10 of the best coastal wedding venues
Scenic shorelines will have you longing for these beautiful coastal venues
Dream coastal wedding venues
Oh we do like to be beside the seaside, and it’s no exception when it comes to wedding days. These glorious coastal wedding venues, with sweeping shoreline views, should be top of your wedding venue list.
1. Tunnels Beaches, Ilfracombe, Devon
If you dream of private beaches with spectacular sunsets, Tunnels Beaches has that and more, including hand-carved tunnels through the cliffs and a super-romantic gazebo on the cliff for your vows. Best of all, at the main entrance to the venue, a selection of self-catered accommodation sleeps over 50 adults and 10 children, which means you and your guests can enjoy a morning-after-the-night-before walk on the beach together. Capacity: Ceremonies and receptions, 120. Evenings, 160.
2. Polhawn Fort, Cornwall
The Napolenic Polhawn Fort on the borders of Devon and Cornwall has won many awards – and it’s not hard to see why. Photo-friendly touches include original cannon and a drawbridge. You can arrange a grand ceremony in the Napoleonic Hall or go al fresco in the summerhouse above the glistening sea below. After the vows, steps lead down to the beach for a few moments of together-time watching the waves and capturing some timeless photos. And with eight bedrooms on site, you can take the whole place exclusively for a whole weekend. Capacity: ceremonies, 120. Evenings, 150.
3. The Gallivant, East Sussex
Just along the coast from historic Rye, you can take over the whole of The Gallivant, a gorgeous contemporary hotel and restaurant beside the beach dunes, where you can literally get the sand between your toes as you sip Champagne. The décor is all bleached wood and natural light, with a cute beach hut mini spa for some serious pampering. Menus rely on local produce wherever possible, from salt marsh lamb to fish fresh off the boats. Capacity, 8-80.
4. Chateau Rhianfa, Isle of Anglesey
With its pale grey towers and turrets peeking out from a carpet of rich green woodland, Château Rhianfa really does have the fairytale touch. Overlooking the Menai Strait, this Grade II-listed, French-style hotel can host small weddings (up to 40) in the Drawing or Music Rooms, or larger celebrations in the Banqueting Hall. And 30 individually designed bedrooms mean your nearest and dearest can wake up to the same stunning views of Snowdonia as you. Capacity: Ceremonies and receptions, 100.
5. Caerhays Estate, Cornwall
There’s a choice of romantic spots to celebrate at Caerhays Estate beside Porthluney beach near St Austell. To keep things really intimate, the Coastguard’s Lookout on the headland overlooking the bay can host a small ceremony and drinks, or there’s a pretty church a few minutes’ walk away for larger numbers. And when it’s time to party, you can have a marquee on Beach Meadow or Castle Field, then rest your party feet afterwards in one of eight luxurious bedrooms in The Vean, the estate’s restored Georgian country house. Capacity: Coastguard’s Lookout ceremonies, 20. Marquee receptions, 250.
6. Grand Hotel Tynemouth, Tyne & Wear
The stately Grand Hotel Tynemouth sits on a clifftop overlooking Longsands Beach. Chandeliers and a sweeping staircase make an elegant backdrop for indoor pictures, or step outside and get the rolling waves of the North Sea in the frame too. There’s a huge choice of dishes for your wedding breakfast and a global menu of buffets for hungry dancers later, from American (think Carolina fried chicken and Texas chilli) and Mediterranean (lamb koftas and patatas bravas), to Asian (teriyaki skewers and Thai green curry) or good old British fish and chips. Capacity: Ceremonies, 100 in the Pearl Room, 140 in the Orchid Suite. Evenings, 200.
7. Hythe Imperial, Kent
Sparkling sunlight on the English Channel is matched by the twinkle of Europe’s tallest chandelier at Hythe Imperial Hotel. Perched majestically on the south coast, this Victorian gem has a large ballroom for receptions, with mirrored walls to reflect romantic candlelight, plus sundecks and a terrace with impressive views. An outdoor gazebo offers the option of an al fresco ceremony if you fancy the sea breeze in your hair. Capacity: Ceremonies, 130, outdoors 120. Receptions and evenings, 130.
8. Ballygally Castle, County Antrim
The stunning 17th century Ballygally Castle on the Antrim coast was a coastguard station for many years before being transformed into a luxury hotel in the 1950s. Today it’s a beautiful blend of original fireplaces and fairytale towers and turrets, with modern twists like the new Belvedere Pavilion in the walled garden – perfect for a chic ceremony. More than 50 bedrooms means there’s also room for plenty of guests to stay over. Capacity: ceremonies and receptions, 200. Evenings, 300.
9. Slieve Donard Resort, County Down
As coastal wedding venues go, this one is pretty spectacular. Originally built as a luxury railway hotel, Slieve Donard Resort in Newcastle, County Down has looked out over the Irish Sea since the 1890s. Today it has a state-of-the-art spa – also with stunning sea views – and pretty suites for intimate ceremonies or a Ballroom for grand banquets. There’s a wide choice of dishes on the menu featuring regional meat and fish, plus six acres of gardens offering a kaleidoscope of pretty backdrops for the photos. Capacity: Ceremonies, receptions and evenings, up to 460.
10. The Beaches, Denbighshire
As its name suggests, The Beaches Hotel in Prestatyn in North Wales looks out over the Irish Sea and sits beside a stunning stretch of sand that’s ideal for your photos. There are four lovely locations for ceremonies, from the Seaview Suite (up to 60) to the Beaches Suite, which comprises mostly windows so floods the space with natural sunlight. And 70 bedrooms mean plenty of your guests can stay over and enjoy the sandy shore after a catch-up breakfast the morning after. Capacity: Ceremonies and receptions, 180. Evenings, 200.
Now you’ve explored these dream coastal wedding venues, you may need a light and floaty wedding dress to match.
