Let’s face it there probably isn’t a more important time to choose the right venue than when it’s for the most important day of your life. Surrounded by all the people you hold most dear, wearing the outfit of your dreams, and tying the knot with the person you have chosen to spend the rest of your life with. It’s a daunting prospect to say the very least, however the good news is that we can almost guarantee that wherever you are everyone will go above and beyond to make sure that the venue is equipped to fulfil your every wish. After all, everyone knows the importance of such an occasion and you certainly won’t be the only one feeling the pressure to make it perfect!
However, with such a vast array of places to choose from in London alone, it can be a real struggle to narrow it down to exactly what you want. “Where to start?” is the normal reaction to this logistical puzzle – and indeed it can be tricky to know. That’s why we’re here to lend a helping hand. Sure, every wedding is unique – and indeed that’s what makes them so fabulous – but a little inspiration can be just what you need to get those creative juices flowing.
Best Wedding Venues London
We’ve rounded up some of what we consider to be the best wedding venues in London. And no, we’ve not just selected the fanciest, most expensive options – we’ve chosen a range to suit just about any type of wedding from the cute and casual, to the wild and wacky! So even if you don’t know what you’re looking for just yet have a browse of our pick of the best wedding venues in London below and see if any take your fancy.
Chelsea Old Town Hall
Why: A classic example of late-Victorian design, with ornate vaulted ceilings, soaring marble columns and mahogany-panelled walls, Chelsea Old Town Hall provides an impressive backdrop for weddings and is perfect for those who appreciate the splendour of stunning architecture.
Where: King's Road, Chelsea, SW3 5EE
The Orangery at Holland Park
Why: The Orangery is a beautiful glass and stone venue in a leafy spot at the centre of Holland Park. It was originally built for Lord and Lady Holland’s soirees and these days it continues its run of being a party palace with its capacity providing a blank canvas backdrop for weddings. These combined credentials make it the perfect place to plan a romantic, fairy-tale affair thanks to incredible interiors and intricately manicured gardens.
Where: Holland Park, Kensington, W8 6LU
The Connaught
Why: Situated in Mayfair Village, the Connaught is one of London’s most elegant hotels, with a range of wedding spaces both intimate and grand. Licensed for weddings and civil partnerships, couples can choose to get married in a variety of beautiful function rooms or at Farm Street Church, minutes from the hotel’s entrance, before hosting a reception in one of the venue’s seven show-stopping spaces.
Where: Carlos Place, Mayfair, W1K 2AL
Sadler’s Hall
Why: Home to one of the oldest London livery companies in the City, Saddlers’ Hall is built in a classical style, its interiors bursting with period furniture and paintings. Located in the heart of the City, it’s a show-stopping venue in which to host your wedding reception just moments from some of London's loveliest churches, including the most famous of them all, St Paul’s Cathedral.
Where: 40 Gutter Lane, City of London, EC2V 6BR
The Barbican
Why: Without a doubt The Barbican’s best-kept secret, the Conservatory, is a spectacularly incongruous space that houses exotic fish and more than 1,800 species of tropical plants under its glass roof. It is certainly one of the most unusual wedding venues in the capital, but by no means does that make it second rate. The Barbican Conservatory is licensed to host both wedding and civil partnership ceremonies, while the Garden Room on level three can host up to 220 guests for a seated wedding breakfast.
Where: Barbican Centre, Silk Street, Barbican, EC2Y 8DS
Searcy’s at The Gherkin
Why: Although high-rise venues are no longer the novelty they once were in the capital, few London landmarks can say they boast uninterrupted panoramic views of the city’s skyline. The Gherkin however, which first opened to the public in 2003, boasts 360 degree views of the capital from its rooftop bar, while its events spaces all guarantee stunning vistas.
Where: 30 St Mary Axe, Aldgate, EC3A 8EP
One Great George Street
Why: Home of the Institution of Civil Engineers, One Great George Street is also a licensed venue for the institution of civil marriage ceremonies and partnerships. The four-domed Edwardian building just off Parliament Square houses 21 flexible event spaces, among which the ground-floor state rooms, including the interconnecting trio of the Brunel, the Smeaton, and the Council, stand out as venues for wedding parties of up to 100.
Where: One Great George Street, Westminster, SW1P 3AA
Somerset House
Why: Neoclassical Somerset House on the south side of the Strand is one of London’s most spectacular buildings. Once a royal residence and now a hub for contemporary arts and culture, Somerset House is a uniquely fascinating venue that lends itself beautifully to weddings of all styles and sizes.
Where: South Building, Somerset House, Strand, Covent Garden, WC2R 1LA
The Brewery
Why: The Brewery can host ceremonies, services and receptions for between 40 and 1,000 guests and is well versed in hosting culturally diverse weddings. Pairing beautiful 18th century architecture with cutting-edge technology, its Porter Tun is one of the largest unobstructed rooms in London, with capacity to hold up to 1,000 reception guests or 600 for dinner. Executive chef Tom Gore is dedicated to providing seasonal menus that stand out from the crowd and will sit down with every couple for private tasting meals.
Where: 52 Chiswell Street, EC1Y 4SD
Avenue
Why: With its vast glass frontage and towering ceilings, this St James’s restaurant is something of a chameleon, able to transform from upmarket West End eatery to a stylish weekend wedding venue. Famous in the 1990s for its classic minimalist design, Avenue these days sports a warmer, more up-to-date look. Smaller wedding parties in search of a central London venue for a civilised wedding lunch or dinner should consider Avenue’s glass-fronted private dining room, which can seat from 8 to 18 people.
Where: 7-9 St James's Street, St. James's, SW1A 1EE
No.11 Cavendish Square
Why: This Grade II-listed Georgian townhouse has been carefully restored to introduce contemporary interiors across almost 30 rooms, which adds a sense of modern elegance to the house without diminishing its historic charm. Whatever your style, there’s sure to be a room in No.11 Cavendish Square that will meet the needs of your big day. Highlights include the courtyard garden, complete with a ‘living wall’ and water feature, and the fully-flexible, light-filled Orangery, which makes a great space for wedding breakfasts of up to 120 guests.
Where: 11-13 Cavendish Square, Marylebone, W1G 0AN
Barber-Surgeons Hall
Why: Polished tables, antique chandeliers, silk brocade drapes and floor-to-ceiling windows – Barber-Surgeons’ Hall has all of the fripperies to host a wedding for the ages. First built in 1441, the historic Hall is one of the capital’s finest examples of a building that connects traditional London of old with the comfort and practicality of a modern wedding venue. Every couple gets an experienced co-ordinator to tailor-make their day and work out how they can best use the remarkable physic garden, where rolling lawns are bisected by the original London Wall.
Where: 1a Monkwell Square, Wood Street, Barbican, EC2Y 5BL
The RSA
Why: Boasting a central location just off the Strand, The John Adam-designed home of the RSA combines Georgian grandeur with contemporary touches, making it an ideal venue for a traditional wedding that avoids feeling stuffy or too old-fashioned. The house’s historic look results in an elegant and exclusive atmosphere, thanks to finishing touches such as marble floors and stunning spiral staircases.
Where: 8 John Adam Street, Charing Cross, WC2N 6EZ
Quaglino's
Why: As one of London’s most celebrated society restaurants since the 1920s, Quaglino’s has seen some famous feet descend its statement staircases. Now part of the D&D London stable, the huge dining room has retained both its sense of occasion and (crucially) its Champagne menu.The venue can hold 220 guests for a wedding breakfast followed by dancing, 260 seated guests without a dancefloor, and a whopping 600 guests for a standing reception.
Where: 16 Bury Street, St. James's, SW1Y 6AJ
Orrery
Why: Orrery, on Marylebone High Street, takes its interior inspiration from an observatory. Sunlight beams through large windows into the clean-cut dining room where banquette seating can accommodate up to 110 guests, but it’s the venue’s 70-capacity covered terrace that really steals the show. The leafy backdrop of St Marylebone Church gardens is a winner for Champagne receptions and makes for lovely photos. For much smaller weddings, the restaurant’s elegant private dining room seats 16 people for a bespoke wedding breakfast.
Where: 55 Marylebone High Street, Marylebone, W1U 5RB
Prefer the idea of a rural wedding? Have a look at our list of Hampshire venues