How much do wedding venues cost to hire? From packages to venue types

The truth is, nothing sets the tone for your big day more than your choice of venue. And it's also most likely the biggest cost for your wedding!

Keep reading to find out how much you should be budgeting for your wedding venue, as well as some things to keep in mind when booking, including how venue types differ, wedding packages, and choosing exclusive use of the space. 

How to choose the right type of venue

Since every venue can be personalised and styled to bring your vision to life, no two weddings are the same. Still, there’s a world of difference between a rustic barn and a five-star hotel, and we’re not just talking about the aesthetics.

You’ll find few similarities where the hire costs of each are concerned too. It’s a huge decision, and you’ll want to have a rough idea of what sort of figure you could expect to pay at each type of venue before you start booking viewings.

Start browsing Scottish venues on our wedding directory 

There will be good and bad surprises: your dream setting might look far beyond your budget, for example. Don’t worry, though – there’s nearly always a way to bring your wedding vision to life, even if money is tight.

Which wedding venues offer wedding packages in Scotland?

Many (but not all) venues offer packages of one kind or another, but some have the package game down to a fine art. These will often be hotels in areas with good transport links, although some are purpose-built function spaces that specialise in hosting big celebrations such as weddings.

The great benefit of a package-based venue is the ease with which you can put together your day. Their aim is to make planning as simple and stress-free as possible.

Check out these venues that offer wedding packages

What is a wedding package?

Many venues that host weddings will group together different elements of the wedding day and details they can provide for you (like a master of ceremonies, some decor items and table linens). 

Packages can and include everything from evening buffet to basic floral arrangements. Many places have a selection of packages so couples can choose the best fit for their style and guestlist. 

They will often have a clear price per head, so no ‘hidden costs’ to contend with.

This potentially frees up a lot of time that would otherwise be spent on wedding admin and lets you focus on the fun and creative aspects of planning.

“All you have to do is ensure that any extra vendors, such as decorators, florists or entertainers, are aware of the venue’s policies,” explains Sandra Cunningham at Lodge on Loch Lomond. “This coordination helps prevent any last-minute issues.”

See more about what wedding venue packages include and how to make them your own

How much does a wedding package cost?

This varies depending on the venue and what's included in the package. 

And while all-inclusive packages can be convenient, Sandra warns: "you should carefully compare costs and services to ensure you’re getting the best value for your specific needs – our packages are typically priced from around £100pp.””

Package-based venues often make things straightforward for your guests too. They’re sometimes easy to get to, as mentioned, and can offer affordable hotel rooms, either in the venue itself or close by.

Considering the comfort of your guests is essential when planning your day, says Lodge on Loch Lomond's Sandra: “Of course your preferences are crucial, but the guest experience really matters too.

"Factors like travel, accommodation and overall comfort contribute to a positive experience for your loved ones.”

Planning a barn wedding in Scotland

Hosting a wedding in a barn became a thing about 15 years ago, and the concept has only grown in popularity since. Rustic venues have an effortless, laidback charm that is perfect for couples who chafe at the more formal structure of a traditional wedding day. 

But while barn celebrations look easy-going, their planning can be anything but.

What do barn wedding venues include?

If they are dry hire, it means you’ll likely have to do a lot of the hard work yourself – such as sourcing the caterer, tables and chairs, lighting, crockery and decor (and setting them up before the wedding).

In such cases, you might also need the help of a good coordinator or events professional to ‘run’ your day. If you’re up for the challenge though, these blank canvas venues can lead to a truly magical wedding day that is all about you and your SO.

See how to decorate a barn or blank-canvas venue for your wedding

Janet Gracey, who coordinates celebrations at Eden Leisure Village in Cumbernauld, works hard to make every wedding feel truly unique and special.

“Our venue’s flexibility, exclusive use and personalised approach all go a long way to ensuring each couple can create a bespoke and relaxed experience, making their wedding as memorable as the surroundings.”

How much does a blank-canvas wedding cost?

Well, barns can seem quite reasonable to hire as venue-only because many of them do not provide essentials like food or drink, which brings the price down.

You presumably do plan to feed your guests (and supply them with the odd bottle to toast your newlywed bliss), so it’s a good idea to touch base with local caterers and other essential vendors as soon as possible to get a more accurate idea of what your day will ultimately cost.

“At Eden Leisure Village, you can expect to pay a competitive rate for exclusive use of our beautiful venue; prices for 2025 start at £6,300 and go up to £9,500,” says Janet.

“Catering prices are quoted separately by our trusted catering partners. This ensures you have the flexibility to choose a menu that suits your style and budget.”

Luxury castle weddings in Scotland

You can marry at some truly beautiful – and super-luxurious – places in Scotland. These, not surprisingly, tend to be in the more expensive price bracket, but they are laden with wow factor and require very little effort from you to make them wedding-ready.

Take Cross­basket Castle, a stunning hotel not too far from Glasgow: it boasts sumptuous, classical interiors and is surrounded by acres of sweeping countryside.

It’s one of only 10 hotels in Scotland to hold ‘5 Red Stars’, the highest AA grading available. But it has something else that makes it particularly special: an on-site fine-dining restaurant.

“Food is all looked after by our award-winning in-house chefs, who are overseen by celebrated chef Michel Roux Jr,” says Crossbasket’s Laura McAulay.

“Completely bespoke menus can be created for our couples, or they can choose from our extensive seasonal wedding breakfast menus, all crafted from exquisite local produce and cooked to perfection.”

How much does a castle wedding cost in Scotland?

So how much might a couple expect to spend at such a fairytale venue?

Well, for couples marrying at Crossbasket Castle, Laura tells us: “Depending on date and number of guests, weddings here might cost between £16,000 and £35,000.

"All of our packages can be tailored to suit and we create a bespoke proposal for each one, starting with our recommendations, and offering elements the couple might consider upgrading.

"Exclusive use is also offered to all weddings of 100 guests and above,” notes Laura.

What is an exclusive-use wedding venue?

A lot of couples want to get away from it all and be surrounded by only their closest family and friends on their big day. If that sounds like you, an exclusive-use venue might fit the bill.

Check out these exclusive use wedding venues in Scotland

Tanya Lacey-Solymar of Achnagairn Castle in Inverness-shire to explains: “Our exclusive-use model means our castle is yours alone for the entirety of your stay,” she says.

“We have lots of bedrooms but we’re not a hotel and we don’t rent our reception rooms alone. The whole castle, with its gardens, reception rooms, ballroom and 24 bedrooms are completely yours.”

Why choose an exclusive use venue for your wedding? 

At an exclusive-use venue, you can add personal touches in a way that would rarely be possible at a hotel, for instance.

“At one Achnagairn Castle wedding, we put up rally-inspired arrival signage that led guests through the castle,” recalls Tanya.

“It was a nod to the bride’s career as a rally navigator, and added a fun and personal touch to the day – something that would be very difficult to do at a venue if it wasn’t entirely yours.”

Does exclusive use of a wedding venue cost more?

The variation in price at an exclusive-use venue can be dramatic – after all, when you have free rein over exactly what happens, you can spend as much money as you like. “I’d say couples tend to spend anything from around £25,000 up to £150,000 on their wedding with us,” says Tanya.

“Our two-night rental starts from £13,000 for the exclusive use of the castle, but we also have a special offer for the winter months for under £10,000.”

How much does it cost to get married in Scotland?

This will depend on the type of venue you choose, whether they offer packages, how many guests you have and all of the extra add-ons you want to include. 

According to Bridebook's 2025 UK Wedding Report, couples are spending around £20,822 on their wedding (not including the engagement ring and honeymoon). With an average of £5,945 being spend just on the venue hire (excluding catering).

For Scotland specifically, couples are spending on average £18,617.