Nottinghamshire is famous for Robin Hood, thousands of years of history and being the home of some of medicine’s biggest inventions, such as ibuprofen and the MRI scanner. Some of the county’s notable towns and cities include Mansfield, Newark-on-Trent and, of course, Nottingham itself. The legendary Sherwood Forest spans more than 424 hectares, and many of the local historic spots, woodland and landmarks are popular tourist destinations.
As well as being generally popular with both UK and international visitors, Nottinghamshire is also a hugely popular choice for weddings, with 7% of UK weddings taking place in the county and the wider East Midlands region. With so much history and a mix of medieval and modern architecture, Nottinghamshire is a fantastic place to host your wedding.
Our 2025 Wedding Report found that Nottinghamshire is a hugely popular region for weddings, remaining a firm favourite for couples both local and from further afield. More than four out of every five couples (83%) who live in Nottinghamshire choose to stay here for their wedding, which shows just how much locals take pride in the area. It also helps that the average cost of a wedding in Nottinghamshire is £16,788, which is way below the national average of £20,822, and especially well below what couples spend on average in London, which is a whopping £28,629. Whatever style or budget you have in mind for your wedding, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for in Nottinghamshire.
Couples in Nottinghamshire often pay less for their wedding music than others in the UK, spending an average of £723 compared to the national average of £1,102. This is likely because couples in Nottinghamshire are more likely to favour a DJ-led disco filled with current and retro tunes over a live singer or band.
Technology plays a big part in Nottinghamshire weddings – specifically, the planning process. Couples love to make planning easier by taking advantage of virtual venue tours, meeting vendors via video calls, setting up a wedding website and accepting digital RSVPs.
With Nottinghamshire’s beautiful countryside and iconic landmarks such as Sherwood Forest, outdoor ceremonies are becoming increasingly popular. Couples recognise the amazing natural beauty of the region and know to take advantage of the breathtaking settings to create unforgettable wedding photos. There’s also a growing trend for eco-conscious weddings, with many couples opting for local caterers, florists and decorators to minimise their carbon footprint.
Thanks to its centuries of history, unbeatable landscapes and countryside, and mix of bustling cities and picturesque villages, Nottinghamshire has a wide variety of amazing wedding venues. That means, whether you’re looking to get married in an opulent country mansion or even at your favourite sports stadium, you’re spoilt for choice in and around Nottinghamshire.
To celebrate your big day in style and surround yourself with class and luxury, you could choose the grand Stubton Hall in Newark. Or you could go for the magnificent Harlaxton Manor, a truly stunning manor set within 300 acres of countryside. There’s also Ladywood Estate, a fabulous venue near Oakham that promises your own fairytale wedding.
If you’d prefer to make the most of the British summer and get married outside, you could choose The Walled Garden at Beeston Fields, where you can get lost among wonderful Victorian architecture and landscaping. Other amazing options in the county include Hazel Gap Barn - Cripps & Co, Pheasantry Brewery and The Old Vicarage At Elkesley, which all show off the best that Nottinghamshire has to offer.
For something a little different, there are plenty of unique wedding venue choices around Nottinghamshire. If you’re a fan of the gee-gees, Nottingham Racecourse has fantastic spaces to host your wedding. There’s the wonderfully named Papplewick Pumping Station, which is filled with character, and Trent Bridge, which is perfect for cricket-loving couples.
Nottinghamshire also has plenty of venues suitable for smaller budgets, so you can have the wedding of your dreams even if you don’t have a huge amount to spend. Venues including Cockliffe Country House, Canalhouse and The Oakham in Mansfield are perfect and should definitely be added to your list of considerations.
In Nottinghamshire, the average cost of a wedding venue is £4,319, which is notably below the national average of £5,945. The East Midlands in general actually have the lowest venue costs out of all the regions in the UK. It’s way below what couples spend on average in regions like Yorkshire and the Humber (where the average cost of a venue is £7,356) and London (where the average cost is £7,020). So, not only does Nottinghamshire have a ton of opportunities to get married in a stunning location, but you pay less without compromising on quality or charm.
Because Nottinghamshire is such a popular location for couples searching for their dream wedding venue, you usually need to book your venue 12 to 18 months in advance. For especially popular venues, or if you’re hoping to get married during peak periods such as weekends or during the summer months, you might need to plan as far as two years ahead – or possibly even longer.
To avoid disappointment, we recommend booking your preferred venue as early as possible. If you’re open to being flexible, such as by booking a date during the quieter winter months or midweek, then you may find you can book your venue as little as six months ahead. It’s also likely that by doing this you’ll pay a lot less for your wedding overall.
Like the UK as a whole, the weather in Nottinghamshire can be a bit unpredictable. However, depending on when you plan your wedding for, you’re likely to enjoy your Nottinghamshire wedding amidst the charm that comes with each season. When you choose to get married all depends on your budget and the vision you have for your wedding.
Spring (March - May) is a great time to tie the knot in Nottinghamshire, as the entire region fills with beautiful greens and bright colours and the countryside blooms with life. Temperatures usually range from 9°C (48°F) in March to 15°C (59°F) in May, but rain is always a possibility.
Summer (June - August) is peak wedding season in Nottinghamshire, with long days and warmer weather. Average temperatures tend to stick around 20°C (68°F), although heatwaves can occasionally push it into the mid-30s. This season is perfect for outdoor weddings, and you’re likely to get amazing countryside pictures if you choose a venue outside of a town or city centre.
Autumn (September - November) is when Nottinghamshire replaces those spring greens with shades of yellow, orange and red. Temperatures start at an average of 12°C (54°F) in September and drop to around 7°C (45°F) by November, and you’re likely to encounter rain fairly regularly. You’ll definitely want to consider booking a venue that has plenty of indoor space.
Winter (December - February) can be especially magical in Nottinghamshire, as the trees are leafless and often covered in a layer of white frost. Average temperatures are around 4°C (39°F), but this often drops below zero and there’s even a possibility of snow. Many of the county’s parks and woodlands make for incredible wedding photos, so make the most of the opportunity.
Thanks to its central UK location, Nottinghamshire is a well-connected county with excellent transport links. It’s a great place for your big day, especially if you have guests who need to travel to you from across the country.
For your guests travelling by train, Nottingham and Newark stations have excellent rail connections. Nottingham Station offers direct services to and from London St Pancras, taking as little as 90 minutes. There are also regular trains to Manchester, Sheffield and Birmingham, where you can change to regions far and wide.
Nottinghamshire is centrally located in the UK and easily accessible via major motorways such as the M1 and A1. As it’s in the midlands, it’s within a comfortable driving distance from most major towns and cities. Many wedding venues in the area have plenty of parking, so your guests shouldn’t have too much trouble once they arrive.
Your international guests can benefit from the nearby East Midlands Airport (EMA), located a short drive from Nottingham. The airport provides flights to and from a range of European destinations, or for those coming from further afield, Manchester Airport (MAN) also isn’t too far.
Upon arrival, there are plenty of local bus, train and rail services to help your guests get around. Nottingham is also home to a convenient and reliable tram service, which is handy for navigating the city.
There are also loads of hotels in and around Nottingham, not to mention all the B&Bs available to book. Lots of hotels are wedding venues in themselves, allowing you to base your entire wedding in one wonderful location. Hotels such as Crown Hotel Bawtry, Peak Edge Hotel and Village Hotel Nottingham all make for an ideal venue and should definitely be considered.
