I’ve loved visiting England and exploring this underrated country! Full of so much history and relaxing countryside, England is a great place to get married if you’re looking for a laid back time and want an easy way to get around!
1. Why you should get married in England
If you love the rolling country hills and quaint coffee shop vibes, England is a stunning place to get married! England is full of beautiful countryside and stunning coastal lines. The Lake District is a sweet place to stay for a weekend, and England has an amazing train system that makes getting around the country so easy!
2. How to get legally married in England as an American
I think the easiest way to get legally married is by going to your local courthouse to sign all the paperwork! When you fly to the UK, you can have all your fun ceremonies and personalized vows without the stress of filling out the legal side of getting married in a different country.
Some couples really like having their ceremony date on the legal paperwork, or the date has significance, so you can follow these steps to get legally married in the UK as a US citizen:
- Check to see if you need a visa
- Apply for the visa
- Check what you can bring with you
- Get married!
The official UK government website has the most up to date information that you can find here.
3. How to travel around England
Currency
Unlike most of Europe, The UK uses GBP (Pounds.) In larger cities, it’s really common to use tap to pay or card. When using credit cards, avoid American Express. Most European countries don’t like this company due to the hugh transaction fees for the businesses. Make sure to bring other brands like Mastercard or Visa, which is commonly accepted in the UK. Having some cash on you is generally a good idea as well!
Public Transport
England has a great public transportation system that’s straightforward to use! If you fly into London Heathrow, taking The Elizabeth Line or the Heathrow Express will get you to Paddington or Euston Station, the two larger train stations in London that will connect you to the country’s train systems. The London Underground is also easy to use, you can tap in and out with Apple Pay, or you can purchase a ticket at the machine.
My favorite sites to buy train tickets are:
Trainline for trains across the country
The Best time of year to visit England
England is pretty temperate year round! In the winter, it can be quite grey, spring and fall are faced with a decent amount of rain, but summer is sunny and not too hot! Shoulder seasons may get you more rain but the temperatures are also not freezing!
4. The Best Locations to get married in England
1.The Lake District
How to get to The Lake District
By Plane
The closest airport to The Lake District is in Carlisle, a small, local airport that’s about an hours drive to Windermere, one of the larger towns in The Lake District
By Train
The closest train station is Oxenholme Lake District. From the train station you can rent a car or take the bus to Windermere, about a 20 min drive.
Best Places to Stay
The town of Windermere is a popular spot to stay with a bunch of little Bed and Breakfasts. It’s a quaint little town that’s the epitome of what you think about when you picture a lakeside town in the English countryside. Grasmere is another village in the Lake District that is popular to stay in!
My favorite Airbnbs in The Lake District, England:
Modern Cabin south of Windermere
Charming Cottage in The Lake District
A Cute Cottage for a Perfect Get Away
Why I love this area
The Lake District is one of the most stunning parts of England! With beautiful mountain peaks, tons of beautiful lakes, and small villages with quaint coffee shops and places to visit. It’s the perfect combination of a relaxed, countryside visit with stunning views that are a perfect backdrop to your elopement!
2.Cornwall
How to get to Cornwall
From London Paddington, you can take a train to Penzance. In about 5 hours, you’ll end up near Lands End! You can also fly into Cornwall Airport Newquay to easily get to other areas around Cornwall.
Best Places to Stay
Some of the larger towns in Cornwall include Penzance, St Ives, and Newquay. The whole area has cute cabins near the sea!
My Favorite Airbnbs in Cornwall
Modern Shipping Container Cabin
Why I love this area
Cornwall has beautiful coastal views with stunning beaches and rolling hills with sweet cow pastures! If you love beach vibes that have fun rocky structures and coves, this is a great spot in England! There’s lots of little fishing towns that have great fish and chips too!
3.Stanage Edge (Pride and Prejudice)
How to get to Stanage Edge
By plane, you can fly into Manchester’s airport for the closest spot to get closer to the beautiful rolling hills! You can also take the train from London into Sheffield
Best Places to Stay
Why I love this area
Stanage Edge is an iconic part of the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice. If you’re a big fan of the movie, there’s plenty of other filming locations nearby that you can visit or take photos in! The rolling hills and stone houses are such a cute part of this country. It’s also in central England and pretty accessible from major cities like Manchester.
5. FAQ’s about Eloping in England
Where to Elope in England
Some of the most beautiful spots in England to get married is in Cornwall, Seven Sisters, The Lake District, and Derby
How much does it cost to Elope in England
England has a lower cost of living than the states, so vendors tend to be cheaper. Expect to pay around $5,000 on average for a elopement in England
Is it hard to get married in England as a foreigner
Nope! The easiest thing to do is get legally married in your country, then have a ceremony and celebration abroad!
How many guests is a small wedding
An intimate wedding is around 35 guests
What time of year should I get married in England?
Summer is the best time to get married in England for weather purposes! It can be sunnier and warmer during the summer which is better odds for nice weather on your wedding day! The UK never gets too hot and has a very temperate climate.
6. What to bring to an international elopement
- Passports
- 2 credit cards
- Cash in the local currency
- If legally getting married in england, anything the government needs from you (visa, birth certificate, etc)
- Dress bags
- Raincoat
- Wedding attire
7. England Elopement Photographer
Hey!! I’m Meghan, an American born, European living elopement photographer! I grew up in the states and photographed small weddings for years before moving to Europe to explore this new continent! I love helping American clients elope abroad, help answer any questions you have about the European planning process, while still knowing American culture when it comes to elopements! I can’t wait to meet you in Europe!
8. England Elopement Packages
All of my European Elopement Packages include my travel, a welcome box with my European elopement guide, a location guide with how to get around, my favorite spots in the area you choose, where to stay, and vendors! You have the option to add on film and super 8, or more in depth travel planning! We’ll spend our time together exploring Europe and making a whole vacation out of it!
9. Final Tips for getting married in England
England is a gorgeous country full of rolling hills, lakes, cute costal towns, and a great coffee shop. The public transportation is easy to use and gets you really close to where you need to go! Make sure to leave your American Express card at home, and purchase an Esim before you leave to stay connected to the internet while you travel!
10. Other European Elopement resources
I’ve loved exploring Europe! If England is your spot, or you’re looking for a few more options, here’s some other articles you should check out!
18 European Costal Wedding Locations
The Best Swiss Alps Elopement Locations
