Ask The Experts: The Best Wedding Venues in London With Outside Space

This afternoon we are looking at wedding venues, specifically those in London. Now choosing your wedding venue will probably be the first job on your wedding planning to do list and it’s the venue that will set the tone for the rest of the wedding. More and more often I am seeing couples wanting to incorporate outdoor space into their wedding, whether it be to hold an outdoor ceremony, drinks outside, or the full reception, outdoor weddings are becoming more and more popular. Whether it’s a lush garden, lawn, courtyard, patio or roof terrace, venturing outside is a sure-fire way to make the most of your chosen location (not to mention the decoration possibilities…) When you’re considering the costs of venues london hire in Central London, it is important to keep your budget on track and never be tempted by higher-priced options.

That said, searching for such a venue in London is no mean feat. As much as we love a sophisticated townhouse setting in the heart of the metropole, the busy streets and back-to-back buildings can make it tricky to find a venue with outdoor space. So, we sat down with London wedding venue experts, eve, for some insider favourites. Inspiration boards ready?

Read on to see their favourite wedding venues in London with outdoor space.

BMA House

BMA House is Bloomsbury’s best kept secret. Behind the red brick walls lies a wedding venue that puts contemporary opulence at the heart of everything it does. The building is Grade II-listed, and offers four rooms to pick from. For large ceremonies, the Great Hall – featuring high ceilings and Corinthian columns – can accommodate 200 guests. The Prince’s Room, on the other hand, lends itself to intimate gatherings of up to 60, with gold detailing, crystal chandeliers, and plenty of eye-catching period details.

Likewise, when it comes to outdoor spaces, BMA House doesn’t disappoint! Take the Courtyard, for example: its feature fountain and gold-tipped memorial gates make arrival at the venue an event in its own right. However, if we had to pick a favourite, The Botanical Garden tops our list. It’s truly romantic – think lily pond, lanterns, and vibrant flora – and, with a terrace and patio area set amongst the greenery, we think it’s a veritable oasis, made for the photo album.

Old Royal Naval College

Set on the banks of the River Thames (forget horse-drawn carriage – why not arrive by boat?), Old Royal Naval College is a London wedding venue designed for maximum impact. It’s a British landmark: the site is home to the renowned Painted Hall (so spectacular, it’s been dubbed “Britain’s Sistine Chapel”), Admiral’s House, and the vaulted Queen Mary Undercroft – all in all, a fittingly showstopping setting for the most important day of your life.

ORNC’s emphasis on personalised service is also worth nothing. They work alongside some of the country’s best suppliers to help make your wedding vision a reality. The venue is licensed to hold up to 300 guests, and – if you’re not sold already – comes with access to riverside grounds overlooking the city skyline.

The Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn

Gray’s Inn is a wedding venue that is every bit as beautiful as it is prestigious. Its spaces include an Elizabethan Hall, the bright and airy Large Pension Room, and an incredible five acres of landscaped greenery. Behind the entrance gates lies the largest private garden in London – a verdant retreat from the bustle of the city – with the option to hire a luxury marquee in the summer months. There’s more! Gray’s Inn offers bespoke wedding packages to ensure the experience is entirely unique to you, from the ceremony itself (the venue is licensed for weddings and civil partnerships up to 180 guests) to the drinks reception, wedding breakfast to evening entertainment.

RSA House

For a quintessentially London wedding, RSA House ticks every box. The venue is all about inner city glamour: situated in the middle of London’s West End, it’s licensed to hold civil ceremonies and receptions, and boasts 11 stunning spaces available for hire.

What’s more, each room is totally unique, allowing you to tailor the space to the occasion. The Benjamin Franklin Room’s white-washed walls and floor-to-ceiling windows create a timelessly elegant backdrop, whilst the brick Vaults – decked out with state-of-the-art sound systems and lighting – are a party-perfect setting for dancing the night away. The Great Room takes guests back in time with 18^th century murals lining the walls; outside, the stone walkway is ideal for confetti-showered photoshoots and stylish receptions. Why pick one space when you can have them all? Hire the lot and make RSA House home for the day!

The Royal Society

If location is important, you can’t get more centrally located than The Royal Society’s flagship venue. Overlooking St James’s Park and The Mall – iconic, tree-lined, and a feature in and of itself – the building’s Georgian architecture makes an unforgettable first impression. Moreover, the venue is incredibly versatile: its twelve spaces can accommodate anything from intimate groups of 10 all the way up to a staggering 800 guests, and, with additional access to an outdoor terrace, you’ll have space to spare. The Royal Society is also a registered charity; when you choose this venue, you’ll be supporting the UK’s National Academy of science, too.

Ironmongers Hall 

Inspired by Tudor architecture – and with a rich history to boot: the Ironmongers Livery Company is over 700 years old! – Ironmongers’ Hall is an impressive wedding venue minutes from Barbican underground station. Indoors, its stained-glass windows and high ceilings make for a magnificent setting; step outside, and you’ll discover an enclosed courtyard, complete with fountain, trailing plants, and exposed brickwork – the perfect backdrop for photographs. If your guestlist is adding up, fear not. The vast banqueting hall seats up to 220 guests, and, with its chandeliers and oak-panelled walls, you and your guests can raise a glass and celebrate in heraldic splendour.

Dartmouth House

With its marble staircase, bright natural light and beautiful, rococo interiors, Dartmouth House is one for lovers of classical elegance. Here, you’ll find all the sophistication of a French chateau right in the middle of London – just off Berkeley Square – in the form of a Grade II-listed building. Dartmouth House’s courtyard is equally impressive (parfait for canapés and drinks receptions); the space features marble flagstones, fountain, wrought iron tables and chairs, with room for up to 150 guests. Plus, the venue comes with an in-house wedding coordinator, to help you with everything from custom menus right down to those all-important finishing touches. C’est bon!

So are you planning an outdoor wedding? If so I wold love to know where you have booked. Are you holding the ceremony outside, the drinks? or the full thing? I would love to hear about your plans. Feel free to comment below.

All images credited to eve.

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