After months of capped guest numbers, virtual vows and last-minute cancellations, weddings have felt a little different this past year. To say we’re excited about being able to celebrate tying the knot in-person again is an understatement. We’re all itching to get back to the world of bouquets and wedding breakfasts (Zoom receptions just aren’t the same…).
Seasons play a big part when it comes to choosing a venue. Much as we love a magical December wedding (winter wonderland theme, anyone?), when you’ve got the summer sun on your side, the location options are endless. Indoors, outdoors, or a combination of the two – the world’s your oyster. From vineyards to water gardens, barns to stately homes, here are some of the UK’s most spectacular venues to get married at this summer, to help top up your inspiration levels and get you in the mood for wedding season!
1. Merrydale Manor (Cheshire)
You’d be hard-pressed to find a more romantic location than the lush green Cheshire countryside. Set against trees and acres of parkland, Merrydale Manor is a luxury estate available for exclusive hire, meaning you and your guests get the place all to yourselves for the day.
The contemporary wedding venue boasts several light, effortlessly elegant spaces, with full access to the Merrydale suite and gardens (along with bar and music licence and the help of a wedding coordinator). They also offer gorgeous accommodation for overnight stays, so newly-wed couples can wake up in one of four individual rooms overlooking the grounds – a.k.a. the fairy-tale experience.
2. Goldsmiths’ Hall (London)
If your Netflix watch history is anything like ours, you might recognise Goldsmiths’ Hall from The Crown – that’s right, this Grade I listed venue was used as the set for Buckingham Palace. The venue will make jaws drop with its original period features. Think glittering chandeliers, marble columns, tapestries, layers of shimmering gold leaf… If it’s opulence you’re after, look no further!
With four spaces and a capacity range of 10 to 500 guests, Goldsmiths’ Hall is perfect for both majestic large-scale receptions and intimate gatherings. It’s easily accessible – just moments from St. Paul’s Cathedral – and, with full A/V support and an exceptional in-house events team, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy a wedding fit for royalty.
3. Bredenbury Court Barns (The Cotswolds)
Tucked away in the grounds of Brendenbury Court, this wedding venue takes all the rustic charm of barn architecture – oak timbers, countryside views, fully glazed walls – and blends it with beautiful modern interiors. Each step of the wedding day journey is an occasion in its own right, whether you’re walking through the glittering atrium entrance or tying the knot in the 1920s orangery.
The venue is one of those special few that considers all the tiny details. From the picture-perfect lighting of the Beauty Booth (designed for those all-important pre-wedding photos) through to their no corkage policy (glassware, ice, and fruit on the house!), Brendenbury Court Barns gives us that warm glowy feeling we can’t help but fall in love with.
4. Vermillion (Manchester)
Vermillion is a venue designed for maximum impact. If you’re planning a show-stopping wedding with guests in the hundreds, fear not: the three-storey building includes 6 spaces to choose from, each with its own vibrant character. The largest – Vermillion’s Grand Suite – provides capacity for up to 800 people!
With plenty of vivid accents, stunning architecture, and a mix of globally-inspired furnishings, these interiors pack a visual punch. Vermillion’s A/V facilities are also seriously impressive, created by the designers of Manchester’s Albert Hall. We’re talking large-screen ceiling HD projectors, sound rigs, green rooms, stage access, high-tech audio systems and a whole range of personalised lighting options. Mic drop.
5. The Secret Tower (Newcastle-Upon-Tyne)
This is one for the photo-lovers. The Secret Tower places emphasis on world-class photography, setting out to capture those little, special moments that make a wedding. They offer the opportunity to work with one of Europe’s leading fashion photographers at no extra cost, so you can snap the perfect picture against the venue’s white-washed walls, floor-to-ceiling windows, or gorgeous red-brick exterior.
There’s plenty of scope to customise with assistance from a skilled in-house team. The minimalist space offers the perfect adaptable setting, facilitating everything from large gatherings to micro weddings, traditional banquets to informal, fire-lit feasts. They’re not “Newcastle’s Best Kept Secret” for nothing!
6. {10-11} Carlton House Terrace (London)
Can’t get enough of the Capital? {10-11} Carlton House Terrace is the ideal venue for city-lovers with a penchant for period features. Make no mistake, though – the space is modern and light throughout, combining the best of old and new. Minutes from Trafalgar Square, the space overlooks St James’s Park, Buckingham Palace and the Mall, making for a quintessentially London experience – minus the busy streets – and a ceremony full of regency elegance.
The pair of townhouses offer a range of rooms, both traditional and contemporary. With capacity to cater for small, personal gatherings of 10 guests all the way up to grand celebrations of 125, {10-11} Carlton House Terrace allows you to tailor the space to the day. The venue is also partnered with Searcys, the award-winning catering company; if you’d like to include a canapé reception or sit down to a stand-out wedding breakfast, you know you’ll be getting the best of the best.
7. Matara (Cotswolds)
The term “unique venue” gets thrown around a lot when it comes to weddings, but if there’s anywhere that deserves the title, it’s Matara. They offer something for everyone: a Grade II listed Regency home, walled water gardens, and a striking indoor space – the Hilarium – with domed skylight ceiling (perfect for hanging paper lanterns, or, if you’re feeling floral, a trailing flower arrangement).
What’s more, Matara is licensed to hold civil ceremonies. There’s also the Church of St John the Baptist, Kingscote bordering the property for the traditionalists at heart. Whatever your understanding of union, the venue offers a versatile space that’s bespoke to the occasion and the people it celebrates.
8. OXO2 (London)
On Level Two of London’s iconic Oxo tower, you’ll find OXO2, a slick modern space overlooking the River Thames and city skyline. Feeling creative? The venue is a blank canvas for total personalisation. Dry hire gets you exclusive access to the riverside balcony, selected furniture, and colour changeable pin spot lighting: the ultimate foundations to create an entirely unique event.
Alternatively, you can opt for one of their reception party packages (including unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks, premium décor, DJ and atmospheric lighting) to save on time and headspace. Either way, OXO2 is a wedding venue that sets out to inspire, and, with its breath-taking city panorama, you can guarantee it’ll leave a lasting impression.
9. Brickhouse Vineyard (Devon)
Get ready to feel like the main characters in your very own romance novel. Brickhouse Vineyard offers elopement weddings just for two (plus pets!), set against the rolling Devonshire hills. The wedding itself takes place in their Round House – a recently renovated 18th century building – but expect some genuinely gorgeous photo moments in their landscaped terrace, leafy vineyards, and wildflower meadow.
The venue also offers micro and same-sex weddings, as well as vowel renewals and blessings. Brickhouse Vineyard works with individual budgets to create an experience that goes beyond a backdrop: their flexible service packages include some of the best local suppliers, making for a truly treasurable occasion.
10. Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) (London)
Situated in the historic Marylebone neighbourhood, RIBA lets you take a trip back in time to the 1930s. The Grade II listed building retains many of its dazzling original features, including triple-height columns, Art Deco glasswork, and carved stone details. Plus, its central location puts you within walking distance of some of London’s most beautiful churches and religious spaces (such as St Marylebone Parish Church and the Central United Synagogue).
The space blends mid-century glamour with contemporary excellence; you’ll get exceptional service – a personal wedding organiser and support from the RIBA Venues team – with a hefty dose of Gatsby-esque sophistication. Nice.
Feeling inspired?
Whatever your style, if you’re getting married this summer, there are some incredible venues out there – it’s narrowing them down that’s tricky! Of course, you can always sift through sites individually (top tip: jot down your main requirements beforehand, so you know what you’re looking for), but there are also some excellent free venue search tools that do all the hard work for you, such as eve. They filter spaces based on location and capacity, so you can pick out the ideal venue in seconds (and let’s face it, planning a wedding is complicated enough as it is). Champagne and confetti at the ready… If there’s ever been a time to celebrate, it’s now!
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