Wedding Venue Styles Explained
With so much variety nowadays, finding the perfect venue type for your wedding means that you can be spoilt for choice. Between classic wedding venues, modern wedding venues – or even if you’re considering an outdoor celebration, just to name a few – each of them has their own appeal. So, choosing the perfect wedding venue type for your big day plays a huge factor in your planning and preparation. In this article, we’re going to help make your decision-making a little bit easier, by summarising each venue type and outlining a selection of our best venues to help you whittle down your options.
The Classic Wedding Venue
Let’s begin with the old-age “classic” wedding venue. Think timeless elegance with grand chandeliers, marble floors, and ornate architecture. Often surrounded by lush gardens, classic venues offer a picturesque setting for ceremonies, complemented by spacious ballrooms for receptions. They’re defined more so by their features than their setting. So, this could range from hotels and country clubs through to churches and cathedrals. Here are some of Bridebook’s most sought-after classic wedding venues for you to consider:
- The Old Hall, Ely – Ely, Cambridgeshire
- The Chesterton Hotel – Bicester, Oxfordshire
- St. Helen’s Church – St Albans, Hertfordshire
The Intimate Wedding Venue
In today’s society, weddings can often become overcrowded and less intimate, with increasing numbers and added stress, leading many couples to opt for an intimate wedding venue that caters for elopements and smaller ceremonies. An intimate wedding venue offers cosy, personalised spaces with charming decor, private gardens, and elegant, smaller rooms. It creates a warm, romantic atmosphere, ensuring a close-knit, memorable celebration for a select group of guests. Here are a select few of Bridebook’s best venues for an intimate wedding.
- The Prince Albert – Brighton and Hove, East Sussex
- Bennie Food – London, Greater London
- The Gamekeeper’s Inn – Threshfield, North Yorkshire
The Alternative Wedding Venue
For couples who dare to be different and want their wedding to stand out, an alternative wedding venue offers the perfect backdrop. These venues often feature unconventional settings like art galleries, theatres, or industrial spaces, allowing for a creative and personalised celebration that breaks away from tradition.
- The Biscuit Factory – Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear
- Arta – Glasgow, Glasgow City
- fivefourstudios – Manchester, Greater Manchester
The Romantic Wedding Venue
What’s a wedding venue without romance? Maybe you want your setting to truly scream “love” – and who wouldn’t? Picture your day set within the likes of enchanting gardens, intimate settings, or breathtaking views. Perfect for sunset or twilight ceremonies, a romantic venue offers a cosy, candle-lit reception with floral accents, creating a magical atmosphere ideal for celebrating love.
- Parklands Quendon Hall – Saffron Walden, Essex
- South Farm – Royston, Cambridgeshire
- Silverholme Manor – Ulverston, Cumbria
Venues with Lovely Grounds
If picturesque scenery and beautiful landscapes are at the top of your list, a venue with lovely grounds is a perfect choice. These venues often boast stunning gardens, manicured lawns, and scenic views that provide a breathtaking backdrop for your wedding photos and outdoor ceremonies.
- Hedsor House – Taplow, Buckinghamshire
- The Italian Villa – Poole, Dorset
- Holkham – Norfolk, Wells-Next-The-Sea, Norfolk
The Unusual Wedding Venue
Maybe you want your wedding day to be held in a venue that offers something unique – differing from the traditional norms? Bridebook has you covered. These venues provide distinctive backdrops, creative spaces, and memorable experiences, often blending natural beauty with architectural charm, ensuring a one-of-a-kind celebration that reflects your individuality and style as a couple.
- Cutty Sark – London, Greater London
- Chester Zoo – Chester, Cheshire
- Victoria Warehouse – Manchester, Greater Manchester
The Budget Wedding Venue
When you hear the word “budget”, you may think you need to make cutbacks on some of the most important things, including your wedding venue. But, at Bridebook, you can still have your dream wedding, seeking out a venue that you love all whilst keeping costs down. A budget wedding venue offers charm and affordability, from community halls to pretty local parks and quaint gardens. These venues let you celebrate your special day without breaking the bank.
- Newton Hall – Alnwick, Northumberland
- Cheylesmore Manor House – Coventry, West Midlands
- The Alexandra Suite – Swanley, Kent
Venues with Outdoor Spaces
An outdoor wedding venue, especially in the UK, needs to offer some cover – just in case! Whilst we can all hope that our wedding day is going to be sunshine, not showers, it’s a crucial point that needs to be considered. That said, you simply can’t beat an outdoor wedding. With natural beauty, open-air settings, and scenic landscapes, it’s no wonder they’re a firm favourite. Often with lush gardens, waterfront views, or rustic vineyards, you get the perfect backdrop for ceremonies and receptions. Here are some of our top outdoor wedding venues.
- The Gardens – Maidstone, Kent
- Cornish Tipi Weddings – St Kew, Cornwall
- Cheshire Woodland Weddings – Sandiway, Cheshire
The Luxury Wedding Venue
If you’re seeking a truly lavish celebration, you may be considering a luxury wedding venue. Offering opulent decor, exquisite architecture, and premium services – only the very best for newlyweds-to-be – your luxury wedding venue awaits. Often featuring grand ballrooms, immaculate gardens and gourmet dining, each provides an unforgettable setting for weddings. Here Bridebook, we have some of the most luxurious wedding venues you can find.
- Rise Hall – East Riding, East Riding of Yorkshire
- Gileston Manor – Gileston, Vale of Glamorgan
- Howsham Hall – Howsham, North Yorkshire
The Rustic Wedding Venue
A rustic wedding venue provides a truly romantic setting for your big day. Abundant with natural flowers, overhead beams and a cosy yet stylish atmosphere, the rustic look is one of the most popular wedding venue styles. Typically a charming barn or farmhouse, surrounded by natural landscapes with wildflowers, this particular wedding venue type is perfect for a beautiful laid-back celebration. Here at Bridebook, we have countless rustic gems to explore.
- Abbey Farm Weddings – Kirkstead, Lincolnshire
- Danby Castle Barn – Whitby, North Yorkshire
- Eden Barn – Little Musgrave, Cumbria
Venues with Water Views
A wedding venue with water views can add a touch of serenity and elegance to your big day. Whether it’s a beachfront location, a lakeside retreat, or a riverside venue, the calming presence of water can enhance the romantic atmosphere and provide a stunning backdrop for your ceremony and reception.
- Inn On The Lake – Gravesend, Kent
- Waterton Park Hotel & Spa – Wakefield, West Yorkshire
- Tunnels Beaches – Ilfracombe, Devon
The Modern Wedding Venue
For the contemporary couples, a modern wedding venue with up-to-date technology, jazzy lighting, comfortable facilities, and sleek airy spaces, is just the ticket. A modern venue can be almost anywhere – it’s more about how the space is used and how modern design has been incorporated into the venue.
- The Corinthian Club – Glasgow, Glasgow City
- Eden Project – Par, Cornwall
- Westerham Golf Club – Westerham, Kent
The Unique Wedding Venue
For those seeking a wedding venue that’s truly one-of-a-kind, a unique wedding venue can offer an extraordinary experience. These venues often feature distinct characteristics, such as unusual architecture, themed settings, or unexpected locations, ensuring that your wedding day is unlike any other.
- Ghillie Dhu – Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh
- Oran Mor – Glasgow, Glasgow City
- The Lost Village Of Dode – Luddesdown, Kent
The City Wedding Venue
For couples who thrive on the energy and excitement of urban life, a city wedding venue can offer a chic and sophisticated setting. These venues are often located in the heart of bustling cities, providing easy access to transportation, hotels, and a vibrant atmosphere for your celebration.
- Shangri-La Hotel, At The Shard, London – London, Greater London
- 20 Stories – Manchester, Greater Manchester
- The Balmoral Hotel – Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh
Blank Canvas Wedding Venues
A blank canvas is just that – a blank canvas which you can do exactly what you like with. This style of venue offers the ultimate flexibility for creative couples who want to design every aspect of their big day themselves. These venues typically offer a neutral and versatile space that can be transformed to match any wedding theme or style, allowing for complete personalisation.
- The Glasshouse at Staining Lodge – Blackpool, Lancashire
- Duntarvie Castle – Winchburgh, West Lothian
- Chart Hills Golf Club – Biddenden, Kent
Venues with Scenic Views
For a wedding backdrop that takes your breath away, a venue with scenic views is ideal. These venues are often situated in picturesque locations, such as mountains, vineyards, or countryside estates, offering stunning vistas that will make your wedding day unforgettable.
- The Ashes Barns and Country House – Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire
- Woodhall Manor – Woodbridge, Suffolk
- Cluny Castle – Inverurie, Aberdeenshire
The Historic Wedding Venue
Ranging from towering castles and opulent libraries through to iconic museums and Tudor houses, a historic wedding venue is characterised by its age, architectural significance, cultural heritage, and storied past. Each offering is own unique style; from period decor to grand interiors and a timeless ambiance.
- The Bodleian Library – Oxford, Oxfordshire
- Norton Priory Museum and Gardens – Runcorn, Cheshire
- Roman Baths and Pump Room – Bath, Somerset
Asian Specialist Wedding Venues
Asian wedding venues are designed to cater to the specific needs and traditions of Asian weddings, offering ample space for large guest lists and cultural ceremonies. These venues often feature luxurious interiors, beautiful gardens, and a range of services to ensure a seamless and memorable celebration.
- Froyle Park – Alton, Hampshire
- Orsett Hall Hotel & Restaurant – Grays, Essex
- Foxfields Country Hotel – Clitheroe, Lancashire
The Casual Wedding Venue
If a more laid-back affair is what you’re after, you’ll probably want to consider a casual wedding venue – where minimalist chic is at the forefront of your day. This is a simple-yet-effective no frills venue, offering natural beauty, simple decor, and an intimate vibe, where the focus can be kept on the happy couple. This could be a pub, restaurant, or a registry office – making a more relaxed day for the couple to bask in their newlywed status.
- The Ferry House – Sheerness, Kent
- Warley Park – Brentwood, Essex
- Boreland Loch Tay – Fearnan, Perth and Kinross
The Formal Wedding Venue
For those couples who envision a wedding with an air of sophistication and elegance, a formal wedding venue provides the perfect setting. These venues often feature grand ballrooms, stately homes, or exclusive clubs, offering a refined atmosphere for your ceremony and reception.
- Bradbourne House – East Malling, Kent
- One Devonshire Gardens by Hotel du Vin – Glasgow, Glasgow City
- Cliveden House – Taplow, Berkshire
The Cool Wedding Venue
If you’re a couple who values style and contemporary vibes, a cool wedding venue is the way to go. These venues are often trendy, with modern designs, unique features, and a chic ambiance that sets the stage for a fashionable and unforgettable wedding celebration.
- The Hackney – London, Greater London
- As You Like It – Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear
- Shoreditch Studios – London, Greater London
Find your dream venue on Bridebook
When it comes to choosing your wedding venue, it’s about far more than just the four walls in which you decide to share your nuptials. It’s a representation of your personalities and, often, a representation of your relationship – the story of where you’ve been together and the journey you’re about to embark on together as a married couple. So, wherever you decide to share your special day, make sure to find somewhere that feels just right for you and your partner.
Don’t forget to check out all the fabulous wedding venues we have right here on Bridebook, and filter for the wedding venue types and styles you like most.
Discover your dream wedding venue now!
You Might Also Like…
Happy Planning!
Related articles
