The Arches Dean Clough Wedding Venue Guide
Everything You Need to Know – Why we love photographing at The Arches
If you’re considering The Arches at Dean Clough for your wedding day, this comprehensive venue guide is here to help. We’ve gathered all the essential information about this industrial-chic Halifax wedding venue, from style tips and timeline advice to local taxi numbers and planning recommendations. Whether you’re newly engaged or finalising the details, our guide to The Arches Dean Clough will help you plan the perfect Yorkshire wedding.
Getting Married at The Arches in Halifax
The Arches at Dean Clough is the kind of venue you don’t just walk into. You arrive, take one look at the brickwork and iron pillars, and pause. There’s something cinematic about it. Tucked inside a historic Yorkshire mill, it’s full of texture, warmth, and character.
This is where industrial grit meets urban elegance. Vaulted ceilings. Exposed beams. A canopy of fairy lights that transforms the space into something quietly romantic. It’s a space for couples who want to do things their own way. Nothing too polished. Nothing too expected. Just a venue that gives you room to breathe, celebrate, and make it your own.
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Check out The Arches Packages PageThe Essential Information
The Arches is located within the historic Dean Clough Mills in Halifax, West Yorkshire, an industrial complex that has been thoughtfully reimagined for modern celebrations. The venue can host up to 300 guests, making it a great fit for both large gatherings and smaller events that want room to move.
It’s primarily an indoor space, with access to the surrounding cobbled courtyards that add charm and atmosphere. Pricing varies depending on the season and day of the week, so it’s worth asking about off-peak or midweek options. The overall feel is industrial, warm, and full of texture, with a blend of raw character and refined style.
Why Couples Are Drawn to The Arches
The Arches speaks to couples who want their wedding to feel like them. No cookie-cutter packages. No standard hotel layouts. Just a blank canvas with incredible bones and a team that lets you take the lead.
It’s a beautiful fit if you’re looking for:
What you won’t find here are manicured gardens or sprawling outdoor lawns. And that’s exactly the point. The Arches is for couples who would rather have moody light and cobbled streets than a countryside view. What guests always talk about: the brick arches. From the outside, you’d never expect the scale and beauty that hits you once you step inside. Paired with the fairy lights and dark iron columns, it’s a space that leaves a lasting impression.
Planning Details
Website: thearchesdeanclough.com
Address: The Arches, E Mill, Dean Clough Mills, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX3 5AX, UK
Phone: +441422 365874
Instagram: @TheArchesHalifax
Facebook: The Arches Halifax
What to Know Before You Book
A few practical notes for couples planning here:
One standout feature is the in-house catering. There’s no external catering allowed, but that’s not a downside. Their executive chef is known for crafting incredible menus, and the venue occasionally hosts tasting nights or chef’s table experiences. It’s worth asking about when you enquire.
You’ll also want to ask:
There’s no required vendor list, aside from catering. And from the first enquiry through to the day itself, the staff are on hand to help with coordination and planning.
Where to Take Photos at The Arches
This venue was made for portraits. The textures, the tones, the way the light moves through the space. It all creates a kind of intimacy that’s hard to fake.
Some of the best portrait spots:
Late afternoon is when everything softens. That golden light against the red brick is something else. If the timeline allows, slipping out for portraits during golden hour is well worth it. After sunset, the fairy light canopy becomes the perfect backdrop for romantic, cinematic evening shots.
The natural light indoors is beautiful, but moody. In winter, it can get dark quickly, so it’s smart to plan ahead if you want those soft-lit indoor portraits.
A Photographer’s Take
Photographing at The Arches never feels routine. The space has this way of shifting with the light, creating different moods throughout the day.
One moment that sticks with us was during Matt and Abby’s first dance. They were under the canopy of lights, completely lost in the music. The arches framed them. The lights glowed just enough. For a few seconds, the whole room faded away. It was quiet, beautiful, and real.
Another favourite was with Katy and Victoria, walking the cobbled street just after golden hour. The light was soft. The air calm. They looked like they had the whole world to themselves.
Photographer tip: Get ready for both natural light and flash gear, especially for winter weddings. And don’t skip portraits outside. Even five minutes in the mill complex can add so much depth to your gallery.
Real Weddings at The Arches Halifax
If you’ve made it this far, you’re probably seriously considering a wedding at The Arches — and for good reason. Seeing real weddings at The Arches Dean Clough is one of the best ways to imagine how your own day might look in this incredible space. Whether it’s a candlelit ceremony under the fairy lights or golden hour portraits on the cobbled streets, this venue has a way of shaping itself to each couple’s style.
Below you’ll find real wedding galleries filled with inspiration, honest moments, and plenty of ideas for how to make The Arches your own.
A Little Random fact about hidden art at Dean Clough
Just outside the D Mill entrance at Dean Clough, you’ll find a cast iron artwork by Lawrence Weiner titled Steel pennies don’t come from or go to heaven. Set into the ground where the old weighbridge once stood, it’s easy to miss if you’re not looking for it. Installed in the 1990s with support from the Henry Moore Sculpture Trust, the piece is designed to make you pause and think about what’s right beneath your feet. It’s a brilliant little detail of the venue and you can spot it here in front of Katy and Victoria.
Local information
Nearby Hotels and Where to Stay
Because The Arches is right in the heart of Halifax, there are several lovely accommodation options nearby for both couples and guests.
A few local favourites:
The White Swan Hotel – A traditional hotel just a short walk from the venue
The Imperial Crown Hotel – Opposite Halifax train station, convenient and well-connected
Holdsworth House Hotel – A little further out, but ideal for a countryside feel with character (also another amazing Halifax wedding venue – See our work there!)
Premier Inn Halifax Town Centre – Simple, modern, and great for larger groups
The Shibden Mill Inn – Award-winning inn tucked into a peaceful valley just ten minutes away
You can find a full list of nearby accommodations here:
Booking.com – Halifax Hotels
Many of these are walkable or a short taxi ride from The Arches. If you’re planning a weekend celebration, it’s worth reserving a block of rooms or suggesting a few options to guests on your invites or wedding website.
Local Taxi Companies in Halifax
Halifax is easy to navigate, and there are several reliable taxi companies that regularly serve The Arches and the surrounding area. It’s always a good idea to book in advance, especially for late-night pickups after the reception.
Here are a few trusted options:
Ziggy’s Taxis – +441422 330330
Calderdale Taxis – +441422 363636
Allied Taxis – +441422 300300
Crossleys Cars – +441422 202020
A1 Ace Taxis – +441422 344444
These companies know the Dean Clough area well and are used to picking up guests from The Arches. If you’re providing transport for guests, or arranging a late-night shuttle, you can also speak to the venue team for recommendations.
Looking for a Wedding Photographer Who Knows The Arches?
If you’re planning a wedding at The Arches and want a photographer who knows the space inside and out, you’re in the right place. I’ve spent time wandering the cobbled streets outside, chasing golden hour light through the mill windows, and capturing the way those fairy lights glow once the dancing begins.
The Arches isn’t just another venue — it has a rhythm and energy that makes every wedding feel personal. Whether you’re planning a laid-back celebration or a full-on party with 300 guests, it’s a space that deserves to be photographed with care, creativity, and a sense of story.
If that sounds like your kind of approach, I’d love to chat. I know how to work with the light here, how to find those little moments, and how to make the most of every part of this unique venue.
Let’s make something beautiful together.