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Mark Gregory
Correspondent
@MarkBGregory
8:13 AM 7th October 2020
lifestyle

Stunning Outdoor Wedding Locations In The UK

 
With the news that the laws on marriage in the United Kingdom may be changing to allow people to get married outside, we thought we would have a look at some of the most stunning outdoor wedding locations around the UK that would be perfect for tying the knot once the proposals are signed into law.

Malham Cove, Yorkshire. Photo by Sam Chipman Photography
Malham Cove, Yorkshire. Photo by Sam Chipman Photography
Malham Cove wasn’t used in a scene from Harry Potter for nothing: the views from the top of the cove are absolutely incredible, and the dramatic backdrop of the towering cliff from the bottom is completely insane. As a Yorkshireman myself, this was the first location I imagined when I thought of the best places to get married outside, and when I headed up there the other day, I was not left disappointed. Your guests will need to be careful of their footing when they’re on top of the cove – and it’s a decent-sized walk from the nearest car park – but it’s worth every effort spent getting to the top. A wedding up here will surely be one that everyone will remember, and for all the right reasons.

Stonehenge, Wiltshire. Photo by Mark Gregory
Stonehenge, Wiltshire. Photo by Mark Gregory
If you’re looking to have a wedding that is filled with pagan traditions and oozing with history and culture, you can’t go far wrong with Stonehenge. I’ve seen several weddings taking place at the site of these ancient rocks in recent times, and the possibilities here are endless; having a pagan handfasting ceremony within the most famous pagan landmark in the UK is something which would make your big day unforgettable. Don’t forget the views: Stonehenge itself provides a staggering backdrop to your wedding shots, but the rolling landscape around it ain’t half bad either.


Durdle Door, Dorset
Durdle Door, Dorset
There’s no need to fly thousands of miles to get your perfect beach wedding, because Durdle Door and the surrounding beach offers you glorious views of this magnificent natural stone formation, endless views of the deep blue sea, and, if the weather is in your favour, heavenly panoramas of the sun dipping just over the horizon. Everything you could ever wish for from a beach wedding can be yours just a stone’s throw from home – and what you save on transportation costs, you can spend on making the day extraordinary.

White Cliffs of Dover, Kent
White Cliffs of Dover, Kent
One of the most famous natural wonders in the UK, the White Cliffs of Dover could provide a stunning backdrop for your outdoor wedding. The views are unrivalled, whichever direction you’re facing: whether it’s out towards the seemingly endless sea, across the daunting white chalk of the cliffs, or even from the very bottom looking up, with the cliffs towering above you. However you style your wedding, the White Cliffs of Dover would bring awe and astonishment to every single moment of your big day.

Giant’s Causeway, Co. Antrim
Giant’s Causeway, Co. Antrim
Northern Ireland is one of the most beautiful parts of the United Kingdom, and the undoubted highlight is the Giant’s Causeway in County Antrim. There is so much potential for wedding here, with all the different levels providing a multitude of photo opportunity.

Themed weddings would work particularly well here: I’d imagine a something fantasy-esque like Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones would go down a treat. That said, all the classic ingredients are here for any type of wedding: gorgeous views of the sea, an epic natural wonder, and the sound of nature underscoring your dream ceremony.

Heart of Neolithic Orkney, Orkney Islands
Heart of Neolithic Orkney, Orkney Islands
Perhaps a less well-known area of the country, the Heart of Neolithic Orkney could be one of the most unique outdoor wedding locations in the UK. Hidden away on the Orkney Islands to the north of mainland Scotland, this UNESCO World Heritage site includes Skara Brae (above), which is a cluster of houses dating back to 3180 BCE. This quirky location could work well for a Hobbit-themed wedding (without going all the way to New Zealand), but also functions just as well as a simple, no-frills wedding location with a quaint twist.

Coniston Water, Cumbria. Photo by Tony Armstrong
Coniston Water, Cumbria. Photo by Tony Armstrong
The largest and arguably the most beautiful of the lakes in the Lake District, Coniston Water will take your breath away. The great thing about this location is that there are so many different options for where to have your ceremony: you could head to the grandiose antiquity of Coniston Hall, hover above the water on one of the protruding wooden jetties, or even get married on a boat in the middle of the glistening lake. Any time of day is perfect for weddings here, and the possibilities are simply endless. Just take your pick!

High Force, Durham. Photo by Mark Ireland
High Force, Durham. Photo by Mark Ireland
Who doesn’t want to get wet during their wedding ceremony? Jokes aside, it’s certainly possible to have a stunningly beautiful wedding at High Force without needing to dry off afterwards. This staggering waterfall in County Durham is surrounded by nature, both in the form of rugged rock formations and colossal green trees, and provides the perfect setting for a wedding off the beaten track. And yes, if you really do want to shrug off all those old-fashioned wedding traditions, you could take a swim after you’ve tied the knot as well. Because, why the hell not?!

Mark is a funeral celebrant and can be contacted through his website at https://markyouroccasion.com/