As a Whitby based alternative celebrant, I have seen an increase in people having weddings and handfastings in Whitby. What is it about this North Yorkshire town which brings people here to have ceremonies marking and celebrating their relationships?
Whitby, A Beautiful Place
Whitby is a small coastal town in North Yorkshire, once known for its fishing industry. A town that was a Viking settlement and a town made famous by Bram Stoker in his novel Dracula, and the place where Whitby Jet is found. (Whitby Jet is fossilised wood, and it is mostly associated with Victorian mourning jewellery. Now it is inserted into wedding and engagement rings and other beautiful jewellery).
A town visited by so many visitors (in summer it is incredibly busy), a town which holds different themed weekends, a town which can be inaccessible by road in wintery and stormy weather. Whitby is a beautiful place with Jurassic beaches and fantastic scenery. Ruling the headland and presiding over Whitby are the Gothic ruins of Whitby Abbey, English Heritage’s second most popular site (Stonehenge is their first).
Whitby is a much loved and a magical place, many believe it calls you to visit, so it is without surprise that people choose to hold ceremonies in this unique small town with a lot of history and folklore. A town with lots of local legends including that of St Hild, founder of Whitby Abbey, attributed to have driven snakes over the headland into the sea. The Whitby Wyrm, mermaids, witches, faeries, The Hand of Glory, Hobs, Boggarts and Boggles, Robin Hood, The Scoresby Polar Bear, The Penny Hedge, Dracula and Goths.
Goth Weddings and handfastings in Whitby
Once a small gathering of friends in a pub, then a music festival, Whitby Goth Weekend has evolved into a celebration of goth subculture. Club nights are held, bands play, there are traders selling an array of goods and it is attended by thousands of people. Whitby Goth Weekend has extended into what has become Whitby Goth Week.
As a Goth Celebrant, I have always had weddings and handfastings in Whitby during both of the April and October annual goth weeks, in particular Halloween and the surrounding dates. Goth weddings and handfastings in Whitby have always been my most requested ceremonies since I became a celebrant many years ago.
Vampire Themed Weddings and Handfastings in Whitby
Whitby is the place where Bram Stoker wrote part of his novel Dracula in. Inspired by the landscape, the white high waves of the tide, St Mary’s Churchyard at the top of the iconic 199 steps leading up to it, and the Gothic ruin of Whitby Abbey. Say the name ‘Whitby’ and most people think of the abbey, Dracula and Goth Week.
With such impressive and haunting landmarks, it is easy to see why some people decide to have weddings and handfastings in Whitby. Whitby Abbey, the Whalebones and Tate Hill Sands (where the fictional Russian ship The Demeter shipwrecked on the rocks below Whitby Abbey, as Dracula in dog form fled up the 199 steps to St Mary’s Churchyard) are favoured post ceremony photography locations.
Vampire themed weddings and handfastings in Whitby have increased in popularity during Whitby Goth Weeks. If Dracula and vampires are of interest, there isn’t any better place than Whitby to have a vampire themed ceremony. On Halloween 2025 I led a 10 year vow renewal ceremony with a handfasting in the grounds of Whitby Youth Hostel which was attended by The Yorkshire Vampire Vlad Dracul III. Overseeing the ceremony was the historic ruins of Whitby Abbey, and a sculpture of the legendary Whitby Wyrm resides in the Youth Hostel gardens. (The Whitby Wyrm, a dragon-like creature which was awakened during the building of Whitby Abbey in 657 AD. Local legend states it was banished to the sea, and it returns every 7 years, to claw at the cliffs at the bottom of the Abbey Headland in an attempt to drag Whitby Abbey into the sea).
Viking Weddings and Handfastings in Whitby
Whitby was invaded by Viking raiders who (according to various sources) renamed Whitby from ‘Streoneshalh’ to ‘Hvitabyr’. Vikings had a settlement here in Whitby and there have been many Viking reenactment groups staging performances at Whitby Abbey.
With an historical connection, Viking or Norse themed weddings and handfastings in Whitby are appealing to those who Norse Pagans, reenactors or have an interest in these times. As a Pagan Celebrant and a Priestess who specialises in Pagan handfasting ceremonies, beliefs and rituals are the core of these special ceremonies.
Solstice Weddings and Handfastings in Whitby
Celebrated by Pagans and others who follow nature on the summer solstice in June and the winter solstice in December, solstice ceremonies incorporate these special events into the joining together of people. Solstice ceremonies have been intimate with just those the ceremony is for present, or a small gathering of family and friends in attendance.
Pirate Themed Weddings and Handfastings in Whitby
Whitby is also home to Pirate festivals. Whitby has a history with smuggling and piracy. Pirate festivals held here are more than rum drinking and dressing up. They acknowledge a history of Whitby’s connections to pirates.
Pirates weddings and handfasting ceremonies in Whitby take place during these events with authentic outfits and attended by many in the Pirate community. Not to be confused with a simple hand tying ceremony which are on offer during Pirate weekends on board the replica of Captain Cook’s Endeavour in Whitby Harbour, handfasting is a meaningful and celebratory ceremony. Handfasting is a commitment, with Pagans believing it to be an eternal commitment rather than hand tying which is considered by many to be an ‘in the moment’ action. Ceremonies can take place onboard a boat, a replica ship or on land.
Steampunk Weddings and Handfastings in Whitby
Whitby has two annual Steampunk festivals in February and July. Celebrating Steampunk dress and community, weddings take place during these events. Of all the ceremonies I have created and led during Steampunk weekends in Whitby, vow renewal ceremonies are the most desired.
Alice in Wonderland Whitby Weddings
Whitby has connections to many authors, including Alice in Wonderland’s author Lewis Carroll. Now La Rosa Hotel by the Whalebones on West Cliff, the original guest house was Carroll’s favoured place to stay when visiting North Yorkshire. I have led many weddings and handfasting ceremonies in La Rosa, and it was our chosen venue for our Halloween handfasting ceremony too. Whitby has an Alice in Wonderland small garden, a photography location for those who have had themed weddings.
Northern Soul Weddings in Whitby
Whitby Northern Soul Weekend is well attended and like Steampunk Weekends, vow renewals have been the preferred ceremony. Whitby Friendship Amateur Rowing Club is a great venue for a ceremony during Northern Soul Weekend as they hold a club night celebrating Northern Soul music.
Whitby Folk Weekend
If folk music, Morris dancing and sea shanties are of interest to you, this could be the ideal weekend for a ceremony in Whitby.
Whitby is Our Special Place
There are many people who choose to have weddings and handfastings in Whitby because Whitby is their ‘special place’. Whitby holds memories of childhood holidays, daytrips, marriage proposals and other personal associations for a lot of people. With historical places and beaches and rural scenery, there isn’t a shortage of ceremony locations. Plenty of accommodation, places to eat and wedding and events suppliers locally, is Whitby the right place for your ceremony?
To book your Whitby wedding or handfasting, please contact me, Ellie Farrell, Alternative Ceremonies UK, The Whitby Celebrant.
