I am fortunate enough to live in a city with a wide range of wedding venues, from cool bars, converted mills, a medieval banqueting hall to a quirky independent cinema. There are so many fantastic Newcastle city centre wedding venues, that I decided to make a little blog post about just a few of them to showcase the variety on offer for couples wanting to get married in Newcastle upon Tyne. All of the following venues are located right within, or within a few minutes drive from Newcastle city centre. All images featured are from weddings that I’ve photographed.
Hotel Du Vin
Hotel Du Vin Newcastle is a fantastic converted Edwardian building, that originally housed the Tyne Tees Steam Ship Company. Built with red brick, and still housing many original features, It’s a luxury hotel with a lot of character.
There are a few options for weddings here, ceremonies can take place in the bistro, but there’s also a couple of quirky private dining rooms for more intimate weddings, one of the rooms features a fantastic mural depicting a scene from the River Tyne. Couples getting married here are just a short walk away from the Quayside, which is also fantastic for wedding photographs. See a full blog post of a wedding I shot at Hotel Du Vin by clicking here.
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The suites at Hotel Du Vin are also AMAZING to get ready in. It was the location of my ‘bromance’ photographs that went viral… see below..
Tyneside Cinema
The Tyneside Cinema is a unique, art deco style independent cinema in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne. Couples can get married on the stage of the Classic Cinema, with the fabulous red curtain backdrop.
Guests can also be entertained by a personalised film before the ceremony as well and obviously many couples choose to roll with the movie theme… ticket stub seating plan and popcorn snacks anyone?
As well as the Classic Cinema screen, there’s also another three spaces at the venue that are licensed for ceremonies. The Tyneside Cinema is a registered charity, and much loved cultural destination, so having your wedding here also goes towards helping others continue to enjoy the variety of things on offer… win win!
BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art
Ok, so technically BALTIC is actually in Gateshead…but it’s literally a hop, skip and a jump across the millennium bridge from Newcastle Quayside, so I had to include it. The Baltic was originally a flour mill, so is a joining together of historic and modern. The restaurant, SIX has a fantastic reputation locally for amazing food. I’ve actually had a chocolate afternoon tea here and can definitely vouch for it’s amazingness.
The river terrace is a gorgeous place for wedding ceremonies & receptions. It has full length windows with a view over the Tyne. You can also get married in some of the galleries themselves.
There is a fabulous glass viewing box upstairs which makes for some amazing views and photographs too.
See the full blog post here.
The Sage
Ok, again technically in Gateshead. The Sage is the huge mirrored building you can actually see in the above photograph in the background. Situated right on the banks of the Tyne, this is a large music and entertainment venue.
There are several spaces on offer licensed for wedding ceremonies. Laura & David got married in the Northern Rock Foundation Hall. This venue is able to provide a light/sound engineer to add to even more wow factor to the day.
Right outside there are some fantastic views of the bridges and quayside which is a perfect backdrop for photographs too. I always love to wander around the quayside taking wedding photographs!
Blackfriars Restaurant
Blackfriars Restaurant is a hidden gem, tucked away in the heart of the city centre, just next to Chinatown.
With a fantastic reputation for fabulous British, locally sourced food, this is definitely one for the foodies. It is situated inside a 13th century medieval friary. They are able to cater for small or large weddings, and are flexible on what menus they can offer. The banqueting hall can fit 50 on long tables, and the restaurant can cater for 90 guests. A bonus is that they generally don’t have hire charges applicable either..meaning, you guessed it, more money for food, yay!
The banqueting hall has a definite Hogwarts vibe too…Harry Potter themed wedding anyone???
The courtyard at Blackfriars has lots of space for photographs and some definite quirky features!
Summerhill Bowling Club
One for the DIY loving couples. This is a village-hall type venue, but situated just a stones throw from Newcastle City Centre, behind the Discovery Museum essentially! Although not licensed for ceremonies, The pavilion is perfect for couples wanting to host their own DIY wedding receptions, with flexibility on catering. Another great thing about Summerhill, is that it is a community centre, and private events held here help fund this aspect of the centre, and keep this valuable building available to all.
You can also pitch a marquee or tipi on the lawn, giving you lots of space…and there’s a stage, perfect for a band, with lots of room to dance. See a full blog post from a wedding here.
The Vermont Hotel
The Vermont Hotel is a stylish hotel situated right next to Castle Keep, and the High Level Bridge.
The ballroom is an ideal place for larger weddings, though the Sky Lounge upstairs has epic views for small ceremonies.
There’s a lot of scope for photographs nearby, with the views of the bridges, the chance to have a castle backdrop, and from the rooftop. I feel like The Vermont is a good option for a winter wedding too, given you can get ready, married & party all in one venue, and there’s not a big worry about the weather for guests travelling there.
See a full blog post of a wedding at The Vermont.
Hancock Museum
One for the dinosaur lovers… Fancy getting married next to a t-rex skeleton?
The Great North Museum: Hancock is situated just across from the civic centre, and has a couple of spaces licensed for wedding ceremonies. You’d definitely not have to worry about the weather, as it has a huge scope for quirky photographs inside. You can have your reception in the living planet gallery, and if you have children coming to your wedding I bet they will be especially awe-struck by everything to explore! See the full blog post of Nichola & Ciaran’s Hancock Museum Wedding here .
Centre For Life / Life Science Centre
The Life Science Centre is located right near Central Station in Newcastle. It’s a large science museum with a separate space for events. As well as traditional function rooms, the planetarium is licensed for truly unique weddings under the stars. The wedding receptions take place within a function suite.
The couple is then able to access the venue after public opening hours for some fun & quirky couples photographs.
Megan & Jimi got married under the Northern Lights in the planetarium, see their full blog post here.
PINIMAGEPINIMAGEPINIMAGEThere are a few newer Newcastle City Centre venues I have yet to photograph weddings at but hoping to soon, that I wanted to mention!
Boiler Shop/Stephenson Works
Boiler Shop / Stephenson works… a large warehouse style space that hosts a variety of events throughout the year. It would be the perfect space for a relaxed & fun wedding… I can imagine how popular it is going to be!
Hoults Yard
Hoults Yard is another large, adaptable warehouse space situated near to Byker/Ouseburn. I actually photographed a wedding alongside a fantastic photographer friend here, and the couple had a completely DIY wedding, even had Greggs pasties instead of canapés. Food trucks & acoustic musicians during the rest of the wedding day completed the laid back vibe.
Wylam Brewery
Tucked into exhibition park, a short walk from the city centre is new venue Wylam Brewery. This building used to house a military museum. It has a growing reputation for it’s events, as well as the food, and of course the ale! I am very much looking forward to photographing weddings here in 2018.
Newcastle upon Tyne is such an amazing city with a variety of wedding venues and I’m so proud to call it home!
Please drop me a line via my contact page if you’re looking for fun and relaxed wedding photography for your big day.
All images & text copyright Katie Byram Photography and must not be used without written permission from the photographer.
