A Special Spring Wedding at Hazelwood Castle - North Yorkshire.
A Season of North Yorkshire Celebrant Weddings.
As a wedding celebrant, based in-between Leeds and Bradford, it’s such a treat to venture further afield in the name of weddings. I especially welcome any opportunity to work at wedding venues which are anywhere near the historic North Yorkshire moors - quite possibly due to my absolute adoration of anything written by the Bronte sisters, who knows!
This year has, in fact, been pleasantly book-ended with two North Yorkshire wedding ceremonies. My 2025 wedding season, as a celebrant, began at the beautiful Gisborough Hall - a luxury country house hotel. And, at the end of December (it’s November at the time of writing this), I’ll be officiating my final wedding of the season at the fabulous Danby Castle barn - a dreamy wedding barn situated in the remains of a 14th Century Castle. Both of these illustrious wedding venues are within close proximity to the rugged coastlines of Whitby and Saltburn-by-the-Sea.
So when Faye and Rob asked me to be their celebrant for their wedding at Hazelwood Castle in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, earlier this year, well - you can imagine my delight!
‘What’s really exciting…’ Faye gleefully proclaimed, ‘is that we are getting married in St Leonard’s chapel - as a surprise for my mum, who always wanted me to get married in a church!’
Photo credit: Hannah Brooke. Venue: Hazelwood Castle, North Yorkshire.
A Non-Religious Celebrant wedding in a Church.
St Leonard’s chapel is based within the grounds of Hazelwood Castle - an historic country estate located within Tadcaster, North Yorkshire.
Unsurprisingly, Hazelwood Castle remains a popular venue for weddings all year round because of the many ceremony spaces available for hire. Couples can choose whether they want to tie the knot within the castle itself; say ‘I-do’ under the canopy of the trees within the castle gardens or have their wedding ceremony within the walls of its old chapel.
St Leonard’s Chapel was originally built in 1286. Once used by the diocese of Leeds, it now offers a secular space - perfect for civil ceremonies and non-religious weddings (including humanist and independent celebrant - led ceremonies). This means couples can still enjoy the history and romance of this once sacred building, exchanging vows beneath the chapel’s ancient architecture and stunning stained glass.
A Personalised, Humanist-Style Celebrant Ceremony.
The wedding of Faye and Rob at Hazelwood Castle in May 2025 perfectly captured the true essence of a celebrant ceremony. It’s fair to say, that every element of their ceremony was bespoke - from the telling of their memorable love story through to their unique ring exchange; careful and well thought out planning ensured a truly authentic wedding ceremony.
A love story to celebrate
Faye and Rob had waited a long time to celebrate their union. They had fallen in love as graduates, under the oppressive shop floor lighting of Asda Living, where they both worked at the time.
Over the years that followed, they were forced to endure a long-distance love. Faye pursued a Masters in Edinburgh and then a PhD in Leeds, navigating the arduous demands of a post-graduate. As best friends and soul mates, Faye and Rob supported each other through many notable ‘life-challenges’ offering emotional guidance and fostering an impenetrable connection. Their love story was worth celebrating.
“I found Michelle through Instagram when my (now husband!) and I decided we wanted to have a more personal, meaningful wedding ceremony than the same generic script used by registrars across the country. This was really important to us as we had been in a relationship for 13 years to the day when we got married (25/05/2025) and so it needed to be extra special!”
The Personal Touches of a Personal Ceremony
From the start, Faye and Rob were invested in crafting a ceremony which was full of meaning, incorporating many bespoke elements.
As Lord of the Ring enthusiasts, Rob suggested we tailor the wording for their ring exchange to reflect this. As a surprise to Faye, Rob and I agreed upon the right kind of phrasing to incorporate - revealing his surprise to Faye on the day, shortly before they exchanged rings. She loved it!
Photo credit: Hannah Brooke. Venue: Hazelwood Castle, North Yorkshire.
“When Michelle did the read through of our wedding script with us, we were absolutely blown away. We didn’t realise quite how “us” it would be and so many personal details that we had shared with her were included. To be able to keep this as a memory forever means a lot to us both....Michelle also worked with my husband to make some edits to the ceremony which were kept as a surprise from me until the day.”
Faye and Rob invited two close family members to read some of their favourite extracts. These included:
Lord of the Rings
"I can't do this, Sam. I know. It's all wrong. By rights we shouldn't even be here.
But we are. It's like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness, and danger, they were. And sometimes you didn't want to know the end, because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it's only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines, it'll shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something. Even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back only they didn't. They kept going. Because they were holding on to something.
What are we holding on to, Sam?
That there's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo...and it's worth fighting for.
Blessing of the hands
These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever.
These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future.
These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.
And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.
Winnie the Pooh
"If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live without you.”
Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind.
“Pooh?” he whispered. “Yes, Piglet?”
“Nothing,” said Piglet, taking Pooh’s hand.
“I just wanted to be sure of you.”
“We’ll be Friends Forever, won’t we, Pooh?” asked Piglet.
“Even longer,” Pooh answered. “If ever there is tomorrow when we’re not together… there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we’re apart… I’ll always be with you"
Their ring bearer for the day was their gorgeous nephew who did fantastic job. Together with their witnesses, they enjoyed the ceremonial signing of a wedding certificate - a beautiful keepsake from the day.
Photo credit: Hannah Brooke. Venue: Hazelwood Castle, North Yorkshire.
Memories of an Emotional Day.
Faye and Rob’s day was steeped in emotion. Guests laughed and cried tears of joy throughout and everyone marvelled at just how special and personal their wedding ceremony felt.
Photo credit: Hannah Brooke. Venue: Hazelwood Castle, North Yorkshire.
As a final surprise to Faye, Rob revealed - just before they made their way back down the aisle- that he would take Faye’s family name as his own. So it was with great delight and swathes of emotional gratitude that Faye and Rob walked back down the aisle, hand-in-hand as Mr and Mrs Bennett.
“If you are looking for someone who will truly help to ensure your wedding day is one of the best days of your life, then I cannot think of anyone better. Wishing we had another excuse to continue working with Michelle now it’s all over....perhaps a vow renewal!?!!??!!
Seriously though, from the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU! What an absolute gem of a human being you are Michelle! Mr and Mrs Bennett ”
It was a privilege to tell the love story of Faye and Rob. I loved how invested (and organised) Faye and Rob were in the wedding planning; they understood the significance of a celebrant ceremony and they wanted to maximise the unique opportunity they had to make it their own.
I’m also extremely delighted and honoured to share their wedding highlights with you - so cleverly captured by the super talented Hannah Brooke. It is wonderful to look back on this memorable day; Faye and Rob will remain firm friends and hold a very special place in my heart forever.
Photo credit: Hannah Brooke. Venue: Hazelwood Castle, North Yorkshire.
“There aren’t enough stars to give for how fabulous Michelle is! I would give her 100/5 if possible.”
