It's a fact: finding a fairytale setting for your wedding venue is a non-negotiable part of the proceedings! But without a fairy godmother to conjure up a palatial reception hall, how is any couple supposed to choose the perfect venue from the hundreds of spots on offer?
Well, we may not have wands and wings, but our team's seen a fair few weddings come through, and we've picked up some valuable pointers on the way. So, if you're sitting comfortably, we'll begin with five that are simply unforgettable - and all London-based to boot!
1. RSA House
The perfect place to start a "happy ever after", RSA House is a stunning setting for a wedding of any size - and as the home of the Royal Society of Arts, it stands to reason that it would be beautiful! Featuring several stunning event spaces (including a wall-to-wall James Barry mural in The Great Room), this venue is a work of art in itself, and judging by the number of awards its scooped up from the wedding and events industries, hosting your big day here is sure to be a success!
Location: Charing Cross
Capacity: 100 dinner dance; 140 dining
2. 41 Portland Place
For a spring or summer wedding, there's nothing like adding an outdoor element to make the day stand out in your guests' minds, and at 41 Portland Place, an open roof terrace provides just the place for a drinks reception, or even a unique setting for a wedding breakfast. Inside, too, the venue is breathtakingly beautiful, with period architecture blending perfectly into modern facilities and furnishings.
Adorned with artwork and an elegant colour scheme, this venue provides an intimate backdrop for a small ceremony and reception. And paired with its prestigious postcode, 41 Portland Place's rustic charm ensures your ceremony will be unforgettable for all the right reasons.
Location: Marylebone
Capacity: 70 guests
3. {10-11} Carlton House Terrace
Understatedly elegant, {10-11} Carlton House Terrace is a classic venue for a wedding, with several beautiful spaces available to host your special day. Opt for a relaxed ceremony in the charming Wolfson Room and Gallery, or an intimate reception in the ornate Music Room, each furnished with chandeliers and huge windows overlooking central London landmarks, The Mall and St James Park.
An ideal balance between traditional and modern, this venue is perfect for a classical ceremony, and if the glass slipper fits, we're sure it'll make your day into a true fairytale.
Location: Westminster
Capacity: 100 guests
4. St Mary's Venue
If a church wedding is on the cards, look no further than St Mary's Venue, a stunning Grade I-listed venue in the centre of Marylebone. Just north of Oxford Street, it takes pride of place on one of the most sought-after postcodes in the city, and its stunning interior more than lives up to the prestige! With plenty of space for the ceremony, reception, and dancing, this venue is a real hidden gem - plus, with customisable LED installations and a fantastic sound system it can be transformed from a beautiful sanctuary in the daytime, to a disco by night, all with the wave of a wand (or the work of the exceptional venue team)!
Location: Marylebone
Capacity: 300 dinner dance
5. Conway Hall
There's one thing that guarantees a night will be unforgettable, and it's how much you spend of it dancing! And at Grade II-listed Conway Hall, dancing the night away is practically required - just look at the dance floor! Home of the London Ethical Society since 1920, this venue has seen its share of flapper days and now, thanks to great acoustics and a beautiful Art Deco design, is a popular choice for beautiful events which stay in guests' minds for a long time.
Location: Holborn
Capacity: 250 buffet; 108 reception
6. The Royal Horseguards Hotel and One Whitehall Place
Royal by name and royal by appearance, the surroundings at the Royal Horseguards Hotel in Westminster are spectacular, with chandeliers, ornate furniture, and gold and red tones giving the setting a distinctly palatial feel. Whether you host your ceremony and reception in the Gladstone Library, surrounded by a wall-to-wall display of old books, or in the impressive Reading and Writing Room, this venue's regal grandeur is sure to set the day off to be a royal success.
Plus, with views over the Thames and London Eye, guests will even get to experience an enviable view of London throughout dinner. Oh - and did we mention that this venue has 277 bedrooms? If you're not ready to finish dancing and head home, there's space for everyone to stay the night and sleep like a king!
Location: Embankment
Capacity: 252 dinner dance
With just a sprinkling of Hire Space magic, we'll make sure your wedding is as memorable as it can be! Just get in touch to find out more about any of these venues or have a browse of some of our other favourites for a special ceremony. Abra-cadabra!
Author
Jessamy Cowie
Jessamy channels her passion for sustainability and cultural events into shining a spotlight on innovation and inspiration in the events world, and heading up Hire Space's sustainability committee.
