Wedding suppliers in Cambridge

Planning a wedding in Cambridge

Cambridge's colleges, chapels and riverside lawns give it a timeless, scholarly beauty that suits weddings of every size. The Backs, where college gardens run down to the River Cam, are among the most photographed views in England, and punts on the river add a playful touch to a wedding album.

Venue options

Some colleges and university buildings host weddings or receptions, though availability and rules vary, so ask early. The city also has hotels, restaurants and historic buildings, and the countryside around it offers barns, country houses and estates. Ely, with its great cathedral rising above the fens, is a short drive north, and Saffron Walden to the south has handsome old streets. Royston, Newmarket, Huntingdon and Haverhill all have suppliers who regularly work across the area.

When to plan around

Cambridge's academic calendar affects availability. Graduation ceremonies and the celebrations at the end of the summer term make June especially busy, and hotels fill during term-time events and open days. Newmarket's race meetings can have a similar effect on rooms to the east. Checking dates early is well worth it.

Practical points

• The city centre is compact, and parking is very limited. Arrange drop-off points for cars and suppliers, and consider walking routes for guests.
• The fens can be exposed and windy, and flat landscapes mean big skies, which can be lovely at sunset. Ask your photographer about timing.
• Trains run frequently to London King's Cross and Liverpool Street, the M11 runs south to London, and Stansted Airport is within easy reach.

In England, civil ceremonies must take place at a register office or approved premises, and you give notice at your local register office. The Cambridgeshire register office service can confirm current notice periods and ceremony options.

Musicians are worth booking early here, as the city has a strong choral and classical tradition and the best string players and singers are in demand.