As BookTokkers take their love of books to a whole new level, wedding experts share the most popular libraries Brits can get hitched in
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More than 29.4 million posts on TikTok tagged #BookTok, while the term “booktok” has seen a 8500% increase in Google searches in the past month
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Literary lovers turn to content on TikTok for #LibraryWedding ideas with almost 10 million views on existing videos
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TikTok’s Year in Review report reveals that #BookTok was one of the biggest community fandoms in 2023, citing #Romantasy (romance / fantasy crossover) as a popular theme with 563.6 million views
Thanks to TikTok, reading has never been more popular if the more than 29 million videos tagged with #BookTok are anything to go by. In fact, the term “booktok” has seen an 8500% growth in popularity, with more than 110,000 Google searches in the past month for the phrase.
Prestwold Library, Hodsock Priory – Credit: Ian Bursill @ianbursill
UK’s Most Popular Libraries according to Newlyweds
Now, as millions of book lovers are taking their love of literature to the next level by consuming videos full of #LibraryWedding ideas, experts at leading planning website Hitched.co.uk have compiled a list of the most popular libraries in the UK that literary lovers can literally get hitched in.
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Stanbrook Abbey, Worcestershire
According to real-life newlywed couples, the UK’s most popular library is none other than Stanbrook Abbey in Worcestershire, which has three Hitched Wedding Award wins to its name, and more than 160 five-star reviews from extremely happy couples who have already tied the knot at the magnificent wedding venue.
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 weddings onsite at Stanbrook Abbey and a cosy library where couples can enjoy drinks with their guests – that’s right, a library with a bar. What could be more perfect?
Hodsock Priory – Credit: Megan Wilson @msmeganwilson
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Hodsock Priory, Nottinghamshire
The library at Hodsock Priory is full of character and has a range of uses if you marry on-site. It is licensed for ceremonies and provides beautiful views of the famous snowdrop gardens. Couples can also use the old book room as a quiet area post-ceremony for their guests to mingle in and enjoy drinks. Soft music and wedding entertainment can be set up there too, making it very relaxing.
Hodsock Priory is steeped in history, with a rich heritage of royal visits that only adds to the wow-factor of this incredible venue. And, with 225 five star reviews from happy couples, this is certainly a very popular venue for book lovers to tie the knot.
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The Swan Hotel, Gloucestershire
The Swan Hotel in the village of Bibury, situated on the banks of the River Coln, in the heart of the Cotswolds, is an enchanting 18th-century property that abounds with elegance and charm. The library room can host intimate weddings, but is also a dream place for book lovers to elope to – the venue can provide witnesses for couples who want to marry without fuss.
The Library, located at the front of the hotel, is ideal for small weddings as it can accommodate up to 26 guests and features beautiful wooden floors, rich red walls, and a magnificent original fireplace. With 38 five star reviews from previous newlyweds, this is the perfect spot for book lovers to start their next chapter together.
Bodleian Library – Credit: Emma Jane Photography
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Dulwich College, South London
The Old Library on site at Dulwich College is the perfect location for a library wedding ceremony. Whilst the books are no longer present, the history of the room makes it a great choice for book lovers while the wood-panelled walls give the room a warm, studious feel and the high, vaulted ceiling and arched windows flood the room with light.
More than 20 previous couples who married in the Old Library have given the gorgeous venue a five-star rating, making it one of the UK’s most popular.
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Bodleian Library, Oxforshire
Located in the heart of Oxford, The Bodleian Library is one of the oldest libraries in Europe and an impressive wedding venue emitting old-world charm. This beautiful 17th-century building formed the centre of Oxford science in the late 1600s and its galleries today offer a spectacular setting for any wedding celebration.
This iconic venue has received 11 five-star reviews from couples who have previously wowed guests with an unforgettable event set in the heart of the ‘dreaming spires.’
Bodleian Library – Credit: Story & Colour
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The Old Library, West Midlands
Since being faithfully restored from The Old Library’s origins as one of Birmingham’s first free libraries in 1866, this historic setting has played host to many happy and unique wedding days. Wedding guests will be left mesmerised by the architecturally stunning building, which is flooded with natural daylight and exudes a romantic atmosphere.
With its soaring vaulted ceilings, breath-taking original windows and its blend of functional, open plan space and Victorian Gothic elegance, it is easy to see why The Old Library is a much-loved venue for weddings, earning nothing but five-star reviews from happy couples.
Bodleian Library – Credit: Rob Tarren
Zoe Burke, leading wedding expert at Hitched.co.uk says: “What is more romantic than marrying in a library, surrounded by the greatest love stories of all time?
“Whether you want to channel Belle from Beauty & the Beast or Carrie from Sex and the City, libraries are an iconic setting and full of romance. We are so lucky in the UK to have so many beautiful library wedding venues to choose from, and they lend themselves perfectly to a wedding theme too.
“Give your guests bookmark favours, name your tables after your favourite stories and use romantic quotes from literature and stationery in your signage. The perfect components for a happy ever after!”
For the full list of libraries, please visit here.