The Russell-Coates Art Gallery & Museum

Bournemouth’s exquisite historic house opens its doors to romance offering an elegant, new wedding service

For the first time in its 112 year history one of Bournemouth’s historic and architectural gems, the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum is opening its doors to offer newlyweds-to-be a rare opportunity to get married at this unique, exotic Victorian villa filled with world-famous artworks - a world apart from other wedding venues on the south coast.

Imagine a wedding venue set on the cliff-top overlooking Bournemouth’s breathtaking seascape, with an exquisite Japanese-inspired garden and a stunning historic house with more than 1,000 artefacts and artworks on display including Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s masterpiece, ‘Venus Verticordia’. It provides an ideal blend of elegance, tradition and grandeur in a magnificent setting for couples to celebrate their special day.

The remarkable venue has licensed five rooms for ceremonies - the Conservatory, Drawing Room, Dining Room, Gallery II and the centrepiece of the historic house, the Main Hall. Each room boasts unique and beautiful features; the Main Hall has a magnificent grand staircase for the bride to make an entrance, an intricate stained-glass skylight, grand piano and shimmering mosaic fountain, and the opulent gold Drawing Room has delicate, refined and gilded décor with royal associations.

For newlyweds-to-be looking for a small reception to toast their vows after the ceremony, the Russell-Cotes offers a tantalising canapés and drinks reception or afternoon tea, served in the Morning Room. There is also the option to enjoy a three course sit down meal for up to 20 people in the Morning Room and the Russell-Cotes will be looking to further enhance this offer in the future.

The art gallery and museum can also tailor weddings to suit the couple and their guests, even offering an option to have exclusive access to the impressive house and garden.

The Russell-Cotes is located on Bournemouth’s East Cliff Promenade overlooking the sea, just two minutes walk from the beach and pier, and a five minute walk to the town centre. It is a bustling cosmopolitan town offering excellent accommodation to suit all budgets, seven miles of award-winning beaches and a variety of shops.

The train station is 1.2 miles away (just a 20 minute walk) and a 20 minute drive from Bournemouth International Airport. Bournemouth is also conveniently just two hours from drive from London, 50 minutes from Salisbury and 45 minutes from Southampton.

For more information about weddings at the Russell-Cotes call 01202 451858, email r-cweddings@bournemouth.gov.uk or visit www.russellcotesweddings.com