In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know about planning or attending a destination wedding in England.
Weddings in England: What You Need To Know
A destination wedding is a great way to add a touch of romance to your big day.
England is a popular choice for destination weddings, and it’s not hard to see why.
From the stunning countryside to the historic castles, there are plenty of beautiful locations to choose from.
Whether you’re looking for a fairytale setting or a more modern backdrop, England has something to offer every bride and groom.
So if you’re dreaming of a destination wedding, don’t forget to consider this beautiful country.
But first: you need to know where in the world England is…
Where is England?
England is located in the southern part of the island of Great Britain, excluding Wales, and it is the largest constituent unit of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
It borders Wales to the west and Scotland to the north, the Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe by the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south.
Area: 50,301 sq mi (130,278 sq km). Population: (2011) 53,012,456, capital: London.
England Facts To Know:
- Language: English
- Currency:British pound sterling (GBP)
- Airports: London Heathrow (LHR), London Gatwick (LGW), London Stansted (STN)
- Official Tourism Website: https://www.visitbritain.com/gb/
- Driving side: Left
Below you will find some more useful information about visiting England for your special day:
4 Tips for Planning a Destination Wedding in England
Planning a wedding can be stressful. Planning a destination wedding can be even more stressful!
But it doesn’t have to be. Here are some tips and things you need to know for planning a destination wedding in England:
1. Choose a date that works for both you and your guests
Choosing a wedding date can be a daunting task, whether you are planning on getting married in England or closer to home.
You want to make sure that you pick a date that works for both you and your guests.
Here are some tips to help you choose the perfect wedding date:
- How To Pick A Date For A Wedding?
- When To Send Out Save The Date For Wedding?
- How To Write Date On Wedding Invitation?
2. Decide on a budget
When it comes to having a England wedding, there are a lot of different factors that come into play – from the guest list to the venue.
But one of the most important decisions you’ll make is how much you’re willing to spend.
Here are some tips on how to decide on a budget for your wedding:
- How To Plan A Wedding On A Budget?
- What Is A Good Wedding Budget?
- How To Decorate A Wedding Reception Hall On A Budget?
3. Find a venue that fits your vision and budget
No one ever said wedding planning was easy. In fact, it can often feel downright daunting.
Here’s some useful resources for finding a wedding venue in England:
4. Hire a wedding planner to take care of the details
A wedding planner can take care of everything for you, from booking vendors to creating a timeline for the day.
Here are some tips on how to find and hire the right planner for your big day in England
England Weddings: Key Information
Getting married abroad is a big decision. There’s a lot of things you need to be aware of if you want your big day to run smoothly.
To help, we have put together some useful information about getting married in England:
- What is the average cost of a wedding in England?
- What are the marriage requirements for England?
- What is the weather like in England?
- What should you pack for a trip to England?
- What things are there to do in England?
- What are the best England wedding venues?
Read on to find out more:
How Much Does a Wedding in England Cost?
The fee for entering a Notice of Marriage is £35 for each person.
The fee for a marriage ceremony in the Register Office is £57, which includes the cost of one marriage certificate, however, different costs apply on weekends, and if the marriage ceremony takes place at a different premise.
Legal Requirements for Getting Married in England
You need to apply for a Marriage Visitor visa if:
- You want to get married or register a civil partnership in the UK.
- You want to give notice of a marriage or civil partnership in the UK.
- You’re not planning to stay or settle in the UK after your marriage or civil partnership.
- You meet the other eligibility requirements.
You can find more details about this type of visa on this link.
Documents you will need to provide to give notice of a marriage:
- Valid passport.
- Details of the final venue for your ceremony.
- Proof of your home address. If your normal address is outside the UK, you’ll need to give details of a UK contact address (your partner, friend or family member’s address).
- If you have already been married, provide the relevant documentation to demonstrate that you are either divorced or widowed.
- Name change document – generally all names on all documents need to match (including your parents’ names), otherwise proof of name change needs to be shown.
- Passport size photo for each of you (even if only one of you is from outside the UK).
- Proof of your current immigration status (for example, your visa).
To find more details please visit the UK government website.
Other legal requirements are:
- To apply for a marriage license, one must be at least 18 years old.
- Two witnesses are required.
- There is no restriction for foreign people marrying in England, provided that they are in the country legally and give the proper marriage notice.
- All international paperwork has to be translated into English by an official translator. It is mandatory that they be authenticated with an Apostille stamp from your home country first.
Before making any wedding or travel preparations, make sure you have all the paperwork needed for your marriage to be recognized in your home country by checking with the local county clerk or marriage official where you intend to marry.
What you need to have in your possession before leaving the country is a legal document that can confirm that your marriage is legitimate and has been registered – the marriage certificate.
What Is The Weather Like in England?
Summer is the best time to visit England (June to August), and even though it is quite rainy everywhere, it is also relatively sunny. However, the sea is cold year round.
There are no weather extremes in England, and so there is no season that should be avoided, although it must be noted that the days are relatively short and the sky is often overcast or gray from November to January.
What should you pack for your trip?
When traveling in the winter, you should bring along warm clothing like a sweater, a coat, a wind jacket, and a raincoat. Bring also gloves, a hat, and a scarf in case the weather becomes colder.
During the summer, be sure to bring clothing appropriate for spring and fall, including a jacket, a sweater, and either a raincoat or an umbrella. On certain days in the London region you will need lighter clothes, such as a T-shirt and shorts.
England Weather By Month
Below you will find some useful information and handy tables of weather information to help you pick the best month to visit England:
Average Temperatures in England
The table below shows the average temperatures in England each month:
| Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
| January | 2.7 | 8.4 | 5.6 | 37 | 47 | 42 |
| February | 2.7 | 9.1 | 5.9 | 37 | 48 | 42.6 |
| March | 4.2 | 11.8 | 8 | 40 | 53 | 46.4 |
| April | 6 | 15.1 | 10.6 | 43 | 59 | 51 |
| May | 9.1 | 18.5 | 13.8 | 48 | 65 | 56.8 |
| June | 12 | 21.6 | 16.8 | 54 | 71 | 62.2 |
| July | 14.2 | 23.9 | 19 | 58 | 75 | 66.3 |
| August | 14.1 | 23.3 | 18.7 | 57 | 74 | 65.7 |
| September | 11.6 | 20.2 | 15.9 | 53 | 68 | 60.6 |
| October | 8.8 | 15.7 | 12.2 | 48 | 60 | 54 |
| November | 5.3 | 11.4 | 8.4 | 42 | 53 | 47 |
| December | 3.1 | 8.8 | 6 | 38 | 48 | 42.7 |
| Year | 7.8 | 15.7 | 11.75 | 46.1 | 60.2 | 53 |
Average Rainfall in England
The table below shows the average rainfall in England each month:
| Month | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
| January | 60 | 2.4 | 12 |
| February | 45 | 1.8 | 10 |
| March | 40 | 1.6 | 8 |
| April | 40 | 1.6 | 9 |
| May | 45 | 1.8 | 8 |
| June | 45 | 1.8 | 8 |
| July | 45 | 1.8 | 8 |
| August | 55 | 2.2 | 8 |
| September | 50 | 2 | 8 |
| October | 65 | 2.6 | 11 |
| November | 65 | 2.6 | 11 |
| December | 55 | 2.2 | 11 |
| Year | 615 | 24.2 | 112 |
Sunshine Hours in England
The table below shows the average sunshine hours in England each month:
| Month | Average | Total |
| January | 2 | 60 |
| February | 3 | 80 |
| March | 4 | 125 |
| April | 6 | 175 |
| May | 6.5 | 210 |
| June | 7 | 210 |
| July | 7 | 220 |
| August | 6.5 | 200 |
| September | 5 | 155 |
| October | 3.5 | 115 |
| November | 2.5 | 70 |
| December | 2 | 55 |
| Year | 4.6 | 1675 |
Sea Temperatures in England
The table below shows the average sea temperatures in England each month:
| Month | Celsius (°C) | Fahrenheit (°F) |
| January | 10 | 50 |
| February | 9 | 49 |
| March | 9 | 49 |
| April | 10 | 50 |
| May | 11 | 53 |
| June | 14 | 56 |
| July | 16 | 60 |
| August | 17 | 62 |
| September | 16 | 61 |
| October | 15 | 58 |
| November | 13 | 55 |
| December | 12 | 53 |
| Year | 12.6 | 54.7 |
What To Wear in England? (Packing Tips)
It can be difficult to know what to pack for your vacation. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind when preparing for your trip.
We’ve put together some tips on what to wear in England so that you can make the most of your time there.
- A raincoat and/or an umbrella: Even if the forecast is sunny, it’s always a good idea to be prepared for wet weather since English weather is notoriously unpredictable.
- Comfortable shoes: You’ll want comfortable shoes for exploring all the historic sites and beautiful landscapes England has to offer.
- Camera: Don’t forget to pack your camera! England is full of beautiful scenery, and you’ll want to be able to capture it all.
- Passport: Other essential items to pack include a valid passport and any necessary visas.
- Travel insurance: Make sure you have travel insurance that will cover you in case of any medical emergencies or lost baggage.
- Chargers: Also, be sure to bring along any chargers and travel power adapters you’ll need for your electronic devices.
- First-aid kit: It is also a good idea to pack a first-aid kit, in case of any minor injuries, and also any essential medications.
Things to Do in England
There are many different things to do in England, no matter what time of year you visit.
Here is a list of some of the top activities to enjoy during your stay:
- London
- Manchester
- Liverpool
- The Roman Baths
- University of Cambridge
- Stonehenge
- Salisbury Cathedral and Magna Carta
- Hadrian’s Wall
- Durham Castle
- York Minster
- Shakespeare’s Birthplace
- New Forest National Park
- Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site
- Gloucestershire: The Cotswolds
Best England Wedding Venues & Hotels
With so many stunning locations to choose from, how do you know which is the best wedding venue in England?
Here are our picks for the top spots to tie the knot, as well as hotels to stay in:
Wedding Venues in England
- Carlowrie Castle, West Lothian
- The Ned, London
- Spanish City, Tyne and Wear
- Euridge House and Orangery, Chippenham
- Hampton Court Palace, Surrey
- Fairyhill by Oldwalls, Swansea
- Busbridge Lakes, Surrey
- Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich
- Florin, Ceredigion
- 30 St Mary Axe (The Gherkin), London
- Lime Wood, Hampshire
Hotels in England
- The Londoner
- Royal Lancaster London
- Apex City Of London Hotel
- Dakota Manchester
- Hyatt House Manchester
- Titanic Hotel Liverpool
- The Resident Liverpool
- The Durham Ox – York
