Just to the east of Glasgow and on the edge of the Trossachs National Park, North Lanarkshire is a beautiful region in central Scotland. Known for its industrial and mining heritage, as well as its fantastic green open spaces and ease of access for those who commute to both Glasgow and Edinburgh, North Lanarkshire offers a great mix of open countryside and urban accessibility. This makes the region a great place to host your wedding, offering couples a little bit of everything, so you can have the wedding of your dreams no matter your taste, style or budget.
The average cost of a wedding in North Lanarkshire, along with the rest of Scotland as a whole, is £18,617, which is over £2,000 less than the overall UK average. A huge 12% of all UK couples choose to get married in Scotland, making it the most popular region outside of the south of England. More than four in five (83%) local couples stay close by for their wedding, showing the huge appeal the area has.
From sprawling estates to boutique hotels, North Lanarkshire offers a variety of venues to suit all styles. It’s also a smart choice if you’re after a budget-friendly wedding near the Central Belt without compromising on setting or service.
Rustic weddings are a top choice in North Lanarkshire, with the region’s mix of rolling countryside, countryside lodges and barns providing the perfect backdrop for relaxed, nature-inspired celebrations. Couples love adding personal, DIY touches to their day, whether that’s handwritten signage, homegrown florals or handmade favours.
Seasonal styling plays a big role, too. Autumn weddings are especially popular, with couples embracing deep rust, burnt orange and berry tones alongside textured foliage and candlelit receptions. In winter, it’s all about warm lighting, velvet details and rich, cosy palettes, making use of cosy, fire-lit venues or smaller, intimate spaces to create a welcoming vibe. Autumn and winter are also popular choices for those with smaller budgets, as wedding venues usually offer discounted rates during these times. In spring and summer, lighter tones, local wildflowers and outdoor ceremonies come into play, with couples making the most of the region’s green spaces and scenic views.
What really works in favour of North Lanarkshire weddings is their proximity to both Glasgow and Edinburgh, as well as rural Scotland, giving couples the best of both worlds. Many weddings blend modern glam with traditional Scottish elements to create a unique, personalised celebration. You might see a sleek bridal look paired with a full ceilidh band, or elegant table settings mixed with tartan ribbons, family crests and bagpipes. Kilts, sporrans and handfasting ceremonies are frequently worn and woven into the day, especially for those wanting to honour their roots.
There’s also a growing interest in eco-conscious and budget-smart choices, with couples turning to local caterers, secondhand decor and independent businesses for everything from florals to cakes. Tipi and marquee weddings on private land are increasingly popular, allowing couples to fully customise the setting while keeping things grounded and community-focused.
North Lanarkshire might be slap bang between two hugely popular wedding destinations in Glasgow and Edinburgh, but its location and affordability mean it definitely shouldn’t be overlooked, with a smaller but still fantastic selection of wedding venues across the county.
Surrounded by 14 acres of beautiful countryside and with a mix of indoor and outdoor spaces, Eden Leisure Village lets you have full creative control over your special day. Or, for an authentic Scottish wedding experience, The Crowwood Hotel has a wide variety of options and offers an in-house co-ordinator to make sure everything is taken care of.
For a slice of modern luxury, or for those who love to spend time on the golf course, The Glasgow Westerwood Hotel is a gorgeous venue which offers unbeatable views of the Campsie Fells hills.
Expecting to invite a lot of guests to your big day? Don’t worry, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Strathclyde is ideal, with space for up to 260 people and 111 on-site bedrooms just a convenient stone’s throw from the M8.
If you only have a smaller budget to work with, North Lanarkshire is also more than suitable, with venues such as Alona Hotel offering a little bit of everything, so you can still have an amazing day even if you don’t want to spend a fortune.
The average cost of a wedding venue in North Lanarkshire (as well as Scotland as a whole) is £5,685, which is about £300 less than the national average. So, for a taste of a big city wedding without the big city prices, take a look to see what you can find around the county.
As it’s sandwiched in between two popular wedding locations – Glasgow and Edinburgh – many couples don’t think to add venues in North Lanarkshire to the top of their list of considerations. That means the average wedding venue booking lead time is a little shorter, with most venues having a wait of 12 to 18 months for dates during the summer and at weekends.
If you’re interested in a winter or weekday wedding, the wait can be significantly less, and you should be able to secure a venue with a wait of just several months. This is also a great way to save money, too, thanks to many venues offering off-peak rates.
As with much of Scotland, the weather in North Lanarkshire can be unpredictable at times, bringing wind, rain and even snow at unexpected times of year (though perhaps not as much as in the Highlands). But, that doesn’t stop couples from embracing every season, with weddings bringing their own unique vibes at various times of year.
Spring (March - May) is when areas of North Lanarkshire like Strathclyde Country Park burst with brilliant blooming flowers and the surrounding hills become dotted with lambs. With average temperatures of 7°C to 13°C (45°F to 55°F), it’s worth considering al fresco drinks at your reception, or at the very least heading out for some photographs with some gorgeous Scottish backdrops.
Summer (June - August) is peak wedding season in North Lanarkshire, with daylight stretching late into the evening and temperatures ranging from 14°C to 18°C (57°F to 64°F). It’s definitely the best time of year to get married if you’re hoping for an open-air ceremony or you’d like the highest chance of avoiding rain.
Autumn (September - November) is ideal for couples wanting warmer, richer tones and rustic vibes, with average temperatures sticking between 8°C and 14°C (46°F to 57°F). The autumn also offers the chance for a whole different feel from your wedding photos – but no less beautiful.
Winter (December - February) is certainly a chilly one with average temperatures between 2°C and 6°C (36°F and 43°F), but don’t be surprised if it drops below freezing and even snows. And when that happens, it can be incredibly magical – just make sure you choose a venue with plenty of indoor space, like Garfield House Hotel!
North Lanarkshire is the filling in a Glasgow-Edinburgh sandwich, which means it’s a fantastic wedding destination if you have friends and family travelling in from either one of these two cities, as well as the surrounding areas across the Central Belt.
The M8 runs directly through the region, linking Glasgow, Airdrie, Motherwell and Edinburgh, while the M73, M80 and M74 offer an easy route to Stirling, Falkirk and beyond. Travel time from central Glasgow is around 25 to 40 minutes by car, while Edinburgh is usually just under an hour away.
For guests arriving by public transport, towns like Motherwell, Bellshill, Coatbridge and Cumbernauld all have rail stations with regular services to both Glasgow and Edinburgh, making it easy for guests to attend thanks to a regular and reliable train service.
If your guests are flying in, Glasgow Airport (GLA) is your nearest hub, around 30 to 45 minutes away, depending on where your venue is. Edinburgh Airport (EDI) is another good option, which is roughly an hour’s drive and offers flights from far and wide.
As for places to stay, North Lanarkshire has everything from countryside hotels to family-run B&Bs, providing you and your guests with options that will definitely suit their style and budget. Another brilliant wedding venue option is a hotel, which lets you party the night away in one place and not have to worry about any of the logistics of travelling between locations. Hotels in North Lanarkshire which double up as wedding venues include the lovely The Station Hotel and Moorings Hotel.
