Bournemouth has been a popular south coast holiday destination since the early 19th century, thanks to its seven miles of sandy beaches, lush gardens, vibrant town centre and overall good ol’ fashioned British seaside vibes. It strikes a great balance between a relaxed coastal atmosphere and upbeat energy, with popular sights including Bournemouth Pier and the Victorian Bournemouth Gardens, as well as attractions such as the Oceanarium. And for couples dreaming of a bright and cheery coastal celebration for their wedding day, Bournemouth is an ideal location that offers exactly that.
Our 2025 Wedding Report found that Bournemouth and the rest of the South West are where 13% of all UK weddings take place, making it the second most popular wedding region in the UK. More than two-thirds (67%) of local couples stay in the area for their big day, with the average cost being £21,921, which is almost £1,000 less than the national average.
With a wide variety of venues and wedding vendors, as well as plenty of options for those looking to save money, Bournemouth is a top wedding destination no matter what sort of style and taste you’re looking for on your wedding day.
Bournemouth weddings often take inspiration from the coast, making sure to include light, breezy styling, soft colour palettes and a relaxed atmosphere. Nautical, boho and beach-inspired weddings are all popular themes, especially during the warmer months when couples can make the most of the town’s long and sandy beaches. Beach weddings on Bournemouth’s award-winning seafront are a dream option for many, as the town is the only one in the UK where you can legally have your wedding ceremony on the beach itself. So, if this is something that appeals to you, Bournemouth is absolutely the place to be.
Eco-conscious weddings are on the rise in Bournemouth too, with many local suppliers and venues offering sustainable options like seasonal menus, plastic-free decor and green transport options.
Weekend weddings are becoming increasingly more common, especially for couples with friends and family travelling in, or those who don’t want the celebrations to come to an end after just one day. Bournemouth’s buzzing nightlife scene makes it a brilliant base for a full wedding weekend with welcome drinks, beach picnics and plenty of photo opportunities.
Bournemouth offers a brilliant mix of wedding venues, from beachfront locations and luxury hotels to historic sites in and around the town.
As Bournemouth sits on the coast, there are loads of historical sites outside of the town centre, including a selection of castles, which make for fantastic wedding venues that allow you to tie the knot surrounded by luxury and legends. Highcliffe Castle stands on top of a cliff and offers truly breathtaking views. Weddings at Corfe Castle transform the iconic ruins into a major site for sore eyes. And Durlston Castle is a wonderful historic site set within 320 acres of grounds. Bournemouth is also home to many manors and stately homes, which give you another way to have a wedding day filled with grandeur and opulence. The likes of Croydon Hall, Hotel Miramar, The Italian Villa at Compton Acres, Parley Manor and Deans Court are all fabulous and sophisticated wedding venues found around the town.
Bournemouth has plenty of lovely outdoor spaces, from the beach to the nearby New Forest National Park. If you love the thought of getting married outside, Bournemouth offers a wide range of open-air venues, like The Orangery Suite, English Oak Vineyard Weddings and Moonacre Weddings, which allow for outdoor ceremonies and receptions.
If you want to do something a little bit different and choose a venue with character that reflects one of your passions or hobbies, Bournemouth has some fun and interesting wedding venues, too. Football fans will get a kick (pun intended) out of getting married at the home of AFC Bournemouth; Canford School Main Building is a beautiful and picturesque Grade I listed building; Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre lets you get married surrounded by 250 of your closest primate cousins; and The Tank Museum is brilliant if you have close ties to or an interest in the armed forces.
The South West is a great location to host your wedding if you’re conscious of not spending too much, with a wide variety of venues that don’t cost the earth but still allow you to have a truly sensational wedding. Take a look at venues including Bournemouth Carlton Hotel, Harmans Cross Hall, The Fishermans Haunt, The Durley Dean Hotel and The Mayfair Hotel to see exactly what sort of venue you can get even with a limited budget.
The average cost of a wedding venue in Bournemouth is £6,755, which is actually more than the overall UK average of £5,945. But this figure represents all weddings that take place in the area, which means many couples will pay much less than this, so don’t be disheartened if your budget can’t stretch to this amount, because it certainly doesn’t have to.
As Bournemouth and the wider South West region are the UK’s second most popular wedding destination, many venues have an average booking lead time of between 12 and 18 months. This can be more than two years for the most sought-after venues, or during the busy summer wedding season – especially on weekend dates.
If you’re looking to secure a date much sooner than this, there are ways to cut this down. By being open to winter or midweek dates, and by not having your heart set on one venue in particular, you can usually find a suitable venue with availability less than six months from now. You’re also likely to pay a little less, too, as venues often have off-peak rates.
Thanks to its south coast location, Bournemouth has a relatively mild climate all year round, which makes it a great place for weddings throughout the year.
Spring (March – May) sees gardens bloom and temperatures warm up, averaging 11°C to 16°C (52°F to 61°F). It’s a lovely time for a ceremony in one of Bournemouth’s outdoor venues, such as Kingston Country Courtyard.
Summer (June – August) is peak wedding season, with long days, sunny skies and average highs of 20°C to 23°C (68°F to 73°F), making it the perfect time for celebrations or al fresco dining, such as at venues like Weddings in the Wood.
Autumn (September – November) is great for couples after cooler temperatures of between 10°C and 16°C (50°F to 61°F), and quieter beachfronts thanks to fewer tourists. Venues with a mix of indoor and outdoor space, like The Three Tuns Inn, make for a great option.
Winter (December – February) can be chilly, with average highs of around 7°C to 9°C (45°F to 48°F), but because it can frequently drop below zero, you’ll want to choose a venue with plenty of indoor space, like Lime Wood or Marsham Court Hotel.
Bournemouth is well-connected and easy to get to, making it a convenient choice no matter where you and your guests are travelling from.
The A338 links Bournemouth to the A31 and M27, giving you straightforward access from London, Southampton and the South East by car.
For guests arriving by train, Bournemouth Station is on the South Western Main Line, with direct services to London Waterloo in under two hours. There are also regular trains from cities like Southampton, Winchester and Poole, as well as good connections to the Midlands and the north of England.
If you have guests who are flying in, Bournemouth Airport (BOH) is just a 15-minute drive from the town centre and offers a selection of domestic and European flights. For a wider range of flights, Southampton Airport (SOU) is about 45 minutes away, and London Heathrow (LHR) is under two hours by car.
As for places to stay, Bournemouth’s longstanding status as a holiday destination means there’s everything from quaint B&Bs to luxury spa hotels, as well as all the big-name budget hotels. Another great wedding venue option is a hotel, with Bournemouth having loads of hotel wedding venues to choose from, including The Green House, The Royal Bath Hotel, The Connaught Hotel and Spa, The Cumberland Hotel and Queens Hotel & Spa. A hotel allows you to spend your entire day in one location, which is perfect if you’re looking for something convenient and want to easily keep on top of spending.
