How to plan an outdoor wedding at Lineham Farm

If you’re dreaming of saying “I do” surrounded by the stunning Yorkshire countryside, look no further than Lineham Farm. Our versatile spaces offer the perfect backdrop for a truly magical celebration, whether you’re picturing a rustic barn affair, a woodland wonderland or a festival-style weekend wedding.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the possibilities for your outdoor wedding at Lineham Farm, including practical tips to ensure your big day goes off without a hitch, come rain or shine.

Outdoor wedding ceremony ideas

The Courtyard

Our courtyard is nestled amongst our pretty Yorkshire stone farm buildings and offers an intimate space for an outdoor ceremony. It’s the perfect spot for couples seeking a blend of rustic charm and elegant romance.

Styling tips:

• Decorate the space with bunting and fairy lights for a whimsical finish
• Create a dramatic floral arch as a ceremony focal point
• Line the aisle with wildflowers for a natural, fragrant walkway

The courtyard’s natural charm means it doesn’t need much dressing up, but it’s also a fantastic blank canvas if you do want to go all out. Plus, it’s next to to our indoor spaces so you have peace of mind in case the weather takes an unexpected turn.

The Woodland

For nature-loving couples, our stunning woodlands provide a magical setting for vows. Exchange rings beneath a canopy of leaves, with dappled sunlight creating a dreamy atmosphere that’s incredible for your wedding photos.

Styling ideas:

• Dress up the trees with paper lanterns or colourful bunting
• Use our wooden benches or hay bales for guest seating, complete with cosy blankets
• Create a natural ceremony space with fallen branches, leaves and wildflowers

A woodland ceremony at Lineham Farm promises a unique and memorable experience that will have both you and your guests feeling like they’ve stepped into a fairytale.

“The woodland is the most stunning setting to get married. We moved to the courtyard for the reception, into the barn for the breakfast and then back to the courtyard for our evening party and danced the night away – all of which were stunning. We would more than recommend anyone use Lineham for their wedding. It was perfect.”

Sarah Spears

Outdoor wedding reception ideas

The Event Field

Our spacious event field is one of the many spaces available to couples when they book Lineham Farm for their wedding, and it’s the perfect space for couples who are dreaming big. It’s a vast, open area that gives you the freedom to create the wedding reception of your dreams, whether that’s an elegant affair with a marquee or a full festival experience. As part of your exclusive hire, you’ll have access to all our stunning spaces including the event field, barn courtyard and more, ensuring a wonderfully personalised celebration.

Wedding reception ideas:

• Use a marquee or tipi decorated to match your theme
• Create a festival atmosphere with food trucks, lawn games and even a ‘main stage’ for your entertainment
• Set up long banquet-style tables for a beautiful alfresco dinner

The event field’s generous size means there’s plenty of room for guests to mingle, dance the night away and enjoy the stunning Yorkshire scenery. It’s also perfect for family-friendly weddings, giving children (and fun-loving adults!) plenty of space to run around and let off steam. And if the weather takes a turn, our charming barn room and cosy indoor spaces are ready to keep the celebrations going.

The Courtyard

If you’re dreaming of a smaller, more intimate reception, our courtyard transforms beautifully from day to night. As the sun sets, the space takes on a cosy, romantic atmosphere that’s ideal for dining and dancing under the stars.

Evening wedding reception ideas:

• String up delicate fairy lights for a magical atmosphere
• Set up a bar in one corner for easy access to drinks
• Make use of our rustic picnic tables, wooden benches, and other seating nearby for guests to relax and chat

The courtyard’s more sheltered nature means it’s great for evening celebrations, protecting guests from breezes as the night goes on.

Outdoor wedding catering ideas

For many couples, good food is at the heart of a great wedding celebration. Luckily, our outdoor spaces offer up plenty of options for serving up a delicious meal to your guests. Here are some outdoor wedding food ideas.

Dining in the courtyard

The courtyard is perfect for creating an intimate dining experience. Whether you’d like a formal sit-down meal or more relaxed dining, this space can accommodate your vision.

Outdoor wedding catering ideas:

• Set up food stations around the courtyard offering a variety of cuisines
• Arrange a large central table for a more interactive dining experience
• Host a Yorkshire barbeque with locally sourced ingredients for a taste of local flavour

An event field feast

For bigger gatherings of couples after a festival-style approach to the celebrations, the event field offers almost endless possibilities.

Outdoor wedding catering options:

• Bring in a variety of food trucks offering everything from wood-fired pizzas to tasty tacos
• Set up a large marquee as a dining area for a sit-down down meal
• Create themed food stations, like street food and a dessert table

Remember, our team is always on hand to help coordinate with your chosen caterers, so you and your guests have a smooth and delicious dining experience.

“We fell in love with Lineham Farm during our first visit and booked it shortly after for our wedding venue. After a year of planning, it was amazing to see everything come together. One of the pros of Lineham Farm is having the venue for the full weekend so all your loved ones can enjoy every moment! There’s so much flexibility, you’re able to add so many personal touches and there are so many different spaces available within the venue. Our wedding was described as a ‘posh mini festival’ and that was exactly the vibe we were after!”

Leigha and Tom

British outdoor wedding ideas: embracing the weather

We all know that British weather has the tendency to be a little unpredictable. But, that shouldn’t mean you can’t still have the outdoor wedding of your dreams. Here are some simple outdoor wedding tips for the UK to help you prepare for all eventualities.

Have a backup plan: Our beautiful barn room is always available as a plan B if the weather takes a turn. Its charming stone walls, high-beamed ceiling and twinkling fairy lights provide a gorgeous backdrop for indoor celebrations.

Provide shelter: Consider renting a marquee or tipi for your event field celebration. These can be closed up if rain begins while still keeping that outdoor feel.

Keep guests comfortable: We have plenty of blankets for chilly evenings and consider renting patio heaters for outdoor areas if the weather is cool.

Embrace the elements: Don’t forget, a little rain on your wedding day is considered good luck! While it’s nobody’s dream scenario, if the skies open try to make the best of it. Keep some cute umbrellas on hand for photos – they can make for some wonderfully romantic shots.

Be flexible: Work with our team to create flexible plans that can be adjusted based on the weather forecast. Don’t forget, at Lineham Farm you get full use of the entire venue, so there’s always room for a contingency plan.

Decoration ideas for an outdoor wedding

One of the best parts of an outdoor wedding is being able to take in the natural beauty that surrounds you. At Lineham Farm, you’ll find plenty of inspiration in our Yorkshire countryside setting.

Wedding decoration ideas:

• Use locally sourced wildflowers for a natural feel
• Incorporate wooden elements into your décor, like logs, barrels or crates
• Hang fairy lights, lanterns or bunting from trees in the woodland or around the courtyard
• Create signs using reclaimed wood for a charming, rustic touch
• Use hay bales covered in pretty blankets for extra seating

Often, less is more when it comes to outdoor weddings. Don’t be afraid to simply let the natural beauty of Lineham Farm shine through in your décor choices!

Your outdoor wedding checklist

Planning an outdoor wedding requires plenty of pre-planning and a few extra considerations. Here’s a handy outdoor wedding checklist to keep your big day at Lineham Farm on track:

• Book Lineham Farm for your chosen date as far in advance as possible
• Decide on your ceremony and reception locations
• Arrange any necessary rentals, like marquees or décor
• Coordinate with your caterers and discuss outdoor dining options
• Plan your wet weather contingency with the Lineham Weddings team
• Consider sound equipment needs for an outdoor reception
• Let guests know your wedding is outdoors so they can dress appropriately
• Create a timeline that allows for flexibility for weather changes

What to do if it rains: our indoor contingency

While everyone hopes for perfect weather for an outdoor wedding, it’s essential to have a backup plan – you don’t want to be stuck wondering what to do when it rains. Luckily at Lineham Farm we’ve got you covered, literally! We have fantastic indoor spaces that can be used if the weather doesn’t cooperate.

Our beautiful barn room is the perfect indoor alternative for both ceremonies and receptions. It can hold up to 100 guests seated at tables and up to 150 for evening celebrations. It has a rustic finish that many love but is also an amazing blank canvas if you have a vision you want to bring to life indoors.

Our charming sitting room offers another excellent indoor option. Split across two levels, it’s a versatile space, making it ideal for cosier celebrations. The sitting room features comfy leather sofas, an open fireplace for extra ambience and a floor-to-ceiling window that floods the room with natural light, bringing it to life even on cloudy days. Whether you use it for your ceremony, a bar area or as a cosy retreat for your guests, the sitting room adds another layer of flexibility to your contingency plans.

Our experienced team will work closely with you in the lead-up to your big day, keeping an eye on weather forecasts and helping you make the call on whether to move indoors. We’re experts at making this transition smooth and stress-free, making sure your special day is magical, come rain or shine.

Your dream wedding awaits

At Lineham Farm, we believe your wedding should be as unique as you are. Our versatile spaces offer endless possibilities for creating the celebration of your dreams, and our dedicated team is here to help bring your vision to life. We understand the extra considerations that come with planning an outdoor wedding, and we’re committed to ensuring your day runs smoothly, whatever the British weather might bring.

Don’t just dream about your ideal wedding – come and see how we can make it a reality. Book your visit today and let’s begin planning your unforgettable celebration together. Contact our friendly team on 0113 3783939 or email us at weddings@linehamfarm.co.uk to arrange your tour. We can’t wait to meet you and be part of your love story!