20 Magical Library Wedding Venues in the UK and Abroad for Book Lovers
Discover 20 of the best library wedding venues in the UK and around the world, from historic city libraries to romantic country houses with book-filled studies
Love books as much as you love each other? A library wedding venue could be the perfect setting for your big day. From grand city libraries with towering bookshelves to historic country houses with elegant studies, these venues combine romance with timeless charm.
Whether you’re a pair of literature lovers, history buffs, or just want a unique backdrop for your ceremony, a wedding in a library offers character, atmosphere, and of course, plenty of photo opportunities among the shelves.
To inspire you, we’ve rounded up the very best library wedding venues in the UK - plus a few spectacular options abroad - to help you find a setting worthy of your own love story.
So, take your time browsing through our comprehensive list of beautiful library wedding venues and allow yourselves to be excited by the prospect of saying "I do" in the way you have always dreamt of.
The Best Library Wedding Venues for Bookworm Couples
Like love and romance, literature can be a source of happiness for many people. If you and your partner adore reading, then getting married at a library wedding venue must sound like a fairytale! Well, we're here to tell you that your fantasy doesn't have to be fictional for much longer - here are 17 of our favourites.
PS. If you need some help finding the perfect venue, make sure you read our guide to choosing a wedding venue.
1. Royal Society of Chemistry - West London
If you dream of a city wedding but still want a venue that exudes traditional charm then you'll want to add the Royal Society of Chemistry to your list. It's nestled in the heart of the West End with roots dating back to 1857.
The library is decorated with Italian Renaissance architecture and features ample opportunities for the in-house team to transform the space to suit your personal style.
- Capacity: 20 - 100
- Pricing: from £4,400
- Deals: this venue offers a 5% discount for Hitched couples
2. Hodsock Priory - Nottinghamshire
- Hitched couples say: "Hodsock was amazing from the first initial meeting to then booking to menu tasting night to then the big day!"
- Capacity: 40 - 250
- Pricing: menus from £73.50
- Deals: this has some fantastic deals for last minute weddings so check out the listing.
3. The Swan Hotel - Gloucestershire
Give your library wedding an intimate, cosy feel by hosting it at the Swan Hotel in Bilbury, which can host intimate ceremonies and receptions of up to 24 guests in the library. It’s also a dream place to elope to – the venue can provide witnesses if you want to marry without fuss. Stay on in the picturesque Cotswolds after your wedding – it’s a gorgeous location for a honeymoon in the UK.
- Hitched couples say: "We had our wedding reception at the Swan and it was incredible. Honestly the best day! Nothing was too much trouble and the staff are so lovely and kind."
- Capacity: up to 110
- Pricing: menus from £100
4. Dulwich College - London
The Old Library on site at Dulwich College is the perfect location for your library wedding ceremony. Whilst the books are no longer present, the history of the room makes it a great choice for book lovers. The wood-panelled walls give the room a warm, studious feel and the high, vaulted ceiling and arched windows flood the room with light.
- Hitched couples say: "We had a wonderful ceremony in the Old Library followed by a reception in the Barry Buildings. The Old Library had an intimate chapel-vibe, despite not being a religious building, and great acoustics for our contemporary choir."
- Capacity: 50 - 400
- Pricing: from £1,785
5. Clevedon Hall - Somerset
- Hitched couples say: "We had the most incredible experience having our wedding at Clevedon Hall. The venue itself is absolutely stunning - full of charm, elegance, and beautiful grounds."
- Capacity: 30 - 250
- Pricing: from £5,500
- Deals: for last minute bookings check out this venues exclusive deal for Hitched couples
6. Stanbrook Abbey - Worcestershire
This 16th-century, Grade II listed monastery is the perfect setting for a library wedding with lots of dramatic elegance. There’s a range of gorgeous locations for your wedding onsite at Stanbrook Abbey and a cosy library where you can enjoy drinks with your guests – that’s right, a library with a bar. What could be more perfect?
- Hitched couples say: "We can’t recommend this beautiful venue enough. From the moment we first viewed it, until checking out after the wedding, the service we received was amazing."
- Capacity: 10 - 280
- Pricing: from £2,000
- Deals: for intimate weddings or August 2026 weddings this venue has exclusive deal for Hitched couples
7. Bodleian Libraries - Oxfordshire
- Hitched couples say: "We had an incredible wedding day at the Bodleian Library. We held both the ceremony and the reception there and heard so many glowing comments from the guests about how beautiful the venue was. "
- Capacity: up to 150
- Pricing: from £2,900
8. The Old Library - West Midlands
- Hitched couples say: "We’ve been overwhelmed by the wonderful compliments from all our guests on the venue, the staff and the food!"
- Capacity: up to 250
- Pricing: from £2,900
9. The Signet Library - Lothian & Borders
The Lower Library at the Signet Library, in the heart of Edinburgh’s old town is the perfect setting for your wedding ceremony, whether it’s civil, religious or humanist. After the ceremony, you and your guests can ascend the grand staircase to the Upper Library which can accommodate 50-220 guests for any type of reception from a wedding breakfast to an evening affair.
The Upper Library has a royal seal of approval; King George IV described it as “the finest drawing room in Europe” following his visit in 1822.
- Capacity: up to 180
- Pricing: menus from £123
10. St Giles House - Dorset
- Hitched couples say: "We had the best day of our lives at St Giles House. It was the best day of our lives because of the beauty and facilities of the venue as well as the dedicated and lovely team that work there."
- Capacity: 70 - 160
- Pricing: from £17,000
Library Wedding Venues Around the World
If you're planning a wedding abroad but still want to book a unique library wedding venue, we have some incredible choices from around the world.
11. Bendooley Estate - Southern Highlands, Australia
The Berkelouw Book Barn at Bendooley Estate is the perfect choice for literature lovers who are searching for a wedding venue in Australia.
The barn wedding venue has a real rustic feel, with timber beams, iron pendant lights and a huge stone fireplace. If you choose to marry here, the venue is transformed – the shelves are rolled back, creating a beautiful book-lined space, and you can dance the night away surrounded by love stories and great literature.
12. The Library Hotel - New York, USA
13. George Peabody Library - Maryland, USA
14. Kansas City Public Library - Missouri, USA
15. New York Public Library - New York, USA
This beautiful library wedding venue is the second largest in America and the fourth largest in the world. If you’re looking for a famous or celebrity wedding venue, it’s perfect. The New York Public Library has starred in classics such as Breakfast at Tiffany’s and the Sex and the City movie. Marry amongst the great love stories, as Carrie Bradshaw planned to do.
16. The Long Room in Trinity College Dublin's Old Library - Dublin, Republic of Ireland
The Long Room in Trinity's Old Library in Dublin gives us serious Harry Potter vibes, and given the sheer amount of vintage ladders, original wooden touches, and real antique books, it's easy to see why! You and your loved ones will be struck by just how grand this space is, with every nook and cranny filled with book after book. What better space for a literature lover to say 'I do'?
17. Neilson Hays Library - Bangkok, Thailand
Here is another classic-looking library wedding venue that has truly stood the test of time! Neilson Hays Library in Thailand's capital is as timeless as it is beautiful. It was granted 'Historic Landmark' status by the Association of Siamese Architects in 1986, an undeniable testament to its grandeur. Why not host your dream destination wedding at this remarkable library?
18. Boston Public Library - Massachusetts, USA
The Boston Public Library in Boston, Massachusetts, doubles as an enchanting library wedding venue. The venue has so many event space options within the library that couples can customise their special day to suit their style and tastes.
Their Guastavino and Boylston rooms are perfect choices if you really want the experience of a library wedding. They also have a stunning courtyard that would be perfect for a drinks reception.
19. State Library Victoria - Victoria, Australia
The last chapter of our tour of the best library wedding venues brings us to State Library Victoria in Australia. This opulent venue has been welcoming book lovers and soon-to-be newlyweds alike since the 1850s, and now you have a chance to be part of its fabled history. Just imagine mixing and mingling with your guests besides those stunning pillars. The stuff of fairytales!
20. Abbey Library of Saint Gall - Switzerland
The Abbey Library in the St.Gallen monastery is one of the oldest in the world and could be the perfect backdrop for you to say your vows.
Despite being built between 1758 and 1768 it still lends books to this day, but the lavish rococo decor lends itself to grand events too.
Find out moreLibrary Wedding FAQs
If a book-filled affair is on your wish list but you still have a few questions then fear not. We've rounded up some of the most frequently asked to help you find your dream venue...
Can you get married in a library?
Yes - many libraries in the UK and abroad are licensed for weddings. These venues often feature dramatic architecture, historic interiors, and shelves lined with books, making them a romantic choice for literature lovers. Always check with your chosen venue to confirm if it’s licensed for civil ceremonies.
Which libraries can you get married in in the UK?
There are several UK library wedding venues available for couples, ranging from elegant city libraries to country houses with beautiful studies. Some of the most popular include the Royal Society of Chemistry in London, the Signet Library in Edinburgh, and Clevedon Hall in Somerset.
What style of weddings suit a library wedding venue?
Library wedding venues are incredibly versatile. Their historic interiors and rich architecture - from Gothic to Italian Renaissance - work beautifully for traditional celebrations, while cosy reading rooms and quirky details make them equally fitting for intimate or alternative weddings.
What is the best library wedding venue in the UK?
The best thing about library weddings is there really is something to suit every couple. Whether you're after gothic grandeur or Italian renaissance our edit of 20 of our favourites is a great place to start.
Is the British Library a wedding venue?
Sadly, you cannot get married at the British Library as it's not licensed for ceremonies. But fear not, there are lots of other options if you want to get married surrounded by books!
Are there library venues available outside the UK?
If you want to take your celebrations further afield then there are tonnes of options from Australia to New York. We've rounded up some of the most popular in this article.
Whether you choose a cosy UK manor or a grand international landmark, a library wedding venue is the perfect backdrop for book lovers tying the knot. If you're after more options for alternative wedding venues, you’ll definitely love our round up of the best wedding venues from TV and film – find out if your favourite wedding venue has been in the spotlight.
