Putteridge Bury
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- From £850
When you think about Luton, one of the first things that might pop into your head is the airport, which has more than 130 departures every day. And in the future, the airport is set to expand, and will see a massive 32 million passengers pass through its doors each year. But, as well as the airport, Luton is also known for its automotive and hat-making history (no, seriously) and has a big arts and education scene. The town is also a hub of multiculturalism and has some wonderful surrounding countryside, making it a great spot to host a wedding.
Our 2025 Wedding Report uncovered that Luton and the rest of the East of England region are where 6% of all UK weddings take place. More than three-quarters (77%) of couples who live in the region stay local for their wedding. The average cost of a wedding in Luton is £20,137, which is £700 less than the UK average. So, not only is there a wide variety of wedding options in Luton, but you can often pay less than other couples across the country, too.
Whether you’re planning a lavish cultural celebration or a small and simple gathering, Luton is a solid choice of wedding destination with plenty of flexibility, no matter what you’re looking for on your special day.
Luton is one of the most culturally diverse towns in the UK, which is reflected in the variety of weddings held in the area each year. South Asian and African-Caribbean weddings are especially common, as are fusion weddings that blend different backgrounds and beliefs. The town is home to a number of large-scale venues which are well-equipped for multi-day celebrations and higher guest counts.
Popular trends include luxurious decor, vibrant colour schemes and formal sit-down receptions with plenty of entertainment. From Bollywood-style setups to elegant white weddings, couples in Luton are embracing statement style and expressive flair.
But it’s not all grand and elaborate weddings in Luton. Smaller, more intimate weddings are also on the rise. Many couples are opting for minimalist designs, micro-weddings and flexible venues that can be easily tailored to suit their taste and budget. Similarly, couples love an all-in-one venue, like a hotel, which makes a wedding convenient and easy to manage from a budgeting point of view.
Luton offers a wide range of wedding venues, from modern hotels and quaint gardens to historic estates and countryside retreats outside the town centre.
If you’re hoping for a grand wedding venue with bags of class and elegance, there are plenty of amazing country houses and manors around Luton that are more than suitable for a major celebration. Offley Place Country House is a 17th-century manor house found in 27 acres of parkland, with loads of different ceremony and reception options. Shendish Manor Hotel & Golf Course is a gorgeous manor within equally gorgeous grounds. Brocket Hall Estate is truly picturesque, with some of the most amazing landscapes you’ll see in the area. Fanhams Hall combines modern features with traditional aesthetics, with plenty of on-site rooms for you and your guests. Rothamsted Manor is a lovely Victorian manor with an incredible drawing room. And Weddings at Shuttleworth can be whatever you want them to be, such as in the Swiss Garden or the enormous aircraft hangar!
The Chiltern Hills and wider countryside that surrounds Luton are great for an outdoor wedding ceremony or al fresco reception. Venues like The Conservatory at the Luton Hoo Walled Garden, The Croquet Lawn at Fanhams Hall, Lodge Farm House and Eversholt Hall do a great job of highlighting the local landscapes and are perfect if you like the idea of taking things outside.
Luton is also a brilliant location if you want to choose a venue unlike other, more traditional wedding venues. Luton Town Football Club (home to The Hatters) lets you tie the knot where the biggest teams in the country have played in recent years. Stockwood Discovery Centre is an intimate and quirky venue, with a variety of garden styles and plant life. And Safari Lodge - Woburn Safari Park is close by and lets you exchange your vows right in the middle of the famous animal park.
Luton and the surrounding area are ideal if you’re looking for a lower-cost venue, as there are loads to choose from if you want to find a balance between quality and affordability. Old Albanian Sports Club, Letchworth Golf Club, The Chiltern Hotel, Tilsworth Golf and Conference Centre, Astral Park Sports and Community Centre and Woolmer Green Village Hall are all suitable for smaller budgets.
The average cost of a wedding venue in Luton (and the rest of the East of England) is £5,047, which is the second cheapest in the UK, right behind the East Midlands. This makes Luton a great wedding destination if you’re conscious about not spending too much, but you want convenience and accessibility.
Like most parts of the UK, the most sought-after venues in Luton, especially those catering to large or multi-day weddings, can book up 12 to 18 months in advance, or even two years for the most in-demand or niche venues. This is particularly true for weekend or summer dates, which means you’ll need to secure your venue in plenty of time.
That being said, there are loads of flexible and last-minute options available, especially if you’re open to weekday weddings or holding your celebration outside of peak season, such as during the winter. Dates during these times can be booked around six months from now, and some venues also offer short-notice packages with reduced rates, which can be ideal for budget-conscious couples.
Luton has a relatively mild climate, so your choice of wedding date might come down to the kind of atmosphere you’re going for.
Spring (March – May) brings fresh greenery and blooms across the Chiltern Hills, with average highs between 10°C and 16°C (50°F to 61°F). If the weather’s good, it’s a great time to take things outdoors, but because April showers are always a possibility, venues with a mix of indoor and outdoor spaces, like Brickendon Grange, are a must.
Summer (June – August) is the warmest and busiest wedding season in the area, with highs of 20°C to 23°C (68°F to 73°F). Outdoor ceremonies and receptions are best booked early to secure your date, which is available at venues including The Barn Tea Green and The Barn at Brook End Green Farm.
Autumn (September – November) is when the weather starts to take a cooler turn, with temperatures between 11°C and 18°C (52°F to 64°F). But, there is still plenty of sun to enjoy, so venues with outdoor spaces like Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa and Knebworth House & Barns are still a great shout.
Winter (December – February) is quieter and more affordable, with highs between 6°C and 9°C (43°F to 48°F) but occasionally dropping below freezing. It’s a good time for a glamorous hotel wedding, with venues decked out in festive decor, like at Icon Hotel Luton and Aubrey Park Hotel.
One of Luton’s biggest strengths is how easy it is to get to from all corners of the UK and Europe, making it ideal no matter where your guests are coming from.
By air, Luton Airport (LTN) is a major hub with flights across Europe and the UK, which is only going to increase over the next decade or so as it expands. This makes Luton perfect if you have international guests or are planning a destination-style wedding weekend.
For guests arriving by rail, Luton is on the mainline to London St Pancras, with journey times of around 30 to 40 minutes. It also has great rail links to Bedford, Leicester, Brighton and the north.
If you’re driving, the M1 is just a stone’s throw from Luton, providing easy access to London, Milton Keynes, Northampton and pretty much everywhere across the country.
As for somewhere to stay, Luton’s status as a major airport town means there are loads of chain hotels. There are also plenty of hotels with event spaces, many of which make for the perfect all-in-one wedding venue, where you and your guests can spend the day, from the ceremony through to the evening reception. Take a look at hotels around Luton which make for great wedding venues, including Hotel Cromwell, Hitchin Priory, Quality Skyline Hotel and Pines Hotel.