Venue inspiration from Your Hampshire and Dorset Wedding

Deciding on your ideal wedding venue is an key part of your wedding planning.

There is a huge choice of different venue types in Hampshire and Dorset including hotels, barns, country manor houses, romantic castles as well as chic city and town centre locations.

Check out these stunning wedding venues and those further afield in our listings below.

Don't forget to mention Your Hampshire and Dorset Wedding magazine when contacting the venue

Where are the venues?

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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.

St Giles House, Dorset

If you're on the hunt for a one-of-a-kind backdrop for your big day, this ancestral home in the Dorset countryside is hard to beat. A labour of love, the historic landmark has been sensitively restored, breathing new life into the historic building. Be prepared for plenty of stop-stare moments from the instant you arrive and catch your first glimpse of the place. Set in beautiful private parkland, surrounded by an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the award-winning venue sits in perfect harmony with the natural landscape. Grand, yet intimate and inviting, think sumptuous interiors, marble fireplaces and ancient leather-bound books. The house has been in the same family since the 15th century and has evolved over the generations to the treasure it is today. Licensed for ceremonies for up to 120 guests, you can take your pick from a number of fabulous rooms, all beautifully decorated or Wimborne St.Giles Church is just next door.

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.

Weddings In The Woods, Hampshire

If you go down to the woods, be prepared for a big surprise. Discover Weddings In The Woods a magical al fresco venue nestled within the glorious New Forest National Park. It's an idyllic place to celebrate, with the freedom to create your day, your way. There's a large expanse of grass and wooded areas and a spacious indoor area, so you don't have to worry about the unpredictable British weather. Big enough for up to 150 guests during the day and more for the evening do, you can marry here and dance the night away without fear of being disturbed. The rustic Carpenters Barn is licensed for ceremonies and comes complete with a large slow-burning wood stove and brick chimney, to keep everyone toasty. Oak beams span the roof and the neutral décor provides the ideal canvas to add your own personal touches. Alternatively, the romantic Bridal Hut is an intimate place to say 'I do' before a blessing in the woods in front of all your loved ones.

Winchester Cathedral, Hampshire

Celebrate your big day at Winchester Cathedral and you can be sure of a wealth of album-worthy photos. The cathedral's historic buildings and beautiful gardens offer a fabulous setting for your post-vows celebrations. Take your pick from two standout reception spaces; the secluded garden marquee and refectory or the stunning Wessex Centre in the cathedral's Inner Close. Enjoy the best of the old and the new and combine elegant heritage with your own modern twist. The lined ivory marquee, complete with carpet and chandeliers, provides a blank canvas to make your own and can host up to 120 guests. Set in the walled garden, overlooked by the cathedral, it's an idyllic spot for a drinks reception. The Wessex Centre can accommodate up to 72 people and is a striking modern building with its own private walled garden. Built from sustainable materials and locally sourced timber, the floor-to-ceiling windows add to the light and airy atmosphere and provide spectacular views of the cathedral too.

Wilkswood, Dorset

If breathtaking views are top of your wish list, this chilled wedding venue could be just what you're looking for. Overlooking the rolling Purbeck hills, the bright and seamless clear span marquee allows you to make the most of the panoramic vistas. Complete with pleated ivory linings, a stage for the evening entertainment, a solid wooden dancefloor, chandelier lighting and more, you can celebrate with up to 350 guests. There's plenty of space for al fresco drinks and outdoor games with street food and catering trucks for the evening celebration and at the end of the night, you can glamp out under the stars. Although the venue's not licensed for ceremonies, it's the perfect spot for an outdoor service with your own bespoke vows.

Holiday Inn Winchester, Hampshire

Newly refurbished last year, the Holiday Inn Winchester is a vibrant and versatile wedding venue with a fresh contemporary feel. The light, bright lobby provides a welcoming space as you arrive and the hotel's three function suites cater for weddings large or small with neutral décor throughout to suit any big-day colour scheme. Located on Morn Hill next to the Butterfly Reserve with great views of the surrounding countryside, there's a large terrace and lawn, great for photos and al fresco drinks receptions. The terrace can also be used for an evening barbecue and you could organise some garden games for your guests to enjoy too. Tie the knot in any of the three suites, the main Hampshire one has its own private bar, direct access to the terrace and lawn and can accommodate up to 160 guests for the wedding breakfast and 200 for the evening reception. For more intimate weddings, the Monarch or Emperor Suite are ideal.

Check out their listing in our Find A Service Directory

Rhinefield House Hotel, Brockenhurst, Hampshire

Known locally as the 'jewel in the forest' this historic venue is a wedding gem. Make your way down the long tee-lined driveway and be prepared for plenty of stop-stare moments from your first glimpse of the impressive 19th-century Tudor and Gothic country mansion. Set in the heart of the National Park with 40 acres of glorious grounds, two ornamental ponds and a maze, there's no shortage of fabulous photo opportunities. You can host your whole day here and take your pick of a choice of rooms and spaces suitable for weddings large or small. The Keepers Room, with its ornamental fireplace and large bay windows, is ideal for relaxed intimate weddings while Hurst Castle is the venue's largest private wedding space. The fully, self-contained modern suite has its own entrance and facilities as well as an outdoor terrace overlooking the topiary orchard and can host up to 100 loved ones for the ceremony, 120 for the wedding breakfast and an extra 30 for the evening reception.

Check out their listing in our Find A Service Directory

Careys Manor Hotel & SenSpa, Brockenhurst, Hampshire

Oozing with traditional English charm and historic grace, this New Forest treasure boasts a grand oak staircase, wood-panelled walls, open fireplaces, beautiful gardens and more. Take your pick from a number of stunning backdrops, elegant reception rooms to romantic outdoor spaces, there's something to suit a host of big-day themes. The elegant Cedar Suite has its own entrance and secluded walled garden so you can host your whole day here in private, joined by up to 150 loved ones for the evening reception. The Cedar Garden provides a romantic spot for al fresco ceremonies set against the backdrop of the traditional handmade oak pavilion and there's a 10-acre field designed especially for fun festival-style celebrations.

The Montagu Arms Hotel, Beaulieu, Hampshire

This welcoming English country house hotel offers comfort and style in picture-postcard surroundings. Located in the heart of the historic village of Beaulieu, with its tidal river, the free-roaming New Forest ponies and donkeys frequently wander past – great for quirky photos! The Grade II listed building is full of atmosphere and charm with an award-winning restaurant overlooking the terraced garden, sink-into sofas and upholstered club chairs in the cosy drawing room, not to mention 24 en-suite bedrooms and two duplex suites all individually styled. Ceremonies take place in the light and airy Oakwood Room overlooking the garden or the Terrace Restaurant, which can accommodate 100 friends and family. For more intimate affairs the Paris Room provides the perfect cosy setting for your 'I dos'. Celebrate afterwards with a delicious wedding breakfast in either of the rooms or take over the award-winning 3AA rosette restaurant and enjoy a bespoke menu your guests are sure to remember.

The Master Builder’s Hotel, Beaulieu, Hampshire

If it's character and charm you're after, look no further than this picturesque venue. Set in the historic village of Buckler's Hard overlooking the Beaulieu River, it's an idyllic location for a romantic wedding. The Admiral's Room boasts stunning views of the river and garden and is the venue's largest ceremony room. The Riverview Restaurant provides a private haven for your celebration complete with bar, terrace, scenic views and a cosy lounge where your family and friends can relax and unwind. The hotel can accommodate up to 108 loved ones for a sit-down wedding breakfast and 130 for the evening do and for those looking to extend the celebration, you and your guests can party the night away before retiring to one of the hotel's 26 bedrooms. The venue also caters for marquees on the lawns and with a red AA rosette for its mouth-watering cuisine; it's a little bit of foodie heaven too.

Stanwell House Hotel, Lymington, Hampshire

Enjoy the best of both worlds at this stylish boutique hotel. Located on the southern edge of the New Forest, it's ideally placed to explore the historic sailing town of Lymington and the picturesque National Park. Positioned just minutes from the quay, the Georgian building offers rustic style and charm with a mix of classic features and modern styling. You can marry in the conservatory with up to 80 guests or for outdoor ceremonies the garden pavilion is a lovely alternative when the weather's fine. Famed for its food, you can enjoy a delicious wedding breakfast in the hotel's Etain restaurant. The bi-folding doors overlook the garden and you can host a bumper evening reception by taking over the restaurant and conservatory to provide space for up to 150 family and friends.

Balmer Lawn Hotel & Spa, Brockenhurst, Hampshire

Set in the heart of the New Forest, you can't miss this landmark hotel. Set back behind the cricket pitch it's a perfect mix of traditional and contemporary. With sun-drenched terraces and beautiful gardens, you'll be spoilt for choice for picture-perfect backdrops. Looking out over the lawn, the impressive building boasts a fascinating past and has been used as everything from a hunting lodge and a field hospital to an army staff college and coaching inn. A destination hotspot for weddings, you can marry outside in the garden's oak-beamed Sylvan Pavilion or in the hotel's Beaulieu Suite, joined by 140 loved ones. Set back from the main hotel, with its own entrance and facilities, you can host your whole day here in private. The suite includes the refurbished Beaulieu Room and two additional spaces, the Hamble, with its own bar and dancefloor, and the Avon, an additional seating area. There's access to three outdoor terrace areas as well, including the hotel gardens, and come the evening you can party the night away with up to 220 family and friends.

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.

Check out their listing in our Find A Service Directory