So, you’ve just got engaged and begun your wedding planning journey. Yay!!

With so many unique wedding venues in South Wales on offer, you’ll wonder where to start! 

You’re in the right place though as this blog talks about one of the most popular counties for weddings in South Wales: The Vale of Glamorgan. 

The Vale is a popular choice for couples – not only is it close to Cardiff but has stunning coastlines and plenty of greenery to offer. 

Here are a handful of wedding venues in the Vale of Glamorgan so you can begin your search without needing to step out of your front door. 

Each venue has been carefully selected, and you’ll most likely be drawn to some and think “hell, no!” to others.

Deciding what sort of vibe you’d like for your day is the first task, and knowing this early on will save you a lot of time (and stress) later when you start booking in viewings.

Coed Hills

 – The Quirck Arty One

Let’s begin with the first of the wedding venues in the Vale of Glamorgan: Coed Hills. If you’re the laid-back arty type then Coed Hills is well worth a visit. 

You’ve got the option of a humanist or legal ceremony amongst the stone circle, in the pasture meadow, under the trees in the woodland, or inside one of the barns. 

If you’re all about making your wedding more sustainable then this is your place.

Coed Hills has a range of on-site accommodations from romantic yurts, to cute gypsy caravans, and cottages for the family, and there’s even enough room to invite all your guests to camp overnight too!

Wedding Day Capacity -30 to 150

Onsite Accommodation – 36 Plus Space for Camping

Price Range -£4000-£10,000 (plus VAT)

The Best Bits by Sharon, Coeds Wedding Planner – ” Coed is an exclusive zero-waste wedding venue, set within an intentional off-grid community just 15 minutes from Cardiff. With 180 acres of woodland and pastures, a wild swimming lake, a stone circle, five licensed outdoor ceremony locations, and 2 indoor locations, incase of rain, Coed appeals to nature lovers, environmentalists, and spiritual couples looking for an alternative venue that suits their ethos”

Seasonal – April to September 

Photo Opt – If you’re the arty type you’ll just love the utter randomness of Coed Hills. When you take a stroll you’ll stumble across massive bird cages, colourful old-fashioned gypsy caravans and originally placed statues. You’ve also got the meadow and woodland, the stone-circle perfect for golden hour. 

Website – Www.CoedWeddings.co.uk

Gilston Manor

– The Elegant Manor House

Get married in an elegant manor house with stunning views, impeccable walled gardens, and luxury boutique accommodation. 

This exclusive venue is next on the list for wedding venues in the Vale of Glamorgan, it’s nestled in the quiet village of Gileston, and couldn’t be more different from Coed Hills. 

Unlike other venues, this one offers the choice of getting married in its own church. Yes, it’s got it own church on site! The options don’t stop there, you can say your I Do’s in a number of beautiful locations around the grounds. You can even make an unforgettable arrival via helicopter!
 Gileston offers boutique accommodation like no other, walking from one room to the next is journey in itself with each room carefully designed. They also cater for families too. 

Wedding Capacity – 4 to 140

Onsite Accommodation –  40

Price Range – £2000 – £20,000

The Best Bits by Hollie, Gileston’s Wedding Planner – Exclusivity of the entire 9 acres, stunning views and gardens. Plus lots of options for places to have your ceremony, meaning you’ll have your day exactly how you want. 

Seasonal – April to November

Photo Opt – You’d be spoilt for choice at Gileston Manor. During the warmer months, wisteria drapes across the entire of front of the manor house making it a perfect spot for the group. For photographs of just the two of you, you’ve got the sunset field at golden hour, the pristine gardens, or if you’re feeling edentulous, there is even a little lake with a rowing boat!

Website – Www.GilestonManor.co.uk

Rosedew Farm

A Welcoming Welsh Cwtch

Rosedew Farm is one of the more popular wedding venues in the vale of Glamorgan all year round. 

 It’s a cozy space that provides a blank canvas for you to shape your wedding dream. The main barn with it’s lime washed walls can be dress exactly how you want. 
Each wedding booking includes a two night stay for you VIP guests so you’ll truly get time to catch up whilst roping them into a little decorating of the barn (or put you feet up if you decided to hire a team to take care of the styling)

With this venue being family run, you’re welcome with open arms and it’s super relaxed.

Wedding Capacity – 65 – 250

Onsite Accommodation – 80

Price Range – £6000 – £11,000

The Best Bits by Del – “Our idyllic rustic stone barn surrounded by the Welsh countryside is the constant but the seasonal changes provide quirky differences to each wedding. Our couples love to explore their surroundings for the most beautiful photos. Whether it’s a photoshoot with newly born lambs, waltzing amongst the wild flowers or heading to the dramatic cliffs, our couples are guaranteed the best back drop for their photos. 

Many of our couples love the fact that we are an exclusive hire wedding venue with accommodation for up to 80 guests, and as many people choose us for our rural location on the Welsh Coast. We provide not just a wedding venue, but offer a break away which is always good for the soul. We also offer an evening food service for the night before the wedding which contributes to the laid back atmosphere of Rosedew.

We offer a blank canvas for our couples to curate the wedding of their dreams. Our menus are bespoke and wide ranging so our guests can opt for anything from street food platters to a traditional roast. Evenings are laid back with options including an outdoor BBQ to a grazing table or giant paella! 

Seasonal – February to December

Photo Opt – Rosedew Farm is just a few minutes drive to Llanwit Beach where you can catch the sunset on your day. Depending on the time of year, you’ll also find sunflower and wildflower fields blooming as well as rolling hills and clifftop views of the sea.

Website – www.Rosedewfarm.co.uk

Candleston Woods

Get Married in Woodland

Candleston Campsite is a fairly new wedding venue in the Vale of Glamorgan and it’s already becoming popular for couples wanting to ditch the traditional wedding and do something ultra laidback and out of the ordinary.

You’ll get the entire 40 acres of woodland with the freedom of bringing in your own catering and bar, allowing you to dance around the camp fire til the earlier hours. Wild-swimming nearby for the the adventurous folk and There’s even a hot sauna on site to soothe sore heads the next day!

Wedding Capacity – 4 – 500

Onsite Accommodation – 120

Price Range – from 4- from 7k

The Best Bits by Maria, Candleston’s Wedding Planner

 “Our beautiful private woodland is part of the magnificent Merthyr Mawr nature reserve on the south wales coast. With a Castle ruin, coastal walks and the 2nd largest sand dune in Europe on our doorstep, there is an abundance of activities to keep you all entertained during your weekend wedding stay. Unplug from the world and immerse yourself in nature and re-connect with your favourite people. Camp under the stars…”

Maria – Candleston Woods

Seasonal – All Year

Photo Opt – Embrace your surrounding by taking a stroll through the woodland which open out onto the dunes of Merthyr Mawr, or opt to jump in the car for a short drive to Ogmore Beach to catch some epic sunsets. 

Website – Www.Candlestonwoods.co.uk

St Donats Castle

The Fairytale Wedding Venue

The last of our unique wedding venues in the vale of Glamorgan, The grand St Donats Castle located on the coastline near Llanwit Major. 

Its exposed Bath stone walls offer a neutral palette to compliment your wedding decor. The original Tudor gardens sweep down onto the secluded Bay of St Donats where you’ll discover stunning views across the channel. 

The inner garden is licensed for outdoor ceremonies as well as the epic Bradenstoke Hall.

They’ve also got an onsite pool if you’re into a little cold therapy quick dip on your wedding morning

If you happen to be a Harry Potter fan then this might be your place. It’s definatly got a Hogwarts feeling going on!

Wedding Day Capacity – 50-150

Onsite Accommodation – Nearby Links 

Price Range – £3250-£5950 (Venue Hire Only)

The Best Bits by Robyn, Event Planner at St Donat’s – The Gardens and the spectacular views across the Bristol Channel plus that we limit our weddings each year, making this a an exclusive opt for your wedding day. 

Season – Any day of the week outside of the College term between mid-June to mid-August.

Photo Opt – Summer months provide full blooms in the immaculately kept gardens perfect for your couple shoot.

They sweep down into the secluded Bay of St Donats which create the ultimate backdrop for some peaceful shots of you together. 

Website – Www.Uwcatlanticexperience.com

Natural Wedding Photography

“She has captured our wedding day in the most beautiful way. The photos all reflect the energy and atmosphere of the day, and there are some wonderful moments caught on camera”Bride | Amy Short

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The Venues on Film

By Simon Huntley

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