The Exchange Glasgow
- 140
- £12,000 – £14,500
Glasgow is famous for having so much local pride and character. It has a bustling creative arts scene (the city has produced some of the UK’s biggest names in comedy, including Billy Connelly and Frankie Boyle) and has loads of incredible Victorian architecture. And we’d be remiss if we didn’t at least mention some of Glasgow’s most famous culinary exports – Irn Bru and the deep-fried Mars bar!
These points all come together to make Glasgow one of the top places to host your wedding in the UK. Well, apart from the deep-fried Mars bars… but then again, they’d certainly make for a conversation starter as a fun local addition to your wedding reception buffet!
Our 2025 Wedding Report found that 12% of all UK weddings take place in Glasgow and Scotland, with 83% of local couples choosing to stay in the region for their big day. The average cost of a wedding in Glasgow and the surrounding area is £18,617, more than £2,000 below the UK average of £20,822. This makes it an affordable yet lovely location to get married.
With a huge variety of venues, great transport links and plenty of opportunities for a warm Glaswegian welcome, the city is a fantastic choice for your wedding day.
Glasgow is a massively proud Scottish city, so many couples getting married there make a point to include as many Scottish traditions as possible. This includes incorporating tartan, bagpipes and ceilidh dancing, as well as whisky-tasting stations, which make for a popular addition to a reception in this classically Scottish city.
Industrial-chic weddings are a major trend, with venues leaning on the city’s industrial past providing the perfect backdrop thanks to their use of exposed brickwork accentuated by creative lighting and minimalist decor. Venues like this also lend themselves well to DIY elements, which also helps couples save budget that can be dedicated towards other things.
Scottish couples really value having some expert help when it comes to planning their wedding, which is proven to bring down the cost of many vendors and venues. As a result, couples in Glasgow spend one of the highest amounts in the UK on wedding planners, dropping an average of £2,338, which is much higher than the £1,892 spent on average elsewhere.
Sustainability is also becoming a key trend, with many couples choosing seasonal flowers, eco-friendly decor and locally sourced Scottish menus. This has contributed to Glasgow couples spending slightly less on flowers – £889 compared to the UK average of £1,132.
From grand historic buildings and modern spaces with an urban edge, to outdoor venues that highlight the fantastic Scottish countryside, Glasgow has no shortage of stunning places to host your wedding.
Home to dozens of incredible castles and stately homes, Scotland is certainly no stranger to history. And you could make sure your wedding day pays homage to that history by choosing a venue that’s hundreds of years old. Sherbrooke Castle Hotel has a look part-reminiscent of a fairytale castle and part-reminiscent of a movie set that is full of character. Coats Paisley is an absolutely stunning gothic revival church built in 1894 and really has to be seen to be believed. Rowallan Castle Estate has a mix of architectural styles all in one building, with multiple choices to make sure you have the ceremony and reception of your dreams.
Glasgow has loads of options in and around the city to make sure the beautiful Scottish landscape plays a key role in your celebrations. From the postcard-worthy views of Boreland Loch Tay to the rustic charm of Eden Leisure Village to the luxury and elegance of Chatelherault Country Park, there are plenty of options for an outdoor wedding available.
Local Glaswegians are known for being big characters, and many of the venues have a similar level of character, too. Venues including The Engine Works, Ibrox Stadium and House For an Art Lover are as unique and original as they are fantastic.
Glasgow is already an affordable region to get married in when compared to the rest of the UK, which means there are loads of lower-cost venues in and around the city. This makes it the perfect choice if you’re hoping to get married and not spend a fortune. Venues such as Oran Mor, The Lodge On Loch Lomond and Macdonald Crutherland House are all beautiful spaces that don’t cost the earth.
The average cost of a wedding venue in Glasgow (much like the rest of Scotland) is £5,685, which is £300 less than the overall UK average of £5,945. Along with this, many other aspects of a wedding are more affordable in Scotland compared to the national average, including florists, wedding fashion and decor.
Glasgow’s wedding venues are in high demand, so early booking is recommended. The average lead time is around 12 to 18 months, but this can vary. For popular venues, or if you’re after a peak summer or weekend date, you’ll need to book maybe two or more years ahead of time.
For off-peak weddings, including weekday or winter dates, some venues have availability within six to nine months, or maybe even sooner if you’re lucky. Some venues may even have dates available just a couple of months from now. The only thing to bear in mind is that if you’re looking for something specific, you’ll need to book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
As with most of Scotland, Glasgow’s weather can be unpredictable – after all, Glasgow was named one of the UK’s top 10 least sunny cities for a reason. But, while the city can be cold and grey at times, it also has more than its fair share of sun. Besides, every city comes with its own charms, bringing a unique feel for weddings at any time of the year.
Spring (March – May) is a beautiful time to get married, with Glasgow’s parks and gardens, like Kelvingrove Park and the Botanic Gardens, coming to life. Temperatures range from 8°C (46°F) in March to 15°C (59°F) in May, with a mix of sunshine and rain.
Summer (June – August) offers the best chance of warm weather in the city, with temperatures between 17°C (63°F) and 21°C (70°F). Longer daylight hours make summer weddings a great shout, especially for those wanting outdoor photos. Venues like High Brownmuir Farm really come to life during those hot summer months.
Autumn (September – November) is a lovely time for weddings, as spaces like Bellahouston Park fill with autumnal shades. With temperatures ranging from 16°C (61°F) in September to 7°C (45°F) in November, it’s worth choosing a venue with a cosy indoor option, just in case of rain, like the eclectic City Halls & Old Fruitmarket.
Winter (December – February) is cold in Glasgow, as temperatures hover between 1°C (34°F) and 6°C (43°F), but often dip below zero. This means you’ll definitely want to choose a venue with nice indoor spaces that take advantage of local history – that’s why Platform Glasgow is spot on.
Glasgow is super well-connected, so you and your guests shouldn’t have much trouble making your way to the city from all around the UK.
For those arriving by train, Glasgow Central Station offers direct services from London, Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh, while Glasgow Queen Street Station has regular services to and from the north of Scotland.
For international guests, Glasgow Airport (GLA) is just 20 minutes from the city centre, with flights to major UK and worldwide destinations. Edinburgh Airport (EDI) is also an option, just over an hour away by train or car.
Glasgow’s road network is well connected, with major motorways including the M8, M74 and M77, making it easy for guests driving from across Scotland and England. Port Glasgow also has regular ferries to Dublin and the Isle of Arran.
There are plenty of accommodation options across Glasgow, including low-cost B&Bs and all the big-name budget hotel brands. There are also a number of five-star hotels in the city, as well as hotels that double up as convenient wedding venues in their own right. Check out hotels like One Devonshire Gardens by Hotel du Vin, Ingliston Estate & Country Club and Garfield House Hotel, which are perfect for a convenient wedding all under one roof.
There are some really exciting up and coming trends for weddings and hiring a firedancer or performer is one of them. Whilst this is slightly different to a traditional Glaswegian Ceiligh it's certainly a way to turn gusts heads and give them a night to not forget! Reputable businesses will be pleased to advise you on a venue they can recommend for performances and communicate with the venue on your behalf. Most venues allow fire performers as long as they adhere to the proper rules. The artist won't often need to visit the site before your wedding for many locations across Glasgow, although the venue could or ask for them to do so if they are particularly cautious.
More and more ladies are choosing to wear two dresses on their wedding day; it is no longer just a trend but rather a decision that a bride must make in the months leading up to her big day. When it comes to getting married in Glasgow, let's face it, you're never going to know what the weather will bring, so some brides, particularly if they are planning a winter wedding choose a dress that will keep them warm in the church and them slip into something a little more suitable for dancing in for their wedding reception.
Nowadays most wedding venues will be able to offer a bridal suite which gives the bride the chance to sneak away from the party to change and have a moment to redo any essential hair and makeup top-ups in privacy. Of course, wearing two dresses on your wedding day will add to the cost, however, for many brides, this is something they are willing to do to ensure the upmost comfort on the day.
A bridal suite is a must for many Glasgow brides. It’s more than merely a place for the bride and her guests to change, a bridal suite serves other important purposes that serve the bride throughout her big day. A bridal suite provides a place to relax before the big day, touch up your makeup from your joyful tears, and so much more. You will find that most hotel wedding venues in Glasgow will be able to offer you a dedicated room as part of your package for the bride and groom, however you should check out venues like the Sherbrooke Castle Hotel and the GoGlasgow Urban Hotel.
Many people consider breathtaking cityscapes, amazing historic buildings, and unique locations among the top deciding considerations when deciding where to get married and locating great wedding venues. The vast array of exciting venues is one of the top factors contributing to how many couples choose to get married in Glasgow. Glasgow has a distinct selection of great wedding venues and is well known for its warm and friendly atmosphere. When looking to get married inside the city walls be sure to check out the venue fifteen ninety nine, the glue factory, and Box hub. If you want to look at a venue a little further afield then Pollock House and Boclair House hotel will be right up your street. Either way, Glasgow is bursting with wonderful venues that will no doubt provide you with a wedding to never forget.
Ideas for wedding entertainment have changed substantially throughout the last couple of years and may can a wedding extra special for attendees. Good entertainment will serve as an important icebreaker as well as keep your guests entertained during the reception. Exciting activities will encourage your friends and family to mix since it is possible that some of your visitors will be strangers to the others in attendance.
Some exciting wedding entertainment ideas for your guests could be:
Fire performer
However, Glasgow is packed full of brilliant vendors so the list is endless when it comes to ways to entertain your guests.
Glasgow and Scotland as a whole isn't known to be the sunniest place on earth, to put it lightly, so you might be wanting to know what month of the year is the most likely to be dry so you can plan your wedding then. Contrary to conventional wisdom, which holds that June, July, and August bring the most sunshine, May has been identified as the sunniest and driest month in Britain so could be a good bet if you are hoping for a dry day to celebrate your nuptials. You should always look to have a ‘plan B’ when it comes to wet weather plans by liaising with your venue ahead of time to see how they can ensure the day is a success come rain or shine.