Hosting an intimate wedding in Derbyshire means celebrating your love with your nearest and dearest in the beautiful East Midlands. It’s one of those places where you just can’t help but slow down, breathe it all in, and really enjoy the moment. Intimate weddings are traditionally weddings with fewer than 50 guests. However, an intimate venue can also mean a place that just feels personal and cosy, no matter the headcount.
Venues like country houses, rustic barns, charming hotels, or even a garden party under the stars all fit the brief of an intimate wedding venue. It's less about numbers and more about the feel, and Derbyshire is the perfect place for it.
Derbyshire is known for its rolling hills, stunning scenery, and picture-perfect villages. It's the dream wedding location for those who love the Great British countryside. Nestled below Sheffield and just east of Nottingham, Derbyshire is home to the beautiful Peak District, some stunning historic estates, and plenty of cosy, tucked-away spots that are straight out of a romance novel.
Plus, with so many lovely local suppliers, you’ll have everything you need to bring your intimate day to life. Bonus—Derbyshire is one of the more affordable places to get married in the UK! With the average wedding now coming in at around £16,788, Derbyshire offers brilliant vendors and beautiful venues at a fraction of the cost of other locations.
If you’re looking for an intimate wedding venue in Derbyshire, look no further than our comprehensive list.
The Old Chapel at Masa in Derby offers exclusive use to couples on their big day. You’ll get exclusive use on your big day, plus the charm of a beautiful Grade II listed chapel, a full wedding licence, and easy disabled access. Prices start from just £25 a head, which is pretty amazing when you see how gorgeous the place is. Think original features, a warm, cosy vibe, and bags of atmosphere. In addition, The Old Chapel specialises in Jewish, Muslim, and Asian weddings, and can offer halal catering at request.
Blackbrook House is another gorgeous option for guests looking for something a little more private and personal. This beautiful Victorian house is tucked away in Belper and offers totally exclusive use, so you’ll feel like you’ve got your own little slice of the countryside all to yourselves. They’re known for creating completely bespoke weddings—no one size fits all here! Prices tend to start around £3,000 for venue hire, but they offer loads of flexibility depending on what you’re after, which is always a bonus.
You could also try Makeney Hall Hotel, also in Belper. With a maximum headcount of 130 people and prices starting at £700 for venue hire alone, Makeney Hall Hotel offers a premium feel at affordable prices. Each wedding is tailor-made to suit the needs of the couple, making every wedding as unique as your love story. What’s more, there are options for indoor, outdoor, secular, and religious wedding ceremonies, so whatever kind of vibe you’re dreaming of, they’ve got you covered. For an intimate wedding, their Chartwell Suite is the ideal spot, offering a beautiful space to host your wedding with large bay windows overlooking the gardens.
Last but by no means least, consider Beauvale Priory. This stunning ruined priory is Grade I/II listed and has an on-site tea room, artisan bakery, holiday cottages for guests, and a full wedding licence. These amenities mean you can turn your wedding into a full weekend celebration, not just a single day. Ideal for those wanting to dance the night away in the shadow of a historic venue before retreating to the cosy on-site cottages.
On average, couples tying the knot in Derbyshire are spending around £16,788 on their big day, which is almost 20% less than the UK average of £20,822, and miles more affordable than London’s £28,629 price tag. What’s more, Derbyshire has the cheapest average cost of UK wedding venues, coming in at £4,319. That means a lot more money for a beautiful dress, delicious cocktails, or even custom venue styling! Intimate weddings are likely to be even cheaper than this, as it’s the headcount that typically pushes prices up.
The average lead time in Derbyshire is 12 to 18 months for your standard venue. This is due to the logistical considerations of getting married in such a rural spot. However, intimate weddings in Derbyshire can sometimes be a little easier to plan, especially if you’re flexible with your dates or happy to go for a midweek celebration.
Smaller guest lists often mean you’ve got more options when it comes to last-minute availability too, which is a huge bonus if you’re the spontaneous type. You might be able to get away with 6 to 12 months’ lead time for an intimate Derbyshire wedding, so long as you’re a bit open-minded about the day of the week and the season.
However, as with any big event, planning in advance means you get to enjoy the process, rather than everything being a last-minute rush. If you have your heart set on a specific wedding venue or an extra special date, we recommend planning a little earlier to avoid disappointment.
Intimate weddings are all about who’s around the table, not the size of it. As a result, micro weddings are a huge trend for intimate weddings in Derbyshire. Micro weddings are any weddings where the guest list does not exceed 20 people (including the happy couple), so it really is just your nearest and dearest. They’re perfect for couples who want to keep things relaxed, meaningful, and full of those personal touches that make the day extra special.
Another popular trend for intimate Derbyshire weddings is woodland theming. Woodland weddings are all about embracing nature or bringing the outdoors indoors. They offer a sense of seclusion and serenity that makes them ideal for smaller, more personal ceremonies set against a stunning natural backdrop. This could mean getting married in a forest or a wooded area, incorporating natural wood into your wedding somehow, or even adding a few forest-inspired touches to your decor. Don't be afraid to get really creative!
