Situated on the edge of the pretty picture-postcard village of Abbotsbury and a
stone’s throw from the stunning Chesil Beach, the Subtropical Gardens bask in
their own micro-climate and nestle alongside the Jurassic Coast.
The Subtropical Gardens make a stunning backdrop to a bespoke indoor-
outdoor wedding. The Wedding Marquee is set within 30 acres of the
Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens is a unique and magical setting for your wedding.
For couples that want the beauty of the Gardens as the backdrop to their
wedding theme, then Abbotsbury Weddings presents a unique coastal garden
venue. Our flexibility and openness to working with the Wedding
Professionals of your choice have proven to be a wonderful opportunity for
many of our couples.
Licensed for wedding ceremonies, there is the choice of the Wedding Gazebo
or Oak Pavilion, in addition to the View Point and spots amongst the trees on the
West Lawn is now an approved location. Your wedding party can be hosted in
the Wedding Marquee which creates an indoor-outdoor setting. It is also
possible to hold either element of your wedding on its own.
Wedding Gazebo & Wedding Marquee
Your own private entrance leads you onto the West Lawn where you will find
the Wedding Gazebo and Wedding Marquee side by side, nestled amid exotic
plants. The Wedding Gazebo is ideal for ceremonies and seating can be made
available for guests to watch the ceremony. Just opposite is The Wedding Marquee
which is a permanent marquee that is light and airy with transparent panelled walls.
There are two wide entrances to the Marquee, giving the wedding couple a perfect entrance
opportunity. The Marquee has tables and chairs to
seat 120 guests with a kitchen area. Twinkle star lights set into the
roof lining at one end of the Marquee and a designated wooden dance area for
the evening (ample electric points for a disco or band).
Oak Pavilion & Wedding Marquee
An alternative setting for ceremonies, the Oak Pavilion is a walk further into
the Gardens themselves. A stunning open Oak structure, seating can be made
available to watch. This setting includes a waiting area for guests on the
Sunken Lawn and a walk through the Gardens back to the Wedding Pavilion on
the West Lawn. Please note this setting requires assistance from Ushers and
Bridesmaids, to help guide guests and those that need help with wheelchairs
or any other special needs for the walk to and from.
Marriages are performed by the Dorset Registration Service, and you will need
to liaise directly with them to book the Registrar and celebrant. These fees are
paid directly to them.
Weddings can be hosted from April to September but are not hosted on
consecutive days, so you have full access to the venue on the day before your
wedding (10.00 am – 4.00 pm) to set up and the morning after (10.00 am – 12
noon prompt) to clear up. Please note the Gardens are still open to the
General Public between 10.00 am -5.00 pm after which the Gardens are
exclusively yours for your guests to explore. If the ceremony and reception are
on the West Lawn, this area is closed to the public. Ceremonies at the Oak
Pavilion, our staff endeavours to guide visitors away during the ceremony.
Food & Drink
We have a list of caterers, local food and drink companies that have work with.
If you have your own caterer, food van or mobile bar, then we can consider
these, and we will endeavour to accommodate them.
Wedding Photography, Wedding Cakes, Styling & Floristry
We have a list of recommended Wedding Professionals who can offer all the
services you will need for your wedding day. If you already have your own
suppliers that you would like to use, then we will be happy to work with them.
Toilets
Toilets are alongside the Gardens Coffee Shop a short walk from the West
Lawn. Alternatively, you can hire in toilets so that they are close to the
Marquee and at hand for your guests.
Accommodation
We have a list of 5* luxury cottages as well as local B&B’s and guest houses in
the area if you or your guests wish to make the most of the time in
Abbotsbury.
What we offer
Our venue hire charge includes the hire of the Marquee, your own private
entrance to West Lawn, a top table seating 8 and round tables for your guests
(seating 7 or 10) and lime-washed chairs with seat pads for 120 guests and
seating for the ceremony for immediate family. An Abbotsbury Season Ticket
for the Bride and Groom and free access to the Gardens for all guests on the
day of your wedding is also included.
We are happy to cater for smaller and/or mid-week weddings or if you would
prefer to hold either just the ceremony or the reception at the Gardens – please
contact us for a price.
Quote
We couldn’t have chosen a better location for our wedding day than the stunningly beautiful Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens! On arrival, our guests were ushered to the Sunken garden, once everyone had arrived our celebrant led everyone in procession through the gardens to the View Point on top of the hill where we had our wedding ceremony.
Later food was served in the Wedding Marquee followed by music and dancing. The staff at Abbotsbury went out of their way to make to accommodate our special needs and unusual requests (ie planting a tree!) to make sure that our day was a resounding success. All of our guests were blown away by the beauty of the gardens and the surrounding Dorset countryside, my husband and myself would highly recommend Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens for your wedding – Trevor and Mo
We would be delighted to arrange a meeting with you to view our venue and discuss your requirements.
Please contact Jess Lambert via:
Telephone: 01305 871130
Email: weddings@abbotsbury-tourism.co.uk
Visiting: www.abbotsburyweddings.co.uk
Photos provided by: Sasfi Hope-Ross Photographer & Laura Dean Photography.