A Timeless Kent Wedding
This summer we begin a new chapter at The Historic Dockyard, reopening the spectacular Commissioner’s House and Gardens for your Kent wedding from July 2026.
Embodying the quiet grace of its Georgian roots, every room, hallway and corner has been lovingly restored to warmly welcome new beginnings to live alongside centuries of love stories written here in Kent.
Restored, Renewed. Ready for the love stories yet to be told.
Restored and renewed
The All New Commissioner’s House
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.
Combining the timeless character of our heritage venue with modern hospitality, catering and service, we’ll ensure your day feels effortless. Before the guests arrive you can make yourself comfortable in our bridal suite, while our in-house team get to work delivering on the details.
From the moment you book your first viewing to the last goodbye at the bar, you can plan your day knowing you’ve got a renewed venue, with years of experience.
The Historic Dockyard Venues
Step Inside
You can choose from a selection of ceremony venues, from warm and intimate, to grand and luxurious. As the day unfolds, make yourself at home at The Commissioner’s House, with our elegant spaces offering the perfect backdrop for each moment.
The Sunne Room
With a soft light that dances through French doors and elegant heritage decor, The Sunne Room offers understated luxury. Just a few steps away from our bridal suite, The Sunne Room is the perfect choice for an indoor ceremony venue.
The Ballroom
Capturing the grandeur of its lively past, step inside our Ballroom to celebrate in style. Just across the hallway you’ll find our warm and welcoming Garden Room with a cosy bar where your guests can toast the happy couple.
The Orangery
Flooded with natural light and overlooking our exquisite secret garden, our brand new Orangery is our largest venue. Floor to ceiling glass windows bring in views of the landscaped gardens, where you can quietly escape into the serene greenery to enjoy a quick moment for just the two of you.
The Terrace
For a romantic backdrop to your ceremony, enjoy the tranquil beauty of The Commissioner’s Garden as you recite your vows from our terrace. A beautiful space for a spring or summer ceremony, The Terrace offers an elegant outdoor option.
HMS GANNET
For a unique ceremony venue, step aboard HMS GANNET. Built right here in Kent, our striking Victorian sloop offers both The Captain’s Cabin for intimate ceremonies or the main deck. Invite your guests to get comfortable on board for a drinks and canapés reception before heading home to The Commissioner’s House to continue your celebration.
Our Packages
Tie the knot your way.
Inspired by the centuries old craft of rope making at The Historic Dockyard Chatham, our wedding packages take their names from traditional maritime ropework.
The Bowline Package
The Bowline is one of the most trusted knots in sailing, forming a strong and dependable loop that will not slip under strain. Often referred to as the “king of knots”, it represents reliability and strength. As our traditional, all inclusive wedding package, the Bowline Package reflects that same sense of assurance, providing a complete and elegant framework for you to shape your perfect day while still allowing flexibility to personalise your celebration. Key Details…
- Luxury concierge service
Private transportation to and from the venue for the bridal party, groom’s party and VIP guests. - A carefully crafted wedding breakfast
A delicious three-course meal, prepared by our Head Chef and followed by freshly brewed coffee, designed to be enjoyed and lingered over. - House wine with your meal
Half a bottle of house red, white or rosé wine per person, during the wedding breakfast. - A reception drink and toast drink
A glass of Prosecco or fruit spritzer per person after the ceremony and ready for heartfelt toasts.
The Reef Package
The Reef knot has long been used by sailors to tie sails securely, bringing separate lines together into one strong connection. It is a symbol of unity and balance, making it a natural fit for a wedding celebration.
The Reef Package captures the joyful spirit of bringing people together, creating a relaxed and sociable celebration where guests can move freely between the gardens and the house, enjoying food, music and shared moments throughout the day. Key Details…
- Roaming drinks and food after the ceremony
Following your vows, drinks and food are served as guests mingle and move naturally through the grounds.
- Luxury concierge service
Private transportation to and from the venue for the bridal party, groom’s party and VIP guests. - Evening food, your way
A generous evening buffet, served as the celebration continues.
The Carrick Package
The Carrick is admired for its elegant, interwoven form and has long been valued for both its strength and its beauty. Traditionally used to join two ropes together, it symbolises harmony and partnership.
The Carrick Package reflects this sense of intimacy and refinement, offering a beautifully simple ceremony followed by an elegant Afternoon Tea shared with those closest to you. Key Details…
- A shared moment after the ceremony
One reception drink per person, with a choice of Prosecco or fruit spritzer.
- A beautifully crafted Afternoon Tea
A delicately prepared and thoughtfully served Afternoon Tea
- A celebratory toast
One glass of Prosecco or fruit spritzer per person for raising a glass together.
The Marline Package
Marline hitching is a traditional decorative ropework technique used by sailors to neatly finish and protect the lines that hold a ship together. Known for its craftsmanship and attention to detail, it represents care, precision and the beauty found in the finishing touches.
The Marline Package reflects that same spirit, offering a relaxed twilight celebration where you can exchange vows later in the day before gathering with family and friends as the evening unfolds into a warm and memorable celebration. Key Details…
- A warm welcome for your guests
Two reception drinks per person after the ceremony, with a choice of Prosecco or fruit spritzer, served as guests arrive and settle in. - Canapés served during the reception
Six carefully prepared canapés per person, served as guests mingle following the ceremony. - Evening food to keep the celebration flowing
A relaxed evening BBQ or finger buffet served as the party continues. - Luxury concierge service
Depart in luxury with a private car for the newlyweds.
Memories That Last a Lifetime
With centuries of rich architectural and naval heritage, The Historic Dockyard Chatham offers striking backdrops for wedding photos. From sumptuous Georgian interiors and impressive Victorian buildings to historic ships, slips and even a submarine, a wedding here can provide photographs that feel authentically you.
Recommended by You
Overall we had the best wedding day we could have hoped for. It was stress free and we were able to enjoy every moment of the day. I would highly recommend the venue to anyone else. It’s such a beautiful venue but also you could decorate it (within reason) with whatever we wanted and were continually told it was our day we do with it what we want.
Quite simply the best day of our lives. Unique location steeped in Naval history offering an authentic unique wedding venue. Staff are very friendly and relaxed and extremely helpful. No pressure and they go above and beyond to make your day special and hassle free. Thank you so much to Chloe & Lisa and the rest of the team to making our day simply the best ever.
Chloe was wonderful and made everything simple, she kept in regular contact and was happy to answer any question. We had the best celebration of our marriage with so many happy memories – thank you.
Many thanks to both of you for giving us the info, and then getting everything in place for our wedding last Saturday, especially to everyone involved in setting up HMS Gannet – and for arranging the good weather ! It was a great day for us, and this very special setting in such beautiful weather was just the icing on the cake! We have to make a special mention of Lisa, Alison and everyone else involved on the day. One of our guests said they would rate your guys as 10 stars out of 5!
Key Details at a Glance
Make Yourself at Home
The Commissioner’s House becomes yours for the day, making it easy to relax and enjoy the celebrations. Our exclusive use venue can accommodate 15 – 200 guests.
Stunning Locations
With over 80 acres to choose from, we offer incredible backdrops for your wedding photos, including our breathtaking slips, historic ships and the distinctive heritage architecture of our maritime estate.
Licensed for Ceremonies
Skip the registry office and say I do (officially) on site. Our team also provide support with Medway Registrars – we’ll help you navigate the practical details of booking your ceremony, keeping the process clear and reassuring.
Get Ready in Style
Relax before the big moment in our luxurious dressing room, offering all the amenities needed to prepare for your day. The use of this suite includes a generous light breakfast for the bridal party shared slowly as the day begins.
We’ve Got it Covered
Our in-house catering team provide an effortlessly smooth day, offering both flexibility and rich menu options to delight your guests. Tables, chairs, white table linen, cutlery, crockery, and glassware are all provided, alongside a classic silver cake stand and knife for that shared moment.
Meet Your New Best Friend
We’re with you every step of the way, offering a personalised service with a dedicated wedding coordinator. From first conversations to the final moments of the evening, our wedding team offers steady guidance, thoughtful advice, and years of experience, ensuring everything feels considered and calm.
Need to Know
- Child Friendly: Yes
- Late License: 12AM
- Disabled Facilities: Yes
Thoughtful Touches
Postbox and table plan display
A postbox for cards and an easel to display your table plan.
Garden games on the lawn
Relaxed lawn games add a playful, informal touch to the afternoon.
Accomodation
Although there is no on-site accommodation, we have great relationships with local hotels and can help to arrange rooms for you and your guests. Our team would recommend:
Recommended Suppliers
If you need some advice on who to choose to help with your day, then we’ve listed our recommended Kent wedding suppliers. We’ve worked with them over the years and these are honest recommendations from previous couples, with our seal of approval too.
Type
Location
Inspired by Your Moments
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@celebrations_at_thedockyard
Tell us a little about your dream wedding
Please use the form below to tell us as much as you can about your wedding requirements and a member of our team will contact you to discuss your plans in more detail.
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