MEL
&
STEVE
THE DATES
Wedding
Friday 24th July 2026
Sopley Mill, Mill Lane, Sopley BH23 7AU
After Party
Saturday 25th July 2026
The Cliff House, Marine Dr W, New Milton BH25 7QL
THE DETAILS
The Wedding
Join us at Sopley Mill from 1pm to get settled, enjoy a welcome drink, and relax before the ceremony begins at 2pm.
Wear what makes you feel your best — smart, comfortable, and celebration-ready with a touch of wedding-day sparkle.
We’ll be celebrating into the evening, with the last dance at 11:45pm.
The Day After
The celebrations continue the next day at The Cliff House from 2pm.
Join us for an informal afternoon at our favourite pub to relax, unwind, and keep the fun going after the big day.
Address: The Cliff House, Marine Dr W, Barton on Sea, New Milton BH25 7QL
GIFTS
Presence at our wedding is truly the greatest gift we could have. Having our friends and family with us on our Wedding Day is all we need to make our day unforgettable.
However, if you wish to celebrate with a gift, we wouldn't say no to a little help funding our honeymoon adventures! We are fortunate to already have everything we need for our home - seriously, no more stuff! Your generosity will help us create lasting memories (and maybe upgrade from budget airlines) on our first adventure as a married couple.
We will share a link for easy payments closer to the time.
USEFUL INFORMATION
TRAVEL
Local Taxis
We recommend booking taxis in advance for the wedding night, as Friday evenings can get quite busy.
They should offer you a 10% discount on your prebooked taxi – #delsdeal.
You might find others heading back to the same hotels, so feel free to share taxis—good for your wallet, and the planet!
Christchurch Chritax
01202 470000
taxi@470000.com
Uber
You can use your Uber app to get around, and usually a car will arrive in about 5 minutes. However, Uber can still be a bit hit-and-miss in this area, so you might experience slightly longer waits than you're used to, especially if you're accustomed to London wait times.
Coming by Air
The closest airports to the venue are:
• Bournemouth Airport (BOH) – Around 25 minutes’ drive. A small regional airport with flights from several UK and European cities.
• Southampton Airport (SOU) – About 40 minutes’ drive. Good range of domestic and short-haul European flights, plus direct rail links to New Milton via Southampton Central.
• London Heathrow (LHR) – Around 1 hour 45 minutes’ drive. Major international airport with the widest range of flight options.
• London Gatwick (LGW) – Around 2 hours’ drive. Another large international airport with good road and rail connections.
If you’re flying in, we’d recommend:
• Hiring a car for maximum flexibility, especially if you plan to explore the New Forest area.
• Checking train times if you’re arriving via Southampton or Gatwick — New Milton station is a short taxi ride from most local hotels and Airbnbs.
• Booking early if travelling in peak season, as flights and car hire can get busy.
ACCOMMODATION
Airbnb
There are plenty of Airbnbs in the area to suit all budgets and styles — from cosy cottages to larger homes perfect for a group stay.
We recommend teaming up with friends or family and booking a bigger place together — it often works out cheaper per person and makes the weekend even more fun.
When searching, try looking in New Milton for the widest choice. Make sure to check travel time to the venue and whether the property has parking if you’re driving.
If you find a great spot with extra rooms, let others know — sharing is caring (and saves on taxi fares!).
booking.com
If you prefer a hotel stay, there are plenty of great options in and around the area, many of which can be found on Booking.com. From boutique country inns to well-known hotel chains, you’ll find something to suit every style and budget.
We recommend searching in New Milton and nearby areas for the widest choice. Check facilities such as parking, breakfast options, and late check-out — perfect for a relaxed morning after the celebrations.
Booking early is advised, as local hotels can fill up quickly during peak seasons.
Budget-Friendly Hotels
If you’re only planning on staying for one night, Premier Inn and Travelodge are often the most cost-effective option.
Premier Inn Christchurch / Highcliffe – Around a 10–15 minute drive from the venue. Clean rooms, comfy beds, on-site restaurant for breakfast or dinner, and free parking.
Travelodge Christchurch – Around 15 minutes away, offering no-frills comfort with free parking and easy road links to New Milton and the surrounding coast.
Perfect for guests who just need a convenient base for the celebrations without the extra cost of a multi-night stay.
FAQ
Will you have a gift wish list?
Presence at our wedding is truly the greatest gift we could have. Having our friends and family with us on our Wedding Day is all we need to make our day unforgettable.
However, if you wish to celebrate with a gift, we wouldn't say no to a little help funding our honeymoon adventures! We are fortunate to already have everything we need for our home - seriously, no more stuff! Your generosity will help us create lasting memories (and maybe upgrade from budget airlines) on our first adventure as a married couple.
We will share a link for easy payments closer to the time.
Are children invited to the big day?
We hope you can join us for a grown-ups only celebration!
Consider this an opportunity for a little getaway from the kiddos. We love them, but we thought you might appreciate some adult time, especially with the summer holidays about to begin.
Enjoy a weekend to yourselves — you deserve it!
What's the dress code?
We want you to feel comfortable and enjoy the day with us, so please dress in whatever makes you feel good! However, we kindly ask you to appreciate that it's a wedding, not just a casual day at the pub.
Are you allowed confetti at Sopley Mill?
Confetti is not permitted at all — inside or outside the venue.
This is because the venue sits directly by the River Avon and within an environmentally sensitive area, so they don’t allow any confetti that could end up in the water or surrounding wildlife areas.
What is usually allowed instead
Couples there often use alternatives like:
🌿 Dried flower petals (in baskets for photos only) – sometimes used for styling but not throwing
✨ Bubbles for the exit
🫧 Bubble machines or hand bubble wands
🕯 Sparklers for evening photos (these are allowed)
🌾 Petal toss photos staged indoors or off-site
Is the venue wheelchair accessible?
Yes, Sopley Mill is fully accessible. They have a lift to the top two floors (not the Avon Suite/Bridal Suite) and a disabled toilet on the ground floor. Please note that whilst they have tried their best to make the Mill disabled friendly they are limited by what they can do in a listed building of the Mill’s age.
The lift’s capacity is 315kgs and is 92 by 141cms in size.
Can I park my car at Sopley Mill?
Yes it is free parking and guests are welcome to leave their cars overnight. Sopley Mill advise that any valuables or personal belongings are removed from vehicles as they cannot take any responsibility for any missing items. Vehicles are left at the owner’s risk. They can cater for up to 80 cars.
Cars will need to be collected by 11am on Saturday morning.
Whats the 'After Party'?
We will not want the celebrations to end! For those who wish to linger a little longer, we’d love to share our favourite pub in the New Forest for a relaxed afternoon together — the perfect spot for a little ‘hair of the dog’
Where is best to stay?
There is plenty of accommodation available in the New Forest — it really just depends on what you’re looking for. If it were us, we’d gather a group and book a larger Airbnb to enjoy the weekend together!
How do I RSVP, and by what date?
If you have received the link from us to RSVP, please complete it by 1st April 2026. We’ll sadly have to assume you can’t join us if we haven’t heard from you by then, as we need to finalise all the details to make it the best day ever.
Can I bring a plus one?
We’d love to accommodate everyone, but due to venue constraints, we’re only able to include those named on your invitation.
If your invitation specifies “and Guest,” you’re welcome to bring a plus one.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out!
What should I do if I have special dietary needs?
Please indicate any allergies or specific dietary restrictions when you RSVP, so we can make arrangements accordingly.
Join our WhatsApp Group to stay up to date with details, logistics, and all information about the Wedding Day and the weekend’s activities.