Weddings

Ryedale Folk Museum is an exceptional and romantic setting for elopements, intimate weddings and vow renewals in rural North Yorkshire. 

With its characterful buildings and serene countryside location in the picturesque village of Hutton-le-Hole, a ceremony at Ryedale Folk Museum is a memorable way to say, “I do”. History is brought to life through the Museum’s exhibits on display across twenty buildings, with six acres of pleasant surroundings to explore. We’re a dog-friendly wedding venue too.

Our dedicated and friendly team will help you every step of the way to make your civil ceremony, civil partnership or vow renewal an unforgettable occasion. We welcome traditional, non-traditional and historical ceremonies. Whether we are hosting your wedding day, or helping you to celebrate your continuing love, we promise a unique and personal experience.

You can enjoy a romantic walk through the orchard; travel through time from the Iron Age to the 1950s; or admire the cottage gardens and visit the animals. The opportunity to explore the buildings and exhibits provides a great option for entertaining your guests and a range of distinctive backdrops for your photographs.

Download our wedding brochure – click the image above! Find our price list and terms further down this page.

If you want to contact us please get in touch by phone or email:
01751 417367
[email protected]

There are nine Ceremony Locations to choose from at the Museum. Please see more details – including maximum guest capacity – and images below.
Hire periods for our Ceremony Locations are available to book Saturday to Thursday. Your chosen ceremony location will be closed off to the public for the duration of the hire period indicated but the Museum will remain open to the general public, unless you wish to book Exclusive Use. 

Exclusive Use includes use of the Ceremony and Reception Location of your choice and sole use of the whole Museum site for a hire period of up to 5 hours – only available on a Friday.

You can choose one of our Reception Locations to host the start of your celebrations. These characterful spaces are suitable for informal receptions and spending some quality time together. You can raise a glass to your future; enjoy your wedding cake (see Cut the Cake! below); bring along your own nibbles or posh picnic; or arrange for a local supplier to cater for you.

Hire periods can be booked between the hours of 9am and 5pm from April to September (latest ceremony time 4pm) and between the hours of 9am and 4pm in March / from October to mid-November (latest ceremony time 3pm).

Our stunning thatched 16th century building, with its original wooden cruck-frame construction, makes an impressive setting for your ceremony. This location is truly versatile and can be set to create a cosy ceremony for a few of your nearest and dearest, or comfortably accommodate larger gatherings. With exposed original oak beams and stone flag floor, the Manor House can be styled traditionally with a centre aisle, but also lends itself to a more informal and intimate layout.

Ceremony size: up to 58 guests

Availability: mid-March to mid-November

Hire period: 2.5 hours (can also be a Reception Location during Exclusive Use bookings)

Seating provision: use of wooden chairs

Please click on any image to see a larger version.

The Museum’s Roundhouse is a reconstruction of an Iron Age dwelling, presenting a truly distinctive setting for your ceremony. The curved walls, natural materials and central fire create a relaxed and rustic feel. We think it affords the perfect setting for adding a ‘tying the knot’ or handfasting element after your ceremony. Summertime provides a particularly beautiful backdrop to this ceremony location, with the Roundhouse situated next to our traditional and colourful cornfield.

Ceremony size: up to 28 guests

Availability: April to October

Hire period: 2 hours

Seating provision: use of low wooden benches or wooden chairs

Please click on any image to see a larger version.

This cottage is a carefully created reconstruction, built and furnished to represent a humble abode inhabited by a Medieval crofter, complete with central fire. There’s a real countryside charisma to this ceremony location; with its silver thatch, earth floor, shuttered windows and attractive cottage garden.

Ceremony size: up to 10 guests

Availability: mid-March to mid-November

Hire period: 2 hours

Seating provision: use of low wooden benches or wooden chairs

Please click on any image to see a larger version.

The oldest surviving example of such a studio in England, this building was originally the workspace of William Hayes and used to host his own wedding reception in 1904. A traditional portrait backdrop and wall of glass (constructed from photographic slides of course!) have been used to capture the memories of many couples’ nuptials. Why not continue the tradition and create a record of your love story here too?

Ceremony size: up to 10 guests

Availability: mid-March to mid-November

Hire period: 2 hours

Seating provision: use of wooden chairs

Please click on any image to see a larger version.

Our 18th century cottage, Stang End, is a charismatic option for smaller groups. With its traditional thatched roof, feature fireplace and leadlight windows, this location offers a relaxed setting for your ceremony.

Ceremony size: up to 8 guests

Availability: June to August

Hire period: 2 hours

Seating provision: use of wooden pew-style benches

Please click on any image to see a larger version.

A wooden clad space with a vintage feel, the Pavilion could easily be dressed to suit several styles. It’s perfect for a traditional afternoon tea or a 1940’s-themed party. This Ceremony Location can also be used as a Reception Location, so it is an ideal choice if you really want to go to town with a particular theme, or to allow extended celebrations on your special day.

Ceremony size: up to 28 guests (Reception size: max. 30 including the happy couple)

Availability: mid-March to mid-November

Hire period: 2.5 hours

Seating provision: use of wooden chairs (and rectangular tables if used as Reception Location)

Please click on any image to see a larger version.

Adored by visitors young and old, our 1950s village store is a small, but perfectly formed, option for those seeking a nostalgic and notable ceremony choice.

Ceremony size: up to 2 guests

Availability: mid-March to mid-November

Hire period: 2 hours

Seating provision: room hire only, no seating provided due to this location’s layout

Please click on any image to see a larger version.

A remarkable and inimitable location, the Undertaker’s Office can only accommodate the most micro of ceremonies. A quirky choice, not for the faint hearted!

Ceremony size: up to 2 guests

Availability: mid-March to mid-November

Hire period: 2 hours

Seating provision: use of wooden chairs

Please click on any image to see a larger version.

Affectionately known as the ‘white cottage’, this charming, thatched building is a firm favourite with our visitors. A much-loved family house for generations, you get a real sense of home and comfort here. With the open fire aglow, the cottage kitchen presents an atmospheric, Victorian-esque setting.

Ceremony size: up to 3 guests

Availability: mid-March to mid-November

Hire period: 2 hours

Seating provision: use of wooden chairs

Please click on any image to see a larger version.

Beautiful oak beams and a stone flag floor create a rustic feeling, with lots of natural light streaming through the expanse of windows. There’s a small kitchen area too – with oak worktops, sink and fridge – ideal for relaxed and informal DIY-Receptions.

Reception size: up to 22 guests (max. 24 including the happy couple)

Availability: mid-March to mid-November

Hire period: 2 hours

Seating provision: use of wooden chairs and oak-topped tables

Please click on any image to see a larger version.

Cut the Cake! If you’re booking a reception and want to enjoy a slice of your wedding cake, we can help with that too. After you have posed for pictures and cut your cake, a member of the Museum team will portion and serve it, so you can focus on your family and friends. We supply a cake stand and knife, lovely mis-matched traditional china, cake forks and napkins. This service (to be booked in conjunction with Reception Location hire) is an excellent way to extend your celebrations, offering an opportunity to spend some quality time with your guests.

The Perfect Pair!  Whether you are a lover of tea, or a connoisseur of coffee; a cuppa pairs perfectly with cake. If selecting our Cut the Cake! option, you can choose to add a refreshing brew of Yorkshire Tea, or freshly ground coffee – served from traditional cups and saucers from our collection of colourful mis-matched designs.