Almost a third of engaged British couples considered marrying abroad in 2025, yet just 3 per cent went on to do so, unchanged from 2024, suggesting the appeal of an overseas wedding rarely translates into an actual booking. The figures are based on data from more than 7,000 UK couples, published in Bridebook’s UK Wedding Report 2026.
Weddings abroad
Around 83 per cent of couples considered a European wedding, against 10 per cent who considered North America (couples could consider more than one destination). Within Europe, Italy was the top pick at 21 per cent, followed by Greece (20 per cent), Spain (13 per cent), Cyprus (8 per cent) and France (6 per cent). Portugal ranked sixth among European countries at 5 per cent, matching the figure for the United States.
The disparity between almost a third of respondents considering weddings abroad and that only 3 per cent of couples went ahead with this option, is likely to be about logistics. Couples who marry abroad have to factor in costs for not just the memorable ceremonies, (which can be cheaper than for UK options) but also for flights and accommodation, for themselves as well as for guests.
The UK’s government website advises couples to check the laws and any visa requirements for their chosen country as well as which documents would be needed, to ensure legal ceremonies are possible. It is however possible to book all-inclusive packages with flights, hotels and ceremonies included through UK providers such as Jet2Holidays and TUI.
Honeymoons and aviation themes
The report also found that 32 per cent of British married couples in 2025, chose Europe for their honeymoons. Asia and North America were also popular, with almost a quarter of respondents holidaying in each. Costs were reported to have varied from an average of £2,322 for UK ‘staycation’ honeymoons to a more unusual and expensive choice of a honeymoon in Antarctica costing £20,750.
While the report found rustic, classic and traditional weddings were the most popular choice for UK couples last year, only around 5 per cent of couples went for a ‘themed’ wedding. There were no specific figures for UK-based aviation themed weddings but couples with a love of flying can find many specific ideas on Pinterest.
However, it is worth noting that whilst it is not currently legally possible to be married mid-air, the UK government is currently in consultation to amend traditional wedding laws so officiants will hold wedding licences rather than venues, meaning this may well be possible in the future.
Ideas for aviation themed venues could be opting to host weddings in an aircraft hangar such as Sywell Aerodrome in Northampton, aviation museums such as the National Museum of Flight, near North Berwick, themed hotels such as the Aviator Hotel in Farnborough or private spaces such as The Royal Air Force Club in London.
In Gloucestershire, there is even the option to be married inside a retired British Airways (BA) Boeing 747 with venue Negus 747. Couples with a larger budget could arrive by helicopter or order grand entertainment gestures such as aerobatic displays with skywriting or hearts. Specific details such as boarding-pass or flight ticket style invitations, table place names or airport-named tables can also create a flight theme.
Did you choose to get married abroad last year or perhaps held an unusual aviation themed wedding? Let us know in the comments below!
