There’s something particularly special to be said for small weddings for 50. As Goldilocks might have put it, "Not too big, not too small, just right." And yet, there are so few wedding venues that take these types of wedding seriously or make them super-special. For example, some larger venues try and down-scale their venue leaving parts of it cordoned off, or out of bounds, yet this is not necessarily reflected in the price you pay... We believe that having an intimate wedding in exquisite surroundings should not be a compromise: it should be all you dream of and more. What’s more, by working with wedding venues that share this vision and love to host smaller weddings, rather than shoe horning smaller weddings into "out of season" slots we think we’ve come up with a list of the top small wedding venues for 50 in the UK that could help you cut to the chase when selecting your small wedding venue.
Starting in Somerset we recommend:
The Manor, Holcombe
The Manor, Holcombe is a beautifully renovated Georgian manor house that cleverly preserves and enhances the original architectural features, whilst creatively updating the interior design. Exquisitely chosen furniture and artwork, combining to create an aesthetic dreamscape that's also uber-comfortable making this the perfect small wedding venue. It's chic, elegant and picturesque. What's more it has a pool, gym, hot tub and snooker table in the games room as well as a children's play area and beautiful safe gardens. YOu can see more here.
Romans Baths, Bath
This unique intimate wedding venue is over 2000 years old. This enchanting, award-winning Roman Baths is just perfect for your small wedding. It offers a combination of stunning outdoor and indoor spaces in a prime location. Just 85 mins from London on the train it's also super-accessible and theres a package with hotel Indigo just a few steps up the street for you and your guests. You can see more here.
We move to the beautiful north of England countryside in Derby.
Casterton Grange, Derby
Caterston Grange could be from the pages of Jane Austen or the screens of Bridgerton. It sings romance, and, on second glance coyly reveals every luxury you could imagine to make your wedding stay perfect. It’s decadent, it’s 52-acres of gorgeousness and exclusively yours for your wedding weekend. You’ll find it tucked in the epic countryside of the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales. Easily accessible by road and rail, this picture-perfect country pad offers total privacy and the most romantic setting that’s just perfect for intimate weddings. With a walled garden, charming cottages all with their own hot tubs, a lake just perfect for wedding photography and a marquee site if required, as well as a choice of diving inside spaces offering a wonderful range of options for your wedding accommodation, ceremony and celebrations.
To find out more about this fabulously luxurious small wedding venue for 50 take a look here.
Scotland offers rugged romance and first-class hospitality and dining options.
Riddle Court, Edinburgh
Riddles Court is perfect for intimate weddings & elopements in a unique, secluded city setting. This stunning destination wedding venue is a heady mis of history and romance, with the highest standards of Scottish hospitality included as standard. You’ll find it situated in the heart of the Royal Mile, Edinburg, yet as you enter via the hidden entrance, you’ll feel a million miles from anywhere. With Edinburgh Castle, St Giles Cathedral and for ease of picking up your wedding certificate, Royal Mile Registry Office you’ll find plenty of photo opportunities close by as well as at the venue itself. You can even spend your wedding night in the Kings Chambers – a beautifully designed self-contained apartment in the building.
Find out more about this unique and bewitching wedding venue for 50 here.
The Barn at Harburn
This place really is something special. Think relaxed rustic elegance in a historic roundhouse and barn that will take your breath away, and you have The Barn at Harburn. This exquisite intimate wedding is over 250 years old with new life being breathed into it by a skilfully renovated, yet you’ll still find many original features of the original ancient Scottish Broch style. The result is a choice of perfect spaces for your wedding ceremony, celebration meal and ceilidh. What's more, sat in the heart of 9 acres of parkland you are assured of privacy and a beautiful backdrop to your wedding day.
You can find out more about The Barn at Harburn here.
Devon and Cornwall hold a special place in so many people’s hearts, with fond memories of childhood holidays creating a very special spark between past, present and future. Here we recommend:
Brickhouse Vineyard, Devon
Designed with small weddings in mind from the start, this is a place that combines elegance and grandeur with fabulous outside spaces resulting in a relaxed country-chic vibe. You’ll find Brickhouse Vineyard set in the rolling Devon hills, just 12 miles south of Exeter, yet you'll feel a million miles from anywhere.
You can enjoy your legal wedding ceremony in the beautifully renovated 18th Century thatched Round House with a unique landscaped external “bridal aisle” through a “flower meadow terrace” against a backdrop of this working vineyard.
The newly renovated historic barn has been specially designed for wedding parties of up to 60-day guests and 100 in the evening. So again, made to measure for groups of 50!
Take a look at more here.
Little Quarme, Devon
Set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, you can marry in the natural amphitheatre that’s home to Little Quarme surrounded by your nearest and dearest. When you hire Little Quarme you have access to 18 acres of secluded, unencumbered loveliness that’s yours for exclusive or part-hire for weekend or mid-week weddings. Here you’ll find 6 cosy 4* cottages, accommodating up to 22 guests on site and ideal for weddings for 50. You’ll also have access to The Barn and can pitch a marquee too. Wrapped around The Barn is a terrace which overlooks the valley that’s perfect for pre- and post-wedding drinks and canapés.
It really is a delight, take a look at further details here.
Coombe Trenchard, Devon
Here’s a well-kept secret…Coombe Trenchard. It’s a place that stays with you long after you have departed. Set in the west of Devon on the edge of the raw beauty and romance of Dartmoor, the show-stopping main house is an Edwardian “Arts & Crafts” country house and is surrounded by over a hundred acres of well-tended garden, parkland and woodlands. The house was originally designed with entertaining in mind and so lends itself perfectly to intimate weddings for 50. In a world where quantity often outweighs quality, it’s refreshing to find the “Arts and Crafts” principles of craftsmanship, thoughtful design and a personal attention underpin everything at this delightful wedding venue.
To find out more about this enchanting small wedding venue, take a look here.
Knightor Winery, Cornwall
This gorgeous working winery, is snuggled into the rolling Cornish landscape above the picturesque St Austell Bay. It offers the most exquisite and stunning venue suitable for weddings for up to 90 people. This venue has a rare, natural beauty combined with outstanding food and obviously great wine, and, topped off with the most friendly and helpful staff you would wish for. For us, it’s a “dream ticket” of a wedding venue that gives couples affordable luxury in a stunning, sought-after location.
Take a look at more here.
Camel Studio, Cornwall
Camel Studio is an exclusive hire barn wedding venue with a beautiful modern twist set in the North Cornwall countryside.
You’ll be bewitched with its beautiful, light filled barn overlooking the rolling hills of the Camel Valley. It's so easy to imagine your wedding in this magical setting. It’s just ten minutes from Wadebridge, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and you’ll arrive along country lanes giving a real sense of journey to your wedding destination. Modern yet rustic, intimate yet impressive: a Camel Studio wedding is always unforgettable.
You can see more here.
In the Cotswolds you’ll find a very special wedding venue that’s just perfect for your wedding for 50 people.
Pauntley Court, Gloucester
You’ll be pleased your found this amazing country house with exquisite formal gardens and far-reaching views across the Gloucestershire countryside, is as unique as it is beautiful. It oozes romance and ‘rustic chic’ with an undeniable quirkiness; the interior design blends a plethora of original features with every modern comfort. Outside, the ‘garden rooms’ provide endless photography opportunities. It’s just perfect for wedding ceremonies and celebrations for up to 50, and what’s more up to 32 guests can stay in the luxurious accommodation here too.
If it’s a church wedding you are dreaming of, Pauntley Court is next door to an exquisite 800-year-old Norman Church for a traditional church ceremony. It’s just a stone’s throw from the Main House, accessed through a private gate from the gardens.
Find out more about his unique opportunity here.
If you are looking for something a little different with a historic twist for your wedding for 50, we have two final recommendations your consideration:
Bury St Edmunds Guild Hall, Suffolk
The Guildhall is an integral part of the history of Bury St Edmunds. It dates back to 1279, and is the oldest continuously-used civic building in Britain. It’s also home to a the only surviving World War Two Royal Observer Corps Control Centre in the country. You can choose from a choice of unique spaces for your wedding day: Regency Banqueting Hall, panelled Georgian Court Room or the walled gardens. The versatility of this space makes it the perfect choice for wedding ceremonies and celebrations for up to 50 people and up to 80- if you can’t cut your wedding guest list down! It’s a stunning blank canvas for you to bring your wedding day dreams to life.
Take a look here for more details.
Roman Baths, Bath
2000 is a lot of history and a Roman Bath is most certainly a unique and atmospheric place to make your wedding vows. It’s not just beautiful, it’s also practical as while being outdoors, it is covered and protected from any wet weather meaning your wedding ceremony can be held here come rain or shine. It’s such a romantic setting and we defy you not to yearn to be sipping a celebratory-glass of bubble on the 2000-year-old original Roman paving, with flaming torches reflecting in the thermal waters? It’s here, overlooked by stunning Bath Abbey, that your small wedding for up to 50 can take place in a sunrise or sunset ceremony.
Take a look at this stunning small wedding venue option here.
We hope you find your perfect small wedding venue and have the most amazing wedding experience with beautiful memories to last you both a lifetime.