You don’t have to travel to the other side of the globe to have a luxurious wedding with your partner. The United Kingdom packs adventure, opulence, and sophistication into its tiny borders. This is where Henry VII and Elizabeth of York found true love and where Prince Charles and Dianna tied the knot. Great Britain is lavish enough to inspire royalty, so you don’t need to look far to find inspiration for your own staycation wedding.
While some husbands and brides might want to take their wedding party abroad, there are many who might prefer the gorgeous English cities and countrysides instead. All you need is a dash of imagination and a generous dose of inspiration to help create your fabulous fairytale wedding in the UK.
Picking out the perfect venue
If your fantasy life is as opulent as your wedding dreams, Aynhoe Park’s fairytale landscapes are just the luxury you’ll adore. There’s a surprise waiting around every corner, but the Grade I listed 17th Century country house in Northamptonshire manages to keep its romance far above kitsch. If you prefer classic destinations to imaginative ones, you can’t do much better than The Mandrake—one of London’s finest luxury 5-star boutique hotels in Fitzrovia. It was designed to mimic the gardens of Babylon, so there are few backgrounds more luscious than this.
Luxury through the lens
Having a luxurious wedding means more than just your venue. Every big-budget wedding needs big budget photographs. Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire is just the spot for that. Its arched windows, labyrinthian gardens, and the yawning library will give your photographer hundreds of approaches to your pictures. As one of the UK’s most stately properties, what could be any more romantic?
High-end wedding gowns and jewels
Every bride wants to look magical on their wedding day, so it’s just as well that London is one of the world’s top fashion destinations. Stella McCartney has a wedding collection at Old bond Street, but if you adore vintage more, Charlie Brear has just the frocks for you. Bond Street’s diamonds, jewels, and luxury accessories are almost as famous as its couture. Finding the perfect necklace for your wedding is just as easy on New Bond Street at Rich Diamonds. Halfpenny is another famous wedding couture store, frequently visited by Kate Moss, and you’ll also find jewel-embellished wedding dresses on Sloane Street.
Partying the night away at a fabulous reception venue
Sezincote House is one of the upper crust’s favourite reception venues, loved for its Persian Gardens. Located in Gloucestershire, this country estate built in 1805 has magical landscaping that is the perfect backdrop to any marquee reception. The Ned in London also had six Grade I listed meeting rooms and two outdoor terraces that can be used for small and big meetings and events. With a range of restaurants available at the hotel, from Millie’s Lounge to The Nickel Bar, your guests will be amazed by this high-class reception location.
Plan a small staycation honeymoon
While a trip abroad might not be a great idea right now, there are plenty of beautiful locations to travel to in the UK where couples can spend their honeymoon staycation. The cobbled streets and charming thatched cottages of the English countryside are romantic enough for a honeymoon, particularly if you’re looking to escape the crowds. Some of the most beautiful villages in the UK to visit include Burford, Snowshill, Upper Swell, and Grasmere. Castle Combe in Wiltshire has also been called “the prettiest village in England” and for a very good reason too. However, if you’re an avid sightseer who loves nothing more than a city jaunt, why not stay at one of Edinburgh’s most luxurious hotels instead? You can enjoy a fabulous at-home honeymoon in Edinburgh and take a canal boat cruise, explore The Dome, and eat at the many of the Michelin Star restaurants in the city.