Quaint, leafy and full of North Yorkshire charm, Harrogate is one of the Nnorth’s most romantic and picturesque towns, from its iconic Georgian and Victorian architecture to its blooming wonderful gardens. Harrogate is known for its mineral-rich water, solidifying its status as a spa town. Chances are, you’ve drunk water bottled right in Harrogate, and with attractions like the Turkish baths and Royal Pump Room Museum, H2O plays a huge role in the area’s past and present. And with the Yorkshire Dales right on its doorstep, Harrogate really is a beautiful part of the country – and the perfect destination to host your wedding.
Our 2025 Wedding Report found that 8% of all UK weddings take place in Harrogate (as well as the wider Yorkshire and the Humber region), which is an increase of 1% on the previous year. Almost 9 in 10 (88%) local couples stay in the area for their wedding, showing just how much love there is for the town. And with the average cost of a wedding in the region being £20,306, almost £500 less than the UK average, there’s plenty of draw to the area.
Harrogate offers a wonderful mix of historic tranquillity and modern luxury. You’ll find grand hotels, country estates and charming boutique venues, all within reach of the scenic Yorkshire Dales, making it a great place to consider hosting your special day.
Weddings in Harrogate often reflect the town’s Victorian history, with its elegant architecture and manicured gardens making for great backdrops to wedding photographs. Grand hotels and historic halls provide the perfect setting for black-tie celebrations and formal receptions, while barns out in the countryside, as well as country houses and boutique venues, offer more relaxed vibes.
Afternoon tea remains a fabulous local tradition and continues to influence wedding catering in creative ways. Couples are switching out canapés for delicate finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and patisserie towers served on vintage crockery – a real crowd pleaser, which is also a nod to Harrogate’s spa-town heritage. Yorkshire gin bars, locally brewed ales and seasonal wildflowers like foxgloves, delphiniums and lavender are also frequent features.
Al fresco ceremonies and garden receptions are on the rise, especially at venues with private grounds or views over the awe-inspiring countryside. Couples are embracing everything from floral arches and outdoor lounges to live acoustic sets, and spending as much time out in the open as possible.
Harrogate has a brilliant mix of venues for every kind of couple, no matter what sort of vibe you’re looking for, or what sort of budget you have to work with. There’s everything from historic castles to local museums, providing a huge amount of choice.
Harrogate is only around 20 miles from York, a city famous for its history, so you might not be surprised to learn that Harrogate also has more than its fair share of history and therefore historic wedding venues. Fancy tying the knot in a castle so you and your other half can feel like royalty for the day? Hazlewood Castle has an amazing history, plus 32 on-site bedrooms so you and your guests can spend all day and night here. Ripley Castle has an amazing Gothic appearance, with loads of ceremony and reception options. And Sheriff Hutton Castle is a 600-year-old ruin, which looks magical and mystical when adorned with lights and flowers.
If a country manor or stately home is more your thing, Harrogate and the surrounding area certainly have plenty of those on offer, too. Take a look at venues such as Goldsborough Hall, Harewood House, Burtonfields Hall, Bowcliffe Hall and Wood Hall Hotel & Spa to see what kind of luxury wedding day you can have around the town.
With the Nidderdale National Landscape and Yorkshire Dales right on its doorstep, Harrogate is perfect if you’re hoping for an al fresco wedding, by taking either your wedding ceremony or reception (or both!) outdoors. And with venues like Almscliffe Valley, Horseshoe Farm Weddings, Broughton Hall - Utopia and The Sun Pavilion all close by, you can make sure the great outdoors plays a key role in your wedding day.
Thanks to the abundance of history around Harrogate, you can choose a venue that played a role in that history, or one that ties into your passions and interests. Yorkshire Air Museum is home to aircraft and exhibits all related to the skies, while Embsay and Bolton Abbey Railway Station is ideal if you’re a fan of the railway. For theatre buffs, Harrogate Theatre lets you get married on stage, while Harrogate International Centre has an amazing art-deco glass dome and is one of the best summer venues you’ll find anywhere.
If you’re conscious of not spending too much, Harrogate also has a wide selection of wedding venues that are suitable for smaller budgets. And the great thing is, affordability doesn’t mean having to compromise on quality, with venues around the town having a great balance of both. Take a look at venues around the area that are ideal if you have a limited budget, including The Engine Shed Wetherby, The Bridge Hotel and Spa, The Arnage at The Motorist, The Inn South Stainley and Kettlesing Millennium Village Hall.
The average cost of a wedding venue in Harrogate and the wider Yorkshire and Humber region is £7,356, which actually makes it the most expensive part of the country for securing a venue, surpassing even London pricing. But, this is just an average, after all, which means there’s a huge range of venues and costs around Harrogate, so it shouldn’t put you off if you do have your heart set on the area.
Harrogate is a top choice for couples looking for a wedding destination that ticks all their boxes, offering everything they want for their special day. Popular venues in Harrogate are in high demand, particularly on weekends between May and September, which is the busiest wedding season. Most couples book their venue 12 to 18 months in advance to secure a date, but this can exceed two years for some of the more sought-after venues and dates.
That said, midweek weddings or dates in the quieter seasons, such as winter, often have more flexibility and may offer better value. You’re likely to find an ideal venue with a wait of around six months if you’re happy to get married when it might be a little colder.
Harrogate has four distinct seasons and a relatively mild climate, making it a lovely place to get married year-round, with each season offering something a little bit different, which can contribute towards the vibe you’re going for.
Spring (March - May) brings blossoms and fresh florals, with average highs ranging from 9°C to 15°C (48°F to 59°F). Gardens and parks start blooming, perfect for outdoor photos and al fresco receptions at venues like Stirk House Hotel and The Fell Hotel.
Summer (June - August) is the most popular time for a wedding in Harrogate, with long daylight hours and average highs of between 18°C and 21°C (64°F to 70°F). Venues with gardens or terraces are standout favourites, such as Camp Katur and Low Osgoodby Grange Weddings and Events.
Autumn (September - November) is a gorgeous time to get married in Harrogate, with autumnal foliage and warm, cosy vibes to be found at venues with a mix of spaces, like Pavilions of Harrogate and The Hovels at Harewood. Expect average highs from 10°C to 16°C (50°F to 61°F), but mornings can be rather crisp.
Winter (December - February) is usually a lot quieter, but Harrogate’s mix of architecture looks amazing adorned in twinkling lights, giving it a lovely, magical feel. Average highs sit between 5°C and 8°C (41°F to 46°F), but it can get much colder on occasion, so choose a venue with indoor spaces, like Victoria Hall Saltaire or Wetherby Racecourse.
Harrogate is easy to get to, especially for guests travelling from other parts of Yorkshire or northern England. It’s well connected by road via the A61, A59 and A1(M), with Leeds, York and Bradford all under an hour’s drive away.
Train travel is nice and easy, too, with direct rail links from Leeds and York, and connections fromto London King's Cross via Leeds in around 2 hours 45 minutes. Harrogate station is centrally located, so it’s nice and easy to reach most venues across the town once you’ve arrived.
For guests flying into the area, Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) is the nearest option and is just 25 minutes away by car. It has more than 80 flights per day, serving UK and European destinations. Manchester Airport (MAN) is also within reach at around a 90-minute drive.
As for places to stay, Harrogate is full of great options, from big countryside hotels to plenty of budget options and family-run B&Bs. A hotel also makes for a convenient wedding venue, where you and your guests can spend the entire day celebrating before retiring to a room just a few short steps away. Hotel wedding venues around Harrogate include The Devonshire Arms Hotel, DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel & Spa, Chevin Country Park Hotel & Spa, The Crab Manor Hotel and Cedar Court Hotel.
Harrogate has a range of unique and unusual wedding venues to choose from. Here are a few options to consider: -Harrogate Turkish Baths: This historic bathhouse offers a unique and stunning setting for a wedding ceremony. The baths feature intricate tiles, stained glass windows, and ornate ceilings. -RHS Garden Harlow Carr: This beautiful garden offers a range of wedding options, including a marquee in the gardens, a rustic barn, and a glasshouse. -Ripley Castle: This 14th-century castle offers a range of wedding packages, including ceremonies in the castle's chapel, receptions in the castle's state rooms, and outdoor celebrations in the castle's grounds. -Harrogate Theatre: This historic theatre offers a unique and atmospheric setting for a wedding ceremony or reception. The theatre can be transformed into a stunning event space, with seating for up to 400 guests.
