Your Hampshire and Dorset Wedding - September/October 2020 (Issue 82)

ROYAL MARITIME CLUB & HOTEL, PORTSMOUTH 02392 824 231 | www.royalmaritimeclub.co.uk Set in the heart of Portsmouth’s Naval Heritage area, The Royal Maritime Club & Hotel is not only a fascinating venue, steeped in maritime history, it’s a great setting for weddings. With naval memorabilia around every corner, it’s a distinctive backdrop for stunning photos. The function rooms range from formal and traditional to more contemporary, with full banqueting and bar facilities, so there’s something to suit all tastes. You can tie the knot in the Nelson Lounge, a traditional, formal room; perfect for intimate family weddings. For grander affairs, the Trafalgar Ballroom is ideal. Complete with dancefloor, balconied area, full banqueting facilities and three bars, you can host your whole day here from the ‘I dos’ to the last dance with up to 250 guests. Standout features include the Compass area inside the hotel – great for stunning just-wed shots. There’s also Below Decks, a modern space for a relaxed buffet- style celebration, and a range of leisure facilities including a swimming pool, sauna, billiards room and more for your guests to enjoy. Although there’s no garden, there’s a wealth of great photo opportunities on the doorstep and with 90 bedrooms and two bridal suites, you won’t have far to go at the end of the night. We love… the city-centre location, ideal for the historic dockyard with all the amenities of Gunwharf Quays nearby. RNLI COLLEGE, POOLE 01202 662 261 | www.rnli.org/college The RNLI College is a light bright modern venue with a fabulous waterfront setting on the edge of Poole Harbour overlooking Holes Bay. Licensed for ceremonies, there’s a choice of attractive rooms with bay views. The ground-floor Waterfront Suite has direct access to the sea terrace right by the water’s edge; great for post-vows drinks. With the RNLI lifeboats moored on the pontoons it’s the perfect backdrop for standout photos. The suite can accommodate up to 200 ceremony guests, 150 for the wedding breakfast and an extra 50 for the evening do. For more intimate affairs, the Harbour View Suite provides a romantic setting. And if you want to linger longer, the venue has 60 harbour-view double bedrooms for guests and there’s a complimentary wedding-night stay for the happy couple too. We love… that every £1 spent at RNLI College goes towards helping save lives at sea. 26