Recently married, Abra and Coe reveal why they chose a small wedding at Holdsworth House Hotel. They wanted an intimate wedding celebration in Halifax, Yorkshire, followed by a party abroad later in the year. Here, Abra tells her story…
Adding Romance to “The Legal Bit” – Our Intimate Small Wedding at Holdsworth House
“Planning a destination wedding can be tricky, especially when it comes to the legalities. We’d always dreamed of a wedding in Italy, but the complexities of getting married abroad meant we needed a separate ceremony in the UK. Initially, the thought of a quick registry office visit felt like the easiest option. We wanted our Italian wedding to feel like our “official” day, and a low-key legal ceremony seemed like the way to achieve that. But as the planning progressed, the idea of a generic registry office just didn’t feel right. It felt impersonal, almost like we were going through the motions in a place with no special meaning to us.
“Like many others, it seems, we wanted the legal marriage to be private and personal. We know several couples who have first opted for an intimate ceremony and then saved up for a big evening party, where they can invite everyone, later in the year. We knew that was certainly a possibility at Holdsworth House.
A FAMILY RUN HOTEL IN WEST YORKSHIRE
“With a registry office wedding off the table, Holdsworth House came into the picture. This beautiful, historic hotel has been a part of my family’s story for over 60 years. My grandparents opened it in 1963 and it’s still run by the family now. I grew up there, creating countless memories – from homework sessions in the staff room to sneaking drinks behind the bar and eventually working there as a waitress. By pure coincidence, my husband’s father had also worked at the hotel in his youth, making it the perfect setting for our intimate legal wedding ceremony.
INTIMATE WEDDING VENUE SPACE
“We wanted something small and personal, and the hotel’s charming 17th century Stone Gazebo, was ideal. Believed to have been built as a private chapel, this historic space, once the UK’s smallest licensed wedding venue, offered the perfect intimate atmosphere. It has stunning stonework, exposed beams, intricate stencilling decoration–it was super pretty. We contacted the Halifax registrars and discovered that Valentine’s Day, a Monday that year, had availability. It felt like a lovely touch – a subtle nod to romance alongside our main overseas wedding party.
ROMANCE IN THE RAIN
“On the day, despite the rain, Holdsworth House’s walled gardens felt like our own beautiful, private sanctuary. Just our small group – my fiancé, our son and our parents – gathered in the Stone Gazebo with its views over the gardens. The Halifax registrars were wonderful, adding warmth and sincerity to our marriage ceremony. My mum, despite my pleas for simplicity, had arranged for a beautiful bouquet and stunning floral arrangements to adorn the Gazebo’s fireplace and stone windowsills, creating the ultimate romantic ambiance. With candles flickering and our chosen playlist playing softly in the background, we exchanged vows, sealed our marriage with a kiss and then enjoyed a fabulous afternoon tea in the hotel’s stunning panelled restaurant. We left in a blissful bubble, officially husband and wife! The hotel team were wonderful. I know them all so well, but to witness their professionalism at close quarters was so reassuring and memorable.
Two Amazing Days
“Later in the year we had our second wedding celebration in Italy. Both ceremonies hold incredibly special memories, and I’m so grateful we prioritised the legal aspect in a way that felt authentic and intimate to us. A huge thank you to the team at Holdsworth House for understanding our vision and helping us create such a magical small wedding.”
With thanks to Abra and Coe for sharing their story.
