A guide to getting married in Bristol

Bristol has its own vibrant culture, colour, and identity. Bristol offers its inhabitants an excellent quality of life. With ample green space, a great social scene, and a thriving cultural landscape, Bristol provides a well-rounded lifestyle that many find appealing.

The best wedding venues in Bristol

Bristol has many beautiful wedding venues, each with unique character and charm.

Here are some of the best wedding venues in Bristol:

The Radnor Rooms - We are fully licensed for weddings and civil partnerships and even offer the option to get married outdoors on our lovely enclosed terrace. But if you’ve already booked your wedding at the registry office, we are only a two-minute walk away! We have an elegant look but a very relaxed feel and want to work with you to make your big day the best!

The Forge Bristol - The Forge is a unique and intimate urban space available to hire for your celebrant wedding day. Just 10 minutes from the Bristol registry office, through Bristol's old town, and up the picturesque Christmas steps, it’s the ideal spot to gather your most loved people to celebrate your day. A stunning setting for a small city-centre wedding party with original brickwork and dramatic views of the Bristol skyline through the industrial-style floor-to-ceiling windows. The light is beautiful, we are high above the city, and space feels special.

The Mount Without - The Mount Without has been meticulously designed to create the perfect wedding, from walking down the aisle to last drinks at the bar. Using the flexible nature of the venue’s spaces, The Crypt, Mezzanine, Main Hall, gardens & 15th-century tower are designed to fill the space to reflect your party's style - whatever the size of your guest list! Options include using our ‘in-house’ service, or you can simply dry hire the space and bring in your planners & catering team.

The Square Club - One of Bristol's most luxurious private member clubs, The Square’s decadent Georgian townhouse is the perfect place for your big day. Decorated with local Bristolian artwork throughout, with menus created by our award-winning Head Chef and premium cocktails, it is no surprise that The Square has a reputation for excellence as a premier wedding venue in Bristol.

The Mansion House - The Mansion House integrates the romance and grandeur of the Victorian era with the luxury, style and exclusivity you would expect from Bristol's most exclusive address, making it the perfect setting for your ideal wedding day. The Mansion House is licensed to carry out weddings and civil partnerships in the elegant Drawing Room and the pretty Gazebo in the Rose Garden. With its breathtaking surroundings and exquisite detailing and charm, The Mansion House offers a fairytale backdrop guaranteed to complement and beautifully capture your special day's magic.

The best wedding photographers in Bristol

Choosing the right wedding photographer can be daunting, especially in a bustling area like Bristol, where many talented photographers exist. Whether you're looking for a traditional approach or a more contemporary style, many skilled wedding photographers in Bristol can deliver stunning images you'll treasure for years.

Here are some of the best wedding photographers in Bristol:

Love In Focus - You want creative, natural, authentic photos that tell the story of your day. You want to relax, enjoy yourself and spend time with your guests. After all, it’s not just about you; having great photos of the people that matter most is essential. You’d like a few nice shots of the pair of you that show how amazing you look without them feeling cheesy and posed. And you want the security of knowing this will all just happen reliably without you having to worry.

Mark Leonard Photography - My photography style is very relaxed yet natural and creative. My laid-back and friendly approach will put you and your guests at ease. I work discreetly throughout the day to capture the occasion's fun, excitement, and emotion with as little manipulation as possible, leaving you to enjoy more time celebrating with each other and your family and friends.

Brad Wakefield Photography - Great photography is unplugged - letting the story and emotion of the day shine through with minimal staging. My natural reportage style is perfect for this; photojournalism lends itself beautifully to weddings. It means I work quickly, efficiently and unobtrusively. You can trust your day will be captured naturally and artistically as it unfolds, including those unexpected moments that are gone in the blink of an eye.

Karl Moriarty - Enjoy your wedding! This is always front and centre. You don’t want to spend too much time posing for photos – I get that. We will have fun. Telling the real story requires a super relaxed approach – this is how I capture the most important moments. Beautiful portraiture using natural light is my thing. We’ll get photos of groups however you want to, but my focus is on natural moments.

Adam Barnard Photography - Ultimately, I love offering couples a stress-free and super chilled experience. Wedding photos will play a part in your big day, but they will not overtake or demand more time than you’re both happy to spend. I focus on capturing real-life moments as they happen and adopt a meticulously prepared yet laid-back approach. This ensures you get the pictures you want without being too much of an influence throughout your day.

Getting a wedding dress in Bristol

Bristol is home to several renowned bridal boutiques and designers, offering a range of beautiful wedding dresses.

Here are some of the best places to get a wedding dress in Bristol:

Rose Savage Bridal Atelier - Working within the wedding world is a dream come true, and the fact that so many amazing women have put their trust in me to create their outfits fills me with gratitude! Let’s be honest: what’s not to like about an industry based on love, celebration and, above all, dressing up! I believe that whatever size or shape you are, you should be made to feel a million dollars on your wedding day, and I aim to do just that.

Just For You Bridal - At Just For You Bridal, we understand the significance of your wedding day. We are dedicated to helping you find the perfect dress and accessories to make your special day unforgettable. Our extensive collection of bridal gowns features a range of styles, from classic and elegant to modern and chic. We'll help you find the perfect dress that complements your unique style and personality.

Wed2b Bristol - With over 15 years of experience, at Wed2b we are dedicated to offering our brides an expert bridal consultant service and a wide choice of designer wedding dresses that are ready to try on in your size!

Lydia Couture - We take immense pride in our designer wedding dresses. Our gowns are the epitome of sophistication, designed with passion and created to make every bride feel like a true queen on her special day. These dresses are a testament to our dedication to creating exquisite bridal wear embodying grace and beauty.

Clifton Brides - Our collection of dresses is chosen from many of the best designers in the industry, both here in the UK and overseas, to ensure a diverse range of stylish and affordable dresses that we have become known for. We are honest, incredibly passionate about bridal, totally unpretentious and simply love what we do.

The best wedding catering companies in Bristol

Bristol is home to many catering companies that specialise in weddings.

Here are some of the best wedding catering companies in Bristol:

Papadeli - Papadeli is a Bristol-based delicatessen, café, and catering business offering a wide range of high-quality food and drink products. Known for its emphasis on fresh, local ingredients and its Mediterranean-inspired dishes, Papadeli provides delicious catering options for weddings and other special events.

Scoff and Banter - At Scoff & Banter Catering, we believe in making weddings and events stress-free and perfect for the day you have dreamed of. We provide delicious, locally sourced food and service to help make your day memorable.

Caper and Cure - Based in Montpellier, Bristol, Caper and Cure is the wedding caterer with that extra edge. Run by a husband and wife team, they are known for their fantastic menus, which are cooked from scratch using locally sourced ingredients and make for an extra special addition to any wedding.

Food 4 Thought Catering - A long-established Bristol company with over 30 years of experience providing wedding catering services. Our highly skilled chefs use only the best ingredients to create stunning dishes that are sure to impress your guests.

Tastebuds Catering - We have been catering for weddings, corporate functions and parties for over 30 years. All our menus are individually designed, and all our food is made by hand and cooked to order using fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

Bristol, located in the southwest of England, is a vibrant city known for its rich history, cultural diversity, and lively arts scene. Bristol is a dynamic city that offers something for everyone interested in history, culture, food, or simply enjoying a vibrant urban atmosphere.