Browse through a selection of Gourmet Weddings from Dorset Magazine
Pennsylvania CastleBeautifully situated on the Isle of Portland, Pennsylvania Castle is a magnificent Grade II listed mansion. Set amongst four acres of landscaped gardens with magnificent views of the Jurassic coast, the impressive building offers an exclusive function suite and nine immaculate bedrooms.
Where do you say ‘I do’?Ceremonies take place in the elegant Library, Conservatory or Living Room. Vows may also be taken in the garden with its impressive views of the sea.
What menu would you recommend?Everyone dreams of a sumptuous wedding feast. Various caterers are available to create whatever your heart desires. For smaller wedding parties a personal chef might be the order of the day. Anything is possible.
What makes your venue special? When you step inside Pennsylvania Castle you are overwhelmed by its feeling of beauty and serenity. It is the perfect setting for your very own fairy tale. thepenn.co.uk
Mortons House Hotel
Mortons House is a 16th-century Elizabethan manor built in 1590 in the shape of an ‘E’ to honour Queen Elizabeth I. The manor is situated in beautiful Corfe Castle and is an ideal venue for civil weddings and receptions.
Where do you say ‘I do’?The oak panelled Drawing Room with exotic friezes and imposing fireplace is a beautiful room for a Civil Ceremony for 60 guests. What menu would you recommend?The restaurant boasts 2 AA Fine Dining Rosettes for culinary excellence using predominantly local produce, serving traditional innovative cuisine. Bespoke menus are tailored to individual needs with expertise and guidance from the Head Chef.What makes your venue special? There is something special about this cherished Tudor manor, renowned for its friendly service and excellent cuisine, in an enviable fairytale location. mortonshouse.co.uk Where do you say ‘I do’?The oak panelled Drawing Room with exotic friezes and imposing fireplace is a beautiful room for a Civil Ceremony for 60 guests. What menu would you recommend?The restaurant boasts 2 AA Fine Dining Rosettes for culinary excellence using predominantly local produce, serving traditional innovative cuisine. Bespoke menus are tailored to individual needs with expertise and guidance from the Head Chef.What makes your venue special? There is something special about this cherished Tudor manor, renowned for its friendly service and excellent cuisine, in an enviable fairytale location. www.mortonshouse.co.ukCrown HotelSituated in the picturesque market town of Blandford in the north Dorset countryside, for centuries the Crown Hotel has provided a haven for brides and grooms wishing to celebrate the most important day of their lives with friends and family.Where do you say ‘I do’?There are two function suites the Sealy Suite and Woodhouse Suite, the Sealy Suite garden can also accommodate a marquee for up to 400 guests. What menu would you recommend?The menus have been designed by a chef experienced in Michelin starred cuisine and all the ingredients are from our regional food partners, who provide fresh, quality ingredients that our team of talented chefs use to create fresh, unpretentious dishes.What makes your venue special? The Crown Hotel holds a Wedding License which allows them to host your whole wedding day. The services of a dedicated Event Co-ordinator are also available.
Athelhampton HouseAthelhampton House and Gardens, located in the heart of rural Dorset, offers an exquisite setting for your wedding. Athelhampton House is one of the finest quintessential 15th century manor houses, and is surrounded by one of the great architectural gardens of England. We offer private use of our facilities during Fridays and Saturdays. We hold a civil wedding license and offer a selection of rooms for your reception or meal.
Where do you say ‘I do’?Athelhampton is licensed for wedding ceremonies in the Great Hall and the Great Chamber and also the Long Hall and the Conservatory. What menu would you recommend?Our Executive Chef will create a delicious menu, based upon your requirements. Your guests will choose on the day from a selection of delicious seasonal dishes created from fresh Dorset produce. With a traditional cooking style, the result is classic presentation allowing the local produce to shine through. What makes your venue special? We offer a unique, historic location with a majestic atmosphere and experience that your guests will talk about for years to come. We will tailor-make your day around your specific requirements, professionally executed by our permanent and experienced staff. We offer you exclusive use of the house and gardens. Athelhampton.co.uk, 01305 848363
Where do you say ‘I do’?Athelhampton is licensed for wedding ceremonies in the Great Hall and the Great Chamber and also the Long Hall and the Conservatory. What menu would you recommend?Our Executive Chef will create a delicious menu, based upon your requirements. Your guests will choose on the day from a selection of delicious seasonal dishes created from fresh Dorset produce. With a traditional cooking style, the result is classic presentation allowing the local produce to shine through. What makes your venue special? We offer a unique, historic location with a majestic atmosphere and experience that your guests will talk about for years to come. We will tailor-make your day around your specific requirements, professionally executed by our permanent and experienced staff. We offer you exclusive use of the house and gardens.www.athelhampton.co.uk, 01305 848363
Merley HouseMerley House is a fine 18th-century Georgian manor of architectural and historical importance. This superb venue in Wimborne offers elegance, refinement and seclusion for those important and special occasions. The house has beautifully decorated rooms with enchanting plasterwork ceilings, impressive fireplaces and period features.
Where do you say ‘I do’?Each of the state rooms are licensed for civil ceremonies. The Drawing Room and Dining Parlour are perfect for intimate ceremonies while The Old Library can comfortably seat up to 100 guests.
What menu would you recommend?We have put together flexible packages to help you create your menu, but if you would prefer something different, we are happy to help. All our food is freshly prepared on the premises and ingredients are all locally sourced.
What makes your venue special? Merley House is available exclusively for you and your guests to enjoy. We pride ourselves on our personal service and planning your perfect day to your individual requirements. Our friendly and attentive staff are available to assist you before and during your wedding.
www.merleyhouseevents.co.uk 01202 885024
Kingston Maurward HouseCelebrate your wedding in an impressive and stylish venue in the heart of the Dorset countryside. Enjoy exclusive use of the beautiful function rooms in our 18th-century Georgian mansion near Dorchester, with canap�s in the Grand Hall and champagne overlooking the lake. Dine in the stylish Pengelly Suite and dance the night away in our marquee-lined Conference Suite.Where do you say ‘I do’?Several rooms within the main house are licensed for weddings and civil ceremonies. Additionally two spectacular outdoor locations are available: The Red Garden and the Grecian Temple.What menu would you recommend?Delicious menus are cooked to order by our resident chefs, these include mouth-watering canap�s, scrumptious wedding breakfasts, tasty evening buffets, barbeques and hog roasts. We have a full choice of exquisite menus to choose from, we can also easily cater to individual tastes.What makes your venue special? Location, location, location! This along with delicious food, friendly dedicated staff and the exclusive use of our stunning venue provides the perfect backdrop. www.kmc.ac.uk/weddings or www.kingstonmaurward.com/weddingsThe Kings HotelSip champagne with your guests in the private Kings Priory venue and head across to The Kings Arms Bowling Green with the backdrop of the Christchurch Priory for your photographs.Where do you say ‘I do’?Make your vows against the backdrop of the mendicant heritage grounds, gardens and beautiful river bank. What menu would you recommend?From traditional seated wedding breakfasts to more relaxed wedding buffets, our Restaurant Team will work closely with you to ensure that your menu reflects exactly what you want. What makes your venue special? With its picture perfect location, beautiful boutique d�cor and unique Kings Priory, The Kings Hotel offers a truly unique and unforgettable wedding venue. www.thekings-christchurch.co.uk
Bridge HouseThe Bridge House at Beaminster is living proof that a hotel can be both ancient and modern. Built as a priests’ house nearly 700 years ago, its beams, stone-mullioned windows and open fires ooze character. No two bedrooms are alike, yet all are fashionably chic. Food is a real passion here with a choice of dining areas including alfresco overlooking the walled garden.
Where do you say ‘I do’?There are three beautiful rooms for wedding ceremonies offering three very different choices: The Georgian Dining Room; Medieval Lounge and Sun Room Conservatory.
What menu would you recommend?Great food is at the heart of the Bridge House. Head Chef, Stephen Pielesz, has built a loyal following in this foodie part of Dorset. Full scale wedding breakfasts are his forte, he will put his heart and soul into any culinary challenge or budget.
What makes your venue special? ‘Bridge Exclusive’: take over the whole building and have an intimate house party. Bride and groom enjoy their own complementary four-poster.
www.bridge-house.co.ukSpringfield Country House Hotel
The Springfield Country Hotel in Wareham is a perfect location for your special day. At the Springfield we have combined the atmosphere of a country house with the facilities of a modern hotel, including a leisure club and spa, to create an establishment that credits the beautiful Dorset countryside.
Where do you say ‘I do’?We have a choice of three locations - The Lawrence Suite, The Thomas Hardy Suite or Function Room One which opens out onto the lawn and gardens.What menu would you recommend?Our menus offer diversity that is rarely found. Our banqueting suites can accommodate up to 170 guests and we also have a choice of private dining rooms; What makes your venue special? Both dining rooms have the fabulous backdrop of the ornamental lake and water mill with terraces and gardens – it’s a photographers dream! www.thespringfield.co.uk
Coppleridge
The Coppleridge is a family-run country inn and restaurant in Motcombe near Shaftesbury. The main house is a converted 18th-century farmhouse set in 15 acres of meadows and woodland, overlooking unbroken views of the Blackmore Vale. It is a wonderful location for your wedding reception. We also hold a Civil Wedding Licence for couples who wish to enjoy their special day all in one location.
Where do you say ‘I do’?In our magnificent 18th-century barn with its beautiful oak beams, which provides a function room full of atmosphere and character.
What menu would you recommend?Our �26.50 a head menu; this includes a choice of starters including garlic mushrooms or melon with Parma ham followed by rack of lamb or confit of duck with plum sauce and finishing with a trio of desserts.
What makes your venue special? Flexibility and great service are our forte and the setting make us the perfect venue for your country wedding
The Grange at Oborne
The Grange is a charming country house hotel just outside Sherborne. Jenny and Jon, who own this small family-run establishment, offer their considerable expertise to organise and manage your wedding, creating a seamless flow of events.
Where do you say ‘I do’?There are three rooms licensed for civil ceremonies and partnerships; the wood-panelled Wessex Room, The Grange Restaurant and the light and airy Regent Room.
What menu would you recommend?The head chef Nick Holt has created menus for The Grange using fresh, local and seasonal produce and has been awarded 2 Rosettes from The AA. Our wedding menus offer you a variety of delicious options to suit differing budgets
What makes your venue special? The Grange is a beautiful venue for your special day but it is the service and staff that make this hotel such a gem.
Canford School Canford is an imposing manor house built in 1846, set in 250 acres of Dorset parkland, on the banks of the river Stour. We provide a stunning backdrop for your special day, with spectacular locations for photography both inside and in our beautifully landscaped grounds.
Where do you say ‘I do’?Choose between the elegant and airy Long Gallery or John O’Gaunts, the oldest of Canford’s buildings dating back to the 16th Century
What menu would you recommend?We have an extensive collection of menus to choose from, or let us create a bespoke menu to suit your personal tastes; from the canap�s with your drinks and the wedding breakfast to a delicious evening buffet.
What makes your venue special? As a spectacular venue we pride ourselves on our personable and flexible approach aiming to provide the ‘day of your dreams’.
