Nestled right in the heart of England, Bedfordshire is a lovely part of the UK, and offers a brilliant blend of history, countryside and things to see and do. From charming little villages like Woburn, with its famous abbey and safari park close by, to the amazing lakes and woodland around the Forest of Marston Vale, it’s a beautiful part of the country. And with the M1 running through the county, as well as two railway lines and easy access to Oxford and Cambridge, Bedfordshire is a super convenient location to get married, too.
Our 2025 Wedding Report found that the average cost of a wedding in Bedfordshire is £20,137, which is less than the overall UK average of £20,822, and a lot less than couples pay in London (£28,629), which is less than an hour away by train. Bedfordshire and the wider east of England region is where 6% of all UK weddings take place, and more than three-quarters (77%) of local couples choose to stay in the area to tie the knot. This shows just how much it has to offer couples looking for their perfect wedding day.
Whether you’re after a grand stately home, a rustic barn or a modern hotel venue, Bedfordshire has plenty of choices to suit every couple’s style and budget.
Due to its growing popularity as a wedding destination, the average lead time for booking a wedding venue in Bedfordshire is between 12 and 18 months. However, if you’re keen on a specific venue, or you’d like to get married at a busy time of year, such as during the summer or at the weekend, the lead time could be two or more years.
For off-peak dates (weekdays or winter weddings), it may be possible to secure a venue with just 6 to 12 months’ notice. On top of this, some venues offer discounted rates for midweek weddings, so it’s definitely worth considering if you can.
Bedfordshire is home to some of the most fabulous wedding venues in the UK, ranging from historic estates to nature-centric venues in the middle of the countryside.
If you love the thought of exchanging your vows in a historic or luxurious stately home or manor house, you certainly have plenty to choose from around Bedfordshire to make sure you have the wedding of your dreams. Weddings at Shuttleworth is an enormous 5,000-acre site, with so many ceremony and reception options available that you’re bound to find something that ticks all your boxes. Hinwick Hall gives you a blank canvas among impressive surroundings, so you can put your own stamp on your big day. Woodland Manor Hotel is a grand and elegant manor, but with easy access thanks to its location just outside of Bedford. Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa is set among more than 1,000 acres of gorgeous countryside and has centuries of royal history. And there’s Moreteyne Manor, a characterful manor house surrounded by its own moat.
To make the most of the Bedfordshire countryside and have a beautiful outdoor wedding ceremony or reception, there are loads of venues around the county with fantastic outdoor spaces. Check out Eversholt Hall, Newton Park Barn and The Lakeside at Wild Berry Farm to see exactly what they have to offer.
For a venue with a little uniqueness or character, Bedfordshire also has venues that mean you can do something a bit different on your wedding day. Luton Town Football Club is ideal if you’re a sports fan, at a ground that has hosted world-famous clubs and talent in recent years.
For something intimate and quirky, Stockwood Discovery Centre is a museum with gardens and interactive exhibits. On the edge of a beautiful nature reserve, The Forest Centre gives you the chance to say, ‘I do,’ surrounded by British wildlife – you might even spot a deer or two!
And The Grand Hall is a wonderful example of Victorian architecture, where you can have a truly special wedding.
If you’re keen to get married but not spend a fortune, there are loads of venues around Bedfordshire that are both fabulous and lower-cost. Take a look at venues including The Rufus Centre, Bedfordshire Golf Club and The Embankment Hotel to see how far even a smaller budget can go around the county.
The average cost of a wedding venue in Bedfordshire is £5,047, which is almost £900 less than the UK average of £5,945. This just shows that if you’re conscious of keeping your spending down, you can very much do so in Bedfordshire.
Bedfordshire weddings often celebrate the county’s mix of countryside beauty and rich history. Many couples choose to go with timeless and sophisticated themes, particularly in the county’s grand manor houses and stately homes. Classic floral arrangements, vintage-inspired details and warm, welcoming lighting are the go-to, with couples in the area spending an average of £1,335 on wedding flowers, which is £200 more than the UK average.
Rustic and countryside weddings are also a major trend, with outdoor venues and open-air ceremonies growing in popularity, particularly during the hotter summer months. To make their venue feel just right, Bedfordshire couples invest more in decor than many others across the UK, spending an average of £1,408 compared to the UK average of £1,271.
Another big trend in Bedfordshire is hosting smaller, more intimate weddings. Many couples are prioritising quality over quantity, choosing to focus on creating meaningful moments so couples and their guests have a memorable and beautiful day.
Due to its fairly central and southern location (despite technically being in the East of England), Bedfordshire’s climate is pretty mild, which makes it a great wedding destination all year round. Like the rest of the UK, the weather can be a little unpredictable, but each season does come with its own beauty.
Spring (March – May) is a lovely time of year in Bedfordshire, when the countryside bursts with life – it’s also a great time to visit local parks, such as Millennium Country Park, which are ideal backdrops for your wedding photos. The temperatures are usually between 9°C – 15°C (48°F – 59°F), but with the possibility of rain, you’ll want to go with a venue that has indoor spaces.
Summer (June – August) is the most popular time to get married in the county, with longer daylight hours and temperatures ranging from 17°C – 23°C (63°F – 73°F). This makes it the best time of year if you love the thought of getting married in the great outdoors, which you can do at venues such as Clophill Eco Lodges and The Tithe Barn.
Autumn (September – November) may be a little cooler, with temperatures around 10°C – 18°C (50°F – 64°F), but the changing colours more than make up for it. Autumn is a great time for cosy and intimate weddings at venues that have brilliant indoor spaces, including Venue 360 and Bedford School.
Winter (December – February) might be darker and colder, as temperatures drop to 2°C – 8°C (36°F – 46°F). But with great lighting and decor, venues can be incredibly warm and inviting, so you and your guests can party the night away, like at the incredible Putteridge Bury.
Bedfordshire really is well-connected to the rest of the UK, making it an easily accessible location for wedding guests no matter where they’re travelling from.
If your guests are arriving by rail, Bedfordshire is served by fast train links from London, Cambridge and Birmingham, with Bedford, Luton and Flitwick stations offering convenient access. A train from London St Pancras to Bedford takes just 40 minutes.
By air, London Luton Airport (LTN) is located in the county, just a stone’s throw from the motorway. Luton offers flights to domestic and international destinations, making it ideal for couples with guests flying in from abroad.
If your guests are driving, Bedfordshire is well-connected via the M1, A1 and A6, making it easy for guests travelling by road from anywhere across the UK.
There are also loads of places to rest your head across Bedfordshire, whether you prefer to stay in luxury boutique hotels, a quaint B&B or one of the well-known budget chains. So many of Bedfordshire’s hotels also have their own function spaces, which make them an ideal wedding venue in their own right. Hotels including Mitchell Hall, Venue Cranfield, Pines Hotel and Quality Skyline Hotel all have brilliant event spaces, where you can party the night away before retiring upstairs!
