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Guests: 120
Description
Description
At the heart of our historic estate The Commissioner’s House has held centuries of celebrations, laughter and love stories, and it will be reopening its doors this summer for you to tell yours. Our meticulously restored house becomes your home for the day, offering an elegant canvas for each chapter of your wedding - whether you’re looking for an intimate ceremony, or a reception fit for a commissioner.
You can choose from a range of ceremony venues, from warm and intimate, to grand and luxurious. Our wedding ceremony venues give you the space needed to tell your love story your way. Whatever your choice, know that you having a renewed venue, with years of experience.
Message from the team
Name of Wedding Contact: Chloe Wilson
Congratulations on your engagement! My name is Chloe and I am the Wedding Coordinator here, dedicated to making your wedding day perfect, and taking away any stress you may have! My job is to make sure your wedding day runs smoothly, from your initial viewing, to making your booking, to the day itself. I am here to answer questions and be a constant support at all times. I look forward to hopefully meeting you soon to show you around our wonderful venue.
Experience
Year Business Was Established
1995
No. of Weddings Hosted
More than 50
Public Liability Insurance
Yes
No. of People In Team
2
Overview of The Historic Dockyard Chatham
Wedding Venue Type
Event Venue
Wedding Venue Capacity
Dining Capacity
120
Reception Capacity
200
Reviews (17)
(17)
- MMr & Mrs Burrows28/11/2023It's a day that we will never forget!It's a day that we will never forget!We highly recommend having a wedding at the Historic Dockyard. We were married on HMS Gannett in August and from the start of our initial contact, through every step of the way, we were so happy with every staff members professionalism and nothing was too much trouble for anyone. We were looked after so well and our wedding day was enjoyed so much by all our guests and ourselves and it’s a day that we will never forget.We highly recommend having a wedding at the Historic Dockyard. We were married on HMS Gannett in August and from the start of our initial contact, through every step of the way, we were so happy with every staff members professionalism and nothing was too much trouble for anyone. We were looked after so well and our wedding day was enjoyed so much by all our guests and ourselves and it’s a day that we will never forget.
- NNatasha & Chris28/11/2023We had the perfect day!We had the perfect day!We had the perfect day, all our guest were wowed by the venue. The staff could not do enough to help in every way, they helped us set up and clear down afterwards and made sure we had everything we needed. Between booking and the day we were allowed to look around as often as we wanted which really helped throughout planning. We would highly recommend this venue, it's great value for money and they can recommend suppliers for you as well.We had the perfect day, all our guest were wowed by the venue. The staff could not do enough to help in every way, they helped us set up and clear down afterwards and made sure we had everything we needed. Between booking and the day we were allowed to look around as often as we wanted which really helped throughout planning. We would highly recommend this venue, it's great value for money and they can recommend suppliers for you as well.
- TTracy & Chris28/11/2023A fantastic day from start to finish!A fantastic day from start to finish!We had a fantastic day and from start to finish, I can’t praise enough, from our initial contact to every step of the way in our wedding process, all the great staff that supported us and were there for us all the time. Our guests and ourselves had a wonderful day, that we won’t ever forget. We had a fantastic day and from start to finish, I can’t praise enough, from our initial contact to every step of the way in our wedding process, all the great staff that supported us and were there for us all the time. Our guests and ourselves had a wonderful day, that we won’t ever forget.
- MMr & Mrs Crane14/04/2023Hi Chloe, Thank you so much it was the most amazing dayHi Chloe, Thank you so much it was the most amazing dayHi Chloe, Thank you so much it was the most amazing day. Absolutely perfect! The team and especially Lisa were absolutely fantastic please pass on our thanks to her, she was amazing. I can't believe we did it and looks like in the nick of time. We really can't thank you and the dockyard enough, it really was just the most perfect day. Stay safe and keep well, And hopefully next year maybe around our anniversary we can book our big party! All the best.Hi Chloe, Thank you so much it was the most amazing day. Absolutely perfect! The team and especially Lisa were absolutely fantastic please pass on our thanks to her, she was amazing. I can't believe we did it and looks like in the nick of time. We really can't thank you and the dockyard enough, it really was just the most perfect day. Stay safe and keep well, And hopefully next year maybe around our anniversary we can book our big party! All the best.
- MMr and Mrs Gardiner14/04/2023Just writing to say a massive thank you for everything you did before the wedding and to the amazing staff that were working on SaturdayJust writing to say a massive thank you for everything you did before the wedding and to the amazing staff that were working on SaturdayJust writing to say a massive thank you for everything you did before the wedding and to the amazing staff that were working on Saturday. From booking to the wedding it's self the service we have received has been exceptional. The venue is outstanding and absolutely beautiful. The photos that our photographer took look like something from a magazine. The amount of comments we have had and people cannot believe it was in the dockyard. I especially love the photos in the hanger they come out absolutely beautiful. Once again we would both like to thank you all so much for everything you did to make our day as special as it was. Many thanks.Just writing to say a massive thank you for everything you did before the wedding and to the amazing staff that were working on Saturday. From booking to the wedding it's self the service we have received has been exceptional. The venue is outstanding and absolutely beautiful. The photos that our photographer took look like something from a magazine. The amount of comments we have had and people cannot believe it was in the dockyard. I especially love the photos in the hanger they come out absolutely beautiful. Once again we would both like to thank you all so much for everything you did to make our day as special as it was. Many thanks.
- LLouise & Rob26/11/2020Brilliant experience from start to finish!Brilliant experience from start to finish!It really was the best day of our lives. Everything from our initial meeting with Chloe right up until we went back the day after to collect our things was fantastic. The care, the attention to detail, the support and the welcoming and friendly attitude to all of our family and guests was first class. A special mention must go to Lisa who couldn’t do enough for me or for my family, she’s wonderful and a credit to the venue. Thank you for making our day so special.It really was the best day of our lives. Everything from our initial meeting with Chloe right up until we went back the day after to collect our things was fantastic. The care, the attention to detail, the support and the welcoming and friendly attitude to all of our family and guests was first class. A special mention must go to Lisa who couldn’t do enough for me or for my family, she’s wonderful and a credit to the venue. Thank you for making our day so special.
- CCatherine & Steven26/11/2020Our experience was amazing!Our experience was amazing!Our experience with the Dockyard, when you consider how difficult this year has been was amazing from beginning to end. When we first visited the Dockyard in November 2018 as a potential venue, we were very impressed. Chloe was just so nice and helpful and I think the thought of getting married on a ship won my husband over. When news of the pandemic hit, we had just posted our day invitations and quickly realised we were probably going to have to send out follow up cancellations. Although Chloe had the awful task of informing us that the Dockyard was closing and so our May wedding couldn’t go ahead, she just continued to be helpful in making alternative suggestions and generally being very accommodating. We actually cancelled altogether, intending to have a very small ceremony at the registry office when weddings were allowed again. This didn’t last long, as when weddings were given the green light to go ahead we knew we were in love with the Dockyard so arranged with Olivia to hold it on the 2nd anniversary of our engagement. The build up to that day was pretty tense, as the Government postponed receptions going ahead so we didn’t actually know until about 5 days before the wedding whether we could have any sort of reception. Once again, Olivia was just fantastic and was happy to organise whatever we wanted with whatever notice we could give. Same as the caterers who were prepared to cancel or deliver with 24 hours notice!!! The day was the best day ever. Apart from the fact I married the love of my life (and him his), the highlight was seeing our families together for what was going to be the last time in a number of months and getting married on the ship. Our guest list went down from about 80 to well under 30 but it just didn’t matter. From the moment I arrived in the morning, Olivia and her team were on hand, making sure everyone had a great (and safe) time. We were really worried that the several previous days of rain would continue, but the sun came out before the ceremony and stayed out for the duration. We’ll be forever grateful to everyone at the Dockyard for making our wedding day happen, and for making it so special too. Our experience with the Dockyard, when you consider how difficult this year has been was amazing from beginning to end. When we first visited the Dockyard in November 2018 as a potential venue, we were very impressed. Chloe was just so nice and helpful and I think the thought of getting married on a ship won my husband over. When news of the pandemic hit, we had just posted our day invitations and quickly realised we were probably going to have to send out follow up cancellations. Although Chloe had the awful task of informing us that the Dockyard was closing and so our May wedding couldn’t go ahead, she just continued to be helpful in making alternative suggestions and generally being very accommodating. We actually cancelled altogether, intending to have a very small ceremony at the registry office when weddings were allowed again. This didn’t last long, as when weddings were given the green light to go ahead we knew we were in love with the Dockyard so arranged with Olivia to hold it on the 2nd anniversary of our engagement. The build up to that day was pretty tense, as the Government postponed receptions going ahead so we didn’t actually know until about 5 days before the wedding whether we could have any sort of reception. Once again, Olivia was just fantastic and was happy to organise whatever we wanted with whatever notice we could give. Same as the caterers who were prepared to cancel or deliver with 24 hours notice!!! The day was the best day ever. Apart from the fact I married the love of my life (and him his), the highlight was seeing our families together for what was going to be the last time in a number of months and getting married on the ship. Our guest list went down from about 80 to well under 30 but it just didn’t matter. From the moment I arrived in the morning, Olivia and her team were on hand, making sure everyone had a great (and safe) time. We were really worried that the several previous days of rain would continue, but the sun came out before the ceremony and stayed out for the duration. We’ll be forever grateful to everyone at the Dockyard for making our wedding day happen, and for making it so special too.
- SSam & Phil26/11/2020The most perfect day!The most perfect day!Thank you so much it was the most amazing day. Absolutely perfect! The team and especially Lisa were absolutely fantastic please pass on our thanks to her, she was amazing. We really can’t thank you and the dockyard enough, it really was just the most perfect day.Thank you so much it was the most amazing day. Absolutely perfect! The team and especially Lisa were absolutely fantastic please pass on our thanks to her, she was amazing. We really can’t thank you and the dockyard enough, it really was just the most perfect day.
- CClaire & Jim10/11/2020We had an amazing day!We had an amazing day!Thank you so much for all of your help with the planning and running of our special day. Massive thanks to Lisa for making everything run so smoothly - she was a star! We had an amazing day and are so glad that we choose The Dockyard as our wedding venue!Thank you so much for all of your help with the planning and running of our special day. Massive thanks to Lisa for making everything run so smoothly - she was a star! We had an amazing day and are so glad that we choose The Dockyard as our wedding venue!
- VVikki & Lawrence10/11/2020The most perfect day of our lives!The most perfect day of our lives!Thank you so so much for all of your hard work and effort towards our wedding. We had the most brilliant day and it all ran so smoothly thanks to all your help! From the planning to the day itself, nothing was too much trouble, right through to the most perfect day of our lives. We truly cannot thank you enough. The venue is truly stunning and gave us the one-of-a-kind day we were looking for. All of your future couples are very lucky indeed! Thank you so so much for all of your hard work and effort towards our wedding. We had the most brilliant day and it all ran so smoothly thanks to all your help! From the planning to the day itself, nothing was too much trouble, right through to the most perfect day of our lives. We truly cannot thank you enough. The venue is truly stunning and gave us the one-of-a-kind day we were looking for. All of your future couples are very lucky indeed!
Location & Contact Details for The Historic Dockyard Chatham
Location & Contact Details for The Historic Dockyard Chatham
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FAQs
Find out a bit more from our FAQs
What makes The Historic Dockyard Chatham a unique wedding venue in Kent?
The Historic Dockyard Chatham offers a truly distinctive setting for weddings, featuring four exclusive ceremony venues including Britain's oldest naval building, the Commissioner’s House, and the opportunity to marry aboard the Victorian sloop, HMS Gannet. Its historic charm combined with elegant Georgian-style architecture and spectacular reception areas make it unlike any other venue in Kent.
Where is The Historic Dockyard Chatham located?
The venue is located in Chatham, Kent, England, with the postcode ME4 4TZ. Its central position in Kent makes it easily accessible for couples and guests.
What are the ceremony options available at The Historic Dockyard Chatham?
Couples have a choice of exclusive ceremony venues at The Historic Dockyard Chatham:
- The Commissioner’s House & Gardens with several stylish room options, a glass walled Orangery, Courtyard and Gardens
- Aboard the Victorian sloop HMS Gannet, including the Commander's Cabin, the Quarterdeck, or the main deck
Each offers a unique and stunning backdrop for your wedding ceremony.
Can I have my wedding ceremony aboard a ship at this venue?
Yes, The Historic Dockyard Chatham allows you to say your vows aboard the magnificent Victorian sloop, HMS Gannet. You can select from various locations on the ship, such as the Commander's Cabin, Quarterdeck, or the main deck, for a truly memorable ceremony.
What reception options are available at The Historic Dockyard Chatham?
The venue provides a spectacular reception setting with options including:
- The Commissioner’s Garden – ideal for drinks receptions and photography
- Private dining rooms for intimate gatherings
- An Orangery suitable for wedding breakfasts of up to 120 guests
All receptions are bespoke to match your wedding style and requirements.
Is The Commissioner’s House suitable for different sized wedding parties?
Yes, The Commissioner’s House features various stylish rooms designed to accommodate all party sizes and themes, making it an elegant and flexible venue choice for weddings.
Do weddings at The Historic Dockyard Chatham offer bespoke services?
Absolutely. Each wedding is tailor-made to the couple’s preferences, ensuring that no two weddings are the same. The venue focuses on immaculate detail and personalised care to create a unique and memorable experience for you and your guests.
Can wedding photographs be taken onsite?
Yes, the venue offers picturesque settings ideal for wedding photography, including the beautiful Commissioner’s Garden and historic ship settings aboard HMS Gannet, ensuring stunning backdrops for your special day.
What is the maximum number of guests that can be accommodated for a wedding breakfast?
The Historic Dockyard Chatham can accommodate wedding breakfasts for up to 120 guests, particularly within The Orangery, providing ample space for your celebration.
How can I ensure my wedding reflects our personal style at this venue?
The Historic Dockyard Chatham prides itself on offering bespoke weddings where every detail is personalised to reflect your vision and style. From room selection, décor, and venue spaces to tailored services, the team works closely with you to create a wedding perfect for you and your partner.
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