Planning a wedding is part fairy tale, part logistics exercise. You want somewhere beautiful, somewhere that feels relaxed rather than stuffy, and somewhere that won’t quietly empty your savings before the first dance. More and more couples in Devon are discovering that a golf club ticks all three boxes, often with a few extras you hadn’t thought to ask for.
If you’re weighing up a golf club wedding venue in Devon, this guide walks you through why they work so well, the questions worth asking before you book, and how to judge capacity, catering, views and parking. We’ll also show you how Exminster Golf Centre, just outside Exeter, handles each of these.
Why golf clubs make brilliant wedding venues
Golf clubs are built around hospitality. They already cater for daily lunches, society days and big celebrations, so a wedding sits well within their comfort zone. That experience shows in the small things: a kitchen used to serving large numbers, staff who know how to keep a room flowing, and a bar that can handle a busy evening.
Then there’s the setting. Courses occupy some of the prettiest land in the county, with mature trees, open fairways and wide skies that make a natural backdrop for photographs. You pay for the building, but the grounds come free.
Here’s how golf clubs tend to compare with more conventional options:
| Factor | Golf club | Hotel / dedicated venue |
|---|---|---|
| Setting | Open grounds, countryside views | Often urban or enclosed |
| Atmosphere | Relaxed, informal | Can feel formal |
| Parking | Usually free and ample | Frequently limited or paid |
| Value | Competitive, flexible | Premium pricing common |
| Flexibility | Multiple spaces, varied layouts | Fixed packages more typical |
That blend of scenery, space and sensible pricing is exactly why golf clubs have quietly become a go-to choice for relaxed Devon weddings.
The questions worth asking every venue
Before you fall for the view, get the practicalities straight. A good venue will answer all of these happily.
- What’s the seated capacity, and the standing capacity? The two numbers can differ a lot, and you need both for a wedding breakfast versus an evening reception.
- Is catering in-house or do I bring my own? In-house usually means simpler logistics and tasting sessions; external catering offers more control but more to manage.
- What deposit secures the date, and when is the balance due? Check the cancellation terms too.
- Is there a licence for evening drinking and music, and until when? This shapes how late the party runs.
- How much parking is there, and is it free? Guests will thank you.
- Can we use the outdoor space? Patios, lawns and decking are gold for drinks receptions and photos, weather permitting.
- Is the venue exclusively ours, or shared on the day? Worth clarifying early.
Capacity: matching the space to your guest list
Capacity is where many couples come unstuck. A room that seats 120 for dinner might only comfortably hold far fewer once you add a dance floor and a band. Ask for the layout the venue actually recommends, not just the theoretical maximum.
At Exminster, the main restaurant seats up to 120 guests for a wedding breakfast, with a separate function room for 60 that opens onto its own decking. A double patio holds around 60 too, ideal for a drinks reception while the main room is turned around. Having distinct spaces means your day can move through different settings rather than staying static in one hall. You can see the full picture on our weddings and functions page.
Catering and the bar
For most couples, in-house catering is the path of least resistance. The kitchen knows the room, the timings and the service flow. Exminster’s Charcombes Lounge runs as a working bar and restaurant year-round, serving everything from breakfasts to Sunday roasts, so the team is well drilled in feeding a crowd. That same kitchen and bar look after weddings and functions, and you’re welcome to come in beforehand to try the food for yourself, as the bar and restaurant is open to the public.
Don’t forget the licence. Exminster holds an extended licence to midnight from Sunday to Thursday and 1am on Friday and Saturday, so there’s no need to wind things down early on the big night.
Views and atmosphere
This is where golf clubs really earn their place. Exminster sits on a hill above the Exe Estuary, with views stretching over the River Exe towards Woodbury. The two-tier patio catches the light beautifully for early-evening photographs, and the estuary backdrop gives every shot a sense of place that a function suite simply can’t replicate.
The atmosphere matters as much as the view. A golf clubhouse feels welcoming rather than formal, which puts guests at ease and helps the day breathe. If you want laughter and dancing rather than hushed reverence, that informality is a genuine asset.
Parking and location
Practical, unglamorous and absolutely vital. Exminster offers free parking and sits roughly five minutes from Exeter city centre and junction 30 of the M5, at EX6 8GA. That makes it easy for guests travelling from across Devon and beyond, and simple for taxis at the end of the night. Central hotel venues often can’t promise the same.
Budget and booking
Golf clubs tend to price sensibly because weddings sit alongside their everyday trade rather than being their sole income. At Exminster, a function is secured with a £150 deposit and a wedding with a £250 deposit, with the balance arranged closer to the date. That low barrier to securing a date is reassuring when you’re juggling other deposits at the same time.
A quick checklist before you commit:
- Confirm the seated and evening capacities in writing.
- Get the catering options and any dietary flexibility.
- Note the deposit, balance dates and cancellation terms.
- Check the bar licence end times.
- Walk the outdoor spaces and picture your photos there.
Ready to take a look?
The best way to judge any venue is to stand in it. Pop in for lunch to try the food, wander the patios, and imagine your day unfolding across the spaces. When you’re ready to talk dates, capacities or menus, get in touch and the team will talk you through what’s possible. A golf club wedding in Devon can be every bit as memorable as a grand country house, with the views, the warmth and the value to match.