In the heart of southwest Wales and known as ‘the Garden of Wales,’ Carmarthenshire is a lovely part of the country, home to scenic countryside, ancient castles, lush woodlands and a sweeping coastline. The county is home to The National Botanic Garden of Wales, which is one of the country’s most popular tourist spots thanks to its having the world's largest single-span glasshouse, which really is impressive to stand beneath. And with so many historic and renowned beauty spots to visit, and unspoilt beaches where you can sit and enjoy the tranquillity, Carmarthenshire makes for a lovely location to host your wedding day.
Our 2025 Wedding Report revealed that Carmarthenshire (and the rest of Wales) is where 4% of all UK weddings take place. The average cost of a wedding in the area is £18,368, which is almost £2,500 less than the overall UK average. More than four in five (83%) couples who live in the area stay close by for their wedding, which shows just how much it’s loved by locals, and how much choice there is regardless of budget.
Whether you're dreaming of a rustic barn celebration, a romantic garden ceremony or a fairytale wedding in a historic manor, Carmarthenshire makes for a wonderful choice of wedding destination.
Weddings around Carmarthenshire often lean into the natural landscape, with couples embracing rustic, boho and nature-inspired themes. This includes the use of wildflower bouquets, tipis and marquees in meadows, and soft, earthy palettes that blend effortlessly with the rolling hills and woodlands around the area.
Thanks to the abundance of barns, country houses and historic estates, relaxed elegance is another favourite. It’s all about laid-back luxury, including candlelit tables in converted stables, mismatched vintage crockery, hand-stitched bunting and nods to Welsh culture. Couples often personalise their day with bilingual signage, traditional Welsh music and little touches like love spoons and daffodil motifs.
One standout trend in Carmarthenshire is the rise of multi-day weddings, especially at venues such as hotels, where couples and their guests have everything they need in one location. Guests might arrive on a Friday for welcome drinks, spend Saturday enjoying the main event, and round things off with a Sunday brunch or a day exploring the local area. This is especially popular among couples who have guests travelling into the area from far and wide, making it a true event to remember.
Local, seasonal food is also playing a bigger role than ever. Couples are celebrating the region’s incredible produce by building menus based on local favourites, from Welsh lamb and fresh seafood to artisan cheeses, foraged herbs and homegrown vegetables.
Carmarthenshire has a whole host of beautiful venues, meaning you can have the wedding of your dreams in the area, no matter what you’re looking for in your big day.
If you’re a big history buff, Carmarthenshire is a brilliant place to get married. Some historians believe the legendary Arthurian figure Merlin was born in the county, giving it a truly mystical past. And you can include some of the region’s amazing history in your wedding day, like getting married in a location with centuries of stories. And there’s no grander wedding venue than a castle, with both Carreg Cennen Castle and Farm and Dinefwr Park and Castle opening their doors to couples to ensure they have an absolutely stunning wedding day. Or if you’d prefer a manor or mansion, you can do just that, at the likes of The University Of Wales St Trinity David, Mansion House Llansteffan or Plas Glansevin.
As Carmarthenshire is considered the Garden of Wales, could there really be a better place for an outdoor wedding? And venues like Oak Tree Farm Wedding Venue, The Fig Tree and Corran Resort & Spa have picturesque spaces so you can have an open-air ceremony and reception, and soak in all the surroundings Carmarthenshire has to offer. Or for a different type of park, Parc Y Scarlets is an ideal venue for sports fans.
Wales as a whole might already be an affordable wedding location, but Carmarthenshire is specifically great if you’re keen to not spend too much money on your venue. Venues like Ffos Las Racecourse and Myddfai Hall show that you don’t have to have a huge budget to have the wedding of your dreams.
The average cost of a wedding venue in Carmarthenshire and the rest of Wales is £5,924, which is actually in line with the UK average. But, there are some amazing bargains to find, as well as luxury venues, with plenty of other vendors around the area, making sure you don’t need to spend a fortune on your big day if you don’t want to.
Carmarthenshire is an absolutely beautiful part of Wales, with everything from gorgeous beaches to rolling hills and botanical gardens. Those all make the area hugely popular for couples looking for an idyllic place to host their wedding, which means many venues have a lead time of around 12 to 18 months. However, some of the more popular venues, or dates at weekends or during the hugely busy summer wedding season, can have waits of more than two years.
If your date and venue aren’t set in stone, this can open you up to having a far shorter wait. By considering a wide range of venues and dates – including midweek or winter dates – you’ll likely find you can secure a wedding venue that ticks all your boxes within six months, or even less. Plus, thanks to off-peak rates or discounts, you’re also likely to pay less than if you were to get married at a busier time, too.
Like much of Wales, Carmarthenshire has a relatively mild maritime climate which is often dependable, but of course with the persistent threat of rain at various times throughout the year.
Spring (March - May) is a gorgeous time to get married in the county, as the countryside and botanical gardens explode with blooms. As the temperatures stick around an average of 10°C to 15°C (50°F to 59°F), you’ll want to make sure you find somewhere warm. During the tail end of spring, you might be lucky and get some sunnier days.
Summer (June - August) is the most popular season to get married in the area, with long daylight hours and warm weather. Expect average highs of 18°C to 21°C (64°F to 70°F), which is ideal for outdoor ceremonies and garden parties at venues like Welsh Green Weddings at Penybanc Farm. And don’t forget to capture some photographs on the beach!
Autumn (September - November) brings a cosy, romantic vibe, with golden colours and crisp air. Temperatures typically range from 10°C to 16°C (50°F to 61°F), making it a popular season for barn or woodland weddings where you can keep warm, like at The New White Lion.
Winter (December - February) weddings are less common but beautifully atmospheric, especially in venues with roaring fireplaces and candlelit rooms. Expect average highs of between 6°C and 9°C (43°F to 48°F), but it can drop below zero, so venues like Llanelly House, where you and your guests can stay warm, are a must.
While Carmarthenshire is more rural than some other wedding hotspots, it’s still accessible for guests travelling from all over the UK. The M4 motorway runs directly into the county from Cardiff and Swansea, making it straightforward to reach by car from South Wales, Bristol and London.
Taking the train is nice and simple, with Carmarthen, Llanelli and Llandeilo all served by mainline rail connections via Swansea and Cardiff. Guests travelling from London can reach the area in around four to five hours by train.
For those flying in, Cardiff Airport (CWL) is the closest major hub and is around 90 minutes away by car, with regular UK and European flights. Bristol Airport (BRS) is another good option and is roughly two hours away by road.
As Carmarthenshire is a lovely place to visit for a short break, there are loads of accommodation options around the area, including tons of AirbnbBnB options, seafront hotels and even fancy spa hotels hidden away in the countryside. And hotels are among the most popular types of wedding venues in the area, allowing couples and their guests to stay in one location and not have to worry about the logistics of getting around. And there are plenty of brilliant hotel wedding venues in Carmarthenshire, including The Cawdor Hotel, White Hart Inn, Llandeilo, Three Rivers Hotel and Spa, Falcon Hotel, Boars Head Hotel, The Plough Inn and The Diplomat Hotel Restaurant & Spa.
