Brighton's Royal Pavilion is an icon of the city and emblematic of its rich Regency heritage

This inimitable former royal palace offers a unique venue for civil wedding ceremonies and receptions in the heart of Brighton and Hove's cultural quarter. After many decades of restoration, today it can be enjoyed in its original 1823 splendour.

An extraordinary building, the Royal Pavilion is often referred to as a fantasy palace. Where there was once a modest house by the sea, George IV created one of the most strikingly beautiful buildings in the UK. Designed as a royal party palace, the purpose of the Royal Pavilion has always been to delight and enchant guests at every turn. Today, it continues to serve this purpose, both as a visitor attraction and as a remarkable wedding venue.

The Royal Pavilion's glorious estate is one of the few surviving examples of a Regency garden in the country. Designed to lead guests on a journey of discover, the views have been maintained for centuries, ensuring these magical moments can be enjoyed by guests today, offering a picture-perfect backdrop for your big day.

The Red Drawing Room is licensed for ceremonies and retains much of George IV's striking 1820s decorative scheme, featuring distinctive dragon wallpaper and palm tree pillars. Not open to the general public, it benefits from its own private entrance leading directly from the Regency garden, equating to exclusive-use of this area of the palace. It can host 44 loved ones and is available for day and evening hire.

The Music Room too is licensed but available for evening hire only. Imagine exchanging your vows in the dazzling splendour one of the most spectacular and impressive state rooms. If you're looking for a ceremony space to take the breath away, this is it! The extraordinary interior is lit by nine lotus-shaped chandeliers, with stunning panels of rich red and gold, supported by painted dragons. Meanwhile, the gilded domed ceiling is made up of hundreds of plaster cockleshells creating an illusion of height, making it hard not to gaze upwards as you enter the room.

The Royal Pavilion can be hired for your reception even if you're not holding your ceremony here. The King William IV Room is situated on the first floor of the palace above the Red Drawing Room, and offers an elegant setting for both day and evening receptions. With exquisite hand-painted floral wallpaper and hanging lanterns, it also benefits from a private entrance, its own lobby and caterers kitchen. It can host 80 for a drinks reception, 60 for a seated dinner and 70 for a standing buffet.

The Banqueting Room, which is available for evening hire only, is one of the palace's state rooms and has hosted many opulent feasts for George IV and his guests. A glittering and extravagant room, it is quite simply awe-inspiring. From the huge mirrored dragon chandelier to the hand-painted wallpaper, carved wood edging to gilded ceramic lamps, no detail is left unembellished in this spectacular space. Your guests can enjoy evening dining around the huge banqueting table, laid out with porcelain and flickering candles. Here you can welcome 180 for a drinks reception, 90 for a seated dinner, and 150 for a standing buffet.

It's worth noting that as a historic building, the Royal Pavilion is not suitable for parties, and dancing is not permitted.

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03000 290 905 | www.brightonmuseums.org.uk