Jessica and Sam (and their adorable baby boy!) chose the magnificent Thicket Priory York for their special day. Nestled in the heart of beautiful North Yorkshire countryside and just 20 minutes from the second most visited city in the UK outside London, Thicket Priory ticks a lot of boxes for a wedding venue. Not least is the location. Standing in 18 acres of tranquil gardens and just 2 hours from London, this private house has 35 en-suite bedrooms. Wedding guests wanting to take a mini-break before, or after, the celebrations, will have the beautiful city of York , breathtaking countryside and a coastline on their doorstep, and will be spoiled for choice on what to see and where to stay .
Historical Thicket Priory York
The site of the priory was founded by the Benedictines, a monastic religious order of the Catholic Church in AD 1180. Thicket Priory was designed by the renowned architect, Edward Blore , as a private house for the Revd. J. Dunnington-Jefferson, in 1847. Blore took on many prestigious commissions including works on Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and Hampton Court Palace.
Today, Thicket Priory York remains a Grade II-listed private house and exclusive wedding venue. It has been fully restored and now offers (with its many secret tunnels!), a taste of 19th Century home life without comprising on comfort.
Thicket Priory York
Thorganby’s exclusive wedding venue
This tranquil venue is surrounded on three sides by a world-class nature reserve , home to an abundance of wildlife. The venue’s grounds include a lake, bridges, boathouse and island – all great settings for your wedding photographs!
The Priory can host up to 200 guests for a wedding banquet in their magnificent chandelier-lit ballroom. The Morning Room is available for smaller weddings for up to 40 diners. Should you be planning a more intimate reception, then book the Jefferson Room.
The Wedding Ceremony
Thicket Priory York
Licensed for marriages and civil partnerships, both inside and outside, Jessica and Sam chose The Chapel for their ceremony. With its vaulted ceiling and stunning original stained-glass window, flooding the space with natural light, the ceremony was magical! Jessica looked gorgeous in a stunning gown from York’s Elena Ferrara Bridal Boutique and carried a beautiful natural bouquet by florist, Becky Potter of Lavender & Bee , Thirsk.
If you are planning a Summer wedding and prefer an outdoor ceremony then Thicket Priory have a great bandstand in the formal gardens, which is ideal.
One last thing – should you feel you are missing out on your bridal car, as everything is on site, then don’t. You can take a spin down the estate’s sweeping driveway in their very own Rolls Royce Silver Cloud!
Thank you, Jessica and Sam, for your kind words and asking me to share your day. It was awesome.
We just wanted to say thank you so much! There are so many beautiful photos and lots of magical moments. We’ve spent a lot of time looking at them this week and it brings the day back to life. We can’t wait to share them with all our family and friends. Thanks again.
Jessicca and Sam
01 thicket priory venue york oxford wedding photographer 02 venue sign thicket priory york oxford wedding photographers 03 thicket priory chapel york oxford wedding photography 04 order of service thicket priory marriage york oxfordshire wedding photographer 05 bride opens grooms card bridal prep thicket priory york oxfordshire wedding photographers 06 bride holds grooms card bridal preparation thicket priory york oxfordshire wedding photography 07 bride reads card bridal prep thicket priory york oxford wedding photography 08 bride reads grooms letter bridal preparation thicket priory york oxford wedding photographers 11 bridal party preparation thicket priory york oxford wedding photograph 12 hairstyling bridal prep thicket priory york oxfordshire wedding photographer 13 flowergirl dresses bridal prep thicket priory york oxford wedding photographers 14 flowergirls bridal preparation thicket priory york oxford wedding photography 15 flowergirl shoes bridal prep thicket priory york oxfordshire wedding photographer 16 brides hanging dress bridal prep thicket priory york oxford wedding photographer 17 brides shows flowergirl rose petals bridal preparation thicket priory york oxford wedding photographers 18 bride tries shoes bridal preparation thicket priory york oxford wedding photography 19 brides mirror reflection bridal prep thicket priory york oxfordshire wedding photographer 20 bride checks hairstyling bridal preparation thicket priory york oxfordshire wedding photographers 21 smiling bride thicket priory bridal preparation york oxfordshire wedding photography 22 brides makeup bridal prep thicket priory york oxford wedding photographer 23 brides lucky horseshoe jewellery thicket priory venue york oxford wedding photographers 24 bride bridesmaid bridal preparation thicket priory york oxford wedding photography 25 brides lucky charm thicket priory venue york oxfordshire wedding photographer 26 bride shows bridesmaid wedding shoes thicket priory bridal prep york s r urwin photographers oxfordshire 27 bridesmaid ties brides shoes bridal preparation thorganby wedding venue north yorkshire oxfordshire wedding photographers 28 brides bouquet bridal prep thicket priory york oxfordshire wedding photography 29 flowergirls headress thicket priory york oxford wedding photography 30 brides dress buttoned bridal prep thicket priory york oxfordshire wedding photographer 31 bridesmaids bracelet gift bridal prep thicket priory york oxford wedding photographers 32 bridesmaid admires flowergirls shoes bridal prep thicket priory york oxford wedding photography 33 flowergirl lies on bed bridal prep thicket priory york oxfordshire wedding photographer 34 brides veil attached bridal preparation thicket priory york oxfordshire wedding photographers 35 bridal veil thicket priory york oxfordshire wedding photography 36 groom ties shoes groomsmen prep thorganby venue north yorkshire oxford wedding photographer 37 groom fastens watch groomsmen prep thorganby venue 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Fancy the idea of a chapel ceremony in an historical priory or monastry? Head on over to Hayley and Ricky’s wedding held in a Grade II Listed former abbey dating back to the early 16th century.