In the whirlwind of love and excitement that comes with planning your big day, one of the first and most crucial decisions you’ll make is choosing the perfect wedding venue. With so many options out there, we understand it can be overwhelming to decide. However, if you’re torn between the bustling city lights and the serene embrace of the countryside, we’re here to show you why a countryside wedding at a Wiltshire wedding venue is the best choice for the most magical day of your lives. We’ll break down the pros and cons of each wedding setting to help you on your journey to finding the perfect wedding venue for you.
Why have a countryside wedding?
Imagine exchanging vows under a canopy of twinkling stars, surrounded by 5000 acres of farmland and the gentle sounds of bird call. Countryside weddings offer an unparalleled romantic backdrop that city venues struggle to match. The tranquillity and beauty of the countryside not only provide a stunning setting but also infuse your special day with a sense of intimacy and warmth that’s hard to replicate in the urban hustle and bustle. Let’s explore the pros and cons of a countryside wedding.
The unrivalled scenery
Countryside weddings benefit from glorious, unrivalled scenery. Forget destination weddings – countryside wedding venues offer gorgeous British views that extend for miles, with stunning golden hour periods perfect for your private couple moments with your photographer. They offer the perfect romantic backdrop for your wedding, making you feel like you could be abroad, without the faff of arranging a destination wedding.
Intimacy and exclusivity
If you don’t like the idea of prying eyes and random tourists in the back of your wedding photos, you’ll love this. Countryside wedding venues, like Chalk Barn in Wiltshire, offer a more intimate and personal setting, away from the hustle and bustle of a busy city. You won’t need to feel anxious about the idea of strangers trying to take photos of you, or of ruining that perfect wedding shot.
Further, with a Wiltshire wedding venue, you’re likely to gain exclusive use. In fact, our venue Chalk Barn offers 48 hours exclusive use, so you won’t cross paths with any other couples on site at our venue. This premium exclusivity not only ensures you don’t have any awkward exchanges with strangers but it also allows you additional time to set up the day before, allowing for a seamless, stress-free wedding morning.
Creative freedom
Unlike many city wedding venues, a countryside wedding venue is often seen as a blank canvas, where your wedding theme and decor can come to life. You are not limited by the furniture of a premium pub or luxury hotel; you can opt for any wedding decor you desire. Further, with the additional space available in the countryside, you often will have the choice to have an indoor ceremony or an outdoor ceremony, allowing for a range of guest activities throughout the day.
At Chalk Barn, we’ve had extensive ceiling decorations, helicopter arrivals, doughnut walls, firework displays – you name it! The only limitation at a countryside wedding venue is your imagination.
Use of outdoor space
One of the undeniable benefits of a countryside wedding venue is the abundance of space. Venues like Chalk Barn in the heart of Wiltshire offer expansive landscapes where your guests can mingle freely, enjoy outdoor activities, and revel in the celebration without the constraints of tight spaces often found in city venues. This openness encourages a relaxed atmosphere, making your wedding feel like a true escape and a memorable experience for everyone involved. There is no distraction of taxis honking outside, no tourists in the back of photos and no squeezing into a tiny bar. You and your guests can be completely present and take in the moment in its entirety.
Your photo opportunities
The picturesque landscapes of the countryside provide a breathtaking backdrop for your wedding photos. The natural lighting, combined with the minimalist contemporary decor of venues like Chalk Barn, ensures that every moment captured is a piece of art. These photos will not only be cherished memories but timeless treasures that encapsulate the beauty and emotion of your special day.
Potential cons of a countryside wedding:
We’ll be honest, we can’t think of too many (but we may be a bit biased)! To help you in fully making your wedding venue decision, we’ve listed a few of the cons of a countryside wedding.
Accessibility
Some couples who choose city weddings do so because of the accessibility. Public transport, Uber and local taxi services make city weddings appealing due to the fact that everyone can quickly move between the ceremony and the reception venue without too much hassle. In contrast, a countryside wedding venue may be more ‘in the middle of nowhere’ with a longer drive to the local train station.
At Chalk Barn, you can rely on our partnership with local coach companies and double-decker bus companies to transport your guests with ease. Our General Manager will personally drive you to your newlywed accommodation, and we also offer on-site accommodation in the form of glamping or Brambledown cottage for some of your closest guests. This means accessibility is less of an issue.
We also feel that fast-paced city venues are less appropriate for older guests. Plus, being a stair-free venue, our countryside wedding venue is hassle-free for any guests in wheelchairs.
Weather dependence
Many couples will associate a countryside wedding venue with a bright summer’s day, while a city wedding venue could be deemed as a better choice for unreliable weather. However, our Wiltshire wedding venue offers both indoor and outdoor ceremonies which we can decide on the day of your wedding if necessary. With an abundance of space and a supportive team of staff, we’re always prepared for either situation, no matter the weather. This means that your countryside wedding will be seamless and beautiful, come rain or shine.
Supplier options
City wedding couples love the variety that is on offer with a city wedding venue. With multiple caterers, photographers and other wedding suppliers at your fingertips, you will have so much choice as to who you wish to work with.
Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to hire a local wedding supplier if you do not wish to. For example, if you want to work with a photographer from central London at your Wiltshire wedding venue, what is stopping you?
At Chalk Barn we have curated a list of standout Wiltshire wedding suppliers to help our couples in their decision making journey. From in-house catering to luxury countryside photographers, we have worked with many incredible creatives and our couples do not feel limited in choice. We hope this puts you at ease that you will still have so much variety to choose from when finding the right wedding suppliers for you.
Countryside wedding venues always win
Choosing a countryside wedding venue like Chalk Barn in Wiltshire is more than just a setting; it’s a statement of embracing natural beauty, warmth, and a relaxed atmosphere on your special day. The countryside offers a blend of romance, exclusivity, and a personal touch that city venues find hard to match.
Your countryside wedding begins with a private viewing at Chalk Barn. Nestled in the stunning Wiltshire countryside, our venue offers the perfect backdrop for your special day. By booking a viewing, you’ll have the chance to explore our beautiful grounds, discuss your vision with our team, and start planning the wedding of your dreams.
Don’t wait to secure your ideal date for 2025. Book your private viewing of our Wiltshire wedding venue today.