About Us The Wedding Guest Info & RSVP Gift List

About Us

Eleanor

Actress, musician and occasional body double in Inspector George Gently. Eleanor has done more than you’d think but certainly less than you know.

Born in Sheffield, South Yorkshire to Paul and Janice, she embodies all of the qualities and traits you would expect from the youngest child.

Smart, acerbic, manipulative and the possessor of impeccable comic timing, she was certainly a challenging foe and sometimes ally for her two older siblings.

After her idyllic childhood and adolescence in Sheffield, Eleanor studied Psychology at Durham University before returning home a champagne socialist ready to take on a role at Sheffield Hallam Students Union. It was only a matter of time before she catapulted up the league tables into a role at the University of Sheffield, where she still works to this day. (All information correct at time of writing.)

Never one to shy away from the limelight she will certainly be in her element when given the opportunity to play the role of bride at her own wedding.

There are no small parts, only small actors and Eleanor will certainly be bringing all of the Shakespearean bombast she can to her role as Bride #1.

Eleanor’s interests include:
- Becoming a worm when faced with minor inconveniences
- The Mighty Blades (come on, you red and white wizards)
- Terry's Chocolate Orange, probably her favourite chocolate
- Mimicking a Northern Irish Accent
- Showing a blatant disregard for the Good Friday Agreement
- Flip flopping on whether or not she needs multiple outfit changes for the big day

Johnny

Amateur Poet, professional barista and occasional Irishman, Johnny is a Jack of all trades and a master of none.

Born to Alan and Jacqueline during the twilight years of the troubles, he grew up in the North of Ireland (more commonly known as Northern Ireland) before moving to York in 2010 to study English Literature.

Like all oldest children, he then decided to forge his own path by parking all he learned to work in Pubs, Restaurants and Wedding Venues up and down England. Before eventually for unknown reasons settling in Sheffield, South Yorkshire.

And, it is here after a long wait that Eleanor finally found a man…

A man for all occasions, except those that involve being the focal point of a soirée, Johnny is keen to embrace the role of undercover groom, allowing his wife elect to take all of the plaudits, praise and acclaim.

If you need him on the day, he’s probably washing the pots or clearing tables.

Johnny's interests include:
- Letting everyone know he's actually Irish
- The Good Friday Agreement
- Tayto cheese and onion crisps
- Complaining about the latest Ireland Rugby kit before eventually coming round to it
- Waxing lyrical about his treadmill
- Judging latte art like he's the Craig Revel Horwood of the coffee industry.
- Playing ball

Eleanor & Johnny

Unlike the movies Eleanor and Johnny’s first meeting wasn’t one of serendipity. There was no chance encounter, no last ditch sprint to the departure gate or boys standing in front of girls making declarations of love in the rain.

Instead our protagonists simply swiped right at the same time. After an initial period of polite small talk, late night conversations about doughnuts and multiple reminders that someone in the conversation was Irish (or North of Irish) we find ourselves at the pub.

Situated on Platform One in Sheffield Train Station. The Sheffield Tap hosted Eleanor and Johnny’s first meeting. Chosen for it’s ample supply of good beer and nearby traffic police (just in case an intervention was required) what was meant to be one or two drinks became an evening and allowing themselves to get carried away it soon became the promise of a lifetime.

Since this meeting the two became inseparable. Making numerous trips back and forth to Ireland, up and down England and even around the globe.

It was in November 2023, during a trip to Japan, a trip Eleanor already booked before meeting Johnny and that he "begrudgingly" came along for. That a proposal was made…

The full story of this proposal is too long to document here, suffice to say it was joyfully accepted.

Since then, Johnny and Eleanor have diligently thrown themselves into wedding planning.

The wedding will have nods to both Johnny's Irish roots and Eleanor's Yorkshire roots, inspired by the "Emerald & Steel" mural at their local (North of) Irish pub.

We hope to have you there to celebrate with us and raise one or two pints of Guinness/ Yorkshire’s Finest Ale to a wonderful celebration of Anglo Irish relations.

Sláinte/ Cheers

Eleanor & Johnny

Times we've not been camera shy

Married for

month

days

All Day Guest (Ceremony, Reception & Evening Party)

When

18th October 2025, 12:00 - 23:59

Where

The Normans , Bilbrough, York, YO23 3PQ, United Kingdom

Schedule of Events:
12pm: Arrivals
12:15pm: Take your seats
12:30pm: Ceremony begins
1pm: Drinks & canapés
3pm: Wedding breakfast
7pm: Cake cut and first dance
9pm: Evening food
12am: Carriages.

Venue Information

For those travelling by car, there is a car park at the venue. If you have a few too many, you can leave your car in the car park overnight - just make sure you've collected it by 10am the next morning!

Dress Code

Formal / Semi-formal attire.

Policy on Children

Due to limited capacity, we are only able to extend our invitation to the children of close relatives.

If your child is not named on your invite, then we are not able to accommodate them.

Evening Guest

When

18th October 2025, 18:30 - 23:59

Where

The Normans, Bilbrough, York, YO23 3PQ, United Kingdom

Schedule of Events:
6:30pm: Arrivals
7pm: Cake cut and first dance
9pm: Evening food
12am: Carriages.

Venue Information

Dress Code

Formal / Semi-formal attire.

Policy on Children

Unless they are a relative of the bride or groom who attended as a day guest, we are not able to invite or accommodate children at the evening party.

Travel & Transport

Car Train Taxi Coach Premier Inn Guests - Transport

ADDRESS & DIRECTIONS

The address is:
Normans Farm, Bilbrough, York, YO23 3PQ

Note: There are a number of nearby addresses that share the same post code! With this in mind, we recommend that guests simply type ‘The Normans wedding venue’ into Google Maps. This will take you right to our doorstep!

FROM YORK (WESTBOUND)

Take the Copmanthorpe/Askham Bryan exit from the A64.

Take the first exit (i.e. straight across) down Askham Fields Lane, and pass Askham Bryan Agricultural College on your left.

Take the first left, down the York Road.

Follow the road, ignoring the first left turning (at time of writing, this turning is not signposted) and past the turning to Askham Richard village on your right.

Take the next left turning, signposted 'Bilbrough'.

Look out for 'The Normans' signage.

FROM LEEDS/A1M (EASTBOUND)

Take the Bilbrough Top exit from the A64.

Go into the village of Bilbrough and take the first left onto Main Street.

Pass the Three Hares Pub on the right, then the church on your left, and turn left at the end of the street, out of the village.

Follow the road and take the first right. (If you reach the village of Catterton, you have missed your turning!)

Follow the winding road for about a mile.

The Normans is situated in the farm on your right.

The nearest train station to the venue is York Rail Station.

We would recommend getting a taxi to the venue from the station as the easiest method of transport.

We ask that all guests planning to use a taxi as their method of transport to and from the venue pre-book to avoid disappointment or issues. Below are recommendations of local taxi firms:

FLEETWAYS TAXIS
01904 365 365

DOUGIE’S DOOR TO DOOR
07795 086754

STREAMLINE TAXIS
01904 656 565

GETAWAY CARS
01904 707 070

BRIDGE PRIVATE HIRE
01937 834 126

YORK CARS
01904 765 765

TMO TRAVEL YORK
01904 501982

DRIVEN²
01937 832 040

A coach has been organised to and from the venue for Premier Inn guests (see “Premier Inn Guests - Transport” for timings).

If you are not staying at the Premier Inn and are planning on using bus/coach as your method of transport, there are no bus stops in the vicinity of the venue.

The closest way of making the journey by bus, would be to take the Number 37 from York Rail Station (Platform/Stop RJ, Stand 4). Take the bus 17 stops to Rose & Crown, and The Normans is a 20 minute walk (about 0.9 miles) away.

For guests staying at the Premier Inn, there are additional transport arrangements to get you to and from the venue.

11:30am: Vintage bus departs from Premier Inn to The Normans

9pm - 11:30pm: Taxi shuttle service from The Normans to Premier Inn

12:15am: Coach departs from The Normans to Premier In.

Accommodation Options

As the wedding party is staying at the Premier Inn York South West hotel, we would recommend staying there. We have also organised transport to and from the venue for guests staying at the Premier Inn, which you are welcome to use if you are staying at the Premier Inn (see “Guest Info & RSVP - Transport and Travel” for timings).

The Normans website has a list of recommended accommodation options near the venue, to suit a range of budgets and requirements, such as:
- Local bed & breakfasts and guesthouses
- Local pubs and inns
- Local AirBnBs
- Other chain hotels

https://thenormansweddings.co.uk/accommodation

There is also plenty of accommodation available in the city of York, which is only a short drive away.

Below are some recommendations of other chain hotels near Bilbrough / York if the Premier Inn York South West is fully booked.

Travelodge York Tadcaster

1.17 miles More details

Holiday Inn York an IHG Hotel

4.09 miles More details

Delta Hotels by Marriott York

4.21 miles More details

Elmbank York Tapestry Collection by Hilton

4.7 miles More details

ibis York Centre

4.92 miles More details

View more details

Any Questions?

If you need some more information before you RSVP, feel free to use the webform below and we'll reply ASAP!

Gift List

We appreciate that "cozzie livs" has made things more expensive and that you've probably already spent a small fortune to spend the day with us, so your attendance for our Big Day is gift enough for us!

As we've both been living together for a couple of years, there's also nothing material we need so there's no obligation to bring toasters / kettles / plates with you.

That said, we're both always looking for new experiences to make new memories together and we have one experience we're currently frantically saving for: Our honeymoon!

Affectionately known as "The Honey Pot" savings account, we're on our way to travelling to our dream destination but any donations would help to make our experience extra special.

"The Honey Pot"

The moment we experienced heated toilet seats for the first time, our lives were forever changed. So it will come as no surprise to any of you that our honeymoon destination is...

JAPAN.

We loved our first holiday in Japan so much, we were already planning our trip back on our third day there. As we went in Autumn last time, we're hoping to book our honeymoon for Spring to catch the cherry blossoms, or early Summer to see the firework festivals.

Any contributions to The Honey Pot will be used to upgrade elements of our trip such as:
- Upgrading our flights
- Upgrading our hotel rooms
- Booking hotel extras (e.g. spa treatments)
- Dinners at fancy restaurants
- Booking tickets for luxury trains
- Buying souvenirs with questionable English