Where shall we get married? This is the very first big decision the couples make when planning a wedding. Some are happy to tie the knot at the registry office, and for some nothing less than a fairytale castle will do. Other couples want something truly extraordinary and one of a kind – after all, the most memorable day of your life should take place at the most memorable location possible! Here is a fabulous selection of Confetti’s best unique and unusual venues – if you are looking for something very special, you will find it here!
Ageas Bowl – Hampshire
Ageas Bowl, home to Hampshire Cricket and part of Lime Venues, is one of the most unique wedding venues in Hampshire. Set in 150 acres of beautiful landscape with contemporary architecture, it also boasts amazing panoramic views across the cricket ground and the Hampshire countryside.
From an intimate civil ceremony for 20 to a wedding reception for 160 guests, The Ageas Bowl’s experienced, friendly and professional team will guide every couple through every step to ensure their special day will be a memorable occasion. There is a selection of licensed suites for every type of wedding, with menu choices ranging from 3-course banquets to informal BBQs, bar facilities, easy access from M27 and city centre, and complimentary car parking.
Clifton Pavilion at Bristol Zoo – Bristol
There are few more stunning wedding venues in Bristol than the Clifton Pavilion at Bristol Zoo, part of Lime Venues. Holding a license to perform wedding ceremonies and civil partnerships, you can enjoy your entire day at this spectacular venue, available on an exclusive hire basis for up to 120 guests. And with complimentary access to the zoo gardens, you can enjoy an incredible range of one-of-a-kind photo opportunities!
From your initial contact through to your big day, the events team are on hand to assist with everything from choosing the menu, wine and flowers to your entertainment and table plan. The exquisite food means your wedding breakfast will be a meal to savour. Using the finest locally sourced, sustainable and ethical ingredients you can choose from a diverse range of menu options, offering an array of taste sensations created by an experienced brigade of chefs. The professional functions team is always helpful and on hand to ensure your perfect day is delivered, meaning you can relax and enjoy your wedding day.
The Church Restaurant – Northamptonshire
With a strong historic and cultural heritage, The Church is the oldest secular building left in Northampton. As you walk through the doors the transformation will leave you in awe – the inside has been modernized with exquisite, glittering and romantic décor. The Church is a Grade 1 listed building and is fully licensed for civil ceremonies. Whether you want a small and intimate candlelit dinner for 10, or an exclusive hire with up to 250 evening guests, this unique venue is the perfect place for the most special day of your life. The dedicated and experienced management team will look to make your dreams come true at a budget that suits you.
The Church promises fabulous food freshly prepared by French Head Chef Michael, as well as spectacular service and a breath-taking backdrop – so all you need to worry about is enjoying yourself!
The Folly Bar & Restaurant – London
The Folly is the City venue for those wishing to escape the hustle and bustle, and looking for something that little bit different.
The Folly is full of botanical surprises! Wander through the garden lounge, deli and flower shop, or mix and muddle at the mixology table. The venue offers two large bars on separate floors, an interior alfresco terrace, basement vaults, private dining room, available for intimate events or large exclusive hire celebrations for over 1000 guests. The helpful staff will take all the hassle out of planning your wedding, whatever your requirements, to make your special day a most memorable occasion!
Open 7 days a week for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner and canapé parties, with late licence until 1am with an optional extension. The Folly’s imaginative food menu and quirky deli uses locally sourced ingredients at affordable prices.
The Gherkin – London
Part of Searcys, and affectionately known as “The Gherkin”, this iconic building is one of London’s most unique venues and prestigious landmark, and it’s available to hire for ceremonies, traditional wedding breakfasts and stunning drinks receptions. The dedicated in-house events team will take care of every detail while you and your guests enjoy the stunning 360 degree panorama. This breath-taking venue can accommodate up to 144 guests for your wedding breakfast, with the mezzanine level bar hosting up to 260 guests for an evening reception and dancing.
Guests journey to the top of the building at incredible speed and arrive to Level 39 for the wedding ceremony. A registrar from Islington Council will conduct the ceremony with the incredible backdrop of St Pauls Cathedral and South West London.
After the ceremony you will invite your guests 180 metres from ground level for drinks and canapés under the glass dome of the Gherkin. While the staff look after your guests, you have the perfect opportunity to be photographed in one of London’s most iconic buildings.
Hard Rock Cafe – London
It all starts with a little rock…
It’s the biggest day of your life – make it one nobody will ever forget! Irreverent, authentic, original… surrounded by the biggest names in music history – but you’ll be the one centre stage on your special day! Hard Rock Cafe, London would love to be part of your special day – whether you’re looking for Black Tie or Black Leather, they will make sure your party rocks!
The Hard Rock event space with its private red carpet entrance can accommodate up to 110 guests for a seated event or 220 for a standing /buffet reception. The in-house Production team can transform the venue with lighting, staging and make sure the acoustics are spot on!The skilled chefs will create bespoke canapé and celebration menus to suit your needs, from our classic All-American style, to something more exotic – and they are keen to work with your ideas!
Knightor Winery & Restaurant – Cornwall
What could be more unique than marrying at a working winery in the heart of Cornwall? The concept of a good restaurant allied to a winery is widely known in the New World but relatively new in England. The winery produces fine still and sparkling wines using the champagne method – so toasting the bridal couple can be done with wine made in Cornwall! What is possibly the ultimate story in local produce continues with a fine dining restaurant that prepares fresh local produce from its own gardens and farms and fishermen in the county.
The setting is a timelessly Cornish courtyard surrounded by granite barns and a manor house, flanked by fields with vines, fruit trees and mature Cornish hedges giving a classic ambience with plenty of photo opportunities. All of this is available for exclusive use for wedding parties of all sizes, and with no immediate neighbours, yet close to the coast. Over a hundred guests can dine comfortably in the threshing barn which can be expanded to take over 200 people through a marquee in the courtyard or in the fields. It is rare to find such a flexible venue combining all the features needed for a great celebration!
Mansion House Edinburgh Zoo – Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh Zoo, part of Lime Venues, is probably the wildest place in Edinburgh to get married – and yet full of elegance, and with impeccable service and delicious catering to ensure that the bride, groom and all the guests will have a truly memorable experience. The Mansion House, a striking centrepiece to Zoo, boasts over 200 years of history and tradition with gorgeous event rooms to host your special day, from an intimate gathering, and up to 150 guests. The surrounding gardens and the Zoo are perfect for beautiful settings and photo backdrops.
There is a variety of wedding packages to suit all budgets, including the new all-inclusive winter wedding offer of £5000 for 50 guests from November to March!
Nymans – West Sussex
When you discover Nymans, you will see that it is easy to lose yourself in the peaceful country setting. With hundreds of fantastic locations for you and your guests to explore on the day, surprises are revealed around each corner. Serene walled gardens lead into rolling meadows, whilst narrow paths deliver long views of formal topiary and clipped lawns. The Main Lawn is the most idyllic setting within Nymans with the dramatic ruins as its backdrop. The house at Nymans, transformed into a Gothic mansion in the 1920s, was destroyed by fire leaving a breathtaking collection of ruins which frames the skyline. Ivy covered stone and arched windows make this site a formidable feature of the gardens.
The Loggia (pictured above), licensed for weddings and civil ceremonies, is a beautiful Gothic building with soaring arches and ivy clad walls set within the Sunk Garden containing striking floral displays. Intimate ceremonies of 25 guests can take place inside the Loggia or, for larger congregations, an unlimited number of additional guests can be seated in the Loggia’s secluded lawns.
The Roman Baths & Pump Room – Bath
The Roman Baths and Pump Room in Bath, part of Searcys, is without doubt one of the most delightful historic buildings in the country. Situated in the very heart of a World Heritage City and dating back nearly 2000 years this unique venue is amongst the most elegant and atmospheric venues in the country – ideal for an evening ceremony and reception!
Guests can arrive at 7pm to mingle beside the torch-lit steaming waters and enjoy drinks and canapés whilst soaking up the atmosphere of the Great Bath. The evening then continues with either dinner in the Pump Room (max. 200 guests) or the Terrace & Reception Hall (max. 150 guests).
For those seeking a truly romantic and unique setting, it is possible to have the wedding or civil partnership ceremony beside the Great Bath itself. Ceremonies are possible throughout the year at either 8.30am or 7pm (unavailable in July in August).
South Farm – Cambridgeshire
Set in idyllic English countryside with beautiful gardens yet only 50 minutes from London, South Farm is truly a distinctly different wedding venue. Offered on an exclusive basis, couples can choose to be married outside in the enchanting Summer House, or indoors at the Tudor Barn, Old Dairy or Drawing Room in the Grade II listed farm house. Whichever option is chosen, South Farm is able to host intimate weddings from 10 to larger weddings up to 140 guests. The prize winning menus take full advantage of the 200 varieties of fruit and vegetables grown on-site. Furthermore, couples and guests can explore and visit the many animals at the South Farm, such as white peacocks, free-range pigs, Angora goats, Runner ducks and even a bee colony! All of this makes the South Farm a sustainable and significantly self-sufficient wedding venue.
The accommodation available is suitably unusual with a number of options, ranging from enchanting Romany Caravans, family suites and en-suite double bedrooms in the restored granaries, to camping in tents or caravans in the camping paddock. Finally, why not take advantage of the resident Tuk Tuk. The bride is welcome to use it to make a spectacular entrance to outside weddings, or for use as a quirky addition to the wedding photos!
Wise Wedding Venue – Kent
The Wise Wedding Venue is a delightful hideaway offering an unusual and unique location for that special day. Set within an area of established oak and silver birch trees are open grassy clearings, reed lakes and a fabulous tree house to relax within and gaze upon the day’s festivities.
With complete fexibility available to the couple, the venue will either hand over the reins to you and your arranged suppliers and just provide the location and marquee, or if you prefer they can arrange and provide for the whole event; from the horse and carriage arrival to the fireworks finale.
In addition to the more familiar features found at outdoor wedding venues, here you will find many more unusual ones. Drift away in one of our swinging sofas, or look out from the treehouse at the various lighting installations set up within the woods. For an extra special end to your big day you are welcome to stay in the recently completed bridal suite treehouse that also comes complete with en suite!
See more of Confetti’s gorgeous wedding venues in the supplier directory! And get even more ideas from our brides and brides-to-be in the Confetti forums!
