The Ten Best UK Cities and Towns To Get Married In

The UK has countless amazing places to hold your wedding. So why not choose a city or town which is close to your heart and speaks to your interests? Here are our ten favourite cities in the UK at which to tie the knot.

Edinburgh - Comedy Lovers

Scotland’s compact, hilly capital is one of the most picturesque cities in the UK. It has a medieval Old Town and elegant Georgian New Town with gardens and neoclassical buildings. Looming over the city is Edinburgh Castle, home to Scotland’s crown jewels. Arthur’s Seat overlooks the city - an imposing peak in with sweeping views. The Caves is one of the most iconic venues in the old town and makes up the sub-structure of the 18th Century South Bridge. If you time it right, your guests can party at the Edinburgh Fringe after your big day.

Liverpool - Music Lovers

The City of Liverpool as well as being steeped in culture and studded with amazing architecture is a coastal city with beautiful docklands and close to the gorgeous Formby coastline. It is one of the most Instagrammed cities in the UK and is, of course, the birthplace of The Beatles. The city has the second-highest number of art galleries, museums and listed buildings in the UK - second only to London. A transport hub, it’s also home to some of the best wedding venues in the North West - including the Palm House at Sefton Park.

Exeter - Beach Lovers

The ancient city on the River Exe dates back to the Roman era, with city walls surrounding the centre and the gothic cathedral. Exeter Castle is a Norman landmark which overlooks two sprawling gardens. There are vaulted, medieval underground passages snaking beneath the city. Set in the heavenly county of Devon, the city has easy has access to some of the most jaw-dropping beaches in the country. Devon has more hours of sunshine a year than almost all other counties. Your guests will be able to go for a dip with the newlyweds to clear their heads the day after.

Belfast - Boat Lovers

Northern Ireland’s capital stands grandly on the banks of the River Lagan. It was the birthplace of the RMS Titanic, which famously struck an iceberg and sunk in 1912. This legacy is recalled in the renovated dockyards' Titanic Quarter, which is home to the Titanic, Belfast - a museum you can now get married in. The city is home to the iconic Ulster Hall - a huge and beautiful venue which is available for weddings. Rowallane Garden is a place of enchanting beauty and serenity and would be an impossibly romantic setting for a wedding ceremony. The city is well connected and crammed with lots of interesting local features and events to amuse guests.

Portmeirion - Architecture Lovers

A much-loved private village for dreamy Italianate architecture and lovely views, Portmeirion Village was designed to show how a naturally beautiful site could be developed without spoiling it. Perched on an estuary in West Wales, the village is built in the style of an Italian village and is utterly magical. There are numerous places to hold a ceremony. Your guests can even stay in the village - there are two 4* hotels plus B&Bs. 

London - Botanical Lovers

The capital is of course, replete with wedding venues of all varieties. London is the ideal transport hub, boasts unlimited potential for entertainment and has significantly warmer weather than the rest of the UK. A few of our favourite venues include The Barbican Conservatory - one of the most unusual venues in London for weddings - a lush tropical oasis home to exotic fish and 1,800 species of tropical plants. Kew Gardens has several venues in which you can marry - including The Orangery and The Princess of Wales Conservatory - a stunning tropical glasshouse. You can even get married in Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. It has a tree in the reception room, is on the banks of the Thames and fully licensed for weddings. 

Oxford - Classics Lovers

The quintessential English town is steeped in history and surrounded by the lush, rolling Cotswolds countryside - an area of outstanding natural beauty. Known as The City of Dreaming Spires, it has been home to royalty and scholars for over 800 years. Oxfordshire is extremely close to London, boasts two rivers, a Botanical Garden and is, of course, home to the famous University. You can even get married in certain grand houses at the University - including the epic library. 

Salisbury - History Lovers

Home to the famous cathedral, a medieval city in the southern English county of Wiltshire is just nine miles south of the iconic prehistoric stone circle at Stonehenge, which stands on the grassland of Salisbury Plain. It’s just half an hour from the Larmer Tree Gardens - which claimed best country wedding venue spot in hitched.co.uk’s top ten. You can apply to be married in the cathedral, but it needs to be sanctioned by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Stratford-Upon-Avon - Language Lovers

Who wouldn’t want to get married in the town where the author of Romeo and Juliet was born? The medieval market town in the 16th-century birthplace of a certain William Shakespeare. And visitors flood to his alters to pay tribute. Aside from its monumental history, it is a beautiful town in its own right, the waterside of the Avon is enjoyed by boaters and theatregoers alike. There are some architectural gems to explore: some beautiful manors, parks and atmospheric old hotels. And no one will be stuck for a quote during the speeches.

Cardiff - Sports Lovers

The gorgeous Welsh capital is Wales’ chief commercial centre and the seat for the Welsh Assembly. Cardiff Castle is a motte and bailey built in the 11th century and overlooking the city. The city has had substantial redevelopment in the bay area and is home to six national sports stadiums - the Principality Stadium is home to Wales’ National Rugby team. Aside from the tourist attractions, Cardiff is well connected and is within easy reach of the glower coastline - some of the most fabulous in the country.  The city also hosts the biggest free Wedding Fayre of the year. Enchanting wedding venues are plentiful.

Enjoy!