Wedding venue inspiration - Coastal venues

HMS Warrior, Hampshire

For a wedding day to remember HMS Warrior stands out from the crowd. Steeped in history, the magnificent ship is sure to wow your loved ones, with its original charm, character and Victorian workmanship. Guests can walk the decks at leisure, soaking up the atmosphere. Britain's first iron-hulled battleship, it offers an array of fascinating wedding spaces and standout photo opportunities. Licensed for ceremonies it can cater for weddings large or small. The Captain's Cabin provides a romantic setting for an intimate service with up to 20 loved ones, while the Officer's Half Deck can accommodate up to 95 for your 'I dos' and 60 for a formal reception. For larger celebrations, the main Gun Deck can seat up to 240 friends and family.

Emirates Spinnaker Tower, Hampshire

The Spinnaker Tower takes weddings to whole new heights. A landmark feature on the Portsmouth skyline, the impressive tower stands proud on the waterfront at Gunwharf Quays. A must-see venue for a wedding to remember, it offers amazing 350-degree panoramic seascapes, breathtaking by day and a glittering sea of lights at night. You can tie the knot on View Deck 2, located at 105 metres above sea level, with floor-to-ceiling windows and views stretching up to 23 miles out across the Solent, joined by 70 of your nearest and dearest. Celebrate afterwards on View Deck 1, with up to 100 guests for fine dining and experience the thrill of walking across the glass-floor sky walk. The Waterfront Café on the ground floor is ideal for the evening celebration, with great harbour views you can have a disco or live music and party the night away with up to 200 loved ones.

Harry Warren House, Dorset

If you're looking for a picture postcard big-day setting, this coastal venue is hard to beat. Perfect for an intimate wedding the charming 19th-century country house is set in four acres of stunning grounds. Your guests are sure to be impressed as they round the bend in the drive to catch their first glimpse of the sweeping views over the bay – a real pinch-me moment! Weddings here are a bespoke experience, so you can celebrate your day, your way. The lawn overlooks the sea and with steps leading directly down to the sandy beach, perfect for stunning photos. You can exchange vows in the Sunken Garden looking out to sea or if you're planning a church service, the Norman Church of St Nicholas is only a five-minute walk away and can hold up to 120 people. Guests can park in the National Trust car park for the whole day and take a leisurely stroll to arrive at the house on foot for maximum impact from the panoramic views. Marquee receptions are held in the grounds, providing a blank canvas to create your own look and style with the historic house and beautiful bay as your backdrop.

The Port House, Portsmouth, Hampshire

If a waterside location is on your wedding wish list, check out this cool modern venue. Looking out over the marina and the yachts, on a sunny day you could almost be in Monaco! There's outside seating so you can make the most of the fabulous setting and a waterfront terrace and patio too; perfect for reception drinks or a barbecue when the weather's fine. Inside the bright and airy space, the contemporary furnishings include a bespoke bar made from reclaimed railway sleepers and a feature ceiling. Ceremonies are held in the Regatta Room or the larger Ocean Suite which can host up to 120 family and friends for your 'I dos' followed by a sit-down meal. For larger celebrations with up to 300 guests, a marquee can be attached to the side.

Durlston Castle and Country Park, Isle of Purbeck, Dorset

Durlston Castle is a clifftop paradise perched on top of a headland, jutting out into the sea surrounded by woodland and wildflower meadows. Set within Durlston Country Park National Nature Reserve, at the top of the recently renovated Victorian castle is the glass-sided Belvedere room looking out to Old Harry Rocks, the Isle of Wight and English Channel. A breathtaking location for an intimate wedding, you can tie the knot here with up to 50 loved ones followed by drinks and canapés on the exclusive roof terrace post-vows. For a more contemporary setting, you can say 'I do' in the Gallery. With its wall of glass doors overlooking the sea, it has a modern Purbeck limestone and wood interior and can host up to 90 guests for the wedding breakfast. It also boasts an exclusive grassed amphitheatre and patio too.

Royal Maritime Club, Portsmouth, Hampshire

Host your big day at this distinctive venue and discover a whole range of magical backdrops on the doorstep. Just a stone's throw from Portsmouth Historical Dockyard you can tie the knot here and afterwards make the most of the wealth of standout photo opportunities nearby, including great harbour views for romantic just-wed shots. Celebrate with a grand reception in either of the venue's two elegant function rooms. The larger Trafalgar Ballroom can cater for up to 400 people and has full banqueting facilities, as well as three bars, while the smaller Nelson Lounge is perfect for more intimate affairs. At the end of the night, why not stay over in one of the two fabulous bridal suites and explore the area the next day?

Nothe Fort, Weymouth, Dorset

If you're on the hunt for something out of the ordinary for your big day, this is it. Weymouth's historic Nothe Fort on the Jurassic coast is perched on a promontory overlooking the sea. Built by the Victorians to protect Portland Harbour, it's steeped in history and is one of the best preserved forts of its kind. The setting and photo opportunities are second to none with 360° panoramic views of the bay and harbour. Built on three levels it's surrounded by the beautiful Nothe Gardens full of trees, shrubs and winding paths. Licensed for weddings you can marry in the Engine Room with up to 80 guests. For more intimate gatherings there are a host of quirky spaces for your 'I dos' including the Gun Deck, Lookout and the Search Light which can accommodate up to six people with 50 more seated on the terrace. After tying the knot, head off to the Fort View Cafe to celebrate or if you've invited a crowd, you can host a marquee reception on the Parade Ground with 250 family and friends. The Fort Artillery will even perform a special firing of the canon in your honour.

Ventnor Botanic Garden, Ventnor, Isle of Wight

Picture your perfect wedding in an exclusive sub-tropical garden paradise? At Ventnor Botanic Garden, your dreams can come true. Set in the balmy under-cliff on the southern coast of the Isle of Wight, it's home to more than 33,000 rare and exotic plants and trees covering the geographical regions of the world, from Australia and New Zealand, to Japan, the Mediterranean and beyond!

Christchurch Harbour Hotel & Spa, Christchurch, Dorset

This idyllic boutique hotel wedding venue is nestled right on the water's edge of the picturesque Christchurch Harbour. Just minutes from the beach, it's perfect for couples looking to kick off their shoes for a romantic stroll by the sea post-vows. The luxury venue has 67 fabulous rooms, so there's plenty of space for guests to stay. The Grade II listed Georgian building boasts stunning interiors and lovely gardens, providing great album-worthy backdrops, inside and out. Licensed for ceremonies, you can marry here joined by up to 100 guests and 120 for the reception. The impressive Waterford Suite has chandeliers and a private terrace with beach hut bar, leading into the hotel grounds while the spacious Lower Deck, complete with bar, dancefloor and chill-out areas, is the ideal setting for the evening party. For more intimate affairs with up to 20 loved ones, the cosy Library is ideal.

The Cottonwood Boutique Hotel, Bournemouth, Dorset

If the cry of the gulls and the sound of the waves are on your big-day playlist, then this stylish boutique hotel wedding venue is sure to impress. Perched on the clifftop, with panoramic views over Bournemouth bay and beyond, it's a stunning location for a coastal-chic wedding. The hotel retains all the elegance and charm of the original Edwardian villa and offers a choice of opulent wedding suites licensed for ceremonies with standout features including beautiful chandeliers and original fireplaces.