There are now 40 venues licensed for wedding ceremonies on the Isle of Wight and many more that can host amazing receptions.
For a special wedding breakfast, it doesn’t get much grander than Osborne House, once the home of Queen Victoria and her family. You can marry at nearby Whippingham Church, or on the Barton Manor estate, then drive by horse and carriage to your grand palace for the day. Dine at Osborne’s Terrace restaurant and savour the amazingly ornate plasterwork of the Durbar Room. Larger parties might like a marquee in the beautiful gardens overlooking the house and sea and there is also a private beach. More info at english-heritage.org.uk, contact: 01983 203055
You could have your very own island for the day if you hire Spitbank Fort in the middle of the Solent. Arrive by speedboat, have an amazing party for 60 friends and enjoy sensational views. For a larger party, you might prefer nearby No Man’s Fort, the ultimate party venue with a helipad, cabaret bar and laser battle arena. Three times the size of Spitbank Fort and boasting its own lighthouse, No Man’s Fort has rooftop hot tubs, sauna and a presidential honeymoon suite with 360º views. Contact: 02392 809767
Quay Arts, the Island’s artistic hub, is in Grade II-listed Victorian warehouses on Newport Quay. Marry here and you would be able to wander the galleries, surrounded by art. Spread your reception throughout the atmospheric arched windowed café and spill on to the terrace overlooking the river. Contact: 01983 822490
Why fly to the Caribbean to get married when the Priory Bay Hotel in Seaview has a boathouse with views over the soft sandy beach to the Solent beyond for your wedding vows? Your guests could even arrive by hovercraft and be greeted with champagne and canapés scoffed barefoot on the shore. And for the most romantic wedding night there are five luxurious designer yurts with en-suite bathrooms, overlooking the sea. Contact: 01983 613146
Marry at secluded The Lodge at Bowcombe Estate and you could make the gently sloping slate walkway up to the main entrance into your aisle. The high wooden beamed ceilings and large picture windows of this beautiful set of barn conversions, with comfortable and contemporary furnishings, give you a truly stylish, private and exclusive experience. Add creamy white yurts or a marquee in the grounds for a larger reception and to make the most of the expansive views across the rolling countryside. Contact: 01983 74141.
Homes with history
Once the home of the scandalous Lady Seymour Worsley, Appuldurcombe House has two rooms licensed for wedding ceremonies, which may also be used for your reception. This partially restored shell of an 18th-century baroque masterpiece has far-reaching views across the Capability Brown-designed grounds, where you could pitch a marquee for larger celebrations. Contact: 01983 852484
Northwood House in Cowes was built for entertaining by John Nash for the Ward family, with stunning plasterwork and murals decorating the interior of this imposing, classically styled house. Its legacy continues and up to 240 guests can attend a wedding here, with a choice of rooms, and attractive garden, with views across the Solent. Contact: 01983 293642
A drive bordered with English oaks takes you to Nunwell House in Brading, one of the oldest houses on the Island where Charles I once stayed. Five acres of gardens have views to Bembridge Harbour and beyond. Ceremonies are to be licensed here shortly. Contact: 01983 407240
East Dene in Bonchurch, once the home of the Victorian poet Swinburne, is a Grade II-listed mansion house set in 10 acres of beautiful woodland and has wonderful views of the sea. Contact: 01983 852374
Lisle Combe in St Lawrence, once the home of the writer Alfred Noyes, also has fabulous sea views from its sheltered location as part of the Undercliff. Contact: 01983 852582
Lovers of the sea
If your heart is also with the sea you might like to marry in the Sir Max Aitken Museum in Cowes, where you have your ceremony and reception surrounded by some of the most unique relics of the town’s sailing history. With views across Cowes Harbour and the Solent from the large verandah around the building, this is ideal for anyone who loves the sailing life. Contact: 01983 293800
Or you might like to have your wedding reception afloat – the Princess Caroline can pick you up from Yarmouth Pier, Trinity Pier in Cowes or Ryde Pier and you can cruise the Solent during your reception for up to 110 people. You can even get the captain to bless your wedding (although actual ceremonies are not licensed). Contact: 01962 808995
Gorgeous gardens
Fancy being married in the middle of an apple orchard with beautiful gardens for your guests to roam? Afton Apple Farm in Freshwater is now open only for weddings and private functions throughout the year and it’s a real treat for garden lovers, with a vine-covered verandah, rose arbors and even apples later in the year. Contact: 07967 180176
Ventnor Botanic Garden is a must if you want to marry in the middle of lush subtropical gardens, with palm trees and huge echiums taking a starring role. Sheltered beneath the Undercliff, the gardens radiate from the contemporary pavilion and guests can spill out from the Edulis restaurant into the garden. Contact: 01983 855397
For a themed wedding of romantic extravagance, you can marry beneath the cherubs, fairies and hearts at The Enchanted Manor in Niton. Choose from their woodland-themed wedding room or a heart-adorned gazebo in the garden. Contact: 01983 730215
And for a really wacky wedding, renew your vows at Bestival’s inflatable church – many couples first meet at the music festival and return for a funky “wedding blessing’”after their formal wedding.
To the manor born
Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter had their reception in the grounds of Mottistone Manor because of Sophie’s family connection to the manor. While it is not possible to hire the garden for weddings, Mottistone Gardens is open to the public during the summer through the National Trust. But there are other manors to choose from…
Barton Manor
Situated next to Osborne House, Barton Manor in Whippingham was Queen Victoria’s guest wing. A limited number of weddings are held here each year in Prince Albert’s two-storey barn. You could arrive by helicopter or hovercraft, as the estate has its own beach, and have your photographs taken by the picturesque ponds or on the King Edward VII’s terraces. Contact: 01983 280537;
Haseley Manor
There are only four dates open per year for weddings at this historic manor house in Arreton. They are booked until the end of 2017, but you may be lucky if you are planning a future wedding. Contact: 01983 865420;
Languard Manor
Built in the mid-18th century and set in sunny Shanklin, Languard Manor lays out the red carpet for a grand entrance through its impressive Regency front door. This is an ideal venue for larger weddings with pretty grounds and a woodland walk for photographs. Contact: 01983 868886
Morton Manor
The manor in Brading, set in beautiful gardens with more than 100 different varieties of Japanese maple, was refurbished in the early 20th century in an Arts and Crafts style. You can marry in a gazebo in the garden, which overlooks a large pond and enjoys the shade of a 300-year-old plane tree. The wedding suite, with a four-poster bed, is in its own wing of the manor house – the perfect start to your honeymoon. More info at mortonmanor.co.uk, contact: 01983 407990
Weston Manor
Commanding extensive views over West Wight and to the Solent and Hurst Castle beyond, Weston Manor in Totland has its own (unconsecrated) chapel decorated in the style of A .W. Pugin, where you can have a blessing after your civil ceremony in the manor house. Bed and breakfast is available in the eastern side of the house. Contact: 01983 755754
