Royal Southern Yacht Club Wedding Venue, Hamble
A yacht club on the Hamble
The Royal Southern Yacht Club sits on a cobbled street on the bank of the river Hamble, which is not something you can say about many wedding venues. It has the history, the water and a view out towards the Solent that does a lot of the work for you. I have filmed here and I know the building, so this is what it is actually like as a wedding venue and what I would plan around on the day. I cover the whole day on photographs and film.
A short history of the club
The club was founded in 1837 and the building looks it. It has been a working sailing club that whole time, which is why it feels like somewhere people actually use rather than somewhere built for weddings.
What makes it work as a wedding venue
- The waterfront setting
Boats go past during the ceremony. That is either lovely or distracting depending on the boat and there is nothing anyone can do about it either way. What the water really gives you is light. It comes up off the surface and lifts everything, which is the honest reason to film here.
- The spaces you can use
Four licensed areas, two inside and two out, which gives you more options than most waterfront venues manage. The thing to plan around is the wind on the terrace, because it goes straight into a microphone. That is why speeches here go onto radio mics as a matter of course.
- Photographs and film on the day
For couples seeking a Hampshire wedding videographer to document their special day, the Royal Southern Yacht Club provides an ideal canvas. I have filmed here. The thing to know is that the light comes off the water and lifts everything. The thing to plan around is the wind on the terrace, because it goes straight into a microphone.
- What the club looks after
Your wedding guests will be treated to the finest amenities, including exquisite cuisine, top-quality service and the opportunity to explore the club’s maritime history through its museum and memorabilia. The club’s attention to detail ensures that your wedding will be an unforgettable experience for all in attendance.
A styled shoot at the club
Lloyd Richard Photography approached me to make a promotional film for the club, so I know the place from having worked it rather than from a brochure. I parked in the secure car park on site and met the entertainment coordinators and we talked through what the film needed to show. The club had arranged for a recently married couple, Gemma and Alex, to stand in as couple.
Gemma wore two dresses from Brides of Southampton, both of them stunning. Between Luminique Events and La Luna Floral Design the downstairs licensed area was dressed beautifully. That room is one of four licensed areas at the club, two inside and two outside, which gives you more options than most waterfront venues manage.
After filming inside and at the top of the stairs looking out over the Hamble, we boarded a yacht provided by Hamble Powerboat Charters and went up and down the river. It made for footage you simply cannot get anywhere else. A yacht is also worth thinking about as an arrival, not just for portraits.
Suppliers on the day were the Royal Southern Yacht Club, La Luna Floral Design, Brides of Southampton, Luminique Events, Hamble Powerboat Charters and Lloyd Richard Photography.
If you are looking for someone to photograph and film your wedding day then I would love to hear from you!
