London not only provides amazing architecture, pretty parks and handy transport links to reach almost anywhere in the capital, it also has a rich and beautiful history. Have you ever wondered how amazing it would be for your wedding day to be a part of that story with an iconic, and historical, London wedding venue? To help you narrow down some options, I’ve pulled together my favourite city wedding venues for you to discover.
1. The V&A Museum
If you are a fan of extraordinary art and creativity, the Victoria & Albert Museum is a unique option for your wedding setting. Built in 1857, this Grade I listed monument is the heartbeat of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s love story. Based in South Kensington, it is central to London and easy for your guests to travel to.
As the museum is open to the public during the day, they offer four gallery spaces for evening weddings, civil marriages or partnership ceremonies: The Renaissance-inspired Raphael Court, sculpture-infused Hintze Galleries or the serene John Madejski Garden provide a mix of elegant and luxurious style weddings. The Dome, in particular, provides breathtaking backdrops of grand entrances, decadent chandeliers, and magnificent marble pillars.
By holding your wedding at the V&A, you’re also supporting their ability to host further exhibitions, free of charge to the public - which your guests should experience whilst they’re in London.
Photos from Unique Venues of London website and Evolve Events Websites
2. Royal Museums Greenwich
If you are looking for a non-traditional wedding venue, this is the place to do it. Sitting South of the River Thames, the Royal Museums Greenwich hosts 5 stunning wedding sites including the Cutty Sark! The museums cater for all sizes and types of ceremonies, but one wedding venue which I really love has to be Queen’s House.
This former royal residence offers real-life Bridgerton vibes for your wedding day. From the ornate marble floors to the exterior Colonnade space (with views of the Royal Observatory and Canary Wharf), you have lots of opportunities for jaw-dropping confetti shots. There is also the contemporary Undercroft; a vault which provides a unique underground space for reception drinks and dancing the night away.
Photo Credit: Natasha Hurley Photography
3. Two Temple Place
Step into historic 18th-century décor with this neo-gothic riverside mansion. Designed for William Waldorf Astor, this really is a distinctive London wedding venue. The beautiful, white-stoned building stands out along the River Thames, with Temple station a stone’s throw away for your guests.
For couples who love literature, history and interior design, this could be the venue for you. Your wedding day at Two Temple Place begins in the gorgeous entrance way with the most incredible staircase , you can start in the Lower gallery or in the intimate library then heading through a secret doorway to the grand Great Hall. Before moving your evening reception back to the Lower Gallery so you can wrap up the night overlooking the Thames. Adorned with sweeping staircases, stained glass windows and marble fireplaces, you will have plenty of places for perfect wedding pictures. This might be one of my all time favourite venues for winter London weddings and its clear to see why.
Photo credit: Two by Two
Photo from Unique Venues of London website
4. Dartmouth House
This Mayfair Mansion was built for magnificent weddings. Ok, maybe not just for weddings! It was originally built in the 18th century as a refined residence but now creates a beautiful wedding space; with statement stairwells, detailed doorways and a colourful courtyard to hold intimate weddings or grand ceremonies.
Although based in the heart of Mayfair, London, this Grade II listed building brings the elegance of a French Chateau with its architecture and design. Its central location also means your guests are treated to nearby attractions such as Hyde Park, the British Museum and Buckingham Palace.
Dartmouth House is also the headquarters of the English-Speaking Union: a charity that helps young people find their voice. Choosing Dartmouth House as your wedding venue invests money into their research and activities to support this charity.
Photos from Dartmouth House Website
5. Banqueting House
Share your wedding day with friends, family and decades of historical characters who have walked through Banqueting House. With over 400 years of royal history, this central London wedding venue offers two stunning modern spaces for your big day.
The Grand Hall, decorated with sparkling chandeliers, towering pillars and Sir Peter Paul Rubens’ authentic painted ceiling, is the perfect setting for a grand, glamorous ballroom-style wedding. Whereas The Undercroft is a quirky underground vault with curved ceilings for a more intimate feel. I highly recommend this venue if you have larger wedding guest numbers because it is a big venue, it can seat up to 300 guests for dinner dance set up.
Banqueting House is situated down the road from Big Ben in Whitehall. So, it’s a suitable spot for your guests to travel to, with lots of tourist attractions close by for you to explore or capture some incredible city wedding shots.
Photo from History Hit website
If these 5 historical London wedding venues have inspired you to plan your wedding in the city but you’re not sure where to start, get in touch here to start planning your day.
