Bride and joy: Bristol’s whacky wedding venues

Forget church bells and walking down the aisle and go for promenading on the deck of a ship, an art-house cinema, a curious discovery centre and the kind of views that get photographers excited. Here’s 10 suggestions for a big day with a big difference at unusual wedding venues in and around Bristol

Seas the day: Brunel’s SS Great Britain
Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the Victorian engineer who designed and built this magnificent ship, referred to the SS Great Britain as ‘his darling’. When she was launched in 1843, to take wealthy passengers to New York and Australia, she was the finest ship on the planet. Now she’s one of Bristol’s premier attractions – and available to hire. On-board wedding parties can make use of the weather deck (which has stunning views across the harbour), the long sweep of the promenade deck and the first-class dining saloon.

Image - Brunel's SS Great Britain, credit Rebecca Roundhill

Supersonic ceremony: Aerospace Bristol
For a wow-factor wedding reception, hire the vast Concorde Gallery – where an original 1970s Concorde is the show-stopping centre piece of this museum dedicated to Bristol’s aeronautics industry. Enjoy a three-course meal for up to 500 guests beneath the wings of the supersonic passenger jet (Concorde Alpha Foxtrot was the last to be built and the last to fly). An exclusive private view of the Concorde exhibition – and a chance to step aboard – will be included.

Image - Aerospace Bristol

Steamy past: M Shed
In a 1950s Port of Bristol transit shed right on the Harbourside, Bristol’s social history museum offers some unusual modes of transport: ask to be airlifted to your wedding by crane (the waterfront’s vintage electric cargo cranes are relics of the city’s industrial past), or arrive by boat (a 19th century steam tug perhaps). A steam train can be at your guests’ disposal, as well as an exclusive evening viewing of the galleries. Ceremonies and bespoke wedding packages are on offer along with a penthouse-style events suite and one of the city’s best views of the Floating Harbour.

Image - M Shed, credit Samantha Gilraine

Out of this world: We The Curious
Bristol’s state-of-the-art science centre offers a voyage of interactive discovery packed with playful, hands-on exhibits that help visitors understand how the world works. Licensed for weddings and civil ceremonies, the Harbourside attraction offers the chance to marry in the glass-walled Franklin Room (great views of Millennium Square and Bristol Cathedral), in the intimate Annexe (for smaller ceremonies) or under the glittering stars of the Planetarium.

Image - We The Curious

Love matches: Gloucestershire County Cricket Ground 
Get hitched on the cricket pitch at the home of Gloucestershire Cricket, the Bristol County Ground on Gloucester Road. The ground’s pavilion offers a collection of suites and ‘hospitality boxes’ with room for 10-300 guests and all overlooking the pitch. Civil ceremonies can take place in the Premier Lounge; if it’s a big wedding go for the Grace Room (named after WG Grace, the famous Bristol cricketer whose son founded the club).

Image - Gloucestershire County Cricket Club

Fairy Tale: Clifton Observatory
Perched on a cliff overlooking the Avon Gorge, this little beauty has a round tower, a roof terrace, a cave and sensational views of the city’s iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge. Originally built as a windmill, the Observatory offers room for 60 guests in the William West Room. At the top of the tower is an original 19th century camera obscura. And down below, via 130 steps cut into the rock, is the Giant’s Cave (the home of mythological giants Goram and Ghyston). 

Image - Clifton Observatory

Music maestro: St George’s Bristol
Grade II* listed, this handsome Greek Revival building – all Bath stone and Doric pillars – retired as a church in 1976 to become one of the city’s leading music venues. Wedding parties get to use the former chapel and stage (famed for its amazing acoustics), the Café Bar (think fine dining), vaulted rooms and leafy terraced gardens set at the foot of Brandon Hill park. The venue can also offer a stylist and wedding co-ordinator to make the place look even more George-ous.

Image - St George's Bristol, credit Evan Dawson

Media darlings: Watershed
Right on the waterfront at Harbourside, the Watershed media centre is all about ‘cultural cinema, talent development and creative technology’ and you can get married there, too. The landmark venue has a licence to hold wedding ceremonies and couples can arrive by boat, make use of a state-of-the art cinema and hold a reception in a gallery-like space – a ‘blank canvas’ they say.

Image - Watershed

And there’s more...
Bristol’s many wedding venues include Thornbury Castle, an elegant 18th century party room at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre and Bristol’s City Hall. Discover more venues here.