Venue spotlight is on today’s agenda, and we’ve been looking at York Wedding venues. We were lucky enough to be invited to the beautiful The Grand Hotel, and grand is definitely the right word for it! The hotel, built in 1906 and a Grade II listed Edwardian building, stands proud with it’s beautiful exterior on the gateway to York, overlooking Lendal Bridge, the River Ouse and with views of York Minster it’s the perfect city centre location for a wedding! A 5 star hotel, with unparalleled service, attention to detail and more than a touch of luxury.
Wedding Venue: The Grand York
Upon arriving at the The Grand, we were greeted by a very attentive concierge team who left no detail and request undone. After a smooth and cheery check in, the wonderful and knowledgeable Hester, the Hotels guest relations manager, gave us a grand tour so we could see the whole package and what it can offer when it comes to holding your special day at The Grand, from private dining areas, a personalised service and even a newly opened cookery school, something a bit different for you and your guests to partake in if your making a weekend of it!
We were most excited by their drinks package menus for the big day which could include an oyster and salmon blini station, a champagne and oyster station, a cocktail package, a DIY gin bar, or a pimp your prosecco station! and not forgetting to mention their ‘late night snacks’ option… we’re in!
The Grand York – Wedding Package
The Grand offers two wedding day packages, aptly named Elegance and Exquisite and these are amendable with details and menus depending on your requirements. They both have inclusive elements and are priced per person meaning that if you have a small intimate wedding or a large grand affair, service and quality is not compromised. They work with each couple on a bespoke basis and have an in-house dedicated wedding coordinator who will make sure that your wedding day is all you hoped for, and will ensure a smooth running on the day. They also have some great additions included including, wedding stationery, chair covers and a complimentary Bridal suite for the night of the wedding.
The Grounds
With a city centre location there are so many photograph opportunities at The Grand, the hotel itself is an impressive backdrop for some fabulous photos, there’s the river a stone’s throw away, and of course The Minster if you are wanting to really impress with your wedding day photo’s.
The interior of the hotel is just as beautiful, with grand staircases, hidden foyers with decorative elements and impressive lighting, you will not fall short of breathtaking backdrops!
The Rooms
The hotel boasts two very different room types, the older part of the hotel originally built as a ‘Palace Of Business’ for one of the most powerful railway companies in Edwardian England has warm and romantic vintage feel and holds the ‘The Grand Boardroom’ for an impressive wedding ceremony and reception. The newer part of the hotel is just as impressive with it’s cool, modern, tasteful and complimentary decor, that flows through beautifully within the hotel itself.
The hotel is not short of beautiful areas to eat and drink in! For the wedding day your wedding breakfast would be served exclusively in the Boardroom, however as a staying guest you would have access to the 1906 Bar, The Rise Restaurant, with it’s contemporary dining bar and terrace area, Hudsons Restaurant, an intimate tasting menu experience, and depending on your package and room The White Rose Lounge – a private all day dining and lounge area with drinks, timely served snacks and all sorts of other lovely treats for you to enjoy!
There are 207 rooms in the Hotel, each with beautiful decor and impressive service and facilities, meaning there really is enough room for all your guests to stay under one roof!
We stayed in the newer part of the hotel, with a light and airy room with views of the Minster, it really was a beautiful stay! Of course we had a fluffy robe waiting for our arrival… our fave, refreshments for the room and some yummy salted caramel shortbread to devour!
The Spa at The Grand York
During our stay we also visited their in-house spa, we took full advantage of this on the day of checkout, and after dropping our luggage with the concierge we headed for a day of relaxation and pampering.
It’s based in the buildings vaults with it’s quirky decor, cast iron vault doors and stone walls it really is a quiet tranquil place away from the bustle of the city centre. It has all the right elements for a day of peace and tranquility for either before or after your wedding day, a jacuzzi, pool, gym, Nordic dry sauna, steam room and calming relaxation room. It also has a number of different spa packages and treatment rooms for pure indulgence!
The Food
A 5 star hotel both in service, surroundings and location and in it’s food, it did not disappoint, we ate in The Rise restaurant, with it’s modern British cuisine there was plenty of delicious choices. The restaurant also boasts an open kitchen for a true immersive dining experience, with in-house creative chefs, using locally sourced ingredients (the Hotel also has it’s own bee Avery and their honey is served at breakfast… love!) and serving freshly prepared dishes, it was a beautiful dining experience.
We sampled a delicious three course meal with wine, including, chicken and leek terrine and smoked salmon and Whitby crab to start, both served with the yummiest sourdough bread, confit of duck with butter bean stew and red wine jus and seared calves liver with pancetta and truffle mash, and to finish petit four served with coffee which included an decedent orange marshmallow, hazlenut truffle and blackcurrant pastille… safe to say we were in a definite food coma and ready for the king sized bed that awaited us!
An impressive and beautiful meal and a taster of what would be served in their wedding day package, creative, mouthwatering dining with a local British touch. You could see the passion of the chefs at work and this made the dining experience extra special.
The Grand also offer a bespoke menu service if you have something particular or theme in mind. A menu designed especially for the two of you by the Executive Head Chef
A huge thanks to the hotel for providing us with such a wonderful 5 star luxury stay, a city centre location, however, a haven of tranquility once inside the beautiful Hotel that is The Grand. The service was impeccable and all the staff had a warming greeting wherever you went within the grounds, we could not fault the wonderful customer service we received.
Please note that we were gifted this stay, however all our thoughts in this blog post are true and our own.
Love The Grand York and looking for more impressive wedding day options for you big day? Check out our venues page
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