Winter wedding venues in the South West

When choosing a winter wedding venue, I’d think slightly differently to how you might approach a summer wedding. Of course, beautiful grounds are still a bonus, but you’ll probably be spending more time indoors, so having spaces that you genuinely love is really important.

Look for venues with beautiful indoor spaces, plenty of natural light and lots of character. Large windows, high ceilings, exposed beams and interesting architecture can all make a huge difference to the feel of your photographs, particularly when the weather keeps everyone inside.

Fireplaces are another big win for winter weddings. There’s something wonderfully cosy about gathering around a fire with a drink after your ceremony, and they also make fantastic little pockets of atmosphere for photographs.

Orangeries and glass-filled spaces can work particularly well too, giving you plenty of natural light while still keeping everyone warm and dry. Covered outdoor areas are useful for the same reason, giving you somewhere to step outside without committing to a full walk in the rain.

It’s also worth thinking about the practical side of the day. Ideally, your ceremony, drinks reception and wedding breakfast should be easy to move between, without guests having to trek across the grounds in the cold or wet. On-site accommodation is another huge bonus, particularly if you’re planning a proper wedding weekend.

And finally, think about where you’ll actually take your wedding photographs. A great winter venue will have beautiful indoor backdrops as well as somewhere outdoors worth exploring, even if you only manage ten minutes outside between showers. A little flexibility can make all the difference, so having an earlier ceremony around 12-1pm is ideal.