With everything from a long and complex history to the amazing assortment of countryside and things to see and do, the South East is a fantastic part of the UK. Including areas such as Kent, Surrey, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, and convenient because of its proximity to London, the South East has a bit of everything. This makes the region such a brilliant location to host a wedding, offering couples an incredible amount of choice, meaning throwing the wedding of your dreams is as easy as pie.
The South East is the most popular area for weddings in the UK, with 16% of all couples choosing the region for their special day. A massive 84% of local couples choose to stay close by for their wedding, which shows just how much it has to offer. And when you consider that the average cost of a wedding in the South East is £22,644 – almost £2,000 more than the national average – you can’t argue with the fact that it’s generally considered to be worth it. That being said, there are also plenty of lower-cost options, and the amount of choice on offer also makes it easy for couples with a smaller budget.
Whether you’re dreaming of a barefoot beach wedding, a city-chic ceremony or a weekend in the countryside, the South East blends convenience with luxury and amenities in a way few other regions can match.
The South East is all about versatility, thanks to the region being home to so many amazing people with a variety of backgrounds and cultures. Couples planning weddings in the region often take inspiration from the landscape, choosing venues that influence the theme, such as rustic vineyards, botanical gardens or tipis hidden away in the woods.
Classic themes are still hugely popular, with timeless white dresses, black tie and refined table settings never going out of fashion. But there’s also a growing interest for laid-back luxe, with the use of minimal florals, neutral palettes and farm-to-fork food that is no-nonsense but highly in vogue.
Sustainability is a big focus in the South East too, with many couples going for seasonal flowers, seasonal menu options and second-hand or rented outfits. And thanks to the huge variety of venues in the region, from castles to converted barns, couples have plenty of ways to bring smatterings of their own personality into the theme, with some of the most popular being unique signature cocktails, pet-friendly weddings and personalised favours.
Venues in the South East cover every wedding style imaginable, from historic grandeur to modern minimalism, meaning whatever vision you have for your special day, you’re bound to find it somewhere in the region.
The South East has so much history, from the codebreakers of Bletchley Park to the Renaissance-era Hampton Court Palace. And there are plenty of wedding venues in the region that are set within historical sites, letting you exchange your vows where centuries of history have taken place. Some of the most luxurious historical wedding venues in the South East include the region’s castles. Hever Castle & Gardens, Hedingham Castle, The Castle Westenhanger, Lympne Castle and Farnham Castle are just some of the castles in the South East which make for absolutely wonderful places to get married. If you’d prefer a stately home or country manor, you also have a massive selection to choose from, including Parklands Quendon Hall, Gosfield Hall Wedding Venue, Ashridge House, Hatfield House and Ardington House.
With countryside across the South East including The Cotswolds, The Chiltern Hills and The Kent Downs, another fantastic option is to choose a venue that lets you celebrate the great outdoors, with an open-air ceremony and reception. Venues with fabulous outdoor spaces across the South East include The Gardens, Hayne House, The Secret Garden, Reigate Hill and Browning Bros. Similarly, barn and farm venues are hugely popular, with the likes of The Old Kent Barn, Clock Barn, Preston Court, Gildings Barns and Chapel House Estate all being top choices.
The South East is also the perfect wedding destination if you’re looking for something fun and unique from your wedding venue, or you’re hoping to tie the knot somewhere that reflects your personalities. Of course, London is home to many one-of-a-kind venues, including The Queens House, London, Cutty Sark and Natural History Museum, to name just a few. The region has some superb historical landmarks, such as The Bodleian Library, Tudor House and Garden and The Old Lighthouse. Or you could go for the lofty Spinnaker Tower, exchange your vows surrounded by art at Southampton City Art Gallery, or scream the day away at Dreamland.
While the South East might be one of the country’s more expensive regions to get married in, there are still hundreds of lower-cost venues, meaning you can absolutely have the wedding of your dreams without the need for the budget of your nightmares. Just a small sampling of some of the more affordable wedding venues in the South East includes Monkton Barn Estate, Chart, Hills Golf Club, Stratton Court Barn, The Plough and Barn at Leigh, Highfield Park and Ivy Hill Hotel.
The average cost of a wedding venue in the South East is £5,626, which is actually around £300 less than the overall UK average. So, if you’re worried about cost, you can rest assured that there are plenty of options available to you, even if you don’t have a huge budget.
Because the South East is the most popular wedding region in the UK, you might not be surprised to learn that some venues can be booked up way in advance. On average, many venues will have a booking lead time of 18 months or so, while some of the most popular venues can have a wait of up to three years. This is especially true if you’re looking to secure a venue for a summer or weekend wedding, when there’s likely to be a lot of competition from other couples.
To increase your chances of finding a venue without such a lofty wait, it can be hugely beneficial to consider dates that are during the off-peak seasons, such as winter, or during the middle of the week. Not only will this increase your chances of securing a date within six months or so, but it could also save you money, with many venues offering discounts during the quieter wedding seasons.
The South East has some of the driest and sunniest weather in the UK, making it a popular choice for spring and summer weddings. That being said, weddings at any time of the year come with their own unique feel.
Spring (March – May) is when the entire South East awakens after winter, which brings beautiful blossoms and mild temperatures around 10°C to 17°C (50°F to 63°F), which means venues with both indoor and outdoor spaces like The Grand Marquee Brentwood and High House Weddings should definitely be considered.
Summer (June – August) sees highs of 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F), but there can be the occasional dry spell and heatwave. But, the long evenings are ideal for al fresco weddings, so venues with big outdoor spaces, like Huntsmill Farm and Colville Hall, are ideal.
Autumn (September – November) is a favourite for couples looking to avoid the busyness of the summer season, but piggyback off the beautiful autumnal colours as the leaves begin to change. With highs between 10°C and 18°C (50°F to 64°F), it can still be worth securing a venue with some outdoor space, like Fanhams Hall or Solton Manor.
Winter (December – February) offers festive vibes at cosy venues with twinkly lights. With average highs of 6°C to 10°C (43°F to 50°F), it can get pretty cold, so go for a venue that will keep you nice and warm, like Loft Studios or The Grand.
Being just outside of the capital, the South East is one of the best-connected regions in the UK, making it a brilliant choice whether you’ve got guests coming from across the country or overseas. The M25, M1, M4 and M3 motorways run through the area, with easy links to London, the South West, the Midlands and beyond. The A5 and A3 also serve much of the region, making travel by car straightforward wherever you and your guests need to get to.
Rail connections are just as convenient. Major hubs like Reading, Guildford, Brighton, Milton Keynes, Oxford and Canterbury offer frequent services to London, while many towns and villages across the region have well-connected local lines.
If some of your guests are likely to be flying in, there’s an array of options across the South East. London Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW), London City (LCY) and Luton (LTN) airports are all within easy reach, depending on the part of the South East you’re getting married in, meaning your guests shouldn’t have to travel too far to get to you once they’ve landed.
As for places to stay, there’s everything from five-star spa resort hotels to family-run B&Bs and all the well-known budget hotel chains. Hotels even make for a brilliant wedding venue option, allowing you to spend your entire wedding day in one location, so you don’t have to worry too much about the logistics and timings of your day. Hotels such as Oatlands Park Hotel, Royal Berkshire, Inn On The Lake, Guildford Manor Hotel & Spa and New Place are just a small selection of the wide variety of hotel wedding venues around the South East.
