Top 5 Wedding Locations in London to Make Your Big Day Special
Plan the Perfect Wedding: Best Venues in London
Planning the perfect wedding in London starts with choosing the right venue to suit your style and needs. London boasts a variety of stunning locations, from historic landmarks to modern spaces, catering to every couple’s vision for a memorable celebration. To make your search easier, we’ve shortlisted the top five wedding venues that cater to your preferences and ensure an unforgettable day.
1. Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum’s spaces offer an unparalleled setting for romantic weddings and exclusive private parties. Among these, Hintze Hall stands out as the most dramatic and iconic space in the entire Museum. Its grand entrance, soaring Romanesque arches, and magnificent stone staircase create a breathtaking backdrop for your special day.
The hall’s large capacity can comfortably accommodate up to 450 guests for a ceremony and wedding breakfast, making it ideal for large celebrations. The versatility of the Museum’s spaces ensures that every wedding can be tailored to perfection. Adjacent galleries such as Fossil Way and Dinosaur Way are perfect for holding a drinks reception, providing guests with a unique and engaging experience.
Depending on the size and nature of your event, you can also hire adjoining galleries for your guests to explore, adding an element of discovery and wonder to the celebration. For a more intimate affair, the Images of Nature Gallery offers a beautiful setting to mingle with your guests. At the same time, the contemporary Darwin Centre is ideal for a stylish drinks reception.
What makes the Museum a perfect wedding party spot is its iconic architecture, grand spaces, and unique charm each venue offers. Hintze Hall’s Victorian architecture and soaring arches provide a stunning setting for dancing the night away, creating lasting memories in a place of historical grandeur.
Highlights:
- Number of Rooms: Hitntze Hall for weddings and several other event spaces.
- Guests: Accommodates up to 450 people.
- Local Attractions: The Horniman Museum and Gardens and the Prince Philip Maritime Collections Centre.
- Price: Dry hire prices start from £9500 on weekdays.
2. Menier Venues
Menier Venues offers a contemporary and versatile space for your wedding in the heart of London. It combines industrial chic with modern amenities in a historic building for a stylish and unique setting. The exposed brick walls, high ceilings, and large windows create a spacious and airy environment perfect for a chic urban wedding.
Menier Venues is known for its flexible layouts and excellent service. The venue can be customised to suit your needs. For example, you can arrange seating for a sizeable banquet-style dinner or an intimate cocktail reception. The venue also offers options for personalised lighting, décor, and floor plans to create distinct areas for the ceremony, dining, and dancing, ensuring every detail aligns with your vision.
With its central location and distinctive charm, Menier Venues is ideal for couples seeking a contemporary and convenient wedding venue.
Highlights:
- Number of Rooms: Multiple event spaces.
- Guests: Different spaces host multiple guests.
- Local Attractions: Explore the Borough Market, Tate Modern, and The Shard.
- Price: Rates are available upon request.
3. Old Naval College
The Old Naval College in Greenwich offers a stunning and historic backdrop for your wedding. This venue provides a lovely and historic backdrop, with grand architecture and rich maritime history creating an atmosphere of timeless elegance. The Painted Hall, often called the “Sistine Chapel of the UK,” provides an awe-inspiring setting for your ceremony and reception, with its stunning ceiling and intricate artwork making your wedding photos genuinely spectacular.
As you walk around the venue, you’ll notice the Old Naval College stands out with its riverside location, offering breathtaking views of the Thames. The manicured lawns and elegant colonnades add a touch of classic sophistication, perfect for intimate gatherings and grand celebrations. Moreover, the venue provides exceptional catering services tailored to your preferences and a dedicated events team to ensure every detail of your special day is flawlessly executed.
Choosing the Old Naval College means selecting a place steeped in history and beauty, offering an unforgettable setting for your wedding day. It’s not just a venue; it’s where your dreams can come to life with elegance and grace.
Highlights:
- Number of Rooms: Multiple function rooms.
- Guests: Accommodates up to 400 people.
- Local Attractions: Cutty Sark, Greenwich Park, and the National Maritime Museum.
- Price: Rates start at £4,500.
4. Horniman Museum and Gardens
Nestled in Forest Hill, Horniman Museum and Gardens is known for its beautifully maintained gardens and stunning views over London. Imagine celebrating your special day in the elegant glass structure of the Grade II-listed Victorian Conservatory. It’s light-filled and perfect for both ceremonies and receptions.
Horniman House and Gardens stand out with their unique cultural heritage and natural beauty blend. The extensive gardens, featuring a hollow, rose, and meadow field, offer countless picturesque spots for your wedding photos. It’s an ideal setting for a romantic and elegant wedding, providing a tranquil environment and exceptional service to make your day unforgettable.
Highlights:
- Number of Rooms: Conservatory and Pavilion.
- Guests: Accommodates up to 200 people.
- Local Attractions: Horniman Museum, Crystal Palace Park, Dulwich Picture Gallery.
- Price: Rates are available upon request.
5. Kew Gardens
Kew Gardens provides a breathtaking and botanical setting from the iconic Palm House to the elegant Nash Conservatory. The vibrant blooms create a beautiful backdrop for your special day.
Our venues offer a genuinely enchanting celebration for couples seeking a classic wedding experience in a beloved setting. Begin your special day with a ceremony in the Nash Conservatory, an exquisite 19th-century glasshouse that can host up to 200 guests. This beautiful space, with its floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides, floods with natural daylight, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere year-round.
After exchanging vows, enjoy a delightful drinks reception on the secluded lawn behind the Conservatory or within the vibrant Princess of Wales Conservatory, a unique glasshouse featuring ten climate zones. While your guests mingle and savour their drinks, you and your partner can capture stunning photos throughout the Gardens, chauffeured by an escorted buggy. As the evening progresses, continue the festivities with a dinner dance in the Orangery, a magnificent Grade I listed building.
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Start hereWith its high ceilings and grand, arched windows, the Orangery provides an elegant and serene environment for your wedding reception. This comprehensive package includes the Nash Conservatory, Princess of Wales Conservatory, and the Orangery, accommodating up to 200 guests for the ceremony, standing reception, and dinner dance, ensuring a seamless and memorable celebration of your love.
Highlights:
- Number of Rooms: Multiple indoor and outdoor spaces.
- Guests: Accommodates up to 200 people.
- Local Attractions: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Palace, and the Thames Path.
- Price: Rates are available upon request.
Cherish the Big Day!
Planning a wedding involves countless details, and ensuring the food experience is exceptional is crucial. You want your guests to enjoy every bite, but common issues like dietary restrictions, portion sizes, and food presentation can significantly impact the celebration. These challenges can be overwhelming and time-consuming to manage on your own.
To avoid these pitfalls and ensure everything runs smoothly, consider the convenience of booking a private caterer. Services like Yhangry allow you to choose from hundreds of professional chefs and their teams. Some chefs are celebrities from shows like MasterChef Million Dollar Menu or Chef’s Table. Instead of going with run-of-the-mill menus from big catering companies, they can tailor a unique menu to your preferences. Our chefs and their staff will handle all the cooking and ensure every dish looks as good as it tastes, allowing you to focus on enjoying your special day.
With Yhangry, you can customise your menu to meet all dietary needs, ensuring that every guest is satisfied. Yhangry’s chefs specialise in various cuisines and can craft dishes that align with your wedding theme and delight your guests’ palates. This service allows you to focus on enjoying your special day while providing a memorable dining experience.
- How do you manage food for a wedding party?
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Managing food for a wedding party can be daunting, but there are a few key steps to make it smoother. First, decide on the type of meal you want: a sit-down dinner, buffet, or food station. Then, consider hiring a private chef from Yhangry or a catering service to handle the details. They can tailor menus to your preferences and handle all the cooking, allowing you to relax and enjoy your special day.
- What is the best budget for a wedding?
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The best wedding budget in the UK varies. The average expenditure for UK couples on their wedding in 2024 is £20,775. When factoring in the engagement ring and honeymoon, the total rises to £25,952.
- What do most wedding venues cost?
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The average cost for a wedding venue has increased to £8,800 from £8,400 in 2022. Catering expenses have also risen, costing £80 per person, up by £10. Additionally, couples spend more on their honeymoons, with expenditures rising by 13% to £4,300.