both local and out-of-town guests. It's easily accessible via road, rail, and air transportation. Additionally, Leeds provides a wide range of accommodation options to suit various budgets and preferences, ensuring your guests have a comfortable and enjoyable stay throughout the wedding festivities
I’m sure you can agree, The Mansion is a wedding venue that caters for couples with varying tastes and styles. It's versatile, accommodating, picturesque and feels boutique. Check out their website to view all their wedding packages and see for yourself, everything it has to offer you.
