Couples planning to marry at one of the stunning Dorset Wedding Venues, may have already realised that you are spoilt for choice. From glamorous Castles and stately homes to rustic woodlands – the list is extensive.
I’ve compiled my very own top 10 list of Dorset wedding venues, all having their own unique attributes, ranging in style, class, and budgets. All set in stunning locations, ideal for amazing wedding photography encapsulating all thats best in a British wedding.
1. Pennsylvania Castle – ‘The Penn’
A exclusive private castle and wedding venue on the Isle of Portland. Historically the venue was the base from which Churchill, General Eisenhower and General de Gaulle masterminded the D-day landings.
Offering two gorgeous outdoor wedding settings with jaw dropping sea views. Nestled upon the World renowned Jurrasic coastline, over looking the Pirate’s graveyard this setting is out of this world. A stunning building, spectacular grounds – it really has its all. With the sun shining, working here is like shooting a wedding in a tropical paradise!
A charming 15th Century Tudor manor House with stunning formal gardens with pyramid shaped yew trees, an ancient dovecote and water gardens. A ceremony room adorned with 17th century oak paneling and tapestries, and plenty of character. Rumoured as one of top ten of most haunted buildings in the UK, its even has a ghost of a pet ape!
A wedding co-ordinating team that really can’t be beaten – nothing is too much effort. Always a dream to work with!
3. Lulworth Castle & Lulworth Courtyard
If you are looking for that high impact setting – this has to be amongst the best of them. Big and bold, standing proud of the landscaped lawns and deer park that surround the venue. A great choice of Dorset wedding venue, if you want to play safe with the eve changing weather patterns. Having an open plan interior, there is always plenty of soft light, perfect for photography, along with delivering a setting of grandeur.
4. The Italian Villa at Compton Acres
A unique and luxurious venue in Poole, Dorset, a stones throw from the Sandbanks peninsular. A venue boasting 3 floors of elegant suites, designed to deliver the ultimate wedding celebration experience. Grade II listed gardens, all having distinctive themes that capture and exploit all the seasons colours – its a rich palette from which any photographer can draw inspiration.
Mapperton House is one of the most spectacular Dorset wedding venues I have worked at. Why… for my love of the outside space and gardens. If you are looking for a quintessential English Summer wedding there probably is no finer place. Terraced gardens over several levels set beneath the main house and family home of the Earl of Sandwich.
The house frontage was used in the Hollywood film and adaptation of ‘Far from the Madding Crowd’. Weddings are licensed for outdoor ceremonies with wedding receptions held within marquees upon the main lawn or within the newly refurbished coach houses.
Stockbridge Farm Barn is one of the finest medieval barns found in the UK. It’s a very impressive building giving couples a huge blank canvas within which to celebrate exactly how they wish. It is licensed to hold wedding ceremonies both inside and outside of the main building.
The natural beauty of the building, along with it’s immediate surroundings lend the venue well to wedding photography, with natural woodland access a short walk from the venue.
The venue is just outside Sherborne, North Dorset and has good access to nearby accommodation.
A beautiful castle property, unusually owned by the local Christchurch borough council. The council ownership making the dream accessible to couples desiring the fairytale setting but needing to work to a budget.
For a modest fee, not only do you get a fairytale castle backdrop, and a stunning ceremony room, but you are also just a minutes walk from a beautiful sandy beach. Breath taking views and sand dunes all around! So many aspects with which to get creative and produce stunning photography, it has to be one of my favourite venues in the area.
8. Sopley Mill
Sopley Mill is a unique venue attracting many couples from far and wide to celebrate here. Surrounded by the River Avon, with wild flower water meadows filling the surrounding landscape. The venue has a real feeling of enveloping romance and natural inspiration.
The venue is split over 3 levels which can be helpful to the running order of your day. The 3 areas being perfect for ceremony, reception and bar areas.
With good weather, this is the perfect location for guests to mingle and enjoy. You will have a great experience, captured within a rustic country waterside setting.
KCC is a beautiful family run country hotel in the heart of the Dorset Purbecks. The area is one of outstanding beauty with views back over to Corfe Castle (a place I’m often asked to do B&G portraits). The venue is an extemely high standard renovated stable courtyard, with beautiful rooms and en-suite facilities. The main barn is licensed for indoor ceremonies with outdoor ceremonies within the courtyard area.
I have found the events team and the catering staff exceptional, always being attentive to guests as well as vendors.
10. Axnoller Farm
Axnoller is a boutique wedding venue for style conscious couples looking for exclusivity. Being licensed for both indoor & outdoor ceremonies, it offers couples flexibility in planning their day.
The main house is for immediate family luxury accommodation, with the outdoor ceremonies held outside the main frontage of the property on the lawns.
The main grounds have newly erected outside dining areas giving an exotic courtyard feel.
Well thats my top ten Dorset wedding venues, and believe me it was tough call. I’ve given the selection balance and no doubt there are many that simply couldn’t be included here. I hope this is a valuable resource for those starting their research and Dorset Wedding planning.
View the complete list of all our Dorset wedding venues.
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Nice wedding venues!
These venues are stunning!