The Pick of the Best 10 UK Outdoor Wedding Venues

Legal ceremonies in the UK must take place under a permanent structure, but you can still be surrounded by the elements – think stylish open-sided barns and pretty gazebos. Guests can line the lawns on elegant Chiavari-style chairs or kitsch deck chairs for a festival feel. And for your reception, choose rustic tables laced with mismatched crockery and chandeliers hanging from trees. But should the clouds gather just as you’re drenching the champagne tower, all these venues have inside options, too. Here is Style & the Bride’s pick of the best 10 UK outdoor wedding venues.

1. KENSINGTON ROOF GARDENS, LONDON
30m above bustling Kensington High St is an eclectic oasis of Spanish, Tudor and English themed gardens. Ceremonies can take place in the Clubhouse, although receptions (and blessings) can be al fresco, with just the colourful flora and four resident pink flamingoes for company. The team at KRG will even organize Diary Room appearances for guests to leave messages for the happy couple. Max. capacity: ceremony: 150; reception: 500.

2. THE DAIRY, WADDESDON MANOR, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
Have your ceremony on water thanks to the Pavilions and Lakeside Terrace at The Dairy, which project onto the lake of this majestic estate. The wooden, open-sided terraces are the perfect setting for sharing your vows with the waterfowl, and drinks with guests afterwards.

Max. capacity (Pavilions and Lakeside Terrace): 160.

3. LOWER GRENOFEN, DEVON
Hidden in Tavistock, on the edge of Dartmoor in Devon, Ever After – A Dartmoor Wedding is set in 46 acres of gorgeous gardens and woodland. The oak-frame, open-sided wedding barn can be dressed to your hearts’ desire for your ceremony and pretty props and wedding paraphernalia are available in stylish olive, cappuccino and silver grey for an elegant outdoor reception. Play croquet and Jenga on the lawn in the sun, or there’s the clear-walled marquee and genius glass roofed outdoor rooms should the rain come out to play.

Max. capacity: 120.

4. HIGH HOUSE WEDDINGS, ESSEX
The Thatched Gazebo on the immaculate lawn at High House offers views of the impossibly romantic heart-shaped lake. Wildflowers and wildlife come as standard and a rustic flower-draped pergola acts as an aisle, while your guests can watch from pretty white folding chairs on the lawn.

Max. capacity: 200. Venue hire: from £3000.

5. LARMER TREE, WILTSHIRE
You and your groom, plus up to 4 guests can revel in the romance and intimacy of the Roman Temple in the grounds of Larmer Tree, while your guests enjoy the moment seated on the lawn that surrounds this unique temple. Or, there are week day Secret Garden weddings, for up to 30, where the wedding breakfast comes in the form of picnics and Pimm’s.

Max capacity: 250. Venue hire: from £3000.

6. FFORESTWEDDINGS.CO.UK, CARDIGAN, WALES
The term ‘outdoor wedding’ should have been invented by the team at fforestweddings: options for weekend-long celebrations include lodges, garden pavilions and giant hat tipis in secluded woodland valleys, riverside settings and near National Trust beaches. And then there’s the food, from wood-fired pizzas to barbecues and seafood fresh from the ocean, fforestweddings pride themselves on catering to your every foodie need.

Max. capacity: 150. From: £6000.
7. JOLLYDAYS GLAMPING, YORKSHIRE
Whether you want a posh tea party or a full-on festival, this 200-acre site can cater to your needs: Creators of A Midsummer Night’s Dream-style woodland weddings on the edge of The Yorkshire Wolds, your reception around the camp fire, bell tents, and archery and bush craft are the order of the day here.

Max. capacity: 118. jollydaysglamping.co.uk
8. WASING PARK, BERKSHIRE
Set within the grounds of Wasing Park Estate, say ‘I do’ in the fairytale Victorian Summerhouse, embellished with a mural of flowers, cherry trees, birds and butterflies. Or there’s the magical Folly in the tranquil Secret Garden where you can also say you do. You can even follow this with a festival-inspired celebration right in the heart of the woodland. Then retire to the breathtaking Honeymoon Suite, while the Estate Rooms, Stable House and The Pump Lodge are a dream come true for your guests.

Victorian Summerhouse capacity: 140 (seated).
9. WOTTON HOUSE, SURREY

Say your vows watched by your guests in the magical Garden Temple hidden in the private 17^th century walled garden, formerly known as the Turtle House. A truly magnificent, unique backdrop, it can be decorated simply with olive trees by day and lit with tea lights during the evening.

Max. capacity: 200. wottonhousedorkingsurrey.co.uk.

10. PAPAKATA
Purveyors of glorious teepee and sperry tents, with raised sides to let the outside in, or lowered to keep it cosy, romantic ambience and festival chic doesn’t come any easier at a location of your choice. Capacity: Each teepee holds 100 guests standing and 70 seated. Sperry tents can hold max. 300.

All you dog lovers out there will just love this blog post about how to include and style your dog on your wedding day. Since I have launched Style & the Bride, I have included quite a few weddings where dogs have featured. Some of you who are newly engaged may not even have thought about including your dog on your wedding day. However, if your ceremony venue and reception venue allows you, we say why not? It is imperative however that you don’t just assume your pet is allowed. Many religious venues and hotels etc have very strict rules when it comes to pets, so always ask and never assume.

If you do get the go ahead to include your dog on your wedding day, think carefully about he/she is going to look and the part you would like them to play. Do you like the idea of walking down the aisle with them? Or perhaps your groom can look after the dog whilst he waits for your arrival? If you feel your wedding day wouldn’t be the same without your dog, make sure you do include them. I adore how Style & the Bride couple Helen and Oliver made sure their dog Dylan featured as part of their wedding day. They hung the cute sign, ‘I love her more!’ around his neck. Take a lookhere. Emma and George, who also featured on the wedding blog, said about their dogs, ‘We brought our dogs over from the UK with us. They were a lot of fun during the photographs and it would not have been the same without them.’ See their wedding here.

When it comes to styling your dog, there are many companies that can help you out. I am a huge fan of Cupid Collars, which provides silk flower dog collars in a variety of different colors and styles. So how to …

Include And Style Your Dog On Your Wedding Day

Great style options for your dog on your wedding day

Inspirational Flower Decor Ideas for Reception by Rachel Clingen

Although Style & the Bride is based in London in the UK, it is without a doubt an international wedding blog.

I am so excited today to bring you an exclusive interview with Canadian Rachel A. Clingen, an exceptional wedding, and event decor and designer, who founded her company in 1992. She is the Principal Designer in the husband and wife team of Rachel and David Clingen.

When I first saw some of the images of wedding receptions Rachel has planned, I was literally overwhelmed with her creativity. ‘I find inspiration from watching trends in fashion, interior design, and the bridal markets,’ explains Rachel. ‘I love all things pretty. As styles change, our minds are always adjusting to what we are attracted to. I love the colour, texture and will always be creating. Our brides enjoy a fun and creative design process. Whilst some brides might want us to recreate something they have seen, others are willing to allow us to try something new.

With regards to colors, Rachel says she is drawn to soft classic tones such as pinks, creams, champagnes.

Her favorite season is fall (autumn). ‘Here in Canada, and specifically in Ontario, we have lovely fall days. The intense heat of summer is gone, and we are left with the warm glow of the fall sun. It is also much easier to work in, especially for outdoor weddings.’

I am sure you will agree with me that Rachel is one talented lady!