Some couples stick to classic church aisles. Others opt for barefoot civil ceremonies on the beach. But then there’s those in search of something utterly unique – somewhere new that no one’s seen before. So, if you’re looking for the latter, Quintessentially Weddings has selected six venues that host only a handful of ceremonies each year. From members-only manors to centuries-old castles, these exclusive wedding venues might just be the one.
Estelle Manor, Oxfordshire
Best for: a quintessentially English wedding.
If you have your heart set on a quintessentially English wedding, you’ll fall head over (satin) heels for this Grade II-listed country house hotel and private members’ club. Peeking out from 3,000 acres of Oxfordshire parkland, Estelle Manor has sheep-speckled meadows, manicured gardens, and beautiful backdrops for your nuptials at every turn. You’ll also be smitten with the South Terrace’s Instagram-famous pool, lined with scarlet-striped parasols – perfect for a post-‘I do’ plunge.
estellemanor.com
Eynsham Park, OX29 6PN
The Newt in Somerset, Somerset
Best for: swapping Champagne for cyder.
Swooning over the idea of a Somerset wedding? The Newt will steal your heart. This Grade II*-listed Georgian country house opens its gates to only a select few weddings each year, making it a rare and ridiculously romantic choice. But it’s also rural – surrounded by woodlands and a working farm, where homegrown produce graces every plate. Raise a glass of cyder – pressed and poured straight from the estate’s orchards – to celebrate your big day the Somerset way.
thenewtinsomerset.com
The Newt in Somerset, BA7 7NG
Heckfield Place, Hampshire
Best for: weddings without waste.
Do you take this sustainable stately sweetheart to be your lawfully rented country estate? Say yes to Heckfield Place – a Georgian family home in the Hampshire hills. Here, menus are made with love (and ingredients grown right on the grounds), creating a nature-nurtured nest for nuptials. With exclusive hire available, the whole estate becomes your home for the weekend. And for those planning an alfresco affair, the estate’s lawns are a match made in marquee heaven for sunset-lit receptions.
Heckfield Pl, RG27 0LD
Skibo Castle, Scotland
Best for: a fairytale-like affair.
You had us at misty mornings in the Highlands. This turreted treasure, dating back to 1211, is a private members’ retreat designed for tying the knot in true fairytale fashion. From the moment you arrive, love is in full swing: start your day with the soft sounds of bagpipes, sneak in a pre-ceremony putt on the estate’s private championship golf course, then celebrate across the sprawling grounds with whisky tastings – naturally.
Skibo Castle, IV25 3RQ
Serpentine Pavilion, London
Best for: marrying art with intimate vows.
Finding the perfect wedding venue is an art form – we’d know – and nowhere is this more true than Kensington Gardens’ Serpentine Pavilion… literally. Every summer, this contemporary art gallery flaunts a fresh design from a world-renowned architect. This year, Marina Tabassum’s has transformed the outside space into striking canvas with her capsule-shaped, greenhouse-style structure. It’s a fleeting opportunity, but no less fabulous, for art aficionados to walk down the aisle with wow-factor.
serpentinepavilion.com
Kensington Gardens, W2 3XA
Somerset House, London
Best for: glamorous celebrations beneath glittering stars.
Picture candlelit tables twirling around a fountain-turned-centrepiece, while a live band serenades your soirée from the soaring balconies above. A star-scattered sky overhead. That’s Somerset House, doing what it does best – hosting once-in-a-lifetime celebrations. This rarely used courtyard is perfect for those wanting a reception that’s exclusive and equally extraordinary. Your wedding won’t just be written in the stars. It’ll be lit up by them, too.
