Merchant Taylors' Hall

Mar 21st, 2023

Great venue, but food was very poor
Mar 2nd, 2023

A wonderful place for a function . Coal/log fire in the winter, and such an interesting old venue.
Dec 18th, 2022

Lovely architecture, beautiful building , lovely for weddings
Nov 15th, 2022

I just got married here. The setting and building are perfect and my guests loved it. Its not ran great as a wedding venture - you need to wait sometime for replies to emails etc. Very different vibe to the event coordinators I spoke to at the Hospitium, Mansion House and Merchant Adventurers who were super engaged and enthusiastic. My colleague tried to book a work event here at Christmas too as she had done one there about 5 years ago and gave up after dismal responses so I think the events coordinator has changed. In fact we went to a poorly attended wedding open event at Merchant Taylors (was it even advertised?) and a S African man working there told my then fianc to run / marriage is a mistake / get out whilst he can. Evidently my now husband, thankfully, laughed him off and married me! We went to a handful of wedding fairs / open days and this wasnt the reception we elsewhere when enquiring. Ive met some of the merchants and theyve been incredibly enthusiastic and interesting to talk to about the history. They and the building itself sold it to us on a visit during York Residents Weekend. If youre expecting a wedding venue like others youll be disappointed ie theres no support or guidance. When we booked and paid we got confirmation a week or so later (after chasing up) and when I asked what next I was l told - up to me to book suppliers. I then spent weeks finding suppliers to then discover out I had to use a list of preferred ones instead. I used some brilliant suppliers Ill list below. You really need an on the day wedding coordinator - I used April at Kook Events thankfully. The venue will not have someone there to support you on the day, oversee moving guests, time the music, stocking toilets with loo roll, arranging tables after dinner etc. These are issues to consider when booking here v a fully ran full time wedding venue. My on-the-day wedding coordinator took over point of contact from all my separate bookings a few weeks before the big day and the only contact she didnt hear back from was Merchant Taylors! Who then proceeded to contact my suppliers 2 days before the wedding (causing panic and confusion) and contacting me with unnecessary questions. Stress I didnt want and couldve been resolved very easily by reading emails or even just contacting the coordinator. Slack was a word I heard used a fair bit. What is awesome is the value and the fact you can hire it for the morning the day before. It meant I did all my own floral displays and tables the day before and much lower cost than if Id booked elsewhere and had to have an on the day florist. For example, Merchant Adventurers, despite being more engaging and happy to help, could only offer their venue from 3pm on the Saturday whereas at Merchant Taylors I had it 9:30-2 the Friday and all day on my wedding day (meaning I could do an on site ceremony from 1). Theyre hands off and relaxed which really did work for us but I know wont for many brides I know. A coordinator is essential. I was more than happy with that. If you consider it a dry hire and the hall will only provide chairs (lots navy and dirty but fine), tables (great selection), plenty of toilets, a gorgeous setting and a stunning building and you need to do all else yourself its great. Think of it like youre getting a village hall (that just so happens to look incredible) and you do all the rest rather than a wedding venue. For example your lighting is either on neon bright or off completely - I didnt think to bring mood lighting. Theres even a real fire which we lit (you have to tend it yourself throughout the day). Theres parking up to the door for suppliers, wedding cars and infirm relatives which is superb. Amazing suppliers: Photographers: beansontoastfortwo Food: Nomads Drinks: Louisiannas Music: Ali Lawrence piano, The Y Street Band, Filip U DJ Cars: Veil of York Coordinator: Kook Events Celebrant: Rachael Meyers
Apr 16th, 2023