The New Forest holds a special place in the heart for everyone who has been lucky enough to visit, with its ancient landscape, stunning nature and romantic history.
Choosing the perfect wedding venue is one of the most important decisions to make when planning your wedding. The venue needs to be romantic, unique, with beautiful landscapes for your wedding photographer and also offer comfortable accommodation for your guests. The New Forest offers you all of this and more! With miles of stunning scenery such as open moorlands, idyllic woodlands, charming towns and villages, expansive coastlines and ancient history, it’s hard not to choose the New Forest as your wedding location. With a large selection of venues you are guaranteed to find the perfect wedding venue which suits all levels of budgets and all types of taste.
The New Forest also makes for a perfect wedding location as it is situated just 90 minutes away from London, and easily accessible from the M27. There are also great transport links within and to the New Forest which means that no matter where your guests are coming from, their trip will be as easy as possible. Whether you live in the New Forest or further afield this is the ideal location for your special day.
A romantic location whatever the time of year
Just imagine your wedding photos with a beautiful New Forest background. Whatever season you choose to get married in, The New Forest provides you with the wildly romantic setting you’ve always dreamed of. With the golden leaves of autumn, the snow covered Forest in winter, beautiful bluebells and fresh green leaves in spring or a gorgeous garden wedding on a sunny summer’s day - the New Forest is the perfect all year round location of choice for your special day.
Different wedding venues on offer in the New Forest
There are a large variety of venues offering stunning civil ceremonies and the perfect location for your wedding reception. From 5* hotels and country houses to historic buildings and even forest treehouses, there is so much choice for your special day in the New Forest.
The New Forest can host anything from a small intimate wedding to larger weddings of up to 400 guests, our hotels, beautiful gardens and manor houses along with superb accommodation and trusted suppliers, are all ready to give you the perfect wedding day.
Many of our hotels have both indoor and outdoor spaces for holding civil ceremonies and can theme the space with your chosen colours and decorations.
See more about our beautiful wedding venues on our dedicated webpage.
Top tips for planning your New Forest wedding
We all know that planning your dream wedding can be a stressful but exciting time. Being organised in the planning stages will mean your wedding will run itself, or at least your venue and suppliers will run it for you! Many of our venues here in the New Forest have dedicated wedding co-ordinators who are on hand to help you in preparation for your big day.
Here are some of our top tips for planning a wedding:
First things first, the legal bits! To apply for a civil marriage or civil partnership licence, then please view the Hampshire County Council wedding guide.
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Have a budget and stick to it - it can be all too tempting to get this and that and before you know it your budget has been broken.
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Get a folder and note pad to be used for only the wedding.
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Keep everything! Invoices, receipts, cuttings from magazines, everything!
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Recommendations are the key; just because something is cheaper does not mean it's necessarily the right choice, often the stress caused outweighs the money you have saved. Ask friends, colleagues or even previous customers for their feedback.
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Get it organised as early as possible, so you actually get some ‘couple time’ in the final run up to the wedding.
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Delegate – get your ushers, bridesmaids and best man involved in the big day to take some of the pressure off the two of you.
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Finally, with so much to arrange to make your day perfect do remember to ensure that all the important legal details are taken care of. For full details see the Hampshire County Council wedding pages.
If you would like further information on planning a wedding in the New Forest then browse below for the various venues that we have on offer.
Honeymooning in the New Forest
If you have already planned to get married elsewhere (we won’t take it personally!), why don’t you come to the New Forest for the perfect honeymoon? With the most romantic setting, beautiful places to stay, 5* restaurants to wine and dine in, luxurious spas to relax in and loads of things to do as a newly-wed couple, it’s the perfect place to celebrate.
Stag and Hen Do's in the New Forest
The New Forest may not be the first place that springs to mind when planning a Stag or Hen party, however, there’s a surprisingly large amount of things on offer in this our wonderful National Park.
For those looking for a more relaxed party, find yourself a hotel, B&B or self catering cottage tucked away amongst the woodland. Or for the more adventurous who enjoy being under canvas and close to nature, perhaps camping is more your style?
Plus you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to food. With towns big and small scattered across the forest bursting with restaurants, bistros and fine dining. You’ll be treated to tasty meals, with many restaurants using locally sourced produce. Or perhaps find a good old village pub for a few home brewed ales or a delicious afternoon tea.
With easy access to Southampton and Bournemouth, you can spend your last weekend of freedom exploring in the forest before celebrating in style at the many bars, clubs and restaurants found in either city.
This coupled with the range of exciting outdoor adventures on offer at New Forest Activities, you’ll have yourself quite the jam-packed party! Paddle your Hens along the stunning Beaulieu River, or hunt for your Stag on their woodland battlefield during an outdoor laser tag experience. Whatever you decide, go for a 'Do' with a difference with New Forest Activities. Sensibly priced activities for the adventurous Stag or Hen. Insight Activities also have fun-filled Stag and Hen Do activity day options!
