On Scotland’s southwest coast, offering stunning views over the Forth of Clyde towards the Isle of Arran and the historic Lady Isle, is the beautiful region of South Ayrshire. The area has a bit of everything, from a long coastline dotted with picturesque towns to the gorgeous countryside around Galloway Forest Park. And of course, South Ayrshire is the birthplace of arguably the most famous Scot of all, the legendary Robert Burns. In fact, the entire region is filled with rich history, which you can find in practically every corner of South Ayrshire.
These are just some of the reasons why South Ayrshire makes for such a wonderful wedding destination, and why so many couples choose it for their special day. Scotland is where 12% of all UK weddings take place, which is in part thanks to the amazing range of venues and vendors you can find who are dedicated to make sure you have an amazing day. And the average cost of a wedding in South Ayrshire, as well as the rest of the country, is £18,617, which is over £2,000 less than the overall UK average of £20,822. So, not only can you have a beautiful wedding in the region, you can also pay a lot less than other UK couples, too.
Whether you’re dreaming of a lavish ceremony in a historic castle, a relaxed seaside celebration in a sleepy coastal town or a rustic barn wedding in the hills, South Ayrshire has something for every couple, no matter what you’re looking for in your big day.
Weddings in South Ayrshire often celebrate the natural beauty and cultural richness of the area. It’s common to see Scottish traditions, like kilts, bagpipes and handfasting included in ceremonies, particularly at more historic venues. After all, it almost seems like sacrilege not to feature a plethora of Scottish traditions close to where Robbie Burns was born!
And that stretches to the food served at the wedding breakfast or during the evening buffet, too. Scottish staples like haggis, neeps and tatties are an old favourite, as well as tattie scone canapés and lorne sausage at the morning-after brunch. It can also be a nice nod to Scotland to offer a nice glass of whisky as an alternative to fizz when it comes time to do the toasts.
Couples are also increasingly embracing outdoor and marquee weddings, especially during spring and summer, taking full advantage of South Ayrshire’s scenic coast and countryside. As part of that, couples are going for elegant and timeless styling, like with the inclusion of vintage cars, floral archways and string quartets, to bring a bit of class to their special day.
From the famous golden sands of Ayr Beach to the dramatic cliffs at Culzean, South Ayrshire is packed with wedding venues that celebrate the natural beauty and history of the region. Whether you want sea views, centuries of history or something a bit quirky, you’ll find what you’re looking for from your wedding venue in and around the region.
Scotland is home to more than 1,000 castles, with 40 of them found right here in Ayrshire. Many of them also double up as wonderful historic wedding venues, giving you a taste of what it’s like to live as a member of the royal family, even if it’s just for one very magical day. Culzean Castle & Country Park is an absolutely stunning cliff-top castle, where you’ll see something truly opulent at every turn. Glenapp Castle is like something from a fairytale, and even featured on the BBC’s Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond The Lobby, so you know it must be something special. Blairquhan Castle is grand and elegant, with multiple ceremony options. You might also consider Dundonald Castle, a dramatic hilltop ruin which, with a little lighting and decor, can be transformed into something truly mystical and otherworldly.
If you love the thought of a wedding steeped in the high life, another brilliant option is a country house. There are many mansions and manors around South Ayrshire, including Enterkine Country House Resort, Brig O'Doon House Hotel and Craigie, which are all uniquely gorgeous venues with bags of charm and grandeur.
With Galloway Forest Park to the south and Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park to the north, it should come as no surprise that South Ayrshire has some truly breathtaking countryside. And why not make the great outdoors the start of the show at your wedding (apart from you and your partner, of course)? Venues such as Dalduff Barn Weddings and Roodlea Barn have lovely outdoor wedding venues and ceremony spaces, so you can make the most of the countryside during those warmer spring and summer months.
Fancy a venue with a difference, or something with bags of Scottish pride? An amazing choice for any proud Scot is the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, which has an amazing selection of locations for you to exchange your vows, so every ceremony is totally unique. If you’re a fan of the gee-gees, Ayr Racecourse is more than equipped to host a special wedding, whether you’re looking for something intimate or grand.
Scotland is one of the more affordable regions to get married in compared to the rest of the UK, which is in part due to the wide variety of affordable venues. And South Ayrshire has more than its fair share of lower-cost wedding venues, meaning you can get married in the region even if you’re on a tight budget. Check out venues including Marine Troon, The Abbotsford Hotel, Fairfield House Hotel and The Richmond to see exactly what you can get in South Ayrshire with a strict budget.
The average cost of a wedding venue in South Ayrshire (and the rest of Scotland) is £5,685, which is a little less than the overall UK average of £5,945. That makes South Ayrshire a great all-round wedding destination, whether you’re looking for something lavish, or you’d rather keep spending to a minimum but still have a fantastic celebration.
Because South Ayrshire has so much to choose from – from historic spots to hidden gems nestled away in the countryside – it’s a popular place for couples to get married. That means the average booking lead time in the area is between 12 and 18 months. However, if you’re looking to get married at the height of the summer wedding season, or you’re after a sought-after weekend date, there can be a wait of two or more years.
That said, couples with more venue and date flexibility may find great availability within six to nine months. This is especially the case if you're happy with a midweek wedding, or you’re not fussed about the warmer weather and would be open to getting married during the quieter (and often cheaper) winter months.
South Ayrshire’s location along the Firth of Clyde coast means the weather can change quickly. One moment it might be blinding sunlight, and the next clouds and drizzle. But, you can generally depend on the weather, and with each season offering something different, a wedding at any time of year comes with its own charm.
Spring (March – May) sees the area’s parks and gardens fill with life, like Belleisle Park, which has won the Green Flag Award with Heritage five years in a row. With average highs ranging from 9°C (48°F) in March to 15°C (59°F) in May, late in the season can be a great time for an outdoor wedding or, at the very least, some beautiful wedding photographs.
Summer (June – August) is the most popular time to get married in South Ayrshire, with temperatures often between 17°C (63°F) and 21°C (70°F). Longer days mean more time to enjoy your celebration, and with less chance of rain, outdoor venues like Lochgreen House Hotel are something to seriously think about.
Autumn (September – November) is the best time for a cosy, romantic wedding, with still a little light left in the day to take things outside if it’s not raining. Temperatures range from 16°C (61°F) in September to 8°C (46°F) in November, so just make sure your chosen venue has plenty of inside space, like Savoy Park Hotel.
Winter (December – February) weddings are becoming more popular in South Ayrshire, thanks to lower costs and a welcoming festive vibe. Average temperatures usually stay between 2°C (36°F) and 7°C (45°F), but it can drop below freezing, so an indoor venue like Horizon Hotel can warm you up with a nice glass of whisky or mulled wine.
South Ayrshire is well connected and easy to get to, whether you’re travelling from somewhere else in Scotland, across the UK or even overseas.
By rail, there are direct trains to Ayr from Glasgow Central every 30 minutes, with journey times of around an hour. Prestwick and Troon are also served by regular trains, making it easy for guests.
By air, Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK) is right on the doorstep and even has its own train station with regular services across the region. The airport offers a growing number of flights to and from major UK and European cities, and is about an hour away by car.
If your guests are driving, South Ayrshire is easily reached via the M77, and most venues have ample parking or nearby access. Just bear in mind some country venues might be a little off the beaten track, which is perfect for privacy, but worth planning ahead if there’s a chance of snow or you know a lot of your guests will rely on public transport.
As for accommodation, there are plenty of places to choose from, no matter what kind of hotel or B&B you and your guests prefer. A long-time popular choice of wedding venue across the region is a hotel, which lets you and your guests stay under one roof for the entire day, and then not have to worry about travel once things have wrapped up. Hotels such as Piersland House, The South Beach, Doonbrae Hotel and Carlton Hotel all have event spaces, so you can have a convenient and cost-effective wedding without having to worry about getting around.
