For many couples, there’s something irresistibly romantic about getting married in the countryside. From woodland glades to open fields and ornamental gardens to meadows, the British countryside is some of the most beautiful in the world.
Get married in the country and these stunning landscapes could be the perfect backdrop to your big day.
Can you get married outside?
While you might want to get hitched in your garden, your local park or a pretty woodland, this might not be an option. As @WeddingWire says, “It’s not currently possible to legally get married outside in England or Wales without a fixed shelter, such as a beach hut, bandstand or gazebo.”
This means you can’t get married anywhere you like and will have to find a wedding venue with a licensed outdoor area for your big day.
Luckily, a lot of countryside wedding venues have specially designed outdoor areas where you can say your vows and legally get hitched. Talk to your chosen venue to find out what they offer.
How far can you expect guests to travel?
If you live in the city but want to get hitched in the countryside, the chances are you’ll be asking friends and family to travel in order to be at your wedding.
While many people don’t mind booking a hotel for a night or two in order to attend the wedding of a close friend or relative, there is a limit to how far you can ask your loved ones to travel.
Ideally, you should try to find a venue no more than two to three hours drive from the majority of your guests. People will be more understanding about travel time if the venue you’ve chosen is worth the journey. A beautiful country house and stunning landscape will make up for a few hours in the car, so make sure you choose somewhere that’s really special.
Finding accommodation in the local area
When choosing a countryside wedding venue, make sure you bear accommodation in mind. If you’re inviting 100 people to your big day, you need to check there are enough rooms in the local area to accommodate them.
Most rural venues will have a list of nearby hotels, B&Bs, and holiday cottages. In some cases, the venue might offer accommodation itself, something that makes life a lot easier and a lot more convenient.
As a gesture of your appreciation, think about paying for the bridal party to stay in the local area the night of the wedding and possibly also the night before. This takes the financial pressure off of your friends and families and shows them just how much you want them to be there.
While escaping to the countryside can work brilliantly for a wedding, there are a few key elements you need to consider when planning your big day in the great outdoors. Find out more, and learn about the beautiful venues we offer, by taking a look around today.
