Sheffield’s Unique, Alternative Wedding Venues
If you’re not fussed about a chain hotel’s “platinum” wedding package (no doubt, including white stretchy chair covers 🤮), you’re probably looking for something a little different for your wedding or reception. Thankfully there are no shortage of alternative wedding venues in and around Sheffield. Here’s just a few of the rustic, industrial options available!
Trafalgar Warehouse
Industrial, Urban, Blank Canvas
How many guests: 120-200 depending upon layout/space usage
Civil ceremony registered: Yes
External suppliers/DIY: Yes, except bar service
Trafalgar Warehouse dates back to the 1930s and is a perfect venue for a Sheffield city centre wedding being only a 5-minute walk from the station and in easy reach of multiple hotels, and some perfect spots for street-style portraits.
The industrial chic, white-washed walls and concrete floor are ideal for a DIY wedding set up, allowing a couple to make the space their own, Trafalgar Warehouse looks good with anything from a minimal, industrial style to over-the-top colourful kitsch.
Tailor your entertainment with a DJ, a band, or both, and you can bring in your favourite local street food caterers, including a van (of a certain size), inside the venue! Take a look at this Industrial DIY Trafalgar Warehouse wedding for some inspiration!
Get in touch with Emma and her fantastic team for more information, and make sure you book me in, because I love this place!
Sidney + Matilda
Independent, Musical, Local
How many guests: Up to 300 depending which areas you’d like to use
Civil ceremony registered: No, but don’t forget a celebrant!
External suppliers/DIY: Yes, except bar service
A century-old former paper factory (with one of the conveyor belts still poking through the ceiling), Sidney + Matilda is a stone’s throw from Sheffield city centre in the Cultural Industries Quarter. With four spaces to choose from – the Basement, the Warehouse, the Factory and the Yard – Sidney + Matilda can cater for up to 300 guests, but can equally deliver a botany-lovers intimate celebration. By day it’s a music venue and events space boasting one of the best sound systems in Sheffield, oh, and they work with local breweries to stock the bar – so if you love your Sheffield ale and music, I’ll see you there!
Check out Sidney + Matilda’s website for more info, and let Ollie know I sent you!
The Hide
Yellow, Iconic, Community
How many guests: 80-140
Civil ceremony registered: No, wedding parties only.
External suppliers/DIY: Yes, except bar and catering
The Hide is just outside Kelham Island / Shalesmoor in ‘Little Italy’ or St Vincent’s, Sheffield. The building started out as an Italian porcelain business, but was transformed by Trudi and Justine in 2015 to house eight indie businesses from a florist to a coffee roaster. We are the Hide is a community, not just a venue.
The venue isn’t licensed for civil ceremonies, but is perfect for the reception party afterwards. The Hide do all the catering on site with Percy (street food van) and Lily (bar) housed inside. You won’t find sit down three-course meals here, so be prepared for feasting and fun. You’re also welcome to bring your own suppliers as it’s perfect for a DIY wedding. Check out this Sheffield Wedding at The Chimney House and The Hide for more ideas.
And if you love yellow, just look at that exterior!
99 Mary Street
Photo courtesy of 99 Mary Street, more coming soon!
Urban, Industrial, Boutique
How many guests: 72-100
Civil ceremony registered: Yes
External suppliers/DIY: Yes, except bar service
99 Mary Street is less than five minutes’ walk from Sheffield train station in the Cultural Industries Quarter on a quiet, cobbled back street. There’s room for 72 people to witness and dine in a flexible space that encourages DIYers or wedding planners to make it their own. Post-industrial, as is often the case in Sheffield, gorgeous classic street surroundings and plenty of that stunning red-brick.
Chimney House
Cosy, Redbrick, Kelham Island
How many guests: 50
Civil ceremony registered: Yes
External suppliers/DIY: Yes, although many aspects managed by the amazing team!
Perched on the edge of the historic ‘mill race’ waterway on Kelham Island, The Chimney House named after its 93ft chimney is iconic. It’s a gorgeous mix of redbrick, reclaimed furniture and local Sheffield heritage. There’s no shortage of places for portraits around The Chimney House, in fact, I’m constantly striving to find new ones, so if you’re looking for a post-industrial, true Sheffield backdrop, you have it.
Ceremonies take place in the upstairs Meeting Room, which caters for up to 50 guests. If you’re looking for something bigger for your reception and party, the Mowbray (up next) is just around the corner, run by the same great team, and you can hire both as a pair, or pop to a different venue, just like Brogan and Joe did for their unique, alternative wedding in Kelham Island.
The Mowbray
Photo courtesy of The Mowbray, more coming soon!
Luxurious, Historic, Sheffield
How many guests: 150-250
Civil ceremony registered: Yes
External suppliers/DIY: Yes, although many aspects managed by the amazing team!
Built in 1889 as a steel merchants, The Mowbray is full of beautiful redbrick architecture, sitting pretty amid the industrial Neepsend landscape. It comes complete with an awesome set of sliding factory doors – and you know you’ll be standing in front of them at least once – magnificent arched windows, and lots of atmosphere. There’s even a rooftop terrace and bar to escape to for a quiet moment.
Receptions take place in the in the main space of The Mowbray with a fresh, seasonal feast catering for up to 150 guests from the Mowbray’s Kitchens.
Aside from its co-venues, The Mowbray is completely independent and proud. Their fantastic team looks after every detail, from their own Mow’s coffee blend, to the custom artwork, and bespoke incense, oh, and don’t forget the Sheffield cutlery!
Hideaway
Rustic, Urban, Character
How many guests: 80-100* (upgrade in progress to extend capacity)
Civil ceremony registered: No
External suppliers/DIY: Yes, except bar and catering service
Anna and Matt wanted to create a venue that was unique and full of character and perfect for their own wedding when they took on the challenge of turning Chimo Cutlery Works’ former building into Hideaway ready for their mid-2022 wedding.
No strangers to the catering side of the wedding industry, chef Matt has provided many a family with delicious homemade meals in the guise of The Bhaji Shop, but turning their hands to running a venue was a new experience.
Hideaway currently* consists of two spaces, the bar area upstairs with rustic wood and vintage decor, and a larger event space downstairs, along with a small outdoor enclosed courtyard. It’s situated in the same Cultural Industries Quarter as Sidney + Matilda, a mere 5-minute walk from Sheffield Train Station, and surrounded by some of the city centre’s grittiest industrial areas, providing a real urban feel to the venue, your wedding, and, of course, the photographs.
*Hideaway’s layout and use is subject to change with it being so new on the venue scene, so it's worth enquiring with Anna and Matt about what’s available and the venue capacity.
These are my picks but there are plenty more unique, alternative wedding venues in and around Sheffield! If you’re getting married at one, give me a shout - I’d love to come along.
