Weddings & Civil Ceremonies at Merley House Function & Wedding Venue in Dorset
Unlike many wedding and civil ceremony venues, Merley House can be booked exclusively for you and your guests to enjoy. As such it offers elegance, refinement and seclusion for your special occasion.
Photo by Lotus Photography UK
Photo by Lotus Photography UK
Licensed for Marriages & Civil Partnerships
Merley House has 3 state rooms licensed for ceremonies, making it a perfect wedding venue or affordable alternative to a registry office, thanks to our ceremony license. You can book Merley House exclusively for you and your guests to enjoy, allowing you to host the entire day from one location.
At Merley House we are more than happy to tailor our packages to your individual requirements. We believe everyone is unique and so is every event and celebration, so let your imagination take over and enjoy the freedom to create your perfect day.
We are proud to work with a fantastic selection of local caterers who can provide high quality food and professional service for your event. You can download our list of recommended caterers here.
Rooms for Weddings & Civil Ceremonies
The Old Library
This is the largest of the rooms for hire. It is decorated in blue and features plasterwork clouds and sunbursts within an arabesque and garlanded border. We can accommodate a Wedding Ceremony of up to 100 guests, a Sit-Down Wedding Breakfast of up to 80 guests and an Evening Party with a DJ/Band up to 150 guests in this room.
The Nursery
Located on the first floor of Merley House (stair only access) this room is the perfect setting for the bridal party on the morning of the wedding. It is an ideal space for the Bridal party to come together and have hair and make-up whilst relaxing with a glass of prosecco. It provides a fantastic atmosphere with lots of giggles and great memories and creates the perfect start to the wedding day.By getting ready in The Old Nursery, it can save on the need for Wedding Cars and features three full-length windows, providing panoramic views of the nearby town of Wimborne Minster and provides great photo opportunities.
This room is available from 9am and is included in most of our Wedding packages or can be hired at an additional cost for couples not having their Wedding Ceremony or Wedding Breakfast with us. *Please note – There is no overnight accommodation at Merley House, and we ask this room to vacated by 9pm in order for us to prepare for the next day.
The Drawing Room
Decorated predominantly in green with white cornicing and detailed in gold, this room boasts an impressive chimney piece in white and green marble. The ceiling has a large central oval depicting ‘The Judgement of Paris’. The Drawing Room is perfect for smaller Wedding Ceremonies up to 40 guests, or a Private Dining Event. It can also be hired additionally to the Old Library and provides a great space for a Casino table or Photobooth.
The Morning Room
Accessed by double doors from The Old Library, this room features a fully stocked bar and an impressive Bösendorfer grand piano. The French doors lead to the southeast corner of the house and a delightful, enclosed patio area with seating and umbrellas for you and your guests to enjoy. It provides a perfect sun trap on a summers day and creates a great free flowing space to enter The Old Library.
The Dining Parlour
Situated in the north-west corner of the building, this room is decorated in blue tones. Features an impressive fireplace and a captivating ceiling that incorporates a depiction of Bacchus receiving a cup of wine from Ceres. The Dining Parlour is perfect for smaller Wedding Ceremonies up to 40 guests, a Drinks Reception or can also be hired additionally to the Old Library and provides a great space for a Casino table or a Photobooth.
The Grand Entrance Hall
Merley House boasts a classical entrance hall that provides a great first impression for your guests. The hall features a grand fireplace and a beautiful plasterwork ceiling. This area leads to The Old Library and to our magnificent staircase which is a perfect setting for photographs.
Back Lawn
Leading out through the Old Library’s French doors is the back lawn. This area is not owned by Merley house Events and cannot be hired out. However, it is a communal area that be used by guests to complement their events and has many uses. It provides a small playpark, as well as a great area for a caterer to host a BBQ, Garden games, Picnic area or Bouncy Castle.
*Please note – Permission to use the land for these activities is required from the owner before these can go ahead. Also behind the house is an access road which must be always kept clear, and parents are required to supervisor their children at all times in this area.
Helping To Plan Your Special Day
Pre-planning is essential and to ensure your special ocassion goes like a dream we are happy to spend time with you, tailoring the day to your individual requirements. We understand the importance of your day and we will do all we can to ensure everything is perfect for you and your guests.
We have wedding packages available to suit every budget, including flowers, decorations and catering. We can also recommend other professional services such as photographers, car hire, entertainment and local accommodation. To view our recommended suppliers, click here
With excellent facilities and a wealth of experienced and friendly staff, Merley House offers elegance, refinement and seclusion for your special occasion.
Additional Extras
Why not make your wedding day even more special! See our list of additional extras below. If you have already booked your wedding with us, please let us know if you would like any extras and we would be happy to help!
5ft LED Love Letters – £150
Sweet Cart – £50
Comes with everything you need to create an inviting display for your guests including sweet jars, scoops, tongs and bags. Simply provide your choice of sweets and a member of our team will top it up throughout the evening. *Please ensure that your guests have no food allergies as we cannot be held responsible any allergic reactions that may occur.
Chiavari chairs and sash – £2.50 per chair/sash
Chair cover – £2.50 per chair (Broach 25p extra)
with your choice of either a hood or sash
Photo by Lotus Photography UK