It's that time of year again! The skies are blue, flowers are blooming, and venues across the country are dusting off their finest crystal. It must be wedding season!
With 73% of UK weddings taking place during the warmer and drier months, it's safe to say that summer venues are on the radar of any happy couple. No doubt you will be weighing up your options: buffet or catered? Indoors or outdoors? There are no wrong answers when planning a wedding - the right thing to do is the right thing for you! But there's no harm in doing some research to scope out what's on the market.
Whether you’re looking for your own dream venue or helping someone else find theirs, Hire Space's list of 9 Dreamy UK Wedding Venues means you’re sure to secure a picture-perfect spot.
Barbican Centre
An iconic building in the heart of the City of London, the Barbican Centre is an incredible location for your big day, with its plant-filled rooftop conservatory offering a totally unique setting for a ceremony and reception. Seriously, how many venues offer an indoor rainforest for your guests to explore and marvel at??
It's also the ideal spot to get everyone feeling summery: with a beautiful glass roof to let in all the light you could ask for, it provides the perfect combination of indoor and outdoor vibes - and if the weather isn't ideal (let's face it, this is Britain), it won't rain on your parade!
Best of all, the photos you take here are guaranteed to be stand-out successes, with tropical plants galore making up an incredible backdrop like no other (not to mention the tropical fish!). All in all, this beautiful oasis is one of the most memorable spots for a wedding you could hope to find in the capital!
Capacity: 150 reception
Location: Barbican
{10-11} Carlton House Terrace
As one of the most fashionable postcodes in London, {10-11} Carlton House Terrace is a must-have on the list of anybody considering a London-based wedding.
{10-11} refers to Carlton House Terrace's twin townhouses which, as they are perfectly situated between the Mall and St James' Park, exude classy London vibes. The whole venue is on offer for exclusive hire, which is plenty of space for a large wedding party! If two whole townhouses is a bit too much space, {10-11} Carlton House Terrace has 10 rooms to cater to all aspects of any wedding.
If you're planning small but don't want to go the registry office route, the Wolfson Room is an idyllic suite perfect for an intimate gathering. Not only does this room seat up to 120, hiring the Wolfson Room also comes with the Gallery for a drinks reception. Alternatively, try the ever-popular Council Room. This beautiful classically decorated space is frequently used for wedding ceremonies and receptions, but can be used for wedding breakfasts too!
Capacity: Up to 200 guests
Location: St James'
RSA House
If you're looking for a venue with versatility, RSA House has it in spades. Whether you are looking for a traditional or modern space, you'll find it here.
Fans of Georgian London's romantic charm will be bowled over by spaces such as The Great Room and The Benjamin Franklin Room. Both rooms boast traditional Georgian decoration and architecture, with muted palettes to suit any wedding's theme. The Great Room is especially awe-inspiring, as its original James Berry Mural is the perfect accompaniment to any formal wedding breakfast.
Couples with urban settings in mind will not want to skip The Vaults at RSA House. These restored river-front warehouses create a spectacular exposed-brick backdrop for ceremonies and intimate receptions. The Vaults look particularly stunning when lit up by RSA House's expert in-house AV technicians.
As RSA House has multiple awards to its name, including its status as a finalist for the UK Wedding Awards, you'll know that your wedding will be in safe hands.
Capacity: Up to 220 guests
Location: Charing Cross
St Mary's Venue
The Auditorium at St Mary's Venue is another Georgian wonder that will wow wedding guests. This grade 1 listed location is as beautiful as it is historical.
Following its £3.7m renovation, St Mary's Venue now offers over 780 square metres of open space, adding to its versatility. Its size makes it perfect for larger wedding parties, as it can host up to 700 guests! The spacious auditorium and access to the Lower Floor makes St Mary's Venue flexible enough to handle all aspects of your big day.
St Mary's Venue also has all the modern necessities a wedding needs for ultimate wow-factor: the site's very own commercial kitchen makes catering large weddings a breeze, and the venue is stunning when lit by its in-house AV system.
Not only is it gorgeous, but St Mary's Venue is also in Zone 1 - which means excellent transport links for your guests! What's not to love?
Capacity: Up to 700 guests
Location: Marylebone
Birch
Situated just an hour outside London, Birch is the picturesque countryside wedding venue of dreams.
Boasting several elegant spaces for a ceremony and reception, as well as endless stunning backdrops for those all-important photographs, this venue is an idyllic setting for a boho wedding. Picture a laid-back dinner in the Evelyn room, evening drinks on the terrace, and dancing in the stunning Lang hall.
Better yet, this beautiful, red-brick Georgian mansion is more than just a pretty face! Alongside housing grounds fit for a period romance, Birch also hosts a working farm which provides fresh ingredients for on-site meals. For the ultimate country charm, farmer Tom can even take your guests on a tour!
This is a venue with wedding weekends in mind, as it has 141 rooms available for guests to stay in. As Birch can host bespoke workshops, pottery classes, yoga sessions, and other activities for your guests, there’s plenty going on to keep everyone entertained over a magical weekend.
Capacity: Up to 160 guests
Location: Waltham Cross
Fulham Palace
Fulham Palace is another venue steeped in historic charm - ideal for a dreamy English wedding. Here you won't need to sacrifice transport links for a country aesthetic, as the Palace's Thames-side location is within easy reach.
This picturesque red-brick country house is perfectly suited to both large indoor and outdoor weddings. Couples hosting their vows indoors have the choice of four dedicated function rooms, all perfectly representing the site's over 1000 year-old history. Planning something more intimate, or a vow renewal? The palace's very own chapel is an idyllic setting for smaller events.
A large draw of Fulham Palace is its gorgeous garden. A major bonus of this outdoors space is its walled-in privacy, meaning that you don't need to worry about the prying eyes of nosy neighbours. The garden is a luxurious open space perfect for hosting an outdoors drinks reception, with the option of cozy seating under the garden's marquees. Not only will your guests adore the outdoor space - your photographer will love the floral photo-ops too!
Why not take advantage of Fulham Palace's bespoke wedding service and skip the typical package wedding? There's everything to gain!
Capacity: Up to 500 guests
Location: Fulham
The Queen's House
If you're looking for something one step away from Buckingham Palace, this is it. As a former palace, the iconic Queen’s House fits the bill perfectly. It boasts not only a royal title, but beautifully ornate rooms and breath-taking vistas across Greenwich Royal Park.
Make your big day unforgettable with a ceremony and reception in the Great Hall, complete with its original marble floor, brilliant views towards the Thames, and high gilded ceilings - truly a backdrop fit for a queen! Intimate ceremonies won't miss out on this marvellous space, as the Orangery and South Parlours offer an elegant and intimate setting which opens on to house's pristine South Lawns for drinks and canapés.
Did we mention that this venue is home to the Tulip Staircase, the most photogenic stairway in existence? Or, that your ceremony will be surrounded by some of the most famous paintings of any British collection?
There’s a wealth of beautiful backdrops to discover at this sovereign-standard venue, and we’re confident that you and your guests will be royally delighted with it!
Capacity: Up to 120 guests
Location: Greenwich
Searcys at The Gherkin
For couples looking for something a little bit different (but equally dreamy), Searcys at The Gherkin might just be the venue for you.
Pairing classy and modern aesthetics with high-end design, you'll wow your guests with an unusually contemporary wedding locale. Treat your guests to vintage wines paired with a gorgeous 360 panoramic view of London's iconic skyline. You'll adore Searcys' modern menu, which will be all the more special for dining in one of London's most famous landmarks.
However, Searcys at The Gherkin is more than a destination wedding venue for gourmet gurus and budding sommeliers. Exclusive hire of the Gherkin's Helix and Iris makes for a stunning and unique backdrop for the most memorable of weddings. What guest is going to forget a ceremony set to London's remarkable sunset skyline?
For dancing, dinner, and drinks with a view, Searcys at The Gherkin is the perfect spot. Oh, and it goes without saying that your guests will have no excuse for running late - the Gherkin is fabulously well connected.
Capacity: Up to 260 people
Location: Central London
Nonsuch Mansion
Wedded to the idea of an English manor-house wedding? Our final entry is perfect for you. Nonsuch Mansion is a country escape in idyllic Surrey - only a short train journey away from London!
Nonsuch Mansion's sprawling 300 acres of land will whisk your guests away into a luscious dreamland. The mansion's aptly named Orchid Room is the stuff dreams are made of. Wide bay windows open up onto the mansion's formal gardens, which is the perfect backdrop to any ceremony or wedding breakfast. This room is where most ceremonies are held, so rest assured that you'll be in Nonsuch Mansion's expert hands.
With a wealth of history and the charm of a country tea-room, your wedding breakfast's setting will be as excellent as the menu. The mansion is owned by Bovingdon's Catering, so your guests will be dining on meals crafted by Michelin-trained chefs.
If you are hunting for a country venue that's just as classy as you, Nonsuch Mansion is your perfect match.
Capacity: Up to 200 guests
Location: Cheam
You've made the Pinterest boards and set the date, now it's time to book your perfect venue! We know that so many people dream of their perfect wedding day, and here at Hire Space we are determined to help you make that happen. If you've spotted a venue in this list that you'd like to know more about, or want some more inspiration, don't hesitate to contact our venue experts or submit an enquiry below.
Author
Catie Owen
From gala dinners to virtual conferences, Catie uses her experience in the hospitality sector and love for writing to highlight the world’s most outstanding venues and virtual events.
