Planning your wedding in Bristol

Capital of the West Country and a cultural melting pot, Bristol sits on the River Avon and has an important maritime history. Many of the venues available are linked to its history so whether you're looking to use a blank canvas sea container or get married on a boat then Bristol is the one for you. If you're getting married in Bristol or are considering it then let our guide below help you with your planning. recommendations, tips and advice from local suppliers and some local, real wedding inspiration.

Where to start?

1 You can't get far without first working out your wedding budget. Try and get a rough idea of what you can afford. Put this number into our handy, free budget calculator to get a guide on how this might be split.

2 Now that you're all set with your budget, it's time to get an idea of the guest numbers. You may need to go back and revisit your budget depending on numbers. Our free guest tracker in the planning tools section will help you store all names and details.

3 Next, it's time to find your dream venue. There's plenty of choice in Bristol. From sea containers to glamorous hotels there's something for everyone. You may need to book a separate venue for the ceremony.

4 Finding the dream wedding dress can take a while and there's no need to feel rushed. Check out our wedding dress section to browse 1000s of designers and styles. Get an idea for what you like and then see which boutiques near you stock the designs you like.

Bristol wedding venues

Bristol Marriott Royal H...

Steeped in historic Victorian elegance the Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel wil...

£50 - £100 per head

Brunel's ss Great Britai...

The beautifully restored ship lies in the heart of Bristol’s harbours...

£80 - £140 per head

Berwick Lodge

Bristol | 100 capacity

Berwick Lodge is a beautiful country house set in 18 acres of stunning wood...

£2,750 - £20,000 total

The beautifully restored ship lies in the heart of Bristol’s harbourside. Launched in 1843 as the world’s first luxury ocean liner, the ss Great Britain is a truly unique venue for your wedding ceremony, wedding reception and evening party.
Brunel's ss Great Britain

Wedding dress stockists

Sassi Holford

British designer Sassi Holford has been making brides’ dreams come tr...

£2,000 - £8,000 per item

Stephanie Allin Couture

Stephanie Allin is widely recognised as one of the best British bridal desi...

£2,000 - £5,000 per item

Bridal Indulgence

Luxury boutique Bridal Indulgence offers a tranquil place to try wedding go...

£1,000 - £4,000 per head

La Boutique

La Boutique boasts a huge range of new, sample and some preloved wedding dr...

£199 - £999 per item

Real weddings in Bristol

Kate and Ben's Berwick Lodge Wedding

Amy-Jo & Sean's Classic Springtime Berwick Lodge W...

First things you need to do when planning a wedding

Free planning tools

5 Now that you've booked your venue it's time to find your other suppliers. We recommend starting with local, Bristol or West Country photographers. They might be a bit pricier than you'd expect but they're well worth it!

6 If food and drink is not in the venue package and this is something you need to source separately then it's worth getting your catering sorted. Plus, you get to enjoy all the tasting. Bristol has lots of great options for food.

7 So you know the date of your brill, Bristol wedding! It's time to send save the dates to all your guests. If you're sending physical save the dates then check out our fantastic stationery section for some great designs.

8 Are you have a band or DJ? 82% of our couples say they are most looking forward to the party part of the wedding. This is often the most memorable part of the wedding for your guests. Bristol has a great music scene so no problem getting the party started here!

Photographers

Siography

We have a trusted, relaxed, friendly and journalistic approach. Get in touc...

£1,000 - £2,249 total

Image Paradise Photograp...

Documentary wedding photography that gives you Timeless, natural wedding im...

£500 - £1,450 total

Martin Dabek Photography...

Documentary wedding photography with artistic twist!

£1,295 - £2,000 total

Life Spot Photography

Hello! I'm Andy from Life Spot Photography. If you're looking for professi...

£850 - £1,500 total

Documentary wedding photography that gives you Timeless, natural wedding images that tell your beautiful story!
Image Paradise Photography

Hair & make up artists

Evie Smith Hair and Make...

**EXCLUSIVE OFFER: 20% OFF FOR THE FIRST TWO BRIDES to book a wedding in Oc...

£30 - £80 per head

Matthew Curtis Hair

Matthew Curtis is one of the UK's most innovative and inspirational hair st...

£50 - £350 per head

michelle g makeup artist...

Mobile Professional makeup artist based in the West Midlands, travelling th...

£100 - £895 per head

9 Bristol has plenty of fantastic local florists. Can you get them to incorporate locally grown flowers into the flower arrangements? Nothing like having a local influence on your venue decor.

10 Hair and makeup just for the bride or your bridesmaids too? Get your trial booked in (you'll have to pay for this) so you've got an idea of the whole look on the big day. Hair and makeup artists are usually willing to travel so may worth looking at suppliers in Bath and Somerset too.

11 Lots of yummy cake makers in Bristol and just like the catering before, this is your chance to get stuck in with the tastings. Find a West Country-based supplier to ensure your cake doesn't have to travel too far on the day.

12 While we've only picked a handful of supplier categories above, we recommend you use our checklist planning tool to make sure you have everything ticked off. Remember, you'll also need to look at attire for the groom, groomsmen and bridesmaids along with Venue styling decor and favours.