Dream venue: North Star Club

If you’re looking for a wedding venue with a difference, this post might just bring an end to your search as we introduce another of our famous Dream Venues to the blog.

Located around half-an-hour away from the historic city of York, the North Star Club is somewhat of a hidden gem, nestled away in secluded countryside for a woodland wedding like no other.

Inspired by the legendary American Great Camps, everything about this place is seriously cool and unique. From its welcoming Woodshed to its cosy and contemporary woodland suites, the North Club provides an ideal setting for those that have a rustic chic theme in mind.

There’s also the open woodland to make use of and tipis can be hired for those looking at larger celebrations. Add into the mix creative owners, attentive staff and first-class caterers and you’ve got yourself what qualifies as a Dream Venue here at Brides Up North.

Here to tell us more about this super special setting is North Star Club owner Carolyn Van Outersterp…

Where is the North Star Club located?

carolyn says:

The new North Star Club is nestled within 500 acres of native English woodland in the peaceful Yorkshire Wolds. Inspired by the legendary American Great Camps and suffused with Yorkshire country style, it blends beautifully into the untamed forest setting.

Tell us about the venue and how it has been developed…

Myself and partner Christian, who foundered the company, are multi-award winning designers, with Christian a former landscape architect and I previously trained in fashion.

We are best known for having revolutionized the contemporary fireplace market, (our iconic Firebowl was exhibited at the V&A) and creating CVO Firevault in central London. This unique restaurant bar gained a cult following and was described by Time Out as “one of London’s 10 best kept secrets”.

Six years ago Christian and I put urban life behind us and started Jollydays Glamping, changing the face of British Glamping forever. This unique, woodland camp put four-poster beds and roll-top baths into safari style vintage tents, it won a host of accolades and a loyal fan base, as well as spawning a host of imitators. With Jollydays firmly on the map we turned our attention to developing a new venture and the North Star Club is the culmination of our 15-year dream to create the quintessential woodland retreat.

The Club is inspired by Christian’s North American heritage and his Canadian grandmother’s tales of the American Great Camps – rustic, wilderness retreats, more akin to woodland hotels, they built for wealthy industrialists in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. We were keen to recreate the magic of these camps, in a rugged Yorkshire setting and the result is a serene and indulgent escape from the pressures of 21st century life.

Since escaping urban life, Christian and I have become passionate advocates of country life – we live on the edge of the North York Moors with our four children, two dozen hens and Binny the Border Terrier.

What facilities does North Star Club have?

The Club has only five private and well-spaced woodland suites, decorated in modern rustic style. These each have a large veranda with gas fired barbecue, cosy sitting room, large bedroom and indulgent spa style bathroom. Close by is The Woodshed, a communal chill out area with an outdoor fire pit and oodles of natural woodland beyond. There is a pizza oven on side ready for guests to use and our Star Suite has the gorgeous Copper Bath and Infra-Red sauna.

Tell us about the space that is available for weddings…

Woodland Weddings at The North Star Club blend sophisticated style with rustic chic. Whether you’re looking for an intimate ceremony or huge theatrical affair, the enchanted woodland is the perfect venue.

The cosy Woodshed can host up to 40 guests for an intimate wedding blessing ceremony and then sit down dinner, or the wider woodland area can be used for a blessing ceremony area and Papkata tipis can provide tepees for up to 120 guests on the lawns at North Star Club.

Hire the woodland and our ruggedly cosy woodland suites for the whole weekend and enjoy a relaxed and unique experience.

Is the North Star Club licensed for civil ceremonies, if not can you offer an alternative service/blessing?

The site is not licensed but we work with a local celebrant to offer blessing ceremonies in the woodland.

What makes The North Star Club a special wedding venue?

The secluded and natural woodland itself is unique as is the rustic accommodation. The venue blends chic with sophistication. Couples can hold a ceremony in an idyllic clearing in the woods then dine and dance the night away in a tipi.

There’s also plenty to do nearby, from polo and clay pigeon shooting to shopping and fine dining, so couples can tag a Yorkshire minimoon onto their big day.

What sort of bride would be a North Star Club bride?

Aesthetically minded – with a love of nature and the outdoors and all things cool! Someone who favours modern rustic style.

Do you work with any trusted suppliers that you can recommend to couples when planning a North Star Club wedding?

We work with a number of trusted local, artisan suppliers and producers to ensure the day and planning is as stress-free as possible. Throughout the process we will liaise with both the bride and groom and all suppliers to ensure everything goes smoothly, leaving the couple to fully relax and enjoy when the big day arrives.

Can guests stay over at your venue?

The North Star Club can sleep up to 26 – the Star Suite is booked out for the bridal couple whilst the other four suites sleep up to six guests in each. From September to April we also offer the East Wing of Houghton Hall, which sleeps an additional 12 guests.

Tell us about your catering services…

We work with trusted catering suppliers who source good local produce for their menus. They and we, work closely with the bridal couple to either create a bespoke menu or tweak a ready-made one. We work with The Hog and Apple Caterers, Yorkshire Food Finder and The Star Inn at Sancton – depending on your numbers. We also work closely with York Wines and Ryedale Vineyard for handpicked elegant wines to complement the food.

Can you give Brides Up North an idea on what is included in your wedding packages?

Included in our basic packages (depending on numbers it would be one or two tepees) are:

Single/double furnished tepee/s with dance floor or fire pit – includes woven matting flooring, lighting package (nine spotlights, three uplighters and dimmer switch), standard round tables and beech folding chairs includes delivery and install and derig of tipi;

Ceremony provided by celebrants and use of the wedding blessing area in the woods;

Facility fee, exclusive hire of the woodland, car park and woodshed area, communal toilet area;

Star Suite for the bridal couple for two nights (night before and night of wedding);

Pampering treatment for two in the privacy of your suite (on day of your choice day before or day after, additional treatments or extra people can be added at extra cost);

Catering tent;

Champagne on arrival, champagne to toast and two glasses of wine per person;

Personalised rustic signage;

Staff on hand to help throughout the day;

Generator for caterer;

Ten metres fairy lights decorated around the woodland;

Wedding breakfast – three canapes, starter platter, hog roast or similar, dessert, bacon sandwiches in the evening or similar, tea and coffee;

Crockery, cutlery and linen;

Bar structure to be placed either in the Woodshed or tipi depending on space; and

Oak tree planted in the woodland with aluminium dated sign – dedicated to the bridal couple.

What would you say is the most unique feature of The North Star Club?

A mixture of the beautiful secluded woodland setting and the modern rustic styling of the accommodation.