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Bride and groom on HMS Warrior top deck

Weddings onboard HMS Warrior

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The pride of Queen Victoria’s fleet, HMS Warrior is a wedding venue like no other. Launched in 1860, her timber frame tells over 150 years of history -  make your special day part of it.  

Celebrate your love story amidst the timeless allure of HMS Warrior. Create the perfect entrance walking down the aisle with her beautifully restored deck and say ‘I do’ in grand Victorian splendour. Up on the Upper Deck, guests can toast to the newlyweds whilst taking in spectacular views of Portsmouth’s famous harbour, a beautiful backdrop to your pictures. Then move down into the Officer's Half Deck for an evening of celebrations.

Our expert events team work with the very best suppliers and will work closely with you to ensure every detail is flawlessly executed. From elegant floral arrangements to delicious catering options, making your wedding on HMS Warrior an extraordinary experience that you and your guests will cherish forever.  

HMS Warrior is licensed for civil ceremonies, and with spacious decks and intimate cabins, it can cater for weddings of all sizes all year round. 

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We recommend this venue for:

  • Weddings
Wedding ceremony bride and groom HMS Warrior

Wedding Ceremony

A wedding ceremony onboard HMS Warrior is a captivating story, as you embark on a new chapter in your life bathed in the grandeur of maritime history. Surrounded by her timeless beauty say "I do" in one of our exquisite venue spaces.

Our Officer's Half Deck is the perfect canvas in which to add your own personal style to the occasion, creating a beautifully bespoke atmosphere as you walk down the aisle. For those looking to experience a more intimate ceremony, resplendent in Victorian grandeur, then the Captain's Cabin will create an effortlessly luxurious ambience for your special day.  

Your wedding day is a time to get lost in the true magic of a once-in-a-lifetime occasion. HMS Warrior is more than a venue, she is an experience you will never forget. 

 

Couple posing on upper deck HMS Warrior

Drinks Reception and Photos

As you continue through your perfect day move seamlessly from your ceremony straight into a celebratory drinks reception on the Upper Deck of HMS Warrior.

Stand under her magnificent mast and sails, gently swaying in the sea breeze, and toast with your loved ones. With our expert suppliers on hand to provide the very best in catering enjoy canapes and champagne whilst taking in the sublime waters of the Solent. 

Have your first pictures taken against this majestic backdrop, relaxed as your guests enjoy refreshments and explore their historic surroundings. Let the breathtaking views turn into long-lasting memories, with HMS Warrior serving as a symbol of the strength and endurance of your love.    

Catering image of salmon starter

Wedding Reception

Whilst you and your guest relax on the Upper Deck, our experienced events team will be hard at work transforming the interior of HMS Warrior into a magical space for you to partake of your first meal together as newlyweds. 

As your guests are seated you can relax, confident in the knowledge that everything has been taken care of. With tables adorned with elegant glassware, linens, and centre arrangements, celebrate in an intimate and sophisticated atmosphere perfect for speeches and toasts. 

A wedding dinner aboard HMS Warrior is not just a meal; it is an immersive experience that transports guest to a time of grandeur and maritime splendor.  

Wedding couple evening reception

Evening Celebration

As the sun dips below the horizon we will be on hand to welcome your evening guests onboard HMS Warrior. 

Let music and laughter fill the decks as your guests celebrate with you in an evening filled with the romance and charm of this extraordinary venue. Dance the night away below decks, surrounded by centuries of historic splendor, or seek a moment of tranquility and savor the night's beauty and the calming sea breeze on the Upper Deck.   

As the night draws to a close you'll bid farewell to HMS Warrior but the memories of this day will be with you for a lifetime. 

Digital Walkthrough of HMS Warrior

Want to see the venue in advance? Our interactive 360° walkthrough lets you explore HMS Warrior so you can get an idea of how your special day could look.  

 Capacity

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

     HMS Warrior

cabaret

Reception

standing

Ceremony


     Captain's Cabin
            

25 25

     Officer's Half Deck
 
- 90


     Gun Deck
            

240 -

 

Image gallery

FAQs

Captain's Cabin (up to 25 guests)

  • Ceremony only - From £1,200
  • Ceremony and reception (off peak) - From £2,700
  • Ceremony and reception (on peak) - From £2,400

Officer's Half Deck (up to 90 guests)

  • Ceremony only - From £1,980

Full wedding (up to 240 guests)

  • Ceremony and reception (off peak) - From £4,800
  • Ceremony and reception (on peak) - From £6,000 

Off peak season is mid-week or between October-March, and on peak season is between April-September.

The hire fee includes exclusive use of the agreed spaces, a dedicated Event Manager, security, cleaning, tables and chairs, some venues have additional equipment such as lighting and sound that your Event Manager will outline in your proposal. 

Our historic venues are very delicate due to their age and structure, requiring continuous conservation, therefore we ask that you work with our approved event suppliers who are experts in their field and know our venues as well as we do.

Yes, we are able to offer discount if you are a military personnel wishing to marry at one of our venues. Please let our Event Manager know upon enquiry and they will be able to discuss this with you in more detail.

The decks of our historic ships are sensitive to marking from sharp objects, therefore we ask that the heels of the shoes are larger than a 5p coin or that heel protectors are worn. These are available to purchase from us or you are welcome to bring your own.

You will find details of our recommended decor specialists and florists in our Preferred Supplier List. For low key small decorative items, please discuss this with your Event Manager who will be able to advise further. Please note that helium balloons, confetti, dry ice, sparklers and candles are not permitted on the ship. We do however welcome alternative battery powered candles.

We don’t have elopement packages yet, but we have spaces suitable for the smallest wedding to a large gathering and you can hire them for ceremonies only, on any day of the week.

By car: 

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is just off junction 12 of the M27, follow the brown and white signs to ‘Historic Dockyard’ which will lead you to our official car park which is located only 400 yards from the entrance at Victory Gate. If this car park is full there are others within close proximity at Gunwharf Quays and Havant Street. 

If using a satnav device, please use the postcode PO1 3 LJ.  

Public transport: 

The nearest train station is Portsmouth Harbour, and then it is a 5 minute walk to Victory Gate 

Discover our hand-picked suppliers

Each of our venues works with a select range of trusted, high-quality suppliers who understand how to protect our heritage venues and historic vessels, leaving you to relax and enjoy your bespoke occasion.

From caterers and cake makers, to musicians and décor specialists,  work directly with our suppliers to build a unique package for you and your event.

Recommended Suppliers List

 

Thank you


By choosing to host your event with us, you are doing more than just booking a uniquely memorable venue. You are actively contributing to the conservation of Britain’s naval heritage.  

The National Museum of the Royal Navy is a charitable organisation, and all profit generated via venue hire is reinvested so that we can continue to preserve and improve our iconic ships, aircraft and submarines as well as our treasured collections and historic buildings for the general public to enjoy.

Top table bride and groom

Contact us to start planning your wedding celebration

Bride and groom

Grand Magazine

The Grand Magazine boasts incredible views across the naval dockyard and the Solent beyond creating the perfect backdrop for your special day. With its high vaulted ceilings and beautiful Georgian wood floors, get ready to wow your guests and dance the night away in style.  

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Wedding couple standing on quayside

HMS Trincomalee

As the centrepiece of our authentically recreated Georgian Quayside, HMS Trincomalee is an exceptional venue in which to hold your ceremony, as well as acting as an unforgettable backdrop for a standing canape reception on the upper deck. 
 

Find out more