Sunninghill Weddings Venue Dorchester

(17)
£2,750 - £6,300 for Venue Hire
Up to 80
Bedrooms
Exclusive Use
Wedding Licence

Description

Grade II Victorian gothic house with Grand Staircase, a mix of warm oak panelling and a large stone conservatory. The house is hired exclusively for your wedding celebrations which has a private house party feel. The house is decorated for you as part of the venue hire fee. This includes ivory drapes, living trees and plants to form your wedding ceremony and wedding breakfast backdrop. The hire also includes locally grown seasonal British flowers to adorn the register table, aisle chairs and later wedding breakfast table centres. Catering is flexible; we also offer an All Inclusive food and drinks package from £75pp (post ceremony drinks reception, two courses plus wine, wedding toast glass of bubbles, tea/coffee service and evening buffet) We specialise in small to medium wedding parties. Our average day guests is 50 and 90 evening guests. We provide an onsite bar service for guests to purchase drinks (card payments accepted) at no extra cost.

Personal Message from the Manager

Name of Wedding Contact: Jacky Walker
Hi, Congratulations and thank you for considering Sunninghill Weddings venue in Dorchester for your special day! Sunninghill is a beautiful venue set in lovely grounds in the heart of the town centre; it would be our absolute pleasure to show you around the house and for us to hear all about your wedding plans. I look forward to meeting you, Jacky

Experience

Year Business Was Established
2015
No. of Weddings Hosted
Between 30 and 50
Public Liability Insurance
Yes
No. of People In Team
2

Overview of Sunninghill Weddings Venue Dorchester

Wedding Venue Type
Country House / Manor House
Wedding Venue Capacity
Dining Capacity
80
Reception Capacity
200

Wedding Ceremony & Reception

Church Within Walking Distance
Wedding Licence
Outdoor Ceremony Available
Confetti Permitted

Wedding Venue Details

Open Flame Permitted
Grade I/II Listed Building
Landscaped Gardens
Exclusive Use
Bridal Changing Facilities
Pet Friendly
Disabled Access
On-Site Parking
Outdoor Reception Space
In-House Wedding Coordinator

Wedding Catering

External Catering Permitted
In-House Wine List
In-house Catering
Alcohol Licence

Pricing for Sunninghill Weddings Venue Dorchester

Venue Hire Only

Prices Start At
£2,750
Maximum Price
£6,300
Ceremony Only Hire (3 hours exclusive use) for your wedding ceremony and photographs in the house and grounds from £2750 in 2023. Full Day Exclusive use hire (May-September): 2023 £5750; 2024 £6000; 2025 £6300 Full Day Exclusive use hire (Oct-April): 2023 £4750; 2024 £5000; 2025 £5250
What is included in this pricing:
Furniture included
Exclusive use
Wedding coordinator available on the day
Non consumables (e.g. linen, lights etc.)

In-house Catering
(price per head)

Prices Start At
£14
Maximum Price
£93
We have no fixed catering fees; couples can be as informal as serving a hog roast or finger buffet from £14pp We offer an All Inclusive Food & Drinks Package from £83 in 2023 which includes: Post Ceremony Drinks Reception, 2 Course Wedding Breakfast, 2 glasses of Wine per guest, Tea & Coffee Service, Prosecco Wedding toast and Evening Buffet.
What is included in this pricing:
Table linen included
Multiple course wedding breakfast
Cutlery included
Wine allowance per guest
Bespoke menu available

Reviews for Sunninghill Weddings Venue Dorchester
(17)

Holly Hock Photography
Wedding: March
May 2023
An amazing place and beautiful wedding photographs
As a wedding photographer, Sunninghill is an amazing wedding venue to work at and an amazing place to achieve beautiful wedding photos. The main lawn its amazing for outdoor ceremonies, couple portraits, cocktail hour and group photos! It's also amazing if your looking for dreamy, backlit evening portraits as the sunsets onto the lawn nicely. It also has lovely scenery around, with trees surrounding the area, its hard to believe your in a busy town when your there!
Sophie and Liam
Happy couple married in October
May 2023
We had the most perfect day
We had our wedding at Sunninghill last month and had the most perfect day thanks to Jacky and her team. Even with rain on and off we had a beautiful backdrop inside the venue. The staircase and stain glass windows are stunning for photos. Having a package where tableware, flowers etc were included took a lot of stress away and helped with cost. Having Jacky on hand to help plan and answer any question big or small really took the worry away. The location was brilliant for guests
Liam and Steve
Happy couple married in October
September 2022
The perfect wedding for us
Jacky is an absolute star. She and her staff hosted the perfect wedding for us under difficult circumstances. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Sunninghill to anyone. The decorations were stunning, and on the big day everyone proved to be a very calming influence and everything went without a hitch. We had no idea how to arrange a wedding but with Jacky's guidance we got there and couldn't have been happoer with the results.
Casey and Ben
Happy couple married in August
September 2022
We couldn't have been happier with how the day went.
We held our whole wedding day here in August 2021 and it was amazing. Jacky and her team were very accomodating, and despite everything with Covid, we were able to have the wedding that we'd hoped for. The venue is really beautiful; we held our ceremony, wedding breakfast and evening party in the conservatory room and it was perfect. We had around 50 guests and it was the perfect size. The cost was good value for money, and even included some decorations and flowers which was a bonus. There are plenty of lovely spots to get those all important wedding photos, both indoors and outdoors. Particularly the tall stained glass windows! Everything was so chilled and Jacky ensured the day ran smoothly for us. We couldn't have been happier with how the day went. We would highly recommend Sunninghill for weddings.
Emma and Will
Happy couple married in July
September 2022
Lovely location, perfect for the family wedding feel we wanted
Thank you to Jacky and all the staff at Sunninghill for our amazing wedding reception. It is such a lovely location, perfect for the family wedding feel we wanted, and the decorations were stunning! All the organisation and your attention to detail allowed us to relax and just enjoy celebrating the day with our guests :)
Beth
Happy couple married in December
September 2022
It was just perfect
I was lucky enough to have my wedding at Sunninghill in December and it was just perfect. Jacky was super helpful from the first meeting and we knew we could trust her with our special day. The school was set with candles, Christmas trees and we got married at 3:30 just as it was getting dark. We were able to throw confetti inside and get some amazing photos on the beautiful staircase. Couldn't fault communication throw out the year which made me feel very at ease with my plans, I knew I could turn up on the day with no worries at all. Thanks to all at Sunninghill!! X
Emily and Bryce
Happy couple married in July
September 2022
Would definitely recommend this venue to any engaged couple
My husband and I got married at Sunninghill in 18th July 2020. The venue is beautiful, the outside space was amazing for our socially distant wedding! Jacky and the team did an incredible job of making the day so special. Our outdoor ceremony was beautiful, followed by a fantastic afternoon tea in the grounds. Would definitely recommend this venue to any engaged couple, it has something to suit everyone from the gorgeous outdoor space to the unique Sunninghill house. Jacky the wedding coordinator is beyond fabulous and will make sure you day is perfect!
John and Rebecca
Happy couple married in December
September 2022
Memories made for a life time, thank you Sunninghill for making them.
This is a hidden gem, right in the centre of town. From start to finish Jacky and the team at Sunninghill have been superbly professional and so helpful in making our special day complete. The venue is spectacular, all year round. We used the facilities to the max, in particular the open plan large conservatory where we had our reception, the fireplaces, the cosy bar room with sofas which gave the ability for a quieter place for people to relax. We also made use of the sports hall for games, which included table tennis tables etc. Finally the Christmas decoration was magical, in which we utilised the large Christmas tree at the bottom of the staircase for countless photos and a place for people to drop our presents and cards. Jacky was extremely helpful in helping plan our day and kept us at ease all night. In the preparations she made regular contact through our year of planning, keeping us updated with itinaries of the day. Memories made for a life time, thank you Sunninghill for making them.
Laura and Rob
Happy couple married in February
September 2022
A beautiful setting to be married in
My husband and I chose to have our wedding at Sunninghill on Saturday 15th February 2020. Not even "storm Dennis" could spoil things! We were unable to venture outside but Sunninghill's beautiful staircase and impressive windows provided us with the perfect backdrop to all our photographs and a very special indoor confetti moment. Jacky was fantastic throughout the planning of the wedding, nothing was too much trouble and was efficient at answering my many emails. Sunninghill is a hidden gem in the heart of Dorchester and is a beautiful setting to be married in. Thank you so much for helping to create a day that we shall never forget.
Phoebe and Rhys
Happy couple married in April
September 2022
Thank you so much for making our day one to remember
We were lucky enough to get married here on 09/04/22 - we booked late January for a wedding the same year, 3 months later! Jacky was a dream to work with and took all the pressure and stress out of our hands. The building and surrounds were perfect for our intimate ceremony of 30 day guests and an extra 60 more for the evening party, added bonus having a playground for the children - no need to fork out on bouncy castle or other entertainment. The food was delicious and the evening buffet was greatly received. The way Jacky and her team transformed the rooms with such a quick turnaround was very impressive, the boho theme was enhanced with the stunning arch, Ivy trees and wreath wall decor. If you’re looking for a budget friendly location to get married, but without losing the grand wedding vibe, I promise you you need not look further. Just wish we could do it again. Thank you all so much for making our day one to remember. Mr & Mrs Jones

Location & Contact Details for Sunninghill Weddings Venue Dorchester

Wedding Venue Address

Dorchester DT1 1EB, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1EB, England, United Kingdom

Travel Notes

Our post code DT1 1EB takes you to the main gate off South Walks in Dorchester; thesis used for pedestrian access and also for the bridal cars. All other vehicles can access our large car parking facilities off Culliford Road North

Nearest Town

Dorchester

Nearest Motorway & Junction

M5 JUNCTION 25

Nearest Train Station

Dorchester South or Dorchester West

Nearest Airport

Bournemouth

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FAQs
Find out a bit more from our FAQs

Describe the best wedding that happened at Sunninghill Weddings Venue Dorchester?

Every wedding is special to us

What is your No. 1 wedding planning tip for couples?

If you love it at first site - your guests will too!

What’s your favourite personal touch you’ve seen at a wedding?

A bride who put her new husband in our stocks (used during fetes to raise money)

Describe Sunninghill Weddings Venue Dorchester in 5 adjectives

Beautiful, Flexible, Welcoming, Convenient, Different

Where’s the best photo spot at Sunninghill Weddings Venue Dorchester?

In front of our stained glass windows. Next to the Christmas tree at the bottom of the Grand Staircase. The walnut tree in the middle of the main lawn. Our gothic arch entrance hallway. The living greenery Jasmin Arch with fairy lights in the conservatory. Our Shepherds Hut. In the children’s wooden park area

Have you had any celebrity guest or wedding at Sunninghill Weddings Venue Dorchester?

Every couple are a celebrity in our eyes!

What’s your favourite canapé?

Smoked salmon and cream cheese - always a winner

What’s your favourite midnight treat?

Mini burger and sweet potato fries

What is Sunninghill Weddings Venue Dorchester most unique feature?

Its history linked to beer and brewing; nursing and women suffrage. It is now an independent prep school so it has lots of character and stories that appeal to lots of different people. Guests always find the venue interesting and want to hear more - its been in Dorchester since 1893 yet few local residents have seen behind the private walls.

What part of your business are you most proud of?

Our commitment to every couple and delivering their wedding as they see it
Press & Awards
All our awards & press mentions

Bridebook Benefits

Bridebook GiftFree Bottle of Champagne