Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens hires out a licensed lawn and a wedding marquee for civil ceremonies and receptions of up to 120 seated guests. The gardens cover 30 acres in Abbotsbury, a village near Weymouth on the Dorset coast. The offer is for weddings, and the venue is hired without catering.
Weddings and receptions
The ceremony takes place on the West Lawn, which is licensed for civil ceremonies. The couple has exclusive use of the lawn and a private entrance, so the ceremony is held away from daytime visitors. Benches or chairs are provided, along with a separate area to meet the registrar. A ceremony under the Oak Pavilion or in another part of the gardens is possible for an additional charge.
The reception is held in the Wedding Marquee, which stands among the plants. It has clear side panels that let in the light and the view of the gardens. The marquee seats up to 120 guests and has a dance floor. The couple also has exclusive use of the marquee.
Rooms and capacities
The venue states one capacity: 120 guests seated in the Wedding Marquee. The West Lawn is the ceremony space, and its number of seats is not given on the site. The gardens themselves offer places for photographs, from a Himalayan glade to the giant leaves of the gunnera and a view toward Chesil Beach.
Weddings take place from April to September. Weekend weddings are held on Fridays and Saturdays, and mid-week weddings from Monday to Thursday. The hire period runs from 10 am to 11:30 pm. The fee includes free parking, a free season ticket for the bride and groom and free access to the gardens for guests. Security is provided after 5 pm, and a refundable damage deposit is required.
Catering
The venue provides the setting only. The couple arranges caterers and other suppliers and is responsible for them, and the site recommends hiring a wedding coordinator. The venue has a catering department of its own, listed on its contact page, but the wedding offer states that suppliers are your choice. Ask whether that department can be booked for your day.
Accommodation
There are no bedrooms on site. The gardens keep an accommodation list, which the ticketing and group enquiries line can send you.
History and setting
The gardens began as a kitchen garden and grew into a collection of over 6,000 species from across the world. They are described as a plantsman's garden, and the mild climate comes from a position less than a mile from the sea. The gardens lie on the Jurassic Coast.
Getting there
The address is Buller's Way, Abbotsbury, near Weymouth, Dorset DT3 4LA. Parking is free for wedding guests. During the day the car park and toilets are shared with visitors to the gardens, so plan guest arrival with that in mind.
