How to pick your outdoor wedding ceremony venue
Do you want an outdoor wedding ceremony? We are so lucky that the UK has some of the most beautiful gardens and landscapes. So why not bring some of it into your wedding, whether it be the ceremony that is outside or an open marquee so you feel you are surrounded by it as you eat and host your wedding reception.
Outdoor wedding ceremonies
Their s something romantic about the idea of getting married with wildlife, flowers and the open air around you. However you cant actually marry outside according to UK law, there has to be a permanent licensed structure for the wedding to be legal. But of course you can get married in a registry office first then hold a humanist ceremony wherever you want.
If you wanted a legal outdoor wedding ceremony or in fact a ceremony wherever you want you would need to head up to Scotland or abroad.
What if it rains?
Most venues that offer this will also have an indoor space option. They may even have a structure that goes over guests to keep them dry outside for your outdoor wedding ceremony. In the UK rain can be an issue any time of year, but I always tell my couples the best way to avoid rain is to spend a lot of money on nice umbrellas, then you wont need them!
So here are a few of my favourite outdoor ceremony venues:
Nettlestead Place
Get married in their beautiful rose gardens. Then host your party on the lawns overlooking the lake and manor house before heading to their stunning marquee. This stunning venue combines the grandeur of this family owned manor house, overlooking rolling countryside of kent. It is a quintessential english country garden venue. Click for Nettlestead Place website
More of Grace and Charlies Nettlestead Place wedding here
Braxted Park
I love Braxted Park, but the fact you can get married in their beautiful walled garden always makes it extra special for an outdoor wedding ceremony. It definitely has the wow factor as you come down the tree lined avenue to the Georgian Mansion. We have been lucky enough to photograph this beautiful venue several times. We are back a few more times this year too. I can’t wait! Click for Braxted Park website
Houchins
This one is slightly cheating, as technically guests are under a marquee but with its open sides its perfect for an any weather outdoor wedding ceremony! Situated in their pretty courtyard gardens its the perfect solution for a couple who want to get married outside whatever the weather. Click for Houchins website
More from these Houchins weddings here and here
South Farm
Overlooking their large pond, guests sit across the pond as the bride and groom say I do in their summer House. The bride comes down the garden aisle from their stunning farmhouse, its really magical. Click for South Farm website
More of this South Farm wedding here
Woodstock, Ascot
What about an Air BnB wedding venue? What about one where your guests can stay over too, you have a pool in the gardens, a marquee AND you can get legally married in the garden too. Woodstock in Ascot was possibly one of the most relaxed and fun outdoor ceremony wedding venues ever. It was the nearest Ive come to a wedding at home, that isnt their home. except unlike most home weddngs, they got to get married onsite too. When a couple hires a marquee in their garden it is always so relaxed because they can create whatever they want in a familar setting. My couple last year hired Woodstock for a few days so it felt like I was joining a family home, and yes lots of guests ended up in the pool in the evening! Click for Woodstock website.
More of this Woodstock wedding here
Millbridge Court
A restored 19th century house, overlooking the woodlands. With it’s woodland feel you can hold your outdoor wedding ceremony under their stunning oak arbour surrounded by fields. Click for Millbridge Court website
Leez Priory
Set in the stunning essex countryside the Tudor Mansion, you have lots of options of where to marry here. Including two outside locations under the Carriage way on the front drive or under the Great tower. We haven’t been to Leez priory for a few years but cannot wait to return there later this year. Click for Leez priory website
Not outdoors enough for you…
If they arent outside enough, currently in the UK you dont have a lot of legal options to marry outside. Abroad you can get married in most locations but other laws may apply. For example it is quite hard to marry in France legally so most couples will opt to do a registry first. But the world is your oyster… what about Tuscany in Italy?
