Wedding Venues in Rutland
There are 8 wedding venues listed in Rutland, which reflects the size of the county rather than a lack of quality. The list includes hotels near Rutland Water, a coaching inn in Uppingham, a hotel in Oakham, a golf venue, a country estate and a family farm that hosts outdoor receptions. Most suit weddings of up to about 120 guests, and a few can go larger. If you are planning a big celebration, it is worth knowing early which Rutland venues can take your numbers and when a marquee or a venue just over the border makes more sense. Browse the listings below, then read our guide to capacities, ceremony options, costs and when to look at neighbouring counties.
What kinds of venue Rutland has
Rutland is the smallest historic county in England, at around 147 square miles, so choice is limited but varied. The venue types you will find here are:
- Hotels by Rutland Water, which offer a ceremony, meal and rooms in one place.
- Market town hotels and inns in Oakham and Uppingham, handy for guests who want to walk to pubs and shops.
- Historic ceremony venues such as Oakham Castle and Normanton Church, usually paired with a separate reception.
- Estates and farms where you hire a site and bring in a marquee or tipi.
- Golf and country clubs with function suites.
Large wedding venues in Rutland
If you have a long guest list, Rutland narrows quickly. From the venues' own websites:
- The Barnsdale (listed here as Barnsdale Lodge Hotel), near Exton overlooking Rutland Water, hosts weddings of up to 180 guests and has 45 bedrooms.
- The Falcon Hotel in Uppingham is licensed for ceremonies and seats up to 120, with accommodation on site for up to 60 guests.
- Normanton Park Hotel, on the shore of Rutland Water and the closest hotel to Normanton Church, seats up to 120 in its Rutland Suite and conservatory.
For more than about 180 guests, a marquee is the usual answer. Exton Park offers marquee receptions in the grounds of Exton Hall, and Halfmoon Farm, a family farm in Hambleton with views of the water, lets couples create their own reception. Anglian Water Parks also allows a marquee within Rutland Water park for couples marrying at Normanton Church. Otherwise, look over the border at Leicestershire venues, Lincolnshire venues around Stamford, or Northamptonshire venues, all within a short drive.
Ceremony options
Rutland County Council runs its own registration service in Oakham. There are two ceremony rooms. The register office room is for the couple and two witnesses only, Monday to Wednesday. Catmose Cottage, a Georgian drawing room with a walled garden, holds up to 40 guests. The Wisteria Hotel in Oakham is about a minute's walk from Catmose and five minutes from the castle, which makes it a practical choice for a small town-centre reception.
The council's approved list also includes Oakham Castle, whose Norman Great Hall seats up to 80, Normanton Church, which hosts civil ceremonies only, Fort Henry at Exton Park, a gothic folly built in 1788 beside a lake, plus Greetham Valley, Hambleton Hall and several hotels. For any of these, you book the registrars separately, and you must both give notice at least 29 days before the ceremony.
What a Rutland wedding costs in 2026
A 2026 UK wedding survey put the average UK wedding at around £20,604 and the East Midlands average at about £17,981. The same survey found average venue hire, excluding catering, of about £6,040 across the UK and about £4,739 in the East Midlands. Ceremony fees below are from Rutland County Council at the time of writing; the rest are rough 2026 ranges.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Register office ceremony, couple and two witnesses | £74.50, Monday to Wednesday |
| Catmose Cottage ceremony | £345 Monday to Thursday, £520 Friday to Sunday |
| Registrars at a licensed venue | £575 Monday to Thursday, £715 Friday to Sunday |
| Hotel wedding package | Roughly £85 to £150 per guest |
| Marquee site hire on an estate or farm | Roughly £2,000 to £8,000 |
| Marquee or tipi for about 150 guests | Roughly £6,000 to £15,000+, plus catering |
Check the council's website for current fees, as they change each year. For the hidden costs of estate and barn weddings, see our guide to barn and country house wedding venues in the East Midlands.
Where your guests will stay
Rutland has fewer hotel rooms than a city, and summer weekends around the water are busy with visitors. Block-book rooms at your venue as soon as you have a date, and look at Oakham, Uppingham and Stamford for extra rooms. Oakham has a railway station, and the A1 runs along the county's eastern edge.
Once your venue is booked, browse photographers who cover Rutland.
What is the largest wedding venue in Rutland?
Among the hotels listed here, The Barnsdale takes the most, with weddings of up to 180 guests. For larger numbers, a marquee at an estate or farm venue is the usual choice.
Can we get married at Rutland Water?
Yes. Normanton Church, on the south shore, is licensed for civil ceremonies, and there are hotels close to the water that host ceremonies and receptions.
Can we have a religious ceremony at Normanton Church?
No. The building is deconsecrated and hosts civil ceremonies only, so religious content is not allowed. The same applies to Oakham Castle.
How early should we book a Rutland wedding venue?
With so few venues, 12 to 18 months ahead is sensible for a summer Saturday. Registrars also need booking early, especially for Friday to Sunday.
Is Rutland good for a small wedding?
Very. Catmose Cottage holds up to 40 guests, and Oakham and Uppingham both have hotels and restaurants within walking distance of a ceremony.