Get that destination wedding feel... without leaving the country!

A destination wedding conjures up images of soft colour schemes, floaty dresses, vibrant fresh food, sandy beaches and beautiful views. But along with that often comes added expense, a smaller guest list, longer travel times and the stress of trying to plan a wedding in another country, navigating language barriers and legal requirements. But what if you could have all the best bits of an overseas wedding without leaving the UK?

Well, if you like the idea of a destination do but would prefer to keep things local, you’re in luck. There’s a growing trend for UK-based 'destination' weddings, with all of the ambience but less of the hassle. For starters, there are so many stunning venues in the UK that it’s not hard to find one complete with amazing coastal views, a lovely beach or even a stylish vineyard. What’s more, combine this with the right colour scheme, food and decor, along with a beautiful dress, and your guests could be forgiven for thinking they’ve actually travelled somewhere exotic. So, forget your passport and follow our top tips to plan your very own destination wedding a little closer to home…

1. Find a venue with the right feel

The key to planning a successful destination wedding in the UK is to find the right venue, one that will make you feel as if you’ve been transported to your dream location. Head to Cornwall or Devon for swathes of white sand, rugged cliffs and some venues complete with their own private beach. If you don’t need to feel the sand between your toes, then a Scottish castle or manor house with glorious clifftop views is another great choice. To recreate Emily and Luca’s Tuscan vineyard setting choose a vineyard venue, which you can find everywhere from Berkshire to Yorkshire. Alternatively, there are even a few exclusive venues on tiny private islands - such as Osea Island in Essex and Burgh Island in Devon -  that really will make you feel like you’ve got away from it all.

Destination wedding features to look for...

A few key features will help to create that authentic overseas feel. Go for a spring or summer date, and get away from the big cities for somewhere in scenic countryside or near the coast. A lakeside setting is a great choice or a private house with a pool for a touch of glamour. A lovely outside area, such as a terrace, large balcony or pretty covered patio complete with fire pits and fairy lights, is ideal for that holiday feel, along with an open-sided teepee marquee. Just make sure you have a back-up plan if the UK weather doesn’t stick to the theme!

Roshni and Krupesh married at the Italian Gardens at Hever Castle, Kent, where the lakeside loggia looks just like the gardens of an elegant Italian villa. "I found it by chance but when I saw the lake, arches and gardens, I knew I wanted to get married there,” says Roshni. “It gave us that feel of being in Italy. All of our guests were in awe of the location and the setting. It's a beautiful venue and the grounds allowed us to get some incredible shots.”

2. Consider an exclusive-use, multi-day event

Also, whatever venue you choose, it’s ideal to have it as exclusive-use, so you can forget about the outside world for a bit. And, if budget allows, book it for a full weekend (or two to three weekdays). Then you can plan touristy activities in the local area, spa visits and more. Turn it into a weekend wedding experience so you and your guests can really feel like you’ve got away from it all.

Tegan and Adam married in Cornwall and activities for guests included a big game of cricket on the beach. “Then it was canapés and Pimms, followed by a hog roast, games in the sun in the cliffside garden and a party in the evening," says Tegan. "One of the highlights of the day for me was everyone playing beach cricket.”

3. Dress for your dream destination

Choose a dress that captures the feeling of your perfect location. A soft A-line in cool, airy chiffon is ideal for warmer weather both home and away. Heidi Hudson is the queen of the destination dress, and her adaptable Wilma design in the lightest chiffon works in every setting.

Or go for stunning florals like gorgeous Florelle, paired with pretty, off-the-shoulder Kora straps. The relaxed feel of these designs is a dream for an informal beach or lake backdrop, somewhere you'll end the day barefoot in the sand, champagne in hand.

However, floaty floral styles aren’t the only option for an overseas feel. Imagine wearing one of these sleek Sofia Cruz designs in the elegant grounds of a clifftop manor house, strolling through cosmopolitan gardens or in a contemporary villa complete with infinity pool and you’ll see what we mean. The crisp silhouettes, luxurious plain fabrics and understated details are the perfect choice for a chic destination feel. 

4. Take your style inspo from overseas

When it comes to the decor, choose a colour scheme that echoes the colours of your favourite destination. That might be soft sage for an Italian villa, azure blues for a beach in Santorini or warm pinks and peaches that make you think of a chateau in the south of France.

You may not be able to convince your guests they’re really in a Grecian villa but you can certainly channel a similar atmosphere through the flowers you pick and the soft lighting, whether that’s twinkling lights, candles or fire pits on the terrace. Brodie and Jack married in Lake Como but UK couples can take inspiration from their soft pale blue and white colour scheme with flecks of gold, and beautifully decorated seating area. For example, closer to home, Acacia and Adam enhanced their outdoor ceremony in Cornwall with pale blues and berry colours that mirrored the sea view and surrounding plants and flowers.

5. The taste of summer

Food and drink are also a great way to transport people to another place. Serve Aperol Spritz, limoncello and a selection of antipasti. Or a Mediterranean grazing table overflowing with olives, chorizo, cheeses and fresh salads. Refreshing summery cocktails are a great touch and, of course, no one can resist, some delicious Italian gelato!

Jennifer and Adam's venue had a gorgeous, light-filled outside space that was ideal for their warm September day. “We had an amazing BBQ with loads of salads,” says Jennifer. “After the speeches, everyone went outside to enjoy the last bit of sun and play games. We had an ice cream bike and a cocktail bike too, which went down really well.”

6. Add some tropical tunes

The finishing touch is some appropriate entertainment, to keep the holiday vibe going all night. Jackie and Ashley's wedding on the Cornish coast was all about seaside blues, sunflowers and even a Caribbean-style steel band to set the mood. 

For their Balinese wedding, Siobhan and Brian had a troop of traditional drummers. So, if there’s  a particular style of music you loved from a favourite holiday, like an Ibizan club DJ or New Orlean's jazz, you’ll find a performer in the UK to match.

7. Lastly, turn it into an actual holiday

Then, when the all the confetti is tided away and the guests are gone, why not stay and turn your wedding into mini holiday? Make the most of the setting and explore like tourists before you head back to normal life.

So, put your passport away…

There are lots of reasons why you might want to stay closer to home for your big day, everything from elderly relatives to trying to reduce the number of flights you take. And, hopefully we’ve shown you that you can still create a destination wedding atmosphere in any number of UK venues with a careful choice of food, decor and more. Plus, many of our designs are perfect for adding to that relaxed, overseas feel. So, drop in and let our bridal experts find you a dress that makes you feel like you're living your destination wedding dreams (wherever you are in the world!). 

Click here for lots more UK and destination wedding ideas from our brilliant real life brides. Also, for more inspiration, check out our Instagram, Facebook or TikTok accounts.