The Rise of Deconsecrated Buildings as Wedding Venues

by | Oct 17, 2024 | Weddings

Church and Chapel Closures

According to a recent Guardian article, it is thought about 3,500 churches in the UK have closed since 2013, and there are many more that are on Historic England’s “Heritage at Risk” register.  With this in mind and the decline of religion for so many, when it comes to planning your wedding, a church could be an obvious option. It’s historical, beautiful and romantic, but if you aren’t a practising Christian, then for many, it will be automatically discounted.

Interior view of the deconsecrated chapel, The Mount Without in Bristol

Deconsecrated Buildings

There are, however, some absolutely incredible deconsecrated chapels and churches in the UK, including All Saints Chapel in Eastbourne, Asylum Chapel in London and The Mount Without in Bristol, where I conduct ceremonies regularly. 

These churches and chapels have become amazing wedding venues and event spaces.  They are the perfect option for those who are looking for a celebrant-led ceremony in a historic and beautiful building. You can then create your own ceremony and weave in all the personal and tailored elements you wish without restrictions.

Tara the Celebrant leading a celebrant wedding ceremony in the deconsecrated chapel, The Mount Without

The Mount Without – Bristol

This very special wedding and event space was co-founded by Norman Routledge, Michele Midwinter, Roseanna Anderson, and Joshua Ben-Tovim. As they quote themselves on their website, this iconic building has been resurrected from the ashes of disaster. After twenty years of neglect and a catastrophic fire, they have breathed new life into it.

Every time  I walk into The Mount Without, it takes my breath away.  It is a space that I know I will never get bored of, and it is a dream space to officiate in.  The owners have worked incredibly hard to ensure that the building’s design remains sympathetic to its roots. It was built during the COVID-19 pandemic with a small team – a labour of love that has resulted in bringing this building back to its original glory.

A happy couple during their celebrant-led wedding ceremony inside The Mount Without

Church Wedding Venues

The Mount Without dates back to 1147 and has been called The Mount because it was originally built outside Bristol’s city walls.  It would have, without a doubt, been an original gathering place; its walls hold so many stories, and it is so incredibly special to see how popular it has become not only as a wedding venue but also as a community space with many regular and fantastic events available to all its Bristol residents and beyond. 

The images featured here are from a wedding of the lovely Sian and Alistair in September 2024, shot by the incredible Maria Madison. As you can see, The Mount Without is just spectacular. The guests were totally blown away by its architecture and sheer beauty. This was a celebrant-led ceremony packed full of detail, personal readings, and their incredible love story. We also included a unity candle ceremony, which lends itself beautifully to a wedding at this venue.

If you are, therefore, looking for an incredible and breathtaking space that has all the appeal of a church setting without religion, then this is the ultimate venue for a wedding. And what better way to preserve these beautiful, deconsecrated buildings across the country that are steeped in so much history? 

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