Weddings & Civil Ceremonies Award winning 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.

A bride wearing a white flowing wedding dress holding a bouquet of flowers climbing a grand staircase decorated with ribbons

Photo by Lotus Photography UK

the entrance to Merley House. A stone staircase leading to large wooden doors with two small trees on either side

Photo by Lotus Photography UK

A small circular garden with a stone fountain in the middle

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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.

A large, elegant room set up for a wedding with multiple tables and chairs decorated with flowers and chaircovers

Rooms for Weddings & Civil Ceremonies

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multiple elaborately decorated tables laid out with flowers and silverware. Bunting hangs from the ceiling

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.

multiple elaborately decorated tables laid out with flowers and silverware. Bunting hangs from the ceiling

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.

a large room set up with round tables and chairs

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.

A room with a large bar and a grand piano in one corner

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.

neatly placed rows of chairs in front of a large fireplace

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, decorated with an ornate plasterwork ceiling, a large fireplace and a chandelier

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 this land for these activities is required from the owner before these can go ahead. Behind the house is an access road which must be kept clear. Parents are required to supervise their children at all times in this area.

*New* Outdoor Wedding Ceremonies

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We are thrilled to announce that we now offer picturesque outdoor wedding ceremonies in our Formal Gardens. Get in touch with us today to book your viewing and learn more.

The image shows an outdoor wedding setup in a garden. In the foreground, there is a circular fountain with water, surrounded by a paved area. Around the fountain, there are white chairs arranged in rows on both sides, likely for guests. The chairs have white covers or decorations on them. In the background, there is a white arch draped with fabric. The garden is lush with greenery, including bushes and trees, and the sky is blue with some clouds. The setting appears serene and picturesque,
The image shows a beautifully landscaped outdoor setting prepared for a wedding. In the center, there is a circular fountain with water, surrounded by a paved area. A white aisle runner leads up to the fountain, suggesting a ceremonial path. On either side of the aisle, there are rows of white chairs arranged for guests. The background features a lush garden with various trees and shrubs, including a large evergreen tree. The sky is mostly clear with some clouds, and the overall atmosphere is serene and picturesque.
The image shows a picturesque outdoor setting prepared for a wedding ceremony. On the left side, there is a large, multi-tiered stone fountain with water gently cascading down. The fountain is surrounded by a circular pool of water. To the right of the fountain, there is a curved brick pathway leading to a small, white-draped archway decorated with greenery. Under the archway, there is a table covered with a white cloth. In the foreground on the right, there are several white chairs arranged in rows, each adorned with white tulle bows. The background features lush green hedges, trees, and a partly cloudy blue sky, creating a serene and romantic atmosphere.

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.

View our Wedding Rates & Packages
A large room set up for a wedding ceremony, Rows of covered chairs with red bows form an aisle leading to a decorated table laid out with flowers

Additional Extras

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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 will 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 and tongs. Simply provide your choice of sweets and bags and a member of our team will top it up throughout your event. *Please note – it is your responsibility to ensure that your guests do not have any allergies/dietary requirements when using the sweet cart.

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

A retro themed sweet cart with jars of sweets
large white letters spellin
Jars of sweets

Photo by Lotus Photography UK

Planning a Wedding?

To speak to us about hosting your wedding or civil ceremony at Merley House please call us on 01202 885024.
Contact Merley House