Wedding Receptions

Celebrate your wedding reception in style at the award-winning West Dean Gardens, a beautiful wedding reception venue in West Sussex.

Located in the breathtaking South Downs countryside, the historic West Dean estate is the perfect venue for outdoor wedding receptions. With the capacity to accommodate up to 200 guests in a marquee or tipi, the surrounding illustrious landscaped Gardens provide idyllic photo opportunities and a romantic ambience, creating an unforgettable wedding reception for you and your guests.

Guests will have full access to explore the Gardens including the Walled Kitchen Garden and Victorian Glasshouses, the award-winning Sunken Garden and the stunning 300ft Edwardian Pergola.

Find out more, download our Wedding Brochure

West Dean Gardens was included in The Telegraph's 'best gardens for weddings in the UK and abroad'

Engagement photoshoots

Celebrate your engagement by having your engagement photos taken in the beautiful West Dean Gardens in the South Downs countryside. This country estate exudes historic character and charm and offers the perfect picturesque backdrop to capture such a memorable time.

Cost £150 - includes cream tea and a glass of prosecco for the happy couple and entry to the Gardens (during normal opening hours) for you both and your photographer. Please note: all engagement photoshoots need to be authorised and booked in advance.

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Testimonial

"Upon discovering West Dean Gardens after viewing venue after venue across Sussex and Surrey, this breath-taking venue instantly clicked for us. The sunken garden and pergola delivered this in spades with a real sense of romance, and worked perfectly with the informal lawns rolling down to the meadow and stream providing the perfect relaxed backdrop to the reception. There were also ample photo opportunities among the orchards and glasshouses in full bloom close by - they truly made our pictures!

While West Dean Gardens was our absolute dream location in terms of its romantic and informal beauty, there is nothing more crucial than having a friendly, supportive and flexible team to help you realise your visions, and the team at West Dean were nothing short of exceptional at every stage of planning, we can’t thank them enough for all their support!"

Justine & Cesare Cornelli

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we get married at West Dean Gardens?

We can host blessings in the Gardens. Guests can choose any part of the gardens to host their blessing. West Dean Parish Church is adjacent to the gardens for Church services. Please contact them directly for more information.
(Please note there is no bad weather alternative for blessings hosted in the Gardens)

How many guests can you cater for?

A marquee reception can accommodate up to 200 guests.

Is your wedding venue exclusive?

The gardens will be open to the public until 5pm. There may be other events taking place within the College and grounds after this time, however, we have found people are very respectful when weddings are taking place. We only do one wedding per weekend, and the lawn area you hire is exclusively yours.

Is there accommodation at the venue?

There is no accommodation available for guests on site. Please see local recomended accommodation.

Wedding suppliers

Is a marquee included in the hire?

The hire price does not include marquee or tipi hire, however we do have a recommended list of suppliers who have worked at West Dean before.

Wedding Suppliers

Is there parking onsite?

Yes, there is a car park on the main drive, cars can be left overnight and collected by 10am the following day.
If you require a taxi, please see our listed for recommended suppliers.

wedding suppliers

What time does the party finish?

In order to conform with our premises licence, all music must cease by 23:00 and taxis should be booked to arrive by 23:30. Guests must have left by midnight.