The UK is a fabulous place to get married. With an eclectic mix of people, cultures and traditions, the choices available to happy couples planning their wedding are practically endless. The UK is known for its rich history, idyllic countryside and range of architectural styles, which makes so many different regions and places absolutely perfect for your wedding. No matter the style, theme, size and budget, you’re bound to find something that ticks all your boxes here in the UK.
Fancy getting married on the outside? In a historic manor? Or a traditional church or place of worship? From medieval castles to five-star luxury hotels, a huge amount of choice is available to help make your wedding day unique and memorable.
According to our 2025 Wedding Report, 97% of British couples choose to get married in the UK. This is partly due to the huge range of venues and vendors available, even though the overall cost of a wedding can be on the pricey side. Couples in the UK spend an average of £20,822 on their wedding; however, this can vary massively depending on the type of and size of wedding you choose to have. And in the UK, whether you have a large or a small budget, you can still have a beautiful and special wedding that you’ll remember forever.
Many weddings in the UK take advantage of the fabulous history, culture and natural beauty you can find up and down the country. While outdoor weddings have been legal in the UK since 2020, they’re not quite as popular as they are in other countries due to the unpredictability of the weather. But, in recent years, barns and country houses have become increasingly more popular, and having weddings with a garden theme is also on the rise.
Just under three-quarters (72%) of couples have the ceremony and reception in the same location. Hotels remain the most popular venue type, largely thanks to them being so convenient for both the happy couple and their guests. Couples in the UK are also choosing small weddings and even micro-weddings, which can save them a lot of money and means they can have their dream wedding and spend more than 40% less.
It’s also becoming more popular for couples to outsource food vendors (if okay with the venue), with a particular love for food trucks, including pizza, BBQ and Mexican.
The various backgrounds of couples from around the UK also mean that many weddings embrace cultural fusion, blending traditions and cuisines from all over. Whether hosting a classic black-tie do, a whimsical countryside wedding or a multicultural celebration, the UK provides endless opportunities to bring your vision to life.
With such an abundance of history and picturesque locations, you’re certainly spoilt for choice when it comes to wedding venues in the UK. Across the country, you could choose anything from a quaint village church to a sprawling castle surrounded by immaculate gardens. There are countless venues in towns and cities, with some of the most popular places to get married including London, Scotland, York and Birmingham.
To get married surrounded by history, you might choose an ancient castle, such as Dundas Castle just outside of Edinburgh, or Clearwell Castle in Gloucestershire. For a touch of luxury and class, stately homes like Holkham in Norfolk and Prestwold Hall in Leicestershire provide a stunning backdrop for tying the knot.
If you’d love to get married in a city, hotels like the One Aldwych Hotel in London, Saint Luke’s in Glasgow and The Roundhouse in Derby are classy and convenient. Or, for a quiet but equally beautiful countryside location, Houchins in Essex, St Audries Park in Somerset and Berwick Lodge in Bristol are the perfect escape for a fairytale wedding.
With the average cost of a UK wedding now being £20,822, the venue makes up a large portion of the total cost – almost half, in fact – at £5,945. If you’re getting married in a major city, like London, the average venue cost can be even higher at £7,020. In Wales, the average venue cost drops to £5,924. However, these costs can change drastically depending on the size and style of your venue. For example, it’s safe to assume that a vast countryside manor will likely be more expensive than a small village hotel.
To secure their number one venue, most couples find that they need to book between 12 and 18 months. For more popular venues in busier regions, this can sometimes be in excess of two years, especially if you’re looking to get married at the weekend during the late spring and summer.
For weddings that take place during the quieter months, such as January and February, you may be able to book between 6 and 12 months ahead. The more flexibility you have, the more likely you’ll be to secure your number one venue without quite as much lead time. If you have your heart set on a specific venue, it’s always recommended that you book it as soon as possible, and then think about the other vendors afterwards.
If you live in the UK (or have spent more than a couple of days visiting) you’ll know just how unpredictable the weather can be. The summers can be reasonably hot and dry, while the winters can be long, dark and exceptionally cold. And sometimes, it can even be the other way around. That being said, each season offers its own charm and beauty, which can complement your wedding and contribute towards you having a memorable day.
Being just a small island, the UK is incredibly well connected, so you can get around the country relatively easily. The country is often criticised for having expensive and unreliable services, but more often than not, you can get to where you need to be by road, rail or sky.
If you’re getting married in or around a major town or city, you’re practically guaranteed to be able to travel there by train, which makes travel simple for you and your guests. However, even many smaller towns and villages across the country have a train station close by.
Many cities also have major international airports, including London, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Cardiff, Edinburgh and more. Whether you’re travelling from abroad or from within another region of the UK, you may well find that a flight is your most convenient (and sometimes even affordable) option (compared to the train, for example).
By car, you’ll find that you can get to most places in the UK rather easily, especially if you travel during quieter times. This means that even if you’re getting married in the middle of nowhere, your guests shouldn’t have too much trouble getting to you.
There are almost 10,000 hotels in the UK and countless many more B&B options. Many hotels also double as wedding venues, meaning you can host your wedding in one central and super convenient place. The variety is also massive, so you’re likely to find something that suits your budget without much hassle (so long as you book in plenty of time).
