Find country house & stately home wedding venues in Dorset

If you are wanting a country wedding in Dorset , you can't go wrong with a boutique country house hotel or an elegant stately home wedding venue.

Country houses and stately homes have stunning spaces for both wedding ceremonies and receptions. If you've always dreamed of tying the knot in a picture gallery or orangery before heading to the grounds for cocktails and an evening reception in the ballroom, then a country house in Dorset sounds like the perfect venue for you.

As country manors are houses first and foremost, they can feel like an elegant home-from-home. Some venues will have accommodation on site, usually with stunning decor like roll-top baths and four-poster beds, while others may have smaller hotels or B&Bs in the grounds. This means that you’ll have the advantage of a beautiful bridal suite and accommodation for immediately family or the bridal party on site.

With many country houses in Dorset being set in stunning grounds you will find plenty of options for stunning wedding photography. Many stately homes have rolling grounds and manicured gardens, with many wonderful features like lakes, flower gardens and distinctive fountains and mazes. There are plenty of opportunities for beautiful wedding photos both inside and out - your wedding photographer will be spoiled for choice! Make sure to take in the gardens on your venue viewing, even if you’re marrying in the winter.

Being out in the countryside not only means that you’ll have stunning wedding photos, but also privacy for your wedding day. The peaceful setting and views over the countryside make your wedding in Dorset a romantic getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Country house hotels and stately home wedding venues are perfect for you if:

• You've always wanted a fairytale wedding day
• You want an outdoor element to your reception
• Light and airy spaces appeal to you
• You want a variety of locations for your photos
• You need a small amount of luxury accommodation

Frequently Asked Questions on Country House and Stately Home Wedding Venues in Dorset

What would it cost to have a wedding in a country house venue?

As with all wedding venues, costs for stately home and country house weddings vary, but you may be surprised at how affordable some of the options can be! An extravagant budget isn't essential to get your own country house in Dorset for your wedding. If you’re looking to cut costs, then consider a midweek wedding or marrying in the low season, such as early spring or late autumn. Country home venues are ideal for winter weddings, as they often have large fireplaces and cozy wood-panelled rooms.

Is it possible to have exclusive use of a country house in Dorset for the whole wedding weekend?

You will find that there are plenty of country house wedding venues and stately homes that will provide you with exclusive use of the venue on your wedding day. This means that the venue is yours alone for the duration of your wedding. Sometimes this will be for your wedding day alone, and in other cases, you can hire your wedding venue for an entire weekend for you and your guests. This may incur an extra charge, but if you want a luxurious weekend of exclusivity for guests with catering staff on hand, then this could be the perfect wedding weekend for you. You will be able to find exclusive use country houses in Dorset using our venue filters.

If I'm having a country house wedding what type of wedding dress should I wear?

Country houses in Dorset come with plenty of original features, such as grand stairways, impressive statues and glittering chandeliers. Play up the drama of your surroundings with an equally glamorous wedding dress! Floor length veils, impressive trains and princess gowns look right at home in the ballrooms and art galleries of a manor. Lace fabrics and vintage details are perfectly suited, as they're reminiscent of English socialites. Whatever dress you decide to wear on your wedding day, you will be able to find your dream country house in Dorset on Guides for Brides.