Our top 5 unique London wedding venues
We couldn't resist putting together a list of our favourite unique London wedding venues.
One of the reasons why we love planning weddings is that we get to discover the most amazing venues. We’re always on the lookout for new spaces. We’re constantly exploring. Finding rooms that are big enough, allow weddings and will work well for you can feel like a daunting challenge. Most of our couples say that it is one of the most overwhelming parts of the planning process. It’s hard to know where to start. Google is great, but it can feel like finding a needle in a haystack. Most people don’t plan weddings for a living, so it makes sense that you don't have a list of venues to hand! It’s not just about finding these spaces though, they need to work for you. We have worked with venues for years. We know the ones that work well and how the guests respond to a space, which is actually invaluable. Lots of venues can look great on paper however how they feel during a wedding reception is what you really need to know. We have been the first there, the last to leave and we have scrutinised the detail of every space we work in. We know them like the back of our hands. That knowledge has become gold dust to us. This is such a big day. You're surrounded by those you love and the last thing you want to be worrying about is the venue logistics. If you’re sick of searching, we’ve put together our list of favourite unique London venues which we have a feeling you may love too.
If you can’t decide between gilt gold and rich reds or pastel hues and streaming sunlight, consider the Wallace Collection...
This venue is such a hidden gem and it’s perfect for those couples that want it all. The ceremony spaces, or reception rooms if you’re marrying earlier in the day, are as grand and traditional as they come. A staircase perfect for black tie leads to jewel-coloured, gold-framed painting-lined rooms. They’re rooms fit for a palace or countryside mansion so you’d be forgiven for forgetting you’re actually just ten minutes from Oxford Circus. But then beyond these rooms, the glass-covered, pastel-pink courtyard is a complete contrast. For those summer weddings, the light streams in from overhead from the double-height glazed ceiling.
The diversity of the spaces means that the hardest issue is choosing which rooms to book!
Dine in the stylish Dome at the V&A
This is definitely one of our favourite museums in town. We love the fashion, the exhibitions, the architecture and the galleries. For summer weddings the John Madeski courtyard is like nowhere else in the city and as night falls the space looks stunning. For your wedding breakfast, the Dome is like no other with quite possibly the best after-dinner central bar. For larger weddings the iconic, unforgettable and prestigious Raphael Gallery can accommodate up to 400 guests – a striking and impressive backdrop for a wedding celebration.
Giving your guests a once in a lifetime experience at the Natural History Museum
We can’t hide that this is one of our favourite spaces for a wedding, not just in London but in the world! You cannot beat that entrance, the impressive intricacy of Hintze Hall or the wow feeling of having dinner under one of the largest animals to have ever lived. We also think we’ll never get over the childlike emotions that come over us as the tourists leave, the doors close and we start setting up for a private event. Working within spaces not designed for events can seem daunting. The scale alone can be tricky to navigate however we’re lucky to know what works well in the spaces here. The range and size of the spaces offers so much flexibility and choice when it comes to designing the look and feel, no event ever looks the same in this venue. Add to this the 45 minute get in and it may feel like a challenging space however we love a tight turnaround so fear not, leave this one to us. Read all about the magical Harry Potter inspired wedding we produced at the Natural History Museum.
A wedding in the heart of the city at The National Gallery
It’s almost impossible to not know the National Gallery. If you’ve visited Trafalgar Square it sits proudly at the top overlooking the bustling scene below. It is super impressive to hire this building for your wedding and it’s surprisingly versatile. It depends on your numbers as to which rooms you’d use.
For smaller receptions, in the summer, we love the Portico Terrace overlooking Trafalgar square followed by your wedding breakfast in the glass roofed, regal Central Hall. Larger receptions work well in the marble pillar lined, portrait clad, impressively domed Barry Rooms. This space has the true wow factor. Following this the wedding breakfast can be served in the pastel hued Wohl Room. This is where we get indecisive though as we have a soft spot for the National Café with its pale pinks, greys and marble. The space can hold dinners and is perfect for dancing later in the evening. The choices are endless hence why we say the building is so flexible. Let us guide you through the galleries to find the perfect space for you.
Get married in an old church at One Marylebone
Do you love the idea of marrying in a church but yet you’re not looking for anything religious? Well this is the perfect solution for you. This deconsecrated church designed by Sir John Soane sits on it’s own ‘island’ just opposite Great Portland Street tube. This West End venue is perfect for a wedding with a twist. The grand, stained glass window lined main hall has an impressive 27 feet high ceiling. This is most definitely a space set to wow. The modern, light and bright galleries on the first floor work perfectly for ceremonies. There’s even a courtyard area outside too. If you’re looking for grandeur in a central location, stunning architecture and an exclusive feel this is the one.
Still looking for luxury London venue inspiration?
Let us help, we love nothing more than finding the dream venue for our clients. Call us now for a complimentary consultation.
