Your choice of venue is the most important decision you will make about your wedding as it sets the scene for the whole occasion.

From the opulent grandeur of stately homes, dreamy turreted castles, romantic rural hideaways, smart city hotels to atmospheric, historic halls, nothing says more about your style of wedding than the backdrop you choose.

In North Yorkshire, hundreds of hotels, stately homes and tourist attractions hold ‘Approved Venue’ status so that couples can marry and celebrate their day under the same roof.

There are advantages to marrying and partying in the same location: only one set of directions to issue to guests unfamiliar with the area and only one parking spot is required for the day. The weather doesn’t become such an issue and a hotel has the advantage of providing accommodation for the happy couple and their guests, giving everyone the chance to meet up again over breakfast to relive the day.

The seasons can play a part in your choice too. Winter brides might opt for roaring log fires and flickering candlelight to create a romantic setting, while spring brides might search for a venue with gardens overflowing with daffodils and cherry blossom as a backdrop for the photographs.

The choice of venue is as wide as your imagination, so is the range of facilities, prices and services offered. Most venues will be happy to let you dictate the theme and style of your event and build in any elements you particularly want, as well as offering advice and suggestions to help you make the most of your day.

Most have dedicated wedding co-ordinators who are experienced in making every bride and groom’s wedding a real day to remember. They will also be able to offer advice on booking the registrar and any other requirements needed in order for you to become Mr and Mrs.

Booking early is essential as some of the most popular venues are booked up to 18 months in advance. Being flexible can help in your quest for your chosen place as mid-week weddings can sometimes be a little cheaper than peak weekend events.

However, many couples still want a church wedding, feeling it adds gravitas to the exchanging of their vows in a religious setting.

From the organ playing the wedding march as the newly married couple walk down the aisle to be greeted by the smiling faces of their guests, to the bells ringing out for their happy day, many feel the traditional occasion sets the seal on their romance.

And then it’s off to the reception and married life and the celebrating begins…

Whatever style of wedding you choose, the following guide to venues great and small will give you a taste of the huge and diverse choice of what is on offer in York and North Yorkshire.