Leicestershire is known for everything from being the home of food like cheese and pork pies, to industries like engineering and pharmaceuticals. It’s also packed with history, including being the county where Richard III was discovered buried beneath a car park. Leicestershire has everything from major cities to tiny picturesque villages nestled in the beautiful open countryside, and a wide variety of wedding venues to suit all types of budgets. That, together with its central UK location, makes Leicestershire a brilliant destination to host your wedding.
Our 2025 Wedding Report uncovered that 7% of all UK weddings take place in Leicestershire and the wider East Midlands. More than four out of every five couples (83%) choose to stay in the region to have their wedding, showing just how popular the area is. This is no doubt helped by the fact that the average cost of a wedding in Leicester and the East Midlands is £16,788, which is actually the lowest throughout the entire UK, where the overall average is £20,822. That means, not only can you have a lovely wedding in Leicestershire, but it’s an ideal choice if you have a smaller budget, too.
With so much choice available, great transport links and fantastic affordability, you really can’t go wrong by planning to host your wedding in Leicestershire.
Leicestershire’s wedding scene is full of variety, with couples often leaning into the county’s charm and historic venues to create a unique celebration. Many couples in Leicestershire choose to incorporate rustic elements into their celebrations, especially in barn venues where fairy lights, foliage and wooden decor add to the relaxed, countryside feel.
During the wedding planning process, many couples in Leicestershire love to go with DIY options. As a result, couples in the county spend the least on wedding stationery in the country at an average of £267 compared to the national average of £413.
Leicestershire couples also spend the least on wedding flowers, at an average of £828 compared to the UK average of £1,132. This is helped by the brilliant choices available when it comes to outdoor wedding venues, which come to life with natural beauty during the spring and summer seasons.
Leicestershire is home to a massive variety of wedding venues, whether you’re dreaming of a grand country house, a rustic barn or something completely fun and unique. Whatever your taste, style and budget, you’re guaranteed to find something that fits the bill in Leicestershire.
To host a wedding fit for royalty, there are plenty of stately homes and country manors around the county that are luxurious, grand and elegant - which means you don’t have to join Richard III in his car park! Prestwold Hall in Loughborough is full of charm and surrounded by acres of parkland. Bourton Hall in nearby Bourton on Dunsmore is jawdropping, with stunning views over the surrounding valley. There’s also Keythorpe Manor in Leicester, which has plenty of space to ensure you can have the wedding of your dreams.
To take advantage of the Leicestershire countryside, plenty of venues offer amazing outdoor space. Have a fairytale wedding deep in the forest at Tipis at Whatton House in Loughborough, keep things rustic at The Hall Barns in Prestwold or tie the knot in what they claim is the first barn venue in the country at Donington Park Farm House in nearby Isley Walton.
To inject your wedding day with something different that reflects your interests or personality, the county also has loads to offer. Leicester Tigers Rugby Club, The Factory, Hinckley, National Space Centre and Twycross Zoo are all fantastic venues that let you get married somewhere you and your guests definitely won’t forget.
Being the most affordable region to get married in, Leicstershire of course also has plenty of venues that are perfect even if you have a smaller budget. Devonshire Place and Elizabeth Park Centre in Leicester, and Ullesthorpe Court Country Hotel & Golf Club in Lutterworth are all amazing choices.
The average cost of a wedding venue in Leicestershire and the wider East Midlands is £4,319, which is the lowest in the UK, where the average is £5,945. It’s also more than £2,500 cheaper than London, where the average venue cost is £7,020.
As a popular and affordable wedding destination, it’s best to book a Leicestershire wedding venue at least 12 to 18 months in advance. That being said, because it is so sought-after, you might want to allow for longer, especially if you’re keen for a summer wedding or you’d like to get married at the weekend. Similarly, if your chosen venue is in high demand, you’ll not want to leave things to chance, so make sure you get your name down as early as you can – sometimes maybe two or more years in advance.
If you’re open to off-peak dates or a weekday wedding, you might find availability within six to nine months. Winter weddings or midweek celebrations often have shorter lead times and can sometimes be booked within just a few months. But again, it’s always best to book as far ahead as you can.
Like the rest of the UK, Leicestershire’s weather can be a little unpredictable. But, each season offers something special so you can have a wedding filled with charm and help your photographer capture some amazing photos.
Spring (March – May) brings fresh blooms and greenery, leading to some truly beautiful wedding photographs. The National Forest is the UK’s first new forest to be planted for 1,000 years, so the perfect symbolic location to capture some memories. Temperatures range from 9°C (48°F) in March to 15°C (59°F) in May, with a mix of sunshine and occasional showers.
Summer (June – August) is peak wedding season in Leicestershire, with temperatures typically between 18°C (64°F) and 22°C (72°F). Longer daylight hours mean more time to enjoy the county’s beautiful countryside settings, and it’s a great time to book an outdoor wedding to make the most of the driest season of the year. Some lovely venues with outdoor ceremony space include One Ash Weddings in Quorn and Cattows Farm Weddings in Coalville.
Autumn (September – November) is a fantastic time for warm, cosy weddings, with Leicestershire’s countryside turning shades of orange and brown. Temperatures range from 17°C (63°F) in September to 8°C (46°F) in November, and there’s a higher chance of rain. That means it’s worth choosing a venue with plenty of indoor space in case the heavens decide to open.
Winter (December – February) sees Leicestershire transformed as a layer of crisp frost forms across the county. Temperatures typically stay between 2°C (36°F) and 7°C (45°F), but don’t be surprised if it dips below freezing from time to time. That makes indoor venues a must, but this can create an intimate and cosy atmosphere as part of your celebrations. Some fantastic venues with big indoor spaces include The Y Theatre in Leicester and Hinckley Golf Club.
Thanks to its central UK location, Leicestershire is well connected, making it easy for guests to get to and from the county from elsewhere in the country and beyond.
Leicester is a major transport hub, with direct trains from London St Pancras taking just over an hour. There are great connections to cities like Birmingham, Nottingham and Sheffield, as well as further afield like Newcastle, Edinburgh and Bristol with only one change.
For those travelling from further afield, East Midlands Airport (EMA) may primarily have cargo flights, but there are still passenger flights to destinations across Europe, and it’s just a short drive away, offering flights to and from major UK and European destinations. Birmingham Airport (BHX) is also really not that far, depending on where in Leicstershire you choose to have your wedding.
Leicestershire is also well connected by major motorways, including the M1, which runs through the county and provides easy access from London and the north. The A6 and A46 also pass through Leicestershire to surrounding regions, making it a straightforward journey from almost everywhere.
When it comes to somewhere to stay, Leicestershire has options to suit everyone, whether you’re looking for somewhere cheap and cheerful or five-star luxury. Many hotels also have event spaces, meaning you can have your ceremony and reception under one roof, then just stumble to bed afterwards without even having to step outside. Hotels like Quorn Country Hotel in Quorn, Sketchley Grange Hotel and Spa in Hinckley and The Fieldhead Hotel in Coalville are all lovely wedding venues across the county.
