Non-hotel wedding ceremony locations

[StrongInside]

Hi,

Any ideas for places that aren’t a hotel or Registrars’ Office to get married in the city in autumn?
We have a hotel reception booked for next year and want a small ceremony this year. Later in the year so that we might be lucky enough not to wear masks and stand 2 meters apart from everyone. All local Registrars’ Offices are oldfashioned-looking (or is the word ‘traditional’🤔) and partner doesn’t want to have the ceremony at another hotel (our hotel is booked for the year). Weather in Scotland is unpredictable so an outdoor ceremony is unlikely. We can get married anywhere like a park, middle of the street etc. (not just licensed venues), but I’m stuck for ideas.

Aside from parks, any other ideas of types of places I could look into?

You say within city limits, can you at least tell us which city - there's only seven of them in Scotland but they're all quite different

DH and I got married in the council chamber at Manchester University and then had lunch in what was the old science library. Had we wanted and evening do there was a big hall downstairs.

It has stained glass and fancy Victorian architecture so church ish but not a church.

I know you’re not into museums / art, but some of the rooms inside them are quite lovely, and indeed, some might actually be quite modern. So I wouldn’t discount them.
Any funky bars with good views that you could hire for an hour?

@TheLovleyChebbyMcGee The barns and lodges you have mentioned cost an arm and a leg, and since we’ve already got a reception booked in a nice hotel, we just need somewhere to get married that isn’t a Registrars’ office or another hotel. My personal dream would have been a lodge or treehouse but that isn’t happening.

So nowhere old, outside, far away (but no location given), museums, galleries, homes or hotels 🤣

Function room of a modern bar/pub you like?

Yeah it's a little bit tricky with all of those restrictions 😂

I was thinking maybe somewhere with a big Orangery/ greenhouse type place. So inside but feels like outside.

If Aberdeen is the mystery city then here? www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/leisure-culture-and-parks/parks-and-gardens/weddings-functions-and-photo-sessions-parks

I give up. My partner doesn’t want to go anywhere fun and unusual, and I can’t actually find many places that are taking bookings because they don’t know if the restrictions will be around or not. Thanks for brainstorming with me😉

Do you know what @StrongInside I would tell your DP that they need to create a shortlist for the two of you to consider together. Give them a deadline. Why are you having to find somewhere that meets the impossible criteria that they have?!

@Rainbowshine Because the alternative is to do it his way and get married at the Registrars’, or not get married at all. He really, and I mean really, isn’t into weddings or planning. I am. I’m probably trying to create a day of my dreams when it’s clear I won’t get it, so I’ll wait a few weeks to see what reopens and maybe places like will start taking bookings.

A northern city, so Inverness or Aberdeen I guess. Music venues? They'd be empty during the day I expect. Any restaurant - even if just for ceremony they might be happy to book out the whole room depending on what time of day it is.
Totally kooky suggestions - aircraft hangar, large polytunnel (garden centre or similar)...

@FeistySheep Thanks, I’ll see what’s open and with my luck, we’ll probably end up at the Registrars’.

@FeistySheep

A northern city, so Inverness or Aberdeen I guess. Music venues? They'd be empty during the day I expect. Any restaurant - even if just for ceremony they might be happy to book out the whole room depending on what time of day it is. Totally kooky suggestions - aircraft hangar, large polytunnel (garden centre or similar)...

I'm one of those who'd see nothing wrong with the airport as a venue!

Why cant you get the day of your dreams ?

Because of Covid? If so just wait a few months.

Because of your fiancé’s long list of criteria, from a man who really isn’t into weddings yet isn’t willing to go along with what you want?

Hmm. Are you sure you want to marry him? Is he always this awkward?

Is your hotel of choice really booked up for every single day this year?

I hope you get the day you want

@Svalberg The arrivals lounge?😁 No, nothing wrong with an unusual venue like that, I agree.

@I0NA Well, Covid has made it difficult for sure, but my partner not being into weddings and not being into the centre of attention is certainly making it hard to plan a dreamy day. No one’s perfect though. Our hotel might not be booked up, but they aren’t keen on chopping and changing so frequently, we’ve not long postponed for the second time.
@Boomchicka Thank you, I think the day will grow on me when I’m there. Hopefully no masks by then, I dread that!

I remember your first pop of colour thread!!!

You've told us lots of things you aren't into (museums, galleries, sports) can you give us some ideas of what you are into? What are your hobbies/interests? How/where did you meet? Are there any buildings/places that you would love to get married in if money/travel etc weren't an issue? You say modern but can you be more detailed than that? Do you mean 21st glass skyscrapers or 60's brutalism? Tell us the dream and someone will be able to think of a low cost alternative. Would everyone fit on a bus? A train? A boat?

Are you anywhere near a race course or sports club?