Whether you want a traditional wedding, a beachside wedding, a countryside wedding or a ceremony as unique as you are, you’ll find the perfect venue in Devon. With its diverse landscape, abundance of beautiful buildings and alternative, officiated venues, there is no end of options – and whatever you choose, you can find the perfect backdrop to your photos.
Outside ceremonies
If you love the great outdoors, why not incorporate it into your wedding day? It’s the perfect way to inject some individuality into your big day and create a truly memorable experience for you and your guests.
Image: Roadford Lake
One venue offering amazing outdoor weddings is Roadford Lake. Nestled on the edge of Dartmoor, this spectacular 740 acre lake is surrounded by rolling countryside, breath taking views and romantic woodland, making it a beautiful location for your wedding. Roadford Lake gives the impression of being in the middle of nowhere, whilst also being conveniently located, being just off the A30, it is easily accessible for guests coming from all over the country and with ample parking and two reception rooms, there is plenty of space, allowing for weddings of all sizes.
We all know that the weather can be a bit temperamental in the UK, but there is no need to compromise on enjoying the site as at Roadford Lake, there is an outdoor covered terrace for the formal part of the celebration and then take advantage of the terrace, the amphitheatre and the lake side. There is even space for the night’s entertainment – just speak to the team and plan your perfect day today.
For those of you who love the outdoors and the water, check out the wedding packages offered by Stuart Line Cruises where you can find a truly unique venue for your big day. Stuart Line Cruises is an award winning passenger boat company located in the heart of East Devon and have over 50 years’ experience providing cruises around some of the most picturesque places in Devon. As well as chartering a private boat for the event, you can also have a completely tailored service complete with catering and entertainment to suit your taste and budget.
Interesting locations
The Sharpham Trust offers the beautiful Sharpham House and the surrounding gardens exclusively for weddings on a few limited occasions each year. As a wellness retreat, Sharpham Trust has a relaxing and calming atmosphere, ideal for a day full of stresses. Before and after the wedding ceremony, guests can make use of the comfortable bedrooms and you can choose from five elegant rooms in the mansion all of which are licensed to hold weddings and civil partnerships. In the summer, you can forgo the mansion completely if you like, choosing to hold the event in a marquee or tipi, staying inside doesn’t mean sacrificing the light needed for those photos however, the spectacular staircase features a lantern skylight – perfect for capturing the exact moment you say I do! Whether you choose to stay inside or out, the breathtaking views of the River Dart and the landscaped gardens, along with the Georgian mansion all provide perfect backdrops for memorable photos and being an LGBTQA+ venue, everyone is made to feel welcome and able to fully enjoy their big day.
Image: Dartington Hall
Another interesting south Devon venue is Dartington Hall. The 14th century hall is steeped in history and culture and the manicured courtyard with cobblestones make for the grand entrance that you deserve. Inside the hall there are five licenced rooms, so you can cater for as large or small a ceremony as you like and being one of the few venues that offer outdoor ceremonies, those that like being out in nature can use the private, Grade II listed gardens to say their vows.
Though the history of the hall speaks for itself, the Great Hall can be decorated to reflect your own personal style and there are plenty of accommodation options for those travelling to the event. Dartington is served by national rail links to nearby towns like Totnes and Newton Abbot, as well as being within easy reach of motorways and the airport in Exeter. There are several flexible packages available and staff on hand every step of the way to help you create the perfect celebration of your relationship.
If a historical venue piques your interest, why not get married in a castle? Powderham Castle on the outskirts of Exeter has been the family home of the Courteney family for over 600 years and offers wedding and civil ceremonies. The castle is nestled within a 200 acre deer park and is close to the Exe Estuary giving you plenty of photo opportunities throughout the celebration. With several licenced areas, including a magical woodland garden, a former riding school or a gothic pavilion to choose from!
There’s also plenty of space for your guests and the onsite team cater for your every need, including creating signature cocktails at the bar and sourcing the very best in local, seasonal menus. The lucky couple can spend the night in the Honeymoon Suite, with panoramic views of the estuary and park views, along with a wonderful breakfast so you can start your first day of married life the right way.
What about those of you who want a mix of history and the natural world? The wedding options at Bicton Park are perfect for you! Steeped in history and romance, there are several packages available, including small intimate ceremonies to huge events and receptions, making the most of the space provided in the Garden Room, Orangery and Italian Garden. If the location itself wasn’t enough, there is also the stunning surrounding parkland and the nearby Jurassic Coast for photo opportunities.
The garden’s Palm House has been licenced for ceremonies for over a decade and is flooded with natural light, providing a really beautiful atmosphere for your big day. Whatever you want for your wedding, the experienced team at Bicton Park are on hand to make it happen, whether that’s a live band to round off the night or an epic firework display to impress your guests!
Or for something completely different, why not get married in an aquarium? For those of you who love marine life, have ever dreamt of being a mermaid or simply love the tranquil atmosphere of blue lights and swimming fish, this is the ideal venue. The underwater world is a truly special place to say your vows and with bespoke event management on hand, you can really make an event that is completely unique for you.
The National Marine Aquarium is set within the historic Barbican in the city of Plymouth which is a fantastic backdrop to your event and has the benefit of being close to a number of rail, bus and road links.
Leave the hard work to the experts
One thing Devon has in abundance is beautiful hotels many of which provide amazing wedding services. The best bit – everything is catered for in one place, plus there is space for all your guests, plenty of parking and there is a team on hand to make sure the whole thing runs smoothly, meaning all you have to do is turn up and enjoy yourselves! Wherever you want to host your wedding, there will be a hotel to suit you.
Image: Langstone Cliff Hotel
The Langstone Cliff Hotel is set in 19 acres of woodland and has beautiful sea views, perfect for photos. Not only that, but the experienced team are on hand to make sure your day goes smoothly and with a host of function rooms and elegant guest accommodation, to cater for the whole wedding party. Plus, the function rooms are all on one level and there is ample public transport, making it easily accessible.
In Exeter, there is The Devon Hotel, an elegant Georgian era building with beautiful function rooms and gardens. Depending on the size of your party, you can pick from three lovely function rooms, decorated to your taste and everything you can think of to compliment the event, including entertainment and catering.
In Plymouth there is Boringdon Hall Hotel and Spa, a 5* luxury manor house full of impressive Elizabeth architecture and romantic restaurants, plus the amazing spa facilities, ideal for getting you in the mood. There are very few venues in the world that can match the drama and passion that can be found at Boringdon Hall, being located on the edge of Dartmoor and the city of Plymouth, you have the feeling of being secluded while still being close to civilisation. The onsite event manager will talk you through every step of the planning process, so you can be sure that you and your guests will have a truly memorable experience.
There a huge array of luxury hotels where you can get married, hold your reception and your wedding breakfast without having to worry about anyone getting lost or the stress of planning out timings and routes between venues. You can find a host of beautiful hotels offering wedding services here.
Find more inspiration for perfect wedding venues in Devon here.
