How to choose the perfect London wedding venue 2018
It’s more complicated than simply looking for a ‘fantastic’ venue
‘The most experienced planners and caterers know the venues best’
Start with people who know what they are doing
The Admirable Crichton has been around since 1981 and we have never let the grass grow under our feet. Know for being much more than a traditional wedding planner and caterer, we are famed for our innovation, always doing something a little out of the ordinary to surprise our couples and keep the rest of the industry on its toes.
AC weddings are famed for:
- a friendly, knowledgeable plannerWedding bouquets in venues
- incredible venues/knowledge
- innovative design
- meticulous planning
- unforgettable food – click here for a sample menu
- fabulous service
- sensible pricing
- excellence in all things
So what do I need to consider when choosing wedding venues?
Good wedding planners or event specialist will have a long list of questions to determine which venue will fit your plans best.
Questions such as:-
How many guests? – a rough idea of guest numbers is needed, as there is nothing sadder than a half-empty or over-stuffed venue
Venue with or without a wedding license – not all venues have a wedding or civil ceremony license, so a church or registry office is sometimes also required
Look and feel – are you planning a ‘theme’? We aren’t talking about ‘Harry Potter or Downton Abbey’, (although it has been known of course), but perhaps formal, country, quirky or relaxed
Style of catering–will there be a sit-down meal, BBQ, drinks and canapé reception etc? Sample menu link
Accommodation and transport –is this required at or nearby the venue? Will guests need to come from abroad
Finishing times – some venues are more time restrictions than others
Budget–probably the most essential and annoying question of all, but one that we cannot avoid.
Chelsea Physic Garden
Chelsea Physic Garden is the ideal venue for many special occasions, especially weddings. The tranquil garden is perfect for pre-wedding breakfast drinks and canapés and buffets in the summer months. The entire site is available to hire exclusively, and areas can also be booked separately.
Why Chelsea Physic Garden is one of our top wedding venues
- It seems like a country venue but it is tucked away in London Chelsea Physic garden bridge.wedding venues
- We create a beautiful marquee (a marquee is mandatory)
- The style can be casual or formal dependent on marquee style
- The garden is for your wedding exclusively
- The horticulture is stunning
- Click here to see our suggested menus
Conservatory Syon House
The Conservatory at Syon House justifiably holds an incredibly high reputation for hosting unforgettable wedding celebrations. No sooner do the eyes fall on its beauty, it is love at first sight.
Why The Conservatory, Syon House is one of our top wedding venues
- Stunningly beautiful
- The conservatory is a blank canvas for any style
- 2 separate areas for canapes and dinners
- The house is very grand and little decoration is required
- Location only 30 mins from London on the M4
- A hotel is right next door
- Late license available
- Click here to see our suggested menus
Foundling Museum
The Foundling Museum is not only beautiful but has an incredible history. It is a registered charity and was originally the Foundling Hospital, the UK’s first children’s charity and first public art gallery. Income from venue hire supports its work with marginalised and care-experienced children.
Click here to discover more about the history of The Foundling Museum
Why The Foundling Museum is one of our top wedding venues
- Unique, hidden gem
- Historic venue
- Beautiful art collections
- Not much decoration required – venue speaks for itself
- Perfect for classical music lovers – Handel’s piano is here
- Central, easy located
- On-street parking
- Very license available
- Click here to see our suggested menus
Harrow School
Historic Harrow School is home to some stunning venue spaces. Its North-West London location is set in 250 acres and eight beautiful venues can be used to help create your special day. Four spaces are licensed for civil wedding and a flexible combination of venues is ideal for 5 up to 550 guests.
Why Harrow School is one of our top wedding venues
- Late license available
- A popular location for Asian weddings or larger dinners
- It’s like getting married on a film set – it’s been used for Harry Potter and others
- Great scope for decoration
- Beautiful outdoor space overlooking London
- A mix of traditional and modern spaces for hire
- A mix of traditional and modern spaces for hire
- Click here to see our suggested menus
Hurlingham Club
The Hurlingham Club is a private members club in London’s Fulham and is renowned for its impeccably high standards. The Palm Court, with its stunning glass domed ceiling, is a light, airy and sophisticated backdrop to a memorable wedding breakfast. The views of the river Thames and the magnificent 42 acres of grounds stun all those who see it and are a wedding photographers dream come true and is fully licensed for civil ceremonies.
Why The Hurlingham Club is one of our top wedding venue
- Late license until 1 am
- Stunning outdoor space
- Versatile indoor space
- Hidden London gem in a fashionable location
- Prestigious members club
- Licensed for civil ceremonies
- Click here to see our suggested menus
For more detailed information about The Hurlingham Club visit our website
Middle Temple
Located in the heart of London’s legal quarter, Middle Temple Hall is one of the four ancient Inns of Court. Just a few minutes from Fleet Street, The Strand and Embankment it overlooks the river Thames.
Why Middle Temple is one of the great corporate venues in London
- It is steeped in history
- Has a lovely outdoor summer area for a drinks and canape reception
- Your dinner will be in a beautiful marquee in the garden
- The hall, gardens and drawing rooms are included
- Central location
- Easy access to nearby hotels and transportation
- Views of the River Thames
- This venue is in the unique position to be able to set their late licenses
- Click here to see our suggested menus
Serpentine Sackler Gallery
The grade II listed Serpentine Sackler Gallery is a new landmark cultural destination, a short walk from the original Serpentine Gallery. The arrival of the uniquely designed Serpentine Pavilion is one of the highlights of the summer season and is available for weddings during the summer and into early autumn.
Why The Serpentine Gallery is one of our top wedding venues
- This venue is great for a post-ceremony
- drink reception or early evening dinner for small numbers
- Great for a low-key, casual, arty couples
- The summer pavilion is a unique place for a small dinner – it changes each summer. Click here for 2018
- Click here to see our suggested menus
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Victoria and Albert Museum
The Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington, is the world’s largest museum of decorative arts and design, housing a permanent collection of over 4.5 million objects. It was founded in 1852 and named after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. The Raphael Gallery, John Madejski Garden, Dorothy and Michael Hintze Sculpture Galleries and The Dome are all perfect for weddings.
Why The Victoria and Albert Museum is one of our top wedding venues
- Late license until 1 am
- Grand entrance
- Fantastic gardens for good weather but equally beautiful spaces for wet weather
- Different spaces for varying amounts of peoples
- Beautiful in itself so little decoration is required
- The wedding party can move from space to space for different elements of the reception
- A spectacular venue for Asian weddings and larger dinners
- Central location
- Historic and highly prestigious
- Click here to see our suggested menus
Royal Hospital Chelsea
This is s a stylish and central location for memorable weddings. It nestles on the banks of the Thames in the heart of one of London’s most fashionable districts. The Royal Hospital Chelsea is a unique venue offering a number of historic and beautiful spaces to hire both inside and out. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren, the Grade I heritage site is a spectacular venue for daytime and evening entertainment. All proceeds of weddings are re-invested into the care of the famous scarlet-coated Chelsea Pensioners.
Why Royal Hospital Chelsea is one of our top wedding venues
- The wedding ceremony can be celebrated in the stunning chapel up to 400 guests
- Stunning gardens of Figure Court for photography and receptions
- Choir and organist available for hire
- Central location
- State apartments or Great Hall for dinners under 270
- Venues own stylish wooden tables and chairs are included
- Marquees in Ranelagh Gardens for numbers up to 400
- Click here to see our suggested menus
Wallace Collection
The Wallace Collection is a national museum containing unsurpassed displays of French 18th-century art, furniture and porcelain. Situated off London’s busy Oxford Street, Hertford House, home to the Wallace Collection, is a spectacular setting for entertaining and can host a variety of events.
Why The Wallace Collection is one of our top wedding venues
- The collections are outstanding and create a fantastic backdrop, making it easy to dress
- Three varied spaces – The Courtyard and the Drawing rooms and The Great Gallery
- Great location
- Late license until 1 am
- The Courtyard is a blank canvas
- Click here to see our suggested menus
Old Billingsgate
A London Landmark rising from the banks of the River Thames, in the heart of the City, stands a striking historic building which is part of London’s heritage – Old Billingsgate. The Grand Hall is Old Billingsgate’s largest space, boasting a stunning triple-height ceiling and a feature mezzanine and can easily accommodate 3000 guests for a reception.
Why Old Billingsgate is one of our top wedding venues
- Late license available
- Popular for Asian weddings and large numbers
- A blank canvas for innovative design and decoration
- Perfect for a big showpiece wedding
- Many different spaces available for hire
- Stunning Thames-side location with spectacular views
- River-view terrace is perfect for drinks receptions
- Great, central location
- Many hotels nearby
- Click here to see our suggested menus
Dulwich College
The historic buildings of Dulwich College, founded in 1619, provide a striking backdrop for every occasion. Set in 70 acres of leafy grounds, the College feels part of the countryside yet remains conveniently located for quick access to central London.
Why Dulwich College is one of our top wedding venues
- A country location within London
- Beautiful gardens
- Get married on a film-set – it’s featured in many films
- Cost-effective hire
- Multiple spaces available
- A mix of traditional and modern spaces for hire
- Click here to see our suggested menus
A big ‘thank you’
Thank you for reading our wedding venues blog. We have other venues around London that may be suitable for your wedding, so please feel free to speak to us if you have alternative ideas.
10% discount
Of course, the kind of thanks we all love best is a discount or special offer. In thanks for reading our blog, we would like to offer you a 10% discount on food and drink for any new wedding booking for August to December 2018. Just quote code WED10% in your initial communication with us.
Future blogs
We plan to write a follow-on blog soon about wedding venues outside of London, so watch this space.
Contact us
We hope you have found this information helpful and would love to help you find perfect wedding venues as well as help you with your wedding planning, catering and design. Call or email us for a chat.
For more information about how The AC can help you arrange a party at this outstanding venue, contact Team AC: www.admirable-cricton.co.uk
Email:parties@admirable-crichton.co.uk Phone:020 7326 390