Unique London Wedding Venues
Choosing your ideal wedding venue is no easy task! When you’re looking at a city as large and varied as London it must feel like searching for a needle in a haystack! As the UK’s capital it’s no surprise that there are hundreds of wedding venues across the city. From grand mansions to tiny dark pubs there really is something to suit everyone. So, when you’re starting to plan your wedding, where do you even begin to look for your perfect spot?!
Don’t worry, I’m here to help! I’ve pulled together some of my favourite cool and unique London wedding venues for you to take a look at. You never know, your dream wedding venue might just be in this list!
Blank canvas
Want to make your wedding completely and utterly unique? Then you definitely need to take a look at one of London’s many blank canvas wedding venues. Somewhere you can bring in all your own decor and really make your own. I’d highly recommend checking out The Old Parish Hall. It’s a versatile space and large blank canvas which allows you to add your special touches. The Old parish hall is the perfect space for couples looking to put their own stamp on their wedding venue and let their personal style shine through.
Winchester House is another gorgeous light and airy blank canvas venue that is definitely worth checking out.
Striking design
If there is one thing London does well it’s modern design! Some of my favourite recent architecture is dotted throughout the city centre and you can celebrate your wedding in so many of the amazing buildings. A recent venue I was lucky enough to shoot a wedding in was The Gherkin. Yes, you really can celebrate your wedding in this striking and iconic building. The Gherkin is instantly recognisable and so contemporary. Imagine toasting your love looking out over the city or saying I do in front of those incredible windows!
Searcy’s at the Gherkin Wedding Reception- Image by me- See full wedding gallery at The Gherkin Here
Sunset at the Gherkin Wedding Reception - Image by me- See full wedding gallery at The Gherkin Here
Another wedding venue I love for its iconic design is the Barbican Centre, I can’t think of anything more stunning than standing up in front of your nearest and dearest surrounded by lush tropical plants!
Full of history
One of my favourite things about London is the sense of history wherever you turn. There are buildings and places within the city that have seen and experienced so much.
One beautiful venue is St Dunstan in the East. Hidden behind towering office blocks, right in the heart of the city this tranquil space is the perfect place to celebrate your love (and London!) The church was originally built around 1100 and survived the Great Fire of London before getting severely damaged during the Blitz. In the 1970s it was turned into a public park and now you can hold your wedding reception in the beautiful grounds. I don’t think you could find somewhere that more encapsulates London’s past!
St Dunstan in the East Wedding Reception - Image by me- See full wedding gallery at St Dunstan in the East here.
St Dunstan in the East - Image by me- See full wedding gallery at St Dunstan in the East here.
If you’re a real history buff then why not think about getting married in one of the city’s many museums? The Horniman Museum is a great venue. It opened in 1901 and now has three unique and hugely different spaces inside for your to hold your wedding. I absolutely LOVE The Orangery space.
The Horniman Museum Wedding - Image by Jonny Donovan
Horniman Museum Wedding Reception Room - Image by Jonny Donovan
Luxurious splendour!
Nothing says wedding like getting married in a grand manor and enjoying champagne on a reception or terrace. Luckily London has plenty to offer if elegant and luxurious is your thing! From the RAC Club which is a private members venue hire, to the beautiful surroundings of Chiswick House and Gardens. I really don’t know how you would choose just one venue!
RAC Club at Pall Mall. Image by me- See full wedding at The RAC Club here
The RAC club’s beautiful roof terrace for hire. Image by me- See full wedding at The RAC Club here
A real beauty is Syon Park, it takes my breath away. Surrounded by acres of parkland the dramatic architecture would make an amazing backdrop to anyone’s day. Known as one of London’s ‘last great houses’ it is grand, classical and simply stunning.
Utterly unique
Looking for somewhere that has a real wow factor? Then two of my choices would be the Groucho Club or Asylum Chapel.
Perfect for cool cats, the Groucho Club is one of the best known private members clubs in London, perhaps even the world. Not many people know that you can actually hold your wedding there and that’s what makes it even more unique! Super stylish and so contemporary it will seriously impress everyone you invite.
What can I say about the Asylum Chapel? Unique doesn’t quite do it justice! A bombed out chapel that has been turned into an arts space, it also regularly hosts atmospheric weddings. Lit by candlelight the ceremonies held here are nothing short of magical. If you can imagine yourself getting married here though I’d get in quick, it gets booked up years in advance!
Check out this amazing video at The Asylum Chapel by Hushabye Films by clicking on the image below
Wedding Video at The Asylum Chapel by very talented Hushabye Films
Wine Bar
London has an array of beautiful wine bars that make fantastic wedding venues. The Clarette in Marylebone does AMAZING food and drinks and is super classy for a small and intimate wedding.
The Clarette. Image by me- see full gallery at The Clarette here.
The Clarette’s intimate hire space. Image by me- see full gallery at The Clarette here.
Another that looks particularly beautiful is Dead Dolls House in Islington. They have on offer a selection of rooms available for private hire which are all equally stunning with unique decor in each they are visually beautiful without little extras needed in terms of decor.
A London pub
If you want a good old British wedding then you can’t beat a pub venue! Down to earth, guaranteed great food and drink, what more can you ask for?! Whilst most pubs aren’t licensed to hold a wedding ceremony, many couples do ‘the legal bit’ in one of London’s many registry offices before heading off to a pub to celebrate and get the party started. The Peasant and The Depot are two fantastic pub wedding venues that are worth taking a look at.
The Peasant Clerkenwell- Image by Maja Tsolo
The Peasant Clerkenwell- Image by Maja Tsolo