Your Hampshire and Dorset Wedding - January/February 2021 (Issue 84)

OSBORNE, ISLE OF WIGHT 01983 203 055 | www.english-heritage.org.uk/ osborneweddings Follow in the footsteps of a royal romance and marry at this romantic hotspot. Built as a family home by the sea for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, the palatial venue was designed in the Italianate style to complement the island’s mild climate and panoramic views over the Solent which reminded Prince Albert of the Bay of Naples. The venue echoes with the enduring love story of the royal couple and provides the perfect backdrop for a big-day with a difference. Catering for everything from intimate weddings to grand lavish celebrations, the possibilities are almost endless! Marry at Osborne and raise a toast surrounded by priceless exquisite artwork You can tie the knot in one of the opulent and lavishly decorated rooms – the largest being the Indian-themed Durbar room which can host up to 100 guests. Truly fit for a queen, it was built for state functions and decorated in an elaborate intricate style. The grounds and setting are equally impressive with spectacular terraces, ornate Victorian fountains, a stunning walled garden and even its own secluded private beach; providing a wealth of opportunities for weddings of all sizes indoors and out. We love... the Queen’s Alcove, nestled by her much-loved beach, it’s a unique setting for a wedding ceremony with up to 80 loved ones. STANSTED PARK, ROWLANDS CASTLE 02392 412 265 | www.stanstedpark.co.uk You’ll be spoilt for choice for standout backdrops at this versatile venue. Ranging from sumptuous state rooms with comfortable furnishings to the quirky curiosity of the servants’ quarters, Stansted House has a wealth of options for the big day. The historic Edwardian house, with its classical architecture, is surrounded by ancient forest and sweeping parklands, so there’s no shortage of fabulous photo opportunities. There’s a variety of different outdoor spaces available including the quaint walled Dutch garden, complete with water feature, the terraced south lawn with panoramic views of the forest and coast and the Bessborough Arboretum. The former home of the Earls of Bessborough, there’s a choice of fabulous settings for the ceremony, from the blue vaulted ceiling and stained glass of the private chapel, which seats 100 people, to the lavish furnishings of the Music Room which can host up to 80 loved ones. The historic grandeur of the Blue Drawing Room lends itself perfectly to a formal wedding breakfast for 50 guests while the large south-facing lawns offer a quintessentially English setting for a marquee, great for larger parties of 250 or more to dine and dance into the night. We love… the classical Italian-style, west-facing main entrance, the perfect backdrop for photos and to raise a toast as the sun sets behind the cricket pitch. REGIONAL VENUES 29