Just south east of the city of Glasgow is the region of South Lanarkshire, which has a wonderful mix of history and countryside. It’s a fantastic place to visit if you want to escape hectic city life for a while, with amazing natural beauty spots like the Falls of Clyde and Clyde Valley, as well as the enormous Chatelherault Country Park. Many towns around the area, like Biggar, Strathaven and Carluke, all have relaxed and welcoming vibes, which is perfect if you’re hoping for a laid-back wedding day. South Lanarkshire is also the ideal location for a wedding, offering couples a brilliant selection of venues and vendors, ensuring you can have the wedding of your dreams.
Our 2025 Wedding Report revealed that South Lanarkshire (as well as the rest of Scotland) is where 12% of all UK weddings take place. More than four in five (83%) local couples choose to stay close by for their special day, which is in part thanks to the average cost being £18,617, which is over £2,000 less than the national average. That means, as well as having a picturesque wedding day in one of the most scenic parts of the country, you’re also likely to pay less, too.
With everything from historic landmarks to a laid-back rural atmosphere, South Lanarkshire offers a wide range of possibilities for your big day. There are spaces for big family celebrations, the freedom to keep things small and simple, and flexibility to make it feel like a bit of you.
Thanks to its mix of landscapes and heritage, South Lanarkshire naturally lends itself to classic countryside and rustic wedding themes. Outdoor weddings are especially popular in the spring and summer, with many couples choosing estates or marquee setups in gardens hidden away from civilisation. Floral installations, vintage decor and natural colour palettes are often used to pay homage to the surrounding environment and lift those romantic feelings.
For those hoping to incorporate traditional Scottish touches into their wedding, the region provides plenty of options to incorporate tartan, bagpipes, ceilidh dancing and even castle venues into the day – after all, Scotland is home to more than 1,000 castles, so it would be a shame not to feature one somehow! And, of course, local Scottish food and drink usually make an appearance somewhere throughout the day, such as haggis, tattie scones, and of course, whisky.
There’s also a growing trend towards smaller, more personal celebrations, with couples looking to spend less on their wedding so they can either go on a big honeymoon trip or save towards their home. Whether that’s a micro-wedding in a local pub or restaurant, or an intimate countryside do, couples are prioritising smaller and more meaningful experiences over scale. Sustainability is also a big consideration, with more couples opting for locally sourced food and flowers, second-hand or handmade decor, and eco-friendly venue choices.
South Lanarkshire has a fantastic variety of wedding venues, from stately homes to local museums, with options available to suit all styles and budgets.
Like much of Scotland, South Lanarkshire has plenty of historic landmarks, with plenty of them inviting couples inside to have a wedding day enveloped in lavishness and luxury. And could there be anything grander than a castle venue on your special day? Whatever angle you look at Crossbasket Castle from, you’ll swear you were admiring an oil painting. Shieldhill Castle dates back to 1199 and even has its own 16th- century chapel. Or you might consider Cornhill Castle with its iconic turrets and incredible ballroom. If a castle doesn’t quite suit your vibe, there are country manors around South Lanarkshire too. Check out Strathaven Hotel and The Town House, Hamilton to see what’s available in and around the area.
South Lanarkshire is known for its rolling countryside, and one option many couples go for is an open-air wedding, where you can have your ceremony and reception outside, especially during the warmer months of the year. Venues such as Chatelherault Country Park and High Brownmuir Farm have some fabulous outdoor spaces, so if you’re getting married in the summer, they’re definitely worth considering.
For a venue with a little character, you could choose Low Parks Museum, which features exhibits all about local history. Or for fans of good whisky, Jackton Distillery is full of Scottish pride, while horse lovers will get a kick out of tying the knot at Hamilton Park Racecourse.
South Lanarkshire is an affordable region to host your wedding, in part thanks to the selection of affordable venues, which means you can choose the area even if you don’t have a huge budget. Venues including Macdonald Crutherland House, The Torrance Hotel and Holiday Inn Glasgow - East Kilbride are all worth adding to your list, especially if you’re not looking to spend too much.
The average cost of a wedding venue in South Lanarkshire and the rest of Scotland is £5,685, which is a little less than the overall UK average. This just shows that South Lanarkshire is a brilliant wedding destination, no matter what you’re looking for or what your budget level is.
As Scotland is such a popular place to get married, the average lead time for many venues in South Lanarkshire is between 12 and 18 months. That being said, when it comes to some of the more popular venues, or at the busier times of the year like summer and at weekends, that wait can be more than two years.
With a little flexibility and some careful planning, there are ways to bring that lead time down. For example, if you’re happy to get married during the winter, or on a day in the middle of the week, you’ll probably find a suitable venue around six months from now. This is also a great option if you’re on a budget, as many venues have off-peak rates, meaning you can save yourself a bit of money.
South Lanarkshire’s location in central Scotland means you can expect a bit of everything when it comes to the weather, from warm summer days to ice and snow during the depths of winter. Each season brings something a little bit different, so you can plan your wedding around them depending on what you’re looking for.
Spring (March – May) is a wonderful time to make the most of South Lanarkshire’s gardens and green spaces, like Chatelherault Country Park, which start to wake up after winter. Temperatures typically range from 9°C to 14°C (48°F to 57°F), so you might want to choose a venue with indoor and outdoor spaces, like Folkerton Mill.
Summer (June – August) is the most popular wedding season in South Lanarkshire, with average highs of 17°C to 20°C (62°F to 68°F). The long days and warm nights make it perfect for stunning photographs (make sure to snap some at golden hour) at outdoor venues like Cleghorn Estate Gardens.
Autumn (September – November) sees the leaves change and the temperatures drop to between 8°C and 13°C (46°F to 55°F), so it’s a great season for warm tones, candlelit settings and hearty seasonal menus at venues with indoor spaces like Radstone Hotel.
Winter (December – February) is perfect for big indoor weddings where you and your guests can keep warm in front of roaring fires and festive decor. While temperatures average between 2°C and 6°C (36°F to 43°F), it can often drop below zero and even snow, so this is something to bear in mind if you need to travel out into the sticks.
One of the great things about getting married in South Lanarkshire is its accessibility. Located just south east of Glasgow and connected by excellent road and rail links, it’s an easy destination for guests travelling from anywhere in Scotland or arriving north from England.
The M74 motorway runs directly through the area, providing simple access from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Carlisle. Rail services connect towns like Hamilton, East Kilbride, Lanark and Rutherglen to Glasgow Central in under an hour. A train from London Euston to Hamilton will take a little over five hours, with just the one change at Glasgow.
For guests flying in, Glasgow International Airport (GLA) is just under an hour’s drive from various venues across South Lanarkshire.
There’s no shortage of places to stay in and around the area, either, with it being a big go-to place for Glaswegians looking to escape city life for a bit. There’s a great array of local hotels, B&Bs and the budget chains, so it shouldn’t take you or your guests long to find something that suits your budget. There are also some amazing hotel wedding venues in South Lanarkshire, which are perfect if you’re looking for an all-in-one venue which is super convenient. Take a look at hotels such as The Popinjay Hotel, The Avonbridge Hotel, Elphinstone Hotel and Clydesdale Hotel to see for yourself.
