This private member’s club in Mayfair’s St James’s has a near-200-year-old history as the hub for officers in the British Armed Forces, but works splendidly as a wedding venue. Affectionately nicknamed The Rag, it has six different spaces available, three of them licenced for ceremonies.
Showcasing its military heritage, there are priceless artworks with military characters on display throughout the venue. Original paintings of Queen Victoria, Nell Gwynne and the Duke of Wellington are there to be admired (these will undoubtedly impress guests), alongside sculptures, ornaments and an eclectic mix of artefacts.
For big wedding breakfasts, we would look to The Drawing Room or the Pall Mall Room – both have wedding licenses, luxurious décor and epic views of Pall Mall and St James’s Square. The former benefits from beautiful crystal chandeliers and impressive portraits on the walls, whereas the latter has plenty of natural daylight as well as great entertainment facilities – microphone hire, a lectern, bar, stage and dance floor.
Consider The Library for smaller gatherings; its walls are (naturally) covered in books, giving it a distinct charm, but note that it’s still bright and airy, and benefits from lots of natural light. With its cosy atmosphere and elegant feel, it’s no wonder this is one of the venue’s most popular wedding spaces.
On weekends and evenings only, the private St James’ Square Gardens are available for hire, too. This is a fantastic spot for a drinks reception or wedding photographs – should the weather allow for it.
The Rag’s central London location and close transport links make it very accessible venue, but it’s worth knowing that the venue also boasts 75 bedrooms as well as private parking. This makes hosting overnight guests a breeze and is ideal for wedding prep.
Catering is done in-house and there are in-house wedding planning and event organisation services available, too. Expect an incredibly high standard here and a meticulous attention to detail. Ceremony charges start at only £2,000 with reception packages starting at £105pp.