7 Small wedding venues in Southampton

Southampton is a fantastic city for a wedding. Just a short drive to the New Forest National Park and with stunning waterfront locations, it’s a beautiful and vibrant place to get married. If you’re looking for a small wedding venue, so you can enjoy an intimate event, we’ve pulled together some of the best small locations in Southampton.

Don’t forget to check out our Southampton wedding car hire. Travel to your ceremony and reception in a stunning car that suits your style, from vintage Rolls-Royces to modern Mercedes.

What is a small wedding?

Small weddings usually consist of around 20-60 people, with smaller weddings of less than 20 known as ‘micro weddings’. They are often more budget-friendly - although not always! Some couples choose to spend the rest of the budget on expensive touches they otherwise might not have included in a larger event, like a live band or an open bar. They can also be more intimate events that put spending time with friends and family as a top priority.

Southampton’s small wedding venues

Discover our top 7 small wedding venues in Southampton, suitable for weddings from 4 to 85 people.

God’s House Tower

Capacity: up to 40

(With smaller room options available too)

God’s House Tower is located in Southampton’s Old Town, surrounded by Medieval city walls. It’s a stunning, castle-like building with the oldest part built in 1189.

Image from: God's House Tower

It has some breathtaking, stone-walled rooms suitable for ceremonies and small wedding receptions. Plus, the roof terrace has incredible views of Southampton and the port. It’s atmospheric, charming and a truly beautiful small venue for a wedding.

Find out more about God’s House Tower venue hire.

Wedding car pairing: For such a historic venue, a historic car would be perfect (not quite as old, of course!). This convertible Morris Minor from the 50s would look fabulous with the old stone walls in the backdrop.

Golden Jubilee Room, Bugle Street Register Office

Capacity: Up to 60, but suitable for micro weddings too

The Golden Jubilee Room in Bugle Street Register Office is a fantastic, central venue ideal for small weddings. It’s a very budget-friendly ceremony venue that can fit up to 60 guests, but is also suitable for micro weddings.

Photo from Southampton Register Office Facebook page

The location, the Medieval 'French Quarter' of the city, makes it perfect for heading out after the ceremony for a reception at a nearby restaurant or venue.

There’s a courtyard area available for photos and the room itself has a lovely stained glass window that adds charm and elegance.

Find out more: the Golden Jubilee Room.

Wedding car pairing: Get to your ceremony in style in a Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud available to hire in Hampshire. It’s in a beautiful cream with a long-wheelbase (LWB) style that provides plenty of legroom.

Lord Major’s Reception Room, Civic Centre

Capacity: Up to 50

The Lord Major’s Reception Room is located in the Civic Centre and is a spectacular small wedding venue in the centre of Southampton. It’s within easy reach of restaurants and other venues should you wish to continue your celebrations with family and friends.

Image from Southampton.gov website

It features high ceilings and a huge window that floods the room with light. Historic artefacts, including beautiful paintings and a gorgeous chandelier, make even very small weddings feel grand.

There’s a sweeping staircase just outside the room for the perfect post-ceremony photos.

Find out more: Lord Major’s Reception Room

Wedding car pairing: For such a beautiful venue, you’ll want a beautiful car. This Rolls Royce Phantom Limousine in white would look stunning and help you to feel like royalty as you roll up to the Major’s Reception room.

Wickham Estate

Capacity: up to 85

A slightly larger venue, but still cosy enough for a small wedding, the Wickham Estate is a more rural Southampton location. Approximately a half-hour drive from Southampton city centre, you can enjoy a beautiful vineyard setting.

Image of the Vine Room from the Wickham Estate website

The Old Winery room is available for wedding receptions and features 10ft oak doors, original wooden beams, and chandeliers made of vintage crystal cut wine glasses. There’s also a gazebo for outdoor weddings, which is licensed for ceremonies, and a charming Vine Room - also licensed.

You can also access the vineyard itself for photographs.

Find out more: The Wickham Estate

Wedding car pairing: A 1975 Rolls-Royce Corniche Convertible would match the rolling vineyards and look phenomenal at this venue.

Southampton City Art Gallery

Capacity: Up to 25 (or up to 120 with a different room choice)

Southampton City Art Gallery is in the Cultural Quarter of the city, nestled next to some beautiful parks.

The gallery is lit with huge windows that fill the room with light, creating a beautiful open space for a small wedding. There are likely to be paintings or sculptures on display too.

Image from Southampton City Art Gallery’s Facebook page

It does have some larger rooms available, but The Barring Room makes an ideal small wedding venue for up to 25 guests. You can have a canape and drinks reception in the space too.

Find out more: Southampton City Art Gallery Weddings

Wedding car pairing: This unusual wedding venue calls for an unusual wedding car… we have a Jowet Kingfisher available to hire in Hampshire. It’s a vintage, 1931 car in a stunning blue.

Tudor House & Garden

Capacity: up to 35

The Tudor House and Garden is a fantastic small wedding venue in Southampton. With stunning Tudor architecture, including dark panel walls and original windows, it’s a beautiful place to get married. Many of the walls are lined with original paintings from the Tudor period and original fireplaces.

Image of the Banqueting Hall from Tudor House website

There are two rooms available for the ceremony, both with period architecture and interiors. The Georgian Room is very light and overlooks the garden while the Banqueting Hall has oak panelling and a large Tudor fireplace.

The gardens are also available for receptions.

Find out more: Tudor House and Garden venue

King John’s Place

Capacity: up to 60

Within the Tudor House and Garden, King’s John’s Palace is a small, outdoor wedding venue with capacity for up to 60. It’s a courtyard surrounded by the original Norman stone house built in the 1300s.

Photo from Tudor House and Garden website

Find out more: Tudor House and Garden Ceremonies 

Wedding car pairing: Arrive at your venue in style with this Ford Mustang Coupe available to hire in Southampton. Its dark green colouring looks fantastic with white wedding ribbons.

Westgate Hall

Capacity: Up to 74

Westgate Hall is in Southampton’s Old Town. It has stunning vaulted ceilings with exposed beams from the original building built in 1634. It’s located by the waterfront, ideal if you’re looking for some waterfront photos on your special day.

Image from Visit South East England

It’s suitable for up to 74 people, but can be used for micro weddings with just 4 guests.

Westgate Hall provides a small and unique wedding venue in Southampton.

Find out more: Getting married at Westgate Hall

Wedding car pairing: This charming VW campervan would add even more character to a wedding at Westgate Hall. It has space for 5 passengers, so if you’re going for Westgate Hall’s very smallest package, you could all then head off to a restaurant for a little celebratory meal!

Once you’ve selected your wedding venue, explore our range of wedding cars available in Southampton. We have loads to choose from!