Small wedding venues in the North East and Yorkshire
Quick answer: Good small wedding venues in the North East and Yorkshire include Pinchinthorpe Hall near Guisborough (packages for 40 to 60 day guests), Crab Manor near Thirsk (up to 55 in the Pavilion), Chilli Barn near Otley (up to 60 day guests) and Howard Court near Great Ayton (up to 100). I've photographed weddings at Pinchinthorpe Hall, Crab Manor, Chilli Barn and Howard Court. My small weddings photography starts from £895.
I'm Aaron, a wedding photographer based in Guisborough. This guide is for couples planning a smaller wedding, whether that's 20 people or 60. It covers venues I know, what they hold according to their own websites, what small weddings really cost and how I photograph them.
Small weddings are some of my favourite days to photograph. With fewer people, there's more time for each of them, and the photos tend to feel closer and calmer.
What counts as a small wedding venue?
There's no fixed rule, but most venues treat anything under about 60 day guests as a small or intimate wedding. Several venues below set packages around that number. Some also have a minimum, so check it before you fall for somewhere: Chilli Barn, for example, asks for at least 30 guests.
Small wedding venues in North Yorkshire and Teesside
Pinchinthorpe Hall, Guisborough
Pinchinthorpe Hall is an exclusive-use manor house near Guisborough, with Roseberry Topping just beyond the garden. The family who took it on in 2025 have restored the house, and the venue says parts of it date back to the 12th century. Its packages include one for 60 guests and others for 40 day guests and up to 100 in the evening, and every package includes the honeymoon suite and five guest bedrooms. The Stables, with high ceilings and exposed brick, is used for dining and dancing.
I've photographed weddings at Pinchinthorpe Hall, and the view of Roseberry Topping from the lawn makes an easy backdrop for portraits.
Source: Pinchinthorpe Hall. See also my Pinchinthorpe Hall wedding photography page.
Crab Manor, Asenby near Thirsk
Crab Manor and the Crab & Lobster restaurant sit together at Asenby, near Thirsk. For the wedding breakfast, the Pavilion holds up to 55 guests, the Pavilion and restaurant together up to 110, and the Seafood Room up to 16, which suits a very small wedding. There are 20 bedrooms on site. I've photographed weddings at Crab Manor.
Source: Crab & Lobster wedding FAQs. See also my Crab Manor wedding photography page.
Howard Court, Great Ayton
Howard Court is an exclusive-use farmhouse and barns near Great Ayton, set in 22 acres with views of the Cleveland Hills and Roseberry Topping. It holds up to 100 day guests and 150 in the evening, and has five indoor and outdoor ceremony areas. At the top end of "small", it works well if you want a relaxed day with room to spread out. I've photographed weddings at Howard Court.
Source: Howard Court. Read my Howard Court venue guide and Lucy and Sam's Howard Court wedding.
The Star Inn at Harome, near Helmsley
I haven't photographed a wedding here yet.
The Star Inn at Harome is a thatched restaurant in the village of Harome. Its own site says the 13-bedroom Cross House Lodge can be booked out for weddings, which gives you use of the Wheelhouse, a room with one long table for 16 people or more, and up to 40 with some rearranging. The first-floor private dining room seats 10 to 18.
Source: The Star Inn at Harome, groups and private dining.
Small wedding venues in West Yorkshire
Chilli Barn, Otley
Chilli Barn is a converted stone barn on the edge of the Chevin near Otley, with stone walls, oak floors and doors opening onto the lawn. From April to October it holds up to 60 day guests and 90 in the evening, with a minimum of 30. From November to March the day limit drops to 40, and the evening stays at 90. It's licensed for legal ceremonies with Leeds City Council, including outdoors on the lawn, weather permitting. I've photographed weddings at Chilli Barn.
Source: Chilli Barn weddings.
If you're planning a small wedding at any of these venues, send me your date and I'll let you know if I'm free. Get in touch here.
My small weddings photography, from £895
Small weddings photography starts from £895. It's for couples with a shorter day and fewer guests, such as a register office ceremony followed by a meal, or a small venue wedding. You still get the same approach as a full day: relaxed, documentary photos of what happens, a few portraits of the two of you and the group photos that matter to you.
Small weddings can't be booked on Saturdays or Sundays from May to August.
Here are all my collections, from the top:
- Willow: £2,295 (includes a wedding film)
- Oak: £1,695
- Digital: £1,295 (half day)
- Small weddings: from £895
A £100 booking fee holds your date, and it comes off your total. Travel is free within 70 miles of Guisborough. You can see what's in each one on my wedding photography prices page.
How to choose a small wedding venue
- Start with your guest list. Know your day and evening numbers before you view anywhere, then check each venue's minimum as well as its maximum.
- Check what's included. Some venues, like Pinchinthorpe Hall, include rooms in every package. Others charge hire, catering and rooms separately.
- Ask about the day of the week. Midweek and winter dates are often cheaper. Chilli Barn's 2027 hire runs from £1,600 in winter to £3,950 in summer.
- Think about the light. In a small room, big windows or doors onto a garden make a real difference to the photos, especially in winter.
- Look at the space at your numbers. A room that's perfect for 30 can feel empty with 12, and the reverse.
How I photograph a small wedding
My style is documentary. I don't line people up or ask them to perform. With a smaller group, I can photograph everyone properly, from the quiet moments during the vows to the speeches round one table. Group photos are planned with you beforehand and kept short, and I'll take you outside for ten minutes of portraits when the light is good.
Small wedding FAQs
How much is a small wedding in the UK? It depends on the venue, the day and how many guests you have. As examples from venues' own sites, Chilli Barn's hire is £1,600 to £3,950 for 2027, with catering from £50 a head, and Pinchinthorpe Hall's 60-guest package is £4,450 to £7,500. My small weddings photography starts from £895.
How much are small wedding venues? Small venues usually charge hire plus catering, or sell packages for a set number of guests. Using the venues above, hire starts from £1,600 for a winter date at Chilli Barn, and Pinchinthorpe Hall's packages start at £4,450, including rooms.
Are small weddings cheaper? Usually, because catering and drinks are charged per guest, so fewer guests means a smaller bill. Fixed costs like venue hire don't always drop, and some venues have minimum numbers, so a small wedding at a large venue can cost more per head.
What's the smallest venue in this guide? Crab Manor's Seafood Room holds up to 16 for a wedding breakfast, according to the venue.
Do you travel for small weddings? Yes. Travel is free within 70 miles of Guisborough. If you're further away, I'll tell you the cost before you pay anything.
Have you photographed at these venues? I've photographed weddings at Pinchinthorpe Hall, Crab Manor, Chilli Barn and Howard Court. I haven't photographed a wedding at The Star Inn at Harome yet.
Useful links
- Pinchinthorpe Hall
- Crab & Lobster wedding FAQs
- Chilli Barn weddings
- Howard Court
- My guide to Yorkshire barn wedding venues
- Top 10 North Yorkshire wedding venues
- My elopement planning guide
- Prices
What happens next
Send me your date and venue, and I'll come back to you with my availability and collections. If it feels right, we can have a chat, and the £100 booking fee holds your date. Get in touch.
About the author
I'm Aaron Jeffels, a full-time documentary wedding photographer based in Guisborough. I was North East Wedding Photographer of the Year 2022, my work has been published in Vogue, and I have 85+ Google reviews. I'm fully insured and bring backup kit to every wedding, and travel is free within 70 miles.