From grand livery halls and iconic riverside settings to leafy conservatories and open-air bandstands, London has a wedding backdrop for every style, culture and guest list. We’ve handpicked five standout venues to help you plan a celebration that feels unmistakably yours, whether you’re booking for a client or for your own big day. Need tailored advice? Ask our venue experts and we’ll pair you with the perfect match.
1. Swan at The Globe
If you’re after theatrical romance, Swan at The Globe sets the scene on Bankside with the Thames glittering at your shoulder. The dramatic Underglobe is licensed for ceremonies and designed for spectacle, featuring a sweeping staircase, private mezzanine, stage, dance floor and high-spec sound and lighting – perfect for grand entrances and unforgettable first dances. Host up to 370 for dinner or 450 for a reception in a setting that feels instantly iconic.
For something more intimate, the light-filled Balcony Room offers French windows, a private balcony and postcard views of St Paul’s. Seat up to 70 for the ceremony and wedding breakfast, then welcome 120 for the evening. Seasonal, restaurant-quality menus and a London Bridge location keep logistics effortless, while the expert events team tailor every detail to your day.
Location: Bankside
Capacity: 450 Reception
2. BMA House
Set in literary Bloomsbury, BMA House brings heritage and hush-wows to city weddings. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, this Grade II listed beauty offers statement spaces: say 'I do' in the sunlit Paget Room, host a refined wedding breakfast in the Snow Room with direct access to the Courtyard, or go all-out in the soaring Great Hall for showstopping celebrations.
Two tranquil outdoor settings - a leafy Courtyard and a botanical Garden - make drinks, photos and confetti moments effortless, while excellent AV and step-free access mean every guest is looked after. With capacities up to 200 dining or 320 for a reception, plus Gold Green Tourism accreditation and a stroll from Euston and Russell Square, it's a sustainable, central backdrop that feels as polished as it is personal.
Location: Bloomsbury
Capacity: 320 Reception
3. Plaisterers’ Hall
Steeped in neoclassical splendour, Plaisterers’ Hall brings big‑day grandeur to the city. Licensed for ceremonies, the glittering Great Hall – all soaring ceilings and chandeliers – is a knockout setting for vows and first dances. With exclusive hire, you’ll have the whole venue, so the transition from photos to dinner to dancing is seamless, whether you’re hosting 200 for a refined wedding breakfast or up to 550 for a reception.
Moments from St Paul’s, it suits generous guest lists and multi‑cultural celebrations, with the scale to honour Jewish, African and Asian traditions in style. High‑spec sound and lighting elevate speeches and entertainment, while Company of Cooks delivers restaurant‑quality menus – or the team can work with your preferred caterer. Expect polished planning, a central postcode and a backdrop your photographer will love.
Location: City of London
Capacity: 550 Standing
4. Horniman Museum and Gardens
Set above Forest Hill with 16.5 acres of gardens and skyline views, the Horniman Museum and Gardens offers a storybook backdrop. Exchange vows on the Grade II listed Bandstand – ideal for up to 50 – where open‑air ceremonies come with sweeping lawns and city vistas. For more guests, the Victorian Conservatory brings glasshouse glamour for up to 120, plus exclusive use of its terrace for post‑ceremony fizz and an adjacent Wedding Garden perfect for golden‑hour photos.
The beauty here is choice and flow: say ‘I do’ outdoors, move seamlessly to drinks on the terrace, then dine beneath vaulted glass as dusk falls. Historic character meets modern ease across flexible spaces, so every stage of the celebration feels effortlessly curated and unmistakably you.
Location: Forest Hill
Capacity: 120 Reception
5. 41 Portland Place
In the heart of Marylebone, just moments from Regent’s Park and Oxford Circus, 41 Portland Place offers a Grade II* Georgian townhouse setting that combines timeless elegance with a modern finish. At weekends you can take over the whole house, starting with a sparkling reception in the terrace or Reception Room, before tying the knot in the stately Council Chamber and celebrating with photos on the sweeping front steps.
Designed for intimate occasions, the townhouse accommodates up to 60 for ceremonies, 70 for dining, and 120 for evening parties, with options for rooftop blessings of 30 guests and open-air dining. With its imaginative in-house chefs, romantic period interiors, and the knowledge that your celebration supports the Academy of Medical Sciences, it’s a truly meaningful London wedding venue.
Location: Marylebone
Capacity: 120 Reception
From showstopping livery halls to riverside icons and leafy glasshouses, these five venues prove there’s a London wedding setting for every style, culture and guest list.
Ready to turn inspiration into a plan? Ask our venue experts for tailored recommendations, date checks and quotes, and we’ll line up the perfect shortlist and viewings to bring your day together with ease.
Author
Ell Searles
Ell Searles is a skilled Relationship Manager at Hire Space, with a keen eye for venue finding and event planning. Their expertise ensures flawless and unforgettable experiences for all clients.
