Weddings Abroad (Part Two)

Unconventional, as we said… here’s a selection of destinations—some decidedly out of the ordinary—where you can celebrate an event destined to rank among the highlights of your life.

Ever imagined saying “I do” up in a tree? With forest weddings on the rise, you might be intrigued to learn that just over an hour’s drive from Glasgow lies a truly memorable Victorian venue. Built in 1864 and once a restaurant, it has recently been transformed into an ideal wedding destination—a five-star lodge overlooking Loch Goil, a saltwater lake within Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Fully licenced for weddings, its striking setting makes it popular for full ceremonies or romantic proposals over candlelit dinner.

The views are astonishing. Imagine exchanging vows 140 metres above sea level aboard the British Airways i360, the world’s tallest moving observation tower. Soaring to 162 metres, it presides over the Sussex coast in Brighton. Inside the futuristic glass pod—which can accommodate up to 200 guests—you’ll glide skywards and take in panoramic vistas of the English Channel. After the ceremony, your guests can sip champagne, savour canapés and await the reception in an ambience that’s truly out of this world.

Dubbed the “Love Train,” the Wedding Belle departs from Perrygrove Station and winds its way through the enchanting Forest of Dean. This steam-hauled carriage, designed and furnished especially for weddings, promises the ultimate countryside romance across Gloucestershire. Choose between two reception spaces: the Carriage Shed, which seats up to 40 guests, or Rockwood—a charming marquee for summer celebrations that fits up to 200.

Love a buzz of activity? Why not marry at a market—specifically, Borough Market, London’s oldest, which holds a licence for weddings. Its historic Market Hall is an imposing glass-and-iron structure with soaring ceilings, capable of hosting up to 250 guests. Ceremonies are scheduled during vendor breaks so you’ll have the space to yourselves. If you adore the area but prefer a restaurant reception, Roast—one of Borough’s highlights beneath the old flower market arcade—will handle every detail. They cater for over 100 guests and even gift the newlyweds a dinner for their first anniversary.

Staying on theme, we head to Edinburgh. Whisky aficionados can enjoy an exclusive dinner in the private vault at the Scotch Whisky Experience—just ten seats are available for a tasting of rare single malts. On request, the venue will organise a traditional Scottish celebration complete with a ceilidh, for dancing, toasts and all the customary fanfare.

Finally, for those who crave adventure: exchange vows with a bungee jump at Highland Fling in Perthshire. Take the plunge from an open-air platform, bound by the same cord, and promise each other eternal love with an adrenaline rush neither you nor your guests will ever forget.