We’ve celebrated thousands of breathtaking real couples’ weddings on this blog – now it’s time to celebrate some of the incredible locations the UK has to offer as wedding venues. With the playing field levelled for joyful ceremonies of all styles with the new laws around outdoor weddings – and of course with celebrants – you can get wed anywhere. Too much choice? In my 15 years at English Wedding I’ve come to love how eclectic and  wonderful our wedding spaces are. There’s truly something for everyone, and for every size and shape and flavour of wedding. Dive in and join me and some favourite UK wedding photographers to enjoy our collection of 27 of the UK’s loveliest places to get married!

1. In beautiful Cornwall

If you live in and love Cornwall, we’re soooo jealous. From clifftops to sandy beaches, vast views and open fields – some of our all time favourite wedding venues are in Cornwall. Winner! (This list is in no particular order, but still… all the heart emojis here!)

2. At Kew Gardens

Exotic planting, cover in case of rain, and a billion things to see and do. You can get married at Kew Gardens and it’s awesome.

3. On the coast

If you want a sunset, the west coast will happily provide all the epic light you could want. Head to Devon for stunning evening skies – we recommend Tunnels Beaches and Evolve Photography – they’re fab.

4. The beautiful Isle of Wight

Relax and get away from it all on the beautiful Isle of Wight. We’re reliably informed it’s warmer than the rest of the UK – and there’s so much natural beauty in the IOW landscape, along with some fabulous venues.

We’ve trawled our archives for this blog and found some absolute gems. What we’re missing is weddings from couples and photographers in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. (Our bad: perhaps the blog name should do more to encourage wedding submissions! But we’d LOVE to widen our coverage so do send in your weddings from all around the UK!) Oh, and let us know if we missed somewhere!

5. Silchester Farm (Hampshire)

A very special mention for “a glorious little peace of rural escapism” which we featured on our blog a little while ago. Laid back, luxurious and exclusive, we fell in love with their sustainability policies. Highly recommended!

6. The Garden of England

We’ve shared some incredible weddings in Kent over the years, and fallen for its rural charm, variety of wedding venues and glorious golden hours!

7. The original barn wedding venue

Barns weren’t even a thing when English Wedding began. In the last decade they’ve taken over the wedding landscape and we’re all for it! Cripps & Co have led the way. Just don’t forget the fairy lights!

8. By an English Riverside

In the words of Frank Turner! Getting wed by an English riverside is the utmost in romance. Find a venue by a river, go for a wander along the banks when it’s time to step back, just the two of you, and let it all sink in. Perfection.

9. In the Highlands!

Elopements got big as we navigated our way out of the pandemic, and we featured a gorgeous blog from Penny Hardie Photography. I’d love to see more weddings from the wilder side of Scotland especially. It’s like another world – utterly beautiful.

 

10. In a contemporary arts space

Weddings can be polished, creative and thought provoking – not every celebration has to be rustic or romantically styled. I’ve seen epic celebrations in arts centres, with graffiti backdrops, and tons of colour and creativity. Don’t rule it out!

11. In a friggin’ yurt!!!

I’ve holidayed in yurts, but the beauties you can hire for weddings are another level of spectacular. Beautiful craftsmanship and a unique canopy to let the light in… nothing could be better for a down to earth, relaxed wedding in nature. Yay for yurts!

12. In the beautiful English Lake District

I’m completely and utterly biased: I live on the edge of the Lakes. I’ve wandered over all of the fells and along every lake shore. There is nowhere else in the world I’d get married, personally. But this blog isn’t about me, it’s for you! Take a look at this… the views are inimitable, and there’s no backdrop better than the mountains of the Lake District. Plus, we have SO many amazing venues!

13. The Peak District

Second in my heart only to the Lakes, the Peak District is where I was born. Hills and dales and green and stone… if you’re considering a wedding weekend where your guests can relax, the Peak District is central, accessible… but still feels a world away from the hustle and bustle.

14. Under a beautiful ancient tree

If there’s one thing we can thank the pandemic for, it’s a relaxation of laws governing exactly where we can get married. New laws say we can get married anywhere in the grounds of a licensed wedding venue; whether that’s by a gazebo, or under a big old tree. I know where I’d be!

15. At a football stadium

I’ve been thinking about this blog for weeks, and I realised I might not be looking at this from an equality angle. Football stadiums are cathedrals to a good percentage of the UK population – and many offer venue hire! This ‘cheeky’ pic from a legend of a photographer who scrambled to send me the shot on his way to a Lake District wedding. Thank you Mark!

16. In Wales

I hike and I adore the coast – so Wales is my go-to for escape, tranquility and adventure. Catrin and James’s Criccieth wedding is one of the loveliest we’ve featured: the misty conditions add atmosphere to their amazing photos by Fox & Bear. Spending time on the beach after their ceremony, to share their vows privately, was one of their favourite moments from the day (and mine!)

17. In a wildflower meadow full of buttercups

Holly & Adam did it – and I’ve rarely seen anything more perfect. Trazillions of buttercups and ox-eye daisies in a natural amphitheatre… dreamy!

18. Somewhere iconic

Hannah & Laith had their ceremony at the People’s History Museum in Manchester, and their reception at Band on the Wall – both iconic, with awe inspiring history. Celebrating bravery and protest movements that led change, the People’s History Museum is top of my list next time I’m in Manchester. AS for Band on the Wall… I have no words. If football stadiums are cathedrals, the legendary concert venue Band on the Wall is my heaven. If music is your life, think big for your wedding venue, and choose a photographer to match – Manchester wedding photographer Priti Shikotra will be perfect.

19. At a brewery

I have done the tests and scientifically concluded that this country is good at beer. The thought of a wedding reception in a brewery really appeals to me – and how cool is the windmill at this one?!

20. At a nature reserve in the heart of the city

The London Wetlands Centre was on Springwatch last week and I was so excited to see Megan McCubbin sat in the exact same spot where Emma and Jack got married. If you adore nature, but you want a city wedding for convenience – this place is the best. Just look at that view!

21. In York

With its 2,000 year history, York is a romantic city with a charm and beauty you won’t find anywhere else. Stroll through the cobbled streets with your wedding photographer for images that will last you a lifetime.

22. In a treehouse

Ah! You didn’t know you could get married in a treehouse, but now you do? Gamechanger, isn’t it! Embrace your inner child (or owl) and immerse yourself in nature at Alnwick – it’s the largest wooden treehouse in the world, built around 16 mature lime trees which grow in, through and around the venue. Mental – and completely wonderful.

23. In our university cities

I’m way too far north to have a favourite between Oxford and Cambridge, so when I see weddings from either of these cities I’m smitten. The colleges have a timelessness and tranquility unique to each place. The rivers add idyllic spots for romantic strolls and boat rides – utter wedding perfection.

24. In a fairytale castle!

Disney fans and history lovers alike – the draw of an English castle wedding is hard to resist. We have dozens where you can get wed, and Lulworth is one of the best. Set on a huge estate in Dorset, there’s a beautiful cove, a church and private chapel – you’ll have an unforgettable day here.

25. In the Cotswolds

Honey coloured mansions and the relaxed pace of life in the Cotswolds make this place so romantic. Worth travelling away for a destination wedding weekend, the Cotswolds boasts beautiful stone barns, manor houses, farms and castles.

26. In your own Secret paradise!

The Secret Barn deserves a very special mention in this list. You know the kind of place you visit on holiday, and it’s tranquil and romantic and just perfect… and it’s so special you want to keep it all to yourselves? Here’s a charming venue which has that exact feel to it – a beautiful barn in rural Sussex with its own flower field and nature all around. Perfect. Don’t tell anyone!

27. Up North!

OK, so I couldn’t finish this blog without a hearty recommendation for the part of the UK I call home. I’m often invited to wedding industry events in London and have to say no: because my home is right up at the top end of the country. I’m a proud northerner and getting to showcase some of the incredible wedding venues, scenery and creative spaces up north makes me SO proud.

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Eagle-eyed readers will have noticed we’re a little light on some geographical areas: we’re missing weddings from Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland from our archives. And we’d LOVE more submissions from all around the UK so we can update this blog regularly! Head to this page to easily submit a real wedding for us to publish on English Wedding.