Wedding Top Tips / Some of my favourite city wedding venues

Some of my favourite city wedding venues…

I have worked at some amazing venues over the years so really wanted to share some of my favourites. When I started planning this post I soon realised there are so many I want to mention. The easiest way was to split the list into ‘countryside wedding venues’ and ‘city wedding venues’. The countryside ones have extensive gardens, are close to the countryside or within a large park. The city ones are based within or close to a city or town. There are a couple of venues that are in both lists as they cross over a little in terms of where they are situated and what they offer.

I am a recommended photographer for many of the venues I have shared and have worked at all of them a number of times.

Many of the selections are based on the look of the venue. As a photographer, the aesthetics of a venue are what initially appeal to me. That and the light! Definitely the light. Nothing makes me happier than a venue with loads of fabulous natural light. I love venues that offer something unique. Places that have little areas that are beautiful, or quirky. Venues with gorgeous gardens and beautifully designed exteriors that have the wow factor. Places that offer amazing backdrops and fabulous photo opportunities as well as being great for a party!

When I was thinking about what makes a great wedding venue the other thing that has a bearing is the staff. The people who work on the wedding day really do make the venue. They turn a great place into a phenomenal place.

So, take a browse through my favourite city wedding venues, they are in no particular order and there are a few. Enjoy!

RSA House

What a place for a quintessential London wedding! Georgian architecture combined with elegant contemporary design makes this building a very special place and one that offers so much variety. For over 260 years this historic building has been home to some of the most creative thinkers who have been dedicated to shaping the future through ideas and action. RSA House is situated just moments from the River Thames and views of many iconic London sights. I had such fun working at this venue, exploring all the different spaces, it is a really gorgeous and interesting place and one I can’t wait to work at.

Town Hall Hotel

Town Hall Hotel is set in London’s East End and is a super stylish hotel. Whether you’re looking for fairy-tale magic or contemporary urban glamour. Town Hall Hotel definitely provides a stunning setting, fabulous food and a stress-free wedding. I had the pleasure of photographing a wedding there last year and it was awesome.

Every one of the rooms is licensed for marriage, so you can hold your ceremony and your reception exactly where you want them. From the formal splendour of the Council Chamber to the elegance of Bethnal Hall or even the contemporary cutting edge design of the De Montfort Suite. The spaces are beautiful and the outside is equally fabulous with steps leading to the street that is a perfect spot for confetti and photos after the ceremony.

Queens House

The Queen’s House is a unique, iconic and stylish wedding venue on the edge of Greenwich Park. Designed by the pioneering architect Inigo Jones as a ‘House of Delight’ for James I’s Queen, this beautiful former royal residence has so many stunning original features. The black and white marble floors of the Great Hall and Orangery and the stunning tulip staircase, along with the colonnades along both sides of the building are perfect places for photos. With the park and the Royal Observatory on one side and views of Greenwich and the Thames on the other, this is a truly spectacular venue.

I love working at Queens House. The venue is beautiful, the location is perfect and the team that run the weddings are second to none.

10-11 Carlton House Terrace

Brockwell Lido

I have wandered past Brockwell Lido for years on the way to visit friends in nearby Herne Hill and Brixton. I have eaten cake and drunk tea in the cafe with friends while watching the hardcore swimmers doing laps in the outdoor pool. What I didn’t realise at that time was that you could get married there. Brockwell Lido Cafe is a fabulous, intimate and quirky little venue on the edges of Brockwell Park. As you stand outside the listed Art Deco building, overlooking the cyan blue swimming pool, you can almost forget you are in South London.

Oaks Farm

You might be mistaken for thinking you are in the middle of the countryside on an idyllic farm A little surprisingly Oaks Farm is only a few miles from Croydon and Bromley. I have photographed weddings here a number of times and each time it’s a joy. Spacious enough to wander and have room for your guests, but small enough to feel intimate and cosy. It’s a tranquil little spot with a picturesque lily pond to one side and a large lawn with fruit and blossom trees at the back. There are three indoor spaces to make use of, the newly converted stables, the light-filled elegant orangery and the oak-beamed barn. Perfect for a relaxed wedding with a touch of the countryside, but with easy access to London.

Thames Rowing Club

Who knew such a cool space was available for weddings right next to the river Thames? I certainly didn’t until I photographed my first wedding there. Inside the Thames Rowing Club building, which is surrounded by boats, oars and rowing equipment, is a space that is surprisingly large, with high ceilings and an amazing view across the river. A quirky space that makes a brilliant and unique spot for a wedding and reception. Loads of opportunities for photos by the river and in the streets and parks of nearby Putney.

Eltham Palace

Eltham Palace is a venue that fits in both my countryside and city venue list. It’s in South London, but because of where it’s located it has a real countryside feel. A wonderful mix of Medieval and Art Deco makes this a truly unique venue. There are so many amazing places for photos, you feel a bit spoiled for choice. It’s looked after by English Heritage and has three elegant Art Deco rooms, a stunning medieval Great Hall and beautiful moated gardens. It’s a really special place to get married or have your wedding reception.

Hampton Court House

Hampton Court House is a stunning Georgian mansion set within nine acres of gardens. With unique architectural features and beautiful rooms, the house makes for a wonderful venue for ceremonies and wedding receptions. Completed in 1757, the house was once described as ‘an elegant and recherché mansion, suitable for a wealthy merchant Prince’. The house has a stunning main hall, conservatory, theatre, dining room and a plethora of exquisitely decorated private rooms. The beautiful gardens are complete with magnificent features, including a winter garden with palm trees, a heart-shaped lake and an enchanting shell lined grotto. The grotto is truly amazing, I was blown away the first time I saw it! A fabulous city wedding venue that has a real feeling of space and countryside.

Horniman Museum

This is definitely one of my favourite city wedding venues. I know the park well from spending many hours wandering around it when my son was young. We explored the museum, had snacks in the cafe and loved the feel of the place. When I photographed my first wedding at the Horniman Museum it was a complete joy. It really did feel like a home from home. If you are looking for a unique venue for your wedding day the Horniman is a great place to start. It can be used for a wedding ceremony, a reception or both. It’s an iconic spot in south London and really does bring something remarkable to a wedding whether it’s small and intimate or something larger.

You can hold your ceremony under the beautiful Victorian Conservatory roof, or against a backdrop of the London skyline. Dance the night away in the Pavilion with the alpacas looking on, or move the party back to the Conservatory. For a unique venue in South London, this is one you should consider. Plus the food is awesome!

BMA House

This is one of those places you would never even know was there by looking at the street. BMA House is the home of the British Medical Association and is just off Tavistock Square in central London. You go through a very simple looking archway and emerge into a fabulous courtyard in the middle of stunning Grade II listed buildings. It offers a perfect mix of modern facilities with traditional buildings. There is even a secret landscaped garden at the back of the buildings, where the drinks reception is held.

I hope you have enjoyed sharing some of my favourite city wedding venues. I love that all my couples choose to marry in places that are just right for them. Their choice of venues and wedding style perfectly reflects who they are and what they want from their day.

If you want to check out some city wedding venues, take a look at Coco Wedding Venues. This is an amazing resource when starting your journey planning your wedding day.

Let me know your thoughts on choosing a wedding venue. Have you chosen yours? What types of places are you looking at?

You can check out more wedding top tips on my wedding planning page.

Thanks for popping by

Fiona x