Venue for quite simply the best day of our lives.
My (now) wife and I were married at this stunning venue on 27th July 2024 and quite simply, it was the best day of our lives. We are a very laidback couple who did not want the drama of going from venue to venue to find the perfect place so with our first stop arriving at Shillingstone house, we found literal perfection for our needs. The full control of making the day the way you wanted, the stunning gardens and grounds that are maintained to perfection, the hospitality from Michael and Caroline, the assistance in every detail where needed and the above and beyond attitude to make sure your day truly is the greatest it could be. Here, you do not just get a beautiful setting for any occasion, but also the support from experienced and extremely kind hearted individuals who have your best interests at heart. I could not recommend anything more in my life. To all involved, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You made not only our day magical, but our families and friends are still telling us how great it was. We will forever be grateful.
Elliot and Hannah - August 2024
We couldn’t have imagined a more perfect wedding
The day far exceeded our expectations. We want to thank you both for your support in the lead up and the day. You made it so easy for us. The little extra touches you helped us with meant so much to us. When you appeared with those corks, a huge weight was lifted for example. We couldn’t have asked for more and both sat on our honeymoon reflecting the help you gave. We should have the final photos any day now. We are just figuring out how to get them as there are so many. We will definitely share some with you. Our guests were so amazed at the house and gardens. One of our guests from Spain said he felt like he was on a film set with how amazing it was. If someone is reading this and still considering whether to book or not, don’t hesitate anymore. I am certain it will be a magical day!
Mark and Jasmine - July 2024
Best day and wedding venue ever
A beaming bride reviewing.... I cannot begin to thank Caroline and Michael enough for letting myself and Rufus have our wedding day at Shillingstone House, not only was the day itself so magical and joyous in their beautiful grounds, but the lead up to the day was fantastic. Caroline was extremely helpful and really took the time to understand what we wanted for the day and liaised with suppliers beforehand to help the day run smoothly. It's amazing that you can hire the grounds Friday -Sunday, it made decorating a really relaxing and enjoyable task as we had the whole day Friday to set up the site. I really loved Caroline's blog on her website as it was a great way to draw inspiration and again, I could see all the love and care she put into people's weddings days. Shillingstone House definitely doesn't feel like a wedding venue where you are on a conveyor belt and just a number- the whole day felt so personal. We are so so grateful that we got to have our wedding at Shillingstone House, our guests loved the beautiful fields and sensational flowers, there really was beauty everywhere you turned! We hope to come back for an anniversary at some point as we miss it already! Thank you again Caroline and Michael, Warmest regards, Hannah and Rufus
Hannah and Rufus - July 2024
The best wedding ever
We got married at Shillingstone House over 4 years ago & everyone who went still recalls it as "the best wedding ever". We were treated like family from the moment we met with The Salts & they went all out to ensure our day went exactly to plan. I remember our inflatable bed for our bridal tent deflated so Caroline ensured we had a mattress from their house to use! We couldn't have asked for more from our day or the lead up to it. The Salts made everything accessible & easy. We have returned a couple of times on anniversaries & intend to continue to do so! Thank you!
Lucy and James - August 2020 - left January 2023
Fairy Garden Wedding
I had the pleasure of getting married at Shillingstone house in May of this year. It is a beautiful setting May 2023with panoramic views. No need for extra floral expense as the gardens are very well kept and make for a stunning photographic background. There are a variety of choice over spacing your marquee and my guests loved being able to join us camping on site. We hired the bell tent and it made for a comfortable magical night with fairy lights galore. Caroline and Michael were brilliant hosts, helpful and approachable. All our guests commented on how much they loved the place. Thank you so much.
Kayleigh and Chris - May 2023
Stunning day at a beautiful venue
Shillingstone House is a stunning venue with beautifully kept gardens. There are plenty of areas for photos, activities and fun. The owners are experienced and mega helpful. Caroline helped out the morning of our wedding when things weren't going to plan. Would 100% recommend.
Loren and Harry - August 2023
The most breathtaking venue
There are not enough words to express just how glorious Shillingstone House is. With beautiful, whimsical charm, gorgeous gardens and a relaxed atmosphere- it was doubtedly the most perfect venue to be married in and the best choice we made when planning. Caroline and Michael are the kindest, warmest and most thoughtful hosts and simply went out of their way to make our day perfect. I would not hesitate to recommend Shillingstone House to anyone- there are not enough superlatives. The best day in the best setting imaginable.
Hayley and Philip - September 2023
The most magical day
My husband and I looked at Shillingstone House as a potential venue for our wedding in June 2022. As soon as we arrived we knew that it had to be. Shillingstone House is a stunning ‘blank canvas’, the most romantic backdrop for your wedding. We, and all of our guests had the most magical and fantastic day. Even our suppliers commented on how beautiful Shillingstone House and the immaculate grounds are. Lady Caroline and Sir Michael were immensely welcoming and helpful throughout. Their communication was impeccable. Caroline was there to support me and to help when I was having a few wobbles due to postponing during covid-19, and issues with other suppliers. We cannot recommend them enough!
Bethany and Darren - 11/6/22
Dream Venue
We wanted to have our wedding the way we wanted and were struggling to find a venue that would allow us the freedom we wanted... Untill we found Shillingstone house. The house and gardens are stunning and the absoultely perfect base to make your wedding your own. We were able to choose all our own suppliers and Caroline and Micheal are the most lovely hosts. Check out the blog of past weddings, on their website! I found it so useful for inspiration for our wedding.
Tabitha and Jack - July 2022
The perfect country garden wedding
We had our wedding on August bank holiday weekend and everything about it was just perfect. We had our ceremony on the lower lawn, followed by games on the main lawn and a clear span marquee on the field facing out to the beautiful house. Sir Michael and Lady Caroline Salt are clearly very proud of their grounds, and so they should be, everything is looked after so beautifully and with attention to detail. They were such lovely hosts and we felt like they cared as much about our day as we did. It's a perfect venue to put your own spin on it, it could be as formal, over the top, casual or laid back as you choose it to be. All our guests commented on what a beautiful venue it is and we could not recommend it more. We just wish we could do it all over again - we will definitely be visiting again for anniversaries.
Chryssie and Jonny - August 2022
From the moment I saw it - I knew Shillingstone House was the one. We always wanted to get married and this was just the most perfect backdrop. It was so special and Caroline was so helpful from start to finish. We wish we could do it all over again.
Alice and Gareth - May 2022
The best day of our lives!
If you are looking for a beautiful venue with stunning scenery and accommodating hosts, then Shillingstone House is absolutely the place for you!! My husband and I had literally the best day of our lives, on a day that was magical from start to finish! We had high expectations but our expectations were completely surpassed and that's with thanks to Caroline and Michael! We honestly cannot thank Caroline and Michael enough for all the organising and effort they both put in behind the scenes, both beforehand and on the day. It didn't go unnoticed! Their help with laying the tables, rearranging the chair sashes, helping guests with tents, just everything, helped to ensure our day was the most perfect day it could possibly be and it was exactly that - perfect!!! All our guests complimented the venue and we had so many comments on how beautiful Shillingstone House is! We honestly couldn't have wished for a more picturesque setting for our special day! So like I said, if you're looking for a beautiful venue, then you needn't look any further than Shillingstone House! It's an absolute gem which we were incredibly lucky to find!!
Alex and Chris 25th june 2022
Wedding - 14th August 2021
Thank you so much for making our wedding day at Shillingstone such a fabulous experience. Shillingstone is a beautiful house, we, along with all our guests, remarked how special you made the venue and gardens for us.
We would love to come back and visit you in the summer! All our thanks, Ros and Ben January 2020
Rebecca Johnson recommends Shillingstone House.
Fantastic place to get married.
We fell in love instantly, the drive to the venue is glorious Dorset countryside, then it's hidden away from all to see down a cute little path with trees giving an eerie effect. A big parking field to the left for your family to use and sheep to the right. As you continue up the path you are met by a beautiful old house and wonderful grounds FULL of flowers.
Lady Caroline and Sir Michael Salt are just wonderful people and so genuine, they really do want the best for you and your day and will ensure you have everything you need, they are able to give great advice about suppliers and the local area. They went above and beyond to help me set up, including helping me do flowers at 10pm and again at 6am!! I couldn't thank them enough for their help!!! They were even rummaging around finding me all sorts of flower containers from the house!! They are so so kind, their daughter is also lovely and helps the homeless out so it's also a great way for you to give back the next day with any goodies left over. They also make up a gorgeous bell tent for you to sleep in.
With the venue, there are loads of lovely places to have photos, but what we loved was that we could do whatever we wanted, it was a total blank canvas, we were allowed to bring our dog, and we could have a fire, we could have fireworks (we chose not to as we aren't fans!) We had a rock band which they were fine with. It was so fun creating the wedding from a blank canvas!!
It is a gorgeous place to get married and the owners are just wonderful xxxxx
5 stars isn't enough for this beautiful setting. Sir Michael and Lady Caroline Salt made our wedding set up so easy and relaxed. They went above and beyond for us and are such lovely people. We celebrated our wedding on Saturday 18.08.18 and everything went so smoothly and exactly as we had wanted. The house and grounds are absolutely stunning and with the extra option of camping for our guests, it just made it so much more relaxing. Thank you so much for allowing us to share your beautiful home on our wedding day xxx
Michelle and Hannah
A truly heartfelt thank you for being such amazing hosts and making us feel so welcome. You have such a beautiful home, we feel very privileged to have been able to spend our special day with you.
Wishing you every success and happiness - Caroline and Rog (January 20th 2018)
This was the first and last wedding we visited - what a treasure! The quintessential country house, stunning flower filled gardens, backdrop of unspoilt ...countryside and warm and generous owners made this a perfect choice for our informal county fete themed wedding. Check out Peppermint Love Photography for more photos! We also used an incredible florist in the village - Martha and the Meadow, which I would highly recommend
Grace and Alex 2016
We had our wedding at Shillingstone House last weekend! We had the best day ever and it exceeded all our expectations! Caroline and Michael are just wonderful which combined with the perfect setting made our day even better than we could have ever imagined! We are sad it's now over but will be back to visit!
Emma and Philip 2016
Vicky and Dan (20th June 2015)
Vicky's mother - Many thanks for a fantastic wedding weekend - we had so many compliments and comments on the venue.
Laura and Roman (29th August 2015)
I still can't believe its all over, it truly was the most magical weekend of our lives. Thank you so much for your help and for allowing us to take over your house for the weekend.
The blog looks great, I'm so glad you've mentioned all the wonderful companies who helped us pull it all together. We think you've done the day justice- thank you!
Kerry and James (23rd May 2015)
Dear Caroline and Michael
We wanted to say a massive thank you to you both for allowing us to use your beautiful grounds to hold our Steam Rally Wedding reception. It was the perfect setting in the best village around, and meant so much to both of us that we could hold our wedding reception here with so many close family links. All our guests commented on how lovely the setting was and how beautiful the gardens were, they didn't want to leave the next day! I certainly don't think there's a better view in Dorset.
You are both the most gracious of hosts and we couldn't of pulled off our ambitious plans without you. Most venues would of heard 'heavy vehicle movement' and turned us away.
We both had such an amazing day and it meant so much to both of us that we had our wedding reception here at Shillingstone House. The memories we made are so special thanks to this beautiful unique location.
Katrina and Ryan (5th September 2015)
We cannot thank you enough for all of your love, support and help from the minute we booked the venue to the minute we left the day after. We have all been saying how much of a shame it will be to never visit Shillingstone house again!! You must let us know if you hold anything there and we would love to come back and visit.
20th November Katrina and Ryan sent a beautiful card -
Dear Caroline and Michael,
Our wedding would not have been possible with the love and support from you both. We are truly grateful for everything you did for us to ensure our day was "perfect" and it really was. All of our guests were so complimentary of you both and your amazing home. We miss you all already.
All our love Mr and Mrs Horder (Ryan and Katrina)
Katie and Jonathan (13th September 2014)
I wanted to write and than you both very much for allowing us to have our wedding reception at your beautiful home. You really did make the whole organisation extremely easy and just so generous of you to off us use of the venue again for lunch the following day, it was wonderful to have a proper chance to catch up with the family. We have had every thank you letter received including Shillingstone House, commenting on the beautiful grounds and surroundings and accommodating hosts! I feel extremely privileged to have had my reception there. Thank you again so much for being the perfect hosts - we really couldn't have asked for more! Katie
Jilly and Jim(6th September 2014)
Dear Caroline and Michael, Thank you, thank you,THANK YOU!!! We had the most perfect day for our special union, hosted by your very generous and wonderful selves.
All the guests without fail have commented on having such a beautiful setting for them to enjoy themselves and for Jim and I to be married in and celebrate our special day! Your willingness to accommodate us and help with all the prior arrangements for our wedding was so gratefully received and gave us such a flexible framework to coordinate all of our plans.You made all our camping guests welcome and provided all those who contacted you with essential, relevant and helpful information. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for welcoming us and sharing your wonderful, unique and fabulous home with us for the ceremony in your atmospheric dining room, to the intimate family lunch, looking out on the splendid view to the hills beyond. The sun shone for our guests picnic in the afternoon where everyone was invited to relax, mingle and enjoy your gorgeous grounds and gardens. The Hog Roast and entertainment that continued through the evening under the light of the moon in our Moroccan marquee was the icing on the cake!! With love and gratitude from Jilly and Jim, now Mr and Mrs Fisher. xxx
Debbie & Stuart (21st of June 2014)
My wife and I had our wedding reception in the grounds of the beautiful Shillingstone House. We looked at many reception venues but this was our favourite by far, due to its location being so secluded and the grounds being beautifully kept but still keeping a great rustic feel. Furthermore we were not tied in to using selected caterers or specific decorations allowing us to decorate and use which companies that best suited our needs. This meant that the decorations were more personal to us but still complimented the amazing grounds.
Caroline and Michael were the best hosts that we could possibly ask for, being very accommodating and welcoming anytime we went over to visit, including letting us have a fire pit in the adjoining field. Also, they were very helpful in the days leading up to the wedding as we decorated the venue.
We had such a great day and we are so glad we choose to have our reception at Shillingstone House. We both highly recommend this venue, our day could not have gone any better!
Thanks again Caroline and Michael.
Charlotte & Neil
We were married in May 2012 and held our reception at Shillingstone House. Caroline and Michael could not have done more to help us achieve our perfect day. Caroline was incredibly sympathetic to our requirements and was there to help and prompt us throughout, even looking to overcome issues surrounding the terrible weather leading up to our wedding day. I cannot thank Shillingstone House enough, they were so accommodating and friendly and made our wedding day so special.
The grounds are impeccably maintained with immaculate lawns and stunning rhododendron hedges making for incredibly striking wedding photographs and a feeling of being surrounded by natural floral beauty. Shillingstone House is ideally located between Sturminster Newton and Blandford but you wouldn’t have a clue that you were near a main road, the gardens are secluded and peaceful, surrounded by lush and tranquil countryside scenery.
Thank you Michael and Caroline!