Southampton is a lovely port city with a long maritime history, including being the port where the pilgrims set sail for the New World in the 17th century, as well as where the RMS Titanic began her maiden voyage in 1912. On top of this, Southampton is home to some wonderful parks, including Southampton Common and New Forest Wildlife Park, and some great inner-city locations that make it a popular place to visit. This also makes Southampton a fantastic wedding destination, offering couples a wide variety of options no matter what they’re looking for in their special day.
Our 2025 Wedding Report uncovered that Southampton and the wider South East region are where 16% of all UK weddings take place, with 84% of locals deciding to stay local for their wedding. And with the average cost of a wedding in the region being £22,644 – almost £2,000 more than the UK average – it shows just how much appeal Southampton has as a major wedding destination.
From sea views and historic architecture to modern hotels and quirky local gems, Southampton offers something to suit every couple and every budget.
As a city with strong connections to the sea, many couples choose to include Southampton’s maritime history and coastal beauty spots in their wedding day in one way or another. This includes venues overlooking the water, beach photoshoots or even receptions on the water itself, adding an extra sense of fun and adventure to their big day.
Southampton’s parks and gardens are also great spots for outdoor weddings, especially during the spring and summer when the weather’s a little warmer and drier. Marquee weddings and garden-party receptions are growing in popularity now that outdoor wedding ceremonies are legal in the UK.
With its brilliant mix of modern and historic architecture, Southampton also lends itself well to industrial-chic or heritage-inspired wedding styles. Couples love choosing restored warehouses, old town walls and vintage-looking hotels with a bit of personality. As well as this, couples tend to seek venues and suppliers that ensure their wedding is sustainable by choosing local and seasonal catering options, eco-friendly decor and seasonal floristry.
Multi-day weddings are also becoming more popular, especially for those inviting friends and family from outside the region or overseas. Plenty of venues offer packages that include pre-wedding-day drinks, the main event and a relaxed post-wedding brunch the next day.
Southampton has a wide variety of wedding venues, whether you’re looking for something by the sea, in the city itself or tucked away in the countryside nearby.
Being a coastal city, Southampton is ideal if you’re hoping to get married in a venue with a mix of history and luxury – and there’s no better place to do just that than in a castle. Farnham Castle is a fantastic venue north of the city and is home to both Grade I and Grade II listed buildings. Or there’s The Great Hall, which allows you to tie the knot beneath King Arthur's legendary round table. Another amazing option to consider is a country house or manor, and Southampton certainly has more than its fair share. Take a look at Oakley Hall Hotel, Rookesbury Park, Trunkwell House, Lythe Hill Hotel & Spa and Forest Park Hotel, which are just some of the amazing mansions in and around the city.
Around Southampton, you’ll find some truly stunning countryside, like New Forest National Park and South Downs National Park. These natural beauty spots mean an outdoor wedding during the warmer months is a huge draw to the area, which is available at venues including Langford Farm, Royal Victoria Country Park and Hambledon Vineyard.
Southampton is also home to some unique and characterful wedding venues, which you can use to ensure personalisation and passion are at the forefront. The stunning Tudor House and Garden is a major staple in the centre of the city; Southampton City Art Gallery allows you to get married among incredible works of art; Gods House Tower is one of the most recognisable and iconic structures in Southampton; Royal Armouries at Fort Nelson is a fort that offers weddings like nowhere else; and Saints Events - Southampton Football Club is a must-do if one of your other passions in life is the beautiful game.
The city might be in one of the UK’s most expensive regions to host a wedding, but don’t let that put you off if you have a smaller budget. Southampton has a huge selection of affordable wedding venues, so you can still have your dream wedding even if you don’t want to spend a fortune. Check out venues like Woodlands Hotel, voco Southampton, Forest Lodge, Romsey Golf Club and The Bell Inn to see exactly what you can get for a limited budget.
The average cost of a wedding venue in Southampton and the South East is £5,626, which is actually around £300 less than couples spend on average around the UK. So, this just shows that there are plenty of lower-cost options to find in and around Southampton.
Because Southampton is a sought-after wedding destination within the South East – the UK’s most popular region to get married in – the booking lead time can be between 12 and 18 months for many venues. When it comes to the most in-demand venues, or dates at weekends or during the busy summer months, the wait can be more than two years.
If you’re happy to consider a variety of venue styles, or book a date in the middle of the week or during the winter, the lead time can come right down to just six months. This is also a great way to save money, as lots of venues have lower rates for off-peak dates.
Being on the south coast, Southampton generally has one of the mildest climates in the UK, which makes it a great location for weddings year-round. That being said, Southampton isn’t immune to wind and rain, which you can expect more of at certain times of year.
Spring (March – May) is a lovely time of year in Southampton, as the surrounding parks and countryside fill with life and visitors fill the beaches as the weather gets warmer. With average temperatures of 11°C to 16°C (52°F to 61°F), it’s also a great time to consider a venue with outdoor and indoor spaces like Orange Grove Hotel & Gardens and Cain Manor, as there’s still a high chance of April showers.
Summer (June – August) is the most popular wedding season in Southampton, with highs of 20°C to 23°C (68°F to 73°F) and plenty of sunshine. It’s the best time to get married in the great outdoors at venues such as Chapel House Estate and Syrencot.
Autumn (September – November) might be a little cooler with temperatures between 9°C and 15°C (48°F to 59°F), but it also comes with warm colours and a chance for some cosy vibes at venues like Sopley Mill and Brookfield Barn.
Winter (December – February) brings crisp weather and winds, especially along the coast, with temperatures around 3°C to 8°C (37°F to 46°F). This means you’ll want to stay inside for the majority of your day, with venues like Rownhams House & Gardens and The Bugle helping you celebrate and keep warm.
Southampton is only around 80 miles from central London, which makes it one of the most accessible cities on the south coast and a brilliant choice for guests travelling from across the UK or further afield.
The M3 and M27 motorways connect the city to London, Portsmouth, Winchester and beyond, while the A34 links Southampton to Oxford and other parts of the Midlands.
Rail travel is another simple option, with Southampton Central Station offering direct services to London Waterloo, which takes just over an hour. There are also regular trains to Bournemouth, Portsmouth, Cardiff and Birmingham, so your guests can catch the train to the city from various regions across the country.
Southampton also has its own international airport in Southampton Airport (SOU), which is just 10 minutes from the city centre and has flights to several UK and European destinations. For guests flying in from further afield, Gatwick (LGW) is around 90 minutes away.
As for somewhere to stay, Southampton gets millions of visitors a year, so it has a big selection of hotels and other accommodation options, from major spa resorts to all the big budget chains. Many hotels also have event spaces, making them brilliant wedding venues in their own right, so you can have an all-in-one wedding day. Hotels that are also wedding venues include Macdonald Botley Park Hotel & Spa, Careys Manor Hotel & SenSpa, The Master Builders, The White Horse Hotel and Brasserie and Solent Hotel & Spa.
Planning your own wedding day means you get to choose who you invite as your wedding guests, if you would like children to attend and if you want to invite those relatives that you’ve only met once. Most Southampton wedding venues will allow children to be present, which means you get to decide if you would like to accommodate families or keep it as an adult only affair. However, it is always wise to check that the venue is suitable beforehand and that they do not have any restrictions in place around bar areas or restrictive access especially if it is a unique venue. Your wedding venue will be able provide any relevant information requested by yourself beforehand to help you to decide.
