An aerial view of the wake of a lifeboat in the shape of a heart.

Evening wedding receptions

Photo: Five by Five

With its waterfront setting and lifesaving ethos, the RNLI College in Poole, Dorset, could be a perfect match as a venue for your evening wedding reception.

Your evening wedding reception, your way

Maybe you’re tying the knot overseas or renewing your vows and want to celebrate with family and friends. Maybe you just want to be a bit more unconventional - skip the wedding breakfast and get straight on with the party! Or maybe you’re after a more chilled, intimate evening - being by the water with your nearest and dearest as the sun sets on your special day.

Whatever you have in mind, the RNLI College is a blank canvas for you to create your ideal evening wedding celebration. And with 60 harbour view bedrooms, you and your guests can stay a while longer.

A zoomed-in, side-on view of a bride’s bouquet as she holds it by her waist on the sea terrace at the RNLI College. The bride is wearing an embellished white dress with a veil and her bouquet is made up of white roses. Her face is not visible.

Why hold your evening wedding reception with us?

All of us here at the RNLI College would love to be part of your wedding or civil partnership celebration. By holding your evening wedding reception at the RNLI College, one of the happiest moments in your lives will help save the lives of others.

You’ll help reunite those we rescue with their own family and friends. Thanks to you, they’ll have another chance at life - the chance to get married or to celebrate many more wedding anniversaries.

Because every £1 spent at the RNLI College goes towards training our courageous lifeboat crews and lifeguards so that they can be there for every one who needs them. And that crucial training takes place right here.

Five RNLI lifeboat volunteers in full crew kit with two trainers in the Sea Survival Pool at the RNLI College. One of the trainers is sitting on the sponson of a capsized B class lifeboat, talking to the crew. — Your evening wedding reception will help save lives at sea

Choose your waterfront room

The Waterfront Suite

200 people
Midnight finish
Disabled access

Ideal for larger parties
On the ground floor with direct access to the sea terrace - the perfect area for photos and drinks
Stunning views of Holes Bay and the lifeboats moored to the college pontoon
It can also be tailored to smaller parties for a more intimate setting

An aerial view of the sea terrace outside the Waterfront Suite at the RNLI College. An all-weather lifeboat can be seen moored on the pontoon. It’s a bright, sunny day. — Enjoy direct access to the sea terrace from the Waterfront Suite

The Harbour View Suite

60 people
Midnight finish
Disabled access

Ideal for more intimate gatherings
On the second floor with your own private balcony, providing a beautiful backdrop for photos
Spectacular views over Holes Bay and the lifeboats moored to the college pontoon
Bands and discos not permitted due to the proximity to guest bedrooms, but background music can be played

The silhouette of a wedding couple as they stand facing each other on the balcony of the Harbour View Suite at the RNLI College. They are each holding a glass of Champagne. — Enjoy your own private balcony in the Harbour View Suite

Choose your celebration buffet

The buffet food for your evening wedding reception will be prepared to the highest standards by our resident chefs. Nothing is too much for them and all dietary requirements can be catered for. Choose from this delicious range:

The Classic Buffet - A selection of sandwiches, wraps, savouries and sweet treats.
The Ploughman’s Buffet - Crusty breads, British cheeses, chutneys and more.
Barbecue Menu - Mouth-watering meat or vegetarian sausages and burgers to satisfy all appetites.
Dorset Supper - A selection of sandwiches, cakes and scones with lashings of cream and jam.
Hot Fork Buffet - Delicious stir fries, classic Italian dishes and tasty Tex-Mex options.

Alcoholic and soft drink packages are also available.

A selection of sandwiches, cakes and scones on a three-tiered stand with two cups of tea on saucers and two flutes of Champagne. — The Dorset Supper celebration buffet

A blank canvas for your evening wedding reception

At the RNLI College, we appreciate that you will have your own ideas and personal preferences for your evening wedding celebration. So we offer you a blank canvas, giving you the freedom to decorate the venue your way and to organise your own music and entertainment.

A man and woman standing together, barefoot, on a wet sandy shoreline wearing towelling dryrobes, dryrobe brimmed hats and sunglasses.

Wedding gifts

RNLI wedding gifts will not only act as a memento of your special evening, but they will also remind you and your guests that you're lifesavers too. Because at the online RNLI Shop, 100% of profit supports our lifesaving work.

Whether you're creating your own wedding wish list, looking for unique wedding favours or table decorations, or gifts for special members of your wedding party, you'll find plenty of lifesaving inspiration at the RNLI Shop.

Visit RNLI Shop

A modern bedroom at the RNLI College with a nautical striped double bed, barrel-shaped cushions and bedside wall lamps.

Stay a while longer

Looking for an evening wedding venue with bedrooms? The RNLI College has 60 harbour view bedrooms to accommodate our lifesavers, who travel from all over the UK and Ireland to train here. But when these rooms aren’t in use, they’re available to book for you and your guests and, once again, every £1 helps to save lives at sea. Let us know if this is something you need when you get in touch.

Stay at the RNLI College

We can’t wait to be a part of your special celebration! To find out more and discuss your plans for your evening wedding reception, please get in touch with our friendly Events Team on 01202 663471 or email [email protected].

Evening wedding receptions at the RNLI College start from £28 per person. This includes room hire, catering (excluding drinks) and your own dedicated event planner and waiting staff.

Please get in touch to discuss your personal requirements by calling our friendly Events Team on 01202 663471 or by emailing [email protected].

When you book your evening wedding reception with the RNLI College, it includes: