**This is a collaborative post**
Planning a wedding in the UK comes with countless decisions, but one of the biggest is choosing the right venue. While traditional manor houses, barns and hotels are popular choices, more and more couples are turning to restaurants to host their big day. Here’s why a restaurant just might be the ideal setting for your UK wedding.
1. Outstanding food as standard
Let’s be honest: as a wedding guest, you always remember the food. Choosing a restaurant for your UK wedding means putting the food in the hands of great chefs who turn out exceptional dishes on a daily basis. Many restaurants will offer customisable menus, locally-sourced ingredients and expert wine pairings – and whether it’s a cosy gastropub or a Michelin-starred kitchen, you know the quality will impress.
2. Stylish interiors
Styling your UK wedding venue can eat into your budget, especially if you’re starting with a blank canvas like a function room at a hotel or a village hall. Choose a restaurant instead, and you’ll enjoy a venue that already has a great atmosphere, saving you time and money on decor. From modern minimalism to rustic charm, there are venues to suit every couple’s tastes.
3. Ideal for intimate celebrations
If you’re planning a smaller or more personal celebration, a restaurant provides an intimate setting. Many restaurants offer private dining rooms or can be hired exclusively for your event (search Square Meal for ideas), creating a warm and welcoming environment for your big day.
4. Great locations
While a rural setting offers beautiful views, it can also pose logistical nightmares. Some of your guests may not drive, others may not want to drive out to the countryside – and relying on taxis can be risky. Choose a town or city centre restaurant, though, and you remove those obstacles. You’ll find plenty of restaurants in your area that are well-served by public transport, and which have their own carparks for the designated drivers.
5. A cost-effective solution
Did you know that the average UK wedding now costs £23,250? For many couples, a large chunk of this is spent on venue hire, food and staffing. Compared with traditional wedding venues, restaurants often offer competitive pricing – especially when you consider that food, staff and styling are included in the package. There’s often also some flexibility: while some restaurants offer set wedding packages, others allow you to build your day around a minimum spend on food and drink, keeping your budget manageable without sacrificing quality.
Choosing a restaurant as your UK wedding venue is more than just a foodie’s dream: it’s a smart, stylish and often more relaxed way to celebrate your big day. Whether you’re planning a cosy and intimate celebration or a livelier evening, a restaurant can offer an experience that traditional venues can struggle to match, and may work better with your available budget.