Hotels make for some of the most popular wedding venues in the UK, and it’s easy to see why. Hotel wedding venues come with all the mod cons, often boasting luxurious rooms, on-site catering and plenty of expert staff on hand to help make your dream day a reality. If you’re hoping for a city wedding, then hotels are often easy to access (especially when it comes to parking), whereas country hotels are likely to have beautiful grounds for you to enjoy on your wedding day.
Plenty of hotels offer easily customisable wedding packages to make wedding planning as easy as possible, and your guests can easily retire to their rooms after dancing the night away only to meet you for a delicious breakfast the next morning. Hotel wedding venues often have a dedicated wedding coordinator on staff, who will be your point of contact from the moment you book your date until the day itself.
Hotel wedding venues are perfect for you if:
You're having a destination wedding, or have lots of guests travelling from far away.
You want on-site catering.
You're planning a big wedding with a large reception.
You want to easily provide your guests with accommodation.
You'd like a wedding coordinator to help you with the logistics.
Hotel Wedding Venues FAQ
What type of hotel should I book for my wedding?
At Guides for Brides we have hotels of all sizes, from city centre boutique hotels to countryside houses and well-known chains. Our venue search lets you filter between Boutique, Small and Large Hotels depending on what size is best for you.
Small hotels tend to have between 10 and 50 rooms, so if you’d like a wedding venue that your whole wedding party can take over, then a small hotel may be the perfect choice for you. This also means that you’re less likely to encounter other guests on your day, if you don’t already have an exclusive use booking.
Boutique hotels tend to have less than 100 rooms, and are usually decorated in a particularly stylish way. They often have city centre locations, so if you’re marrying in the city and want your guests to have super chic accommodation, then a boutique hotel is a great choice.
Large hotels can have hundreds of rooms, so if you’re having a big wedding with plenty of guests, then you may find that a big hotel will suit you. Large hotels often have more wedding spaces to choose from, such as outdoor marquees, ballrooms or purpose-built wedding suites, and are a good choice for Asian weddings in particular.
Does booking a hotel guarantee exclusive use?
If you’re booking a hotel for your wedding, it’s possible that there will be other guests on site. Don’t assume that just because you’ve made a wedding booking, you’ll have the entire hotel to yourself.
Many hotels offer an option for exclusive use. Be sure to ask about this option if you like the idea of hiring the entire hotel for your guests. You can even hire out the hotel for the whole weekend in some cases! However, this may incur an extra charge. There are Exclusive Use and One Wedding Per Day filters in the Guides for Brides search if you know these are important criteria for your wedding venue.
Will my guests have their pick of hotel rooms?
Again, it’s important to check with your hotel wedding venue how many rooms are included in your wedding package. Some packages come with a certain number of room included, whereas others will require you to book separately. Often, your guests will be given a preferential rate on their accommodation, and can book directly with the hotel.
If you’re booking your hotel venue on an exclusive use basis, you'll often be expected to fill all the accommodation. Be sure to ask your shortlisted venues when enquiring if they have a minimum number of rooms to be filled.
Will I get a bridal suite included in my hotel package?
One of the best bits about having a hotel wedding is that you’ll often have a fabulous bridal suite included! Not only does this mean that you’ll be able to spend your first night as man and wife in a gorgeously-appointed hotel room, but some hotels will also allow you to use the suite to get ready on the morning of the wedding. When booking your wedding venue viewing, be sure to ask whether the bridal suite is included in your booking.
What do hotel wedding packages typically include?
Hotels are often some of the best value wedding venues, as many of them offer brilliant packages. Hotel wedding packages often include the catering, drinks, table linens and glassware, to start. They can also include everything from floral arrangements to DJs and even wedding cakes or stationery.
How can I save money on my hotel wedding?
Taking advantage of packages like this is a brilliant way to make your wedding budget go further, but there are other ways to save money on your hotel wedding. Booking midweek is a guaranteed money saver, as hotels will be keen to fill empty rooms. Choosing a wedding date in the off-peak months will also mean less competition and more affordable venue hire rates.
