Summary of Beautiful Outdoor Wedding Venues
Want to get wed under wide-open skies or say ‘I do’ with sandy toes? Outdoor humanist, civil, or religious ceremonies are legal in Scotland and Northern Ireland. However, in England and Wales, there are limitations: all marriages must currently be conducted under a permanent structure with a fixed roof and solid floor.
Fortunately, the rules are set to change. Marriage laws, which have dated back to the 1800s, are under review, and by 2021, couples might have a wider choice of al fresco wedding venues. For now, here are some of the most beautiful outdoor wedding venues in the UK.
Fforest, Pembrokeshire
If you’re after a rustic, rural wedding but are worried it will look twee, Fforest Farm will allay your fears. Set within 200 acres of Welsh countryside, this secluded retreat is operated by two creatives who have designed their lodges, barns, cabins, and geodesic domes with effortless style, utilizing local materials, handmade textiles, and wildflowers picked on site.
Say ‘I do’ in an old quarry or in wide-open fields (humanist ceremonies can be held almost anywhere on site) or opt for a civil ceremony in the open-sided garden pavilion. Subsequently, enjoy a locally-sourced feast, raise a toast in a tiny 200-year-old pub, and dance around the outdoor fire pit.
Isle of Coll, Inner Hebrides
Was your love written in the stars? Consider tying the knot on the wild Isle of Coll, Scotland’s only dark sky island. With no street lights on this 13-mile-long Inner Hebridean island and only 200 residents, light pollution is practically non-existent, offering out-of-this-world star gazing opportunities, especially on clear winter nights when there’s even a chance of spotting the Aurora Borealis.
The local community center An Cridhe—meaning ‘the heart’ in Scottish Gaelic—can entertain up to 120 guests, and you can say your vows on nearby Toristan Beach where you may enjoy a few extra witnesses in the form of bobbing seals.
Temple Island, Oxfordshire
Marriage isn’t always plain sailing—it’s a marathon, not a sprint. These expressions might come up during a wedding on Temple Island near Henley-on-Thames, where every summer it marks the start of the Royal Henley Regatta.
You can hire this tiny island on the River Thames in its entirety for your wedding blessing and reception. The temple itself is an 18th-century folly with an Etruscan-style dining room that seats 40. Moreover, with the addition of a marquee on the lawn, the islet can host up to 120 guests who will arrive in style by boat.
Finnebrogue Woods, County Down
If your officiant agrees, your wedding ceremony (even if it’s religious) can take place anywhere in Northern Ireland. And Finnebrogue Woods would be a fine choice. Nestled in the grounds of a private mansion less than an hour’s drive from Belfast, you can say your vows in a magical woodland glade above a 30-acre lough (lake) and dance the night away in a giant tipi surrounded by fairy-lit trees.
Moreover, for social media enthusiasts, snag the perfect couple shots on a photo safari (where you’re driven around the estate to search for ideal backdrops)—the best time to wed would be in April to pose amidst a carpet of bluebells.
River Cottage, Devon/Dorset
Did your romance take root over a shared meal? Whether you choose to say ‘I do’ in the walled kitchen garden, the restored threshing barn, or within the famous farmhouse itself, one thing’s certain: you can count on fabulous (not to mention fresh, seasonal, and organic) catering at River Cottage, along the Devon/Dorset border.
Unfortunately, you can’t enlist celebrity chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall to conduct the ceremony or walk you down the aisle (as far as we’re aware), but brides can still arrive in true pastoral style: on a tractor-drawn trailer!
Hush, Norfolk
Hoping for a festival-style wedding? Grab your flower crowns and head to Hush in Broads National Park. Here, civil ceremonies are held in the Old Woodshed amongst ancient oaks and beeches. Furthermore, outdoor hammocks, a communal fire pit, and canvas tipi accommodation all contribute to the laid-back vibe. A limited number of weekend-long wedding slots are available each year, and the beautiful natural setting acts as a blank canvas for couples to create their perfect day. Bonus: for those concerned about rain, Norfolk is one of the UK’s driest regions.
Tunnels Beaches, Devon
In North Devon, you’ll need to venture through a 200-year-old tunnel to reach seaside Tunnels Beaches, where you can seal the deal beneath a gazebo overlooking a windswept beach and the Bristol Channel beyond. Ilfracombe’s four historic tunnels, carved by miners in the 1820s, opened up access to the coastline’s hidden beaches and a tidal pool. You and your guests will also be free to explore the private beach after the ceremony and can enjoy a sundowner from the venue’s rooftop terrace as the sun sets.
Harvest Moon, East Lothian
Want a barefoot wedding? Just a 45-minute drive from Edinburgh, you’ll find a broad sandy beach backed by dunes and tree-lined paths. With Harvest Moon Weddings, you can tie the knot on this wild stretch of coastline and celebrate with your guests in a marquee on the adjacent fields. There are seven luxury beach cabins, including a honeymoon suite with a four-poster bed and sea views. In autumn and winter, you can even opt for treehouse lodgings and a woodland ceremony.
Pergola and Hill Garden, London
Londoners needn’t be confined to stuffy hotels or chilly churches for their wedding ceremony—England’s capital is packed with quirky venues, including some al fresco gems. Hampstead Heath’s little-known Pergola and Hill Garden is one such spot; this 800ft-long walkway is a Grade II listed structure, with vine and wisteria-strewn columns reflecting a faded Edwardian grandeur. You can hire this venue for just two hours, so it’s advisable to reconvene at a nearby pub (with a garden) to continue the celebrations.
Carnglaze Caverns, Cornwall
Though they’re not technically out in the open-air, Carnglaze Caverns offer a unique wedding setting just as wild as any beach or forest wedding. There are four venues on site, two of which are underground. You can choose to walk one of the longest aisles in Cornwall in the huge Rum Store cave (80 metres long) or descend 60 candlelit steps to meet your partner at the edge of the turquoise underground lake, providing a more intimate setting. The caverns maintain a steady year-round temperature of 10°C, ensuring no chance of rain—allowing you to plan your outfits without worrying about the weather!
