Guest post by Dakota Murphey
Choosing a magical location to get married in is a lovely position to be in for any couple planning their big day. Organising your wedding is an exciting time and picking the setting is perhaps one of the most important first joint decisions a couple makes. Therefore, it might not be as simple as just agreeing on a country.
You’ll want your venue to be significant for the two of you, as well as being a gorgeous setting that combines stunning scenery with the most gorgeous and memorable backdrop for your photos. Perhaps you’ve already started your journey searching for special wedding venues in Europe. Your heart might be set on a stately manor house with landscaped gardens, a relaxed beach on the Cote d’Azur or a beautiful French chateau overlooking a lake. This article explores a wealth of incredible options to help you find an unforgettable venue to ensure your wedding is extra special.
C17th Castle, Somerset
The UK is famous for its rich history and has a vast selection of stately homes and grand manor houses that offer couples a picturesque setting to host their nuptials with beautiful interiors and plenty of space for guests. For those looking for natural beauty in lakeside or coastal settings, you’ll want somewhere meaningful for you as a couple much like the bride’s bespoke engagement ring.
For your ideal wedding venue in the UK, there are so many options and special luxury hotels, villas, castles and properties with breathtaking backdrops. Holbeck Ghyll in the Lake District overlooks tranquil Windermere, while Cornish venues like The Old Coastguard Hotel sits atop cliffs overlooking the sea. Beach weddings are popular at destinations like Porthminster Beach in St Ives or the historic Goodwood House nestled on the south coast.
Langton Castle, Scottish Borders
The amazing Scottish Highlands offer a wealth of unforgettable options for a winter wonderland wedding or a vibrant city one in bustling and pretty Edinburgh. The stunning lochs of Scotland offer tranquil settings and well-known ones include Loch Lomond and Loch Venachar near Callander and Loch Ken, set within the rolling hills and rugged scenery of South West Scotland. Scotland has such a gorgeous coastline likened to the Seychelles thanks to white sandy beaches that provide venues for scenic photographs and escapes for the bride and groom.
If it’s castles you’re after, there are many across the UK to turn your dream nuptials into reality. Leeds Castle in Kent offers regal settings for fairytale weddings and couples can consider venues like Ruthin Castle in Wales, a medieval castle with luxury suites and manicured grounds offers the best of the Welsh countryside. Meanwhile, venues like Highclere Castle, made famous for being the filming location for Downton Abbey, remain popular with spectacular grounds and breathtaking rooms to take your vows in elegant surroundings.
Our top picks for weddings in the UK:
Landscove Barns | Loch Na Bo House | Hilltop Manor | C17th Castle
Chateau Belles Vignes, Bordeaux
The French capital Paris is synonymous with romance, nicknamed the ‘City of Love’ making it a firm favourite for planning a chic and sustainable wedding for eco-conscious couples. There are decadent and trendy hotels too with fantastic views of landmarks like the Eiffel Tower.
Across the many attractive regions of France, from Brittany to Burgundy, the Loire Valley to Nice, the country entices couples planning a wedding with its wineries in the Dordogne area, charming chateaux for your wedding guests and its enticing sunny beaches along the famous Cote d’Azur in the south. The Palace of Versailles with its Hall of Mirrors and regal gardens creates a grand backdrop for lavish weddings. Couples can say their vows in the mediaeval villages of Provence, known for their vineyards, rolling lavender fields, and rustic French charm. Other cities like Toulouse, Marseille and Lyon provide boutique and cosmopolitan venues overlooking historic streets, rustic architecture, beaches and rolling countryside.
Domaine Art et Vin, Languedoc
The French Riviera is a glamorous option with yacht clubs and cliffside resorts in coastal cities like Nice, Cannes, and Saint Tropez. Château des Condé in Chantilly or Château de Bagnols in the Beaujolais wine region make fairytale castle venues. Loire Valley châteaux like Château de Chenonceau display Renaissance architecture. Normandy’s mediaeval Mont Saint-Michel island and the beaches of D-Day provide historical settings.
Brittany’s mediaeval towns and rugged coastline offer oceanfront ceremonies. Couples can also exchange vows in Bordeaux’s grand wine estates, the lavender fields of Luberon, or the French Alps for snow-capped mountain backdrops. France’s diversity of settings, from the sophistication of Paris to the charm of Provence, make France a top destination for unique weddings in stunning villas with plenty of options for your wedding party.
Our top picks for weddings in France:
Château Lignol | Manoir Des Cedres | Mas de Beauce | Domaine Art et Vin
Castle Mago, Tuscany
With Italy being one of the most beautiful countries in Europe, there’s a variety of unforgettable wedding venues to consider whether you want to invite guests to the fascinating capital, Rome or somewhere else as equally special as Sorrento, Puglia or Florence. From the canals of Venice to the rolling hills of Tuscany, Italy’s beauty and old-world romance makes it a sought-after wedding destination. Couples can say ‘I do’ floating under the Rialto Bridge in Venice or in front of the Colosseum in Rome for unforgettable backdrops.
Likewise, when it comes to inspiring settings, the Almafi Coast has an attractive Mediterranean landscape and is an incredible place to wed for clifftop ceremonies overlooking the sea. Rich in history, it is a beautiful location for your wedding fusing antiquated charm against spectacular and rugged coastal scenery.
Villa Aria Serena, Sorrento
Tuscany entices couples with its sprawling vineyards, cypress trees, and rustic villas like Villa Pocci near Siena. Sicily’s Taormina offers ancient Greek ruins and Mount Etna views. The Italian Lakes, like Lake Maggiore and Lake Garda, offer the grandest scenery for wedding ceremonies set atop the water. Lake Como offers elegance with Alpine views. Meanwhile, small cliffside towns of Cinque Terre and offshore islands like Capri and Ischia make for intimate weddings.
Our top picks for weddings in Italy:
Castle Mago | Villa Dania | Villa Aria Serena | Villa San Giovanni
Discovering the perfect destination wedding to say your vows is an opportunity to savour. The UK, France and Italy have many incredible options from French chateaus to Italian lakeside villas or Scottish castles and English mansions. Bridging modern and traditional, these beautiful venues are rich in old-world charm and luxurious modern amenities for the most spectacular day for couples and guests to enjoy.
Consulting a wedding planner can be helpful because they will have the combined expertise of organising your event with a rounded knowledge of unique venues at home or abroad. For more details, look into our full portfolio of Destination Wedding Venues, read real wedding stories and contact our wedding consultant today.
If you enjoyed this roundup of the finest wedding venues in Europe, then give our concierge team a call to see what extra services you can enlist to make your wedding getaway even more exciting! Browse around on Oliver’s Travels to find your perfect holiday villa in the sun (or the snow!).
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