Couple's historic wedding day is picture perfect

When happy couple Charlotte and Matthew Harrison tied the knot in Temple Newsam House’s stunning Picture Gallery, it was a love story more than a century in the making.

The historic ceremony saw the newlyweds become the first people to be married in the gallery’s beautiful surroundings in over a hundred years.

Originally designed centuries ago to act as an “indoor garden” for the house’s aristocratic residents, the room’s spectacular floral theme instead became the ideal backdrop for what was a dream wedding day.

The couple, who met five years ago, chose the house as a venue after falling in love with the colourful gallery, which has only recently been made available for ceremonies.

Charlotte said: “We spend a lot of our time at Temple Newsam both together and with friends and when we heard they did weddings, we thought we’d check it out before making a decision.

“We love visiting stately homes and historic sites and when we saw the picture gallery we immediately fell in love and immediately knew it was just us. The room is absolutely stunning and steeped in history and was the perfect backdrop for our wedding.”

She added: “The wedding day was everything I have ever dreamed of and more. All of our guests commented on what a beautiful venue it was and how much they enjoyed the wedding. It was genuinely a dream come true.”

The couple were joined on their special day by family, friends and 20-month-old son Blake.

After meeting online during the Covid pandemic, Charlotte and Matthew had their first date at The Red Kite in Wakefield, where Matthew’s difficulties parking his car followed by some takeaway donuts made for an evening that was both sweet and memorable.

Almost five years later, Matthew, 33, popped the question on Christmas Eve at their home in Apperley Bridge, with a custom-designed ring and specially made scratch card.

Charlotte said: “It’s our family Christmas tradition to get scratch cards so I didn’t think anything of it- it looked super realistic- and then it had three ring symbols and Matt got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.”

Now the couple’s romantic story has become part of Leeds history, entering the record books at the 500-year-old mansion as the first couple to be married in the Picture Gallery since the house passed into public ownership in 1922.

Matthew said: “We’re honoured to be the first couple to be married there in over a century. We didn’t realise what a historic moment it was not just for us, but for Temple Newsam too and to be a part of that just made our day even more special. Temple Newsam has always held a fond place in our lives but the fact we can now be a part of its history is truly humbling.”

Charlotte added: “On a personal note, as a bit of a history nerd I’m genuinely thrilled that I can be a part of the history of the house.”

A Grade I listed mansion house, Temple Newsam House is one of the country’s finest examples of its kind, seen as equally significant to Hampton Court, and was a family home for much of its history.

Owned by Leeds City Council since 1922, Temple Newsam has built one of the most significant decorative art collections in the UK.

Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have played our part in this special and historic occasion and to have made Charlotte and Matthew’s special day so memorable.

“Our museums and galleries really are a beautiful setting for a wedding and it’s wonderful to see couples tying the knot there and becoming part of the story of these amazing sites.”