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London reception venues - any recommendations?

41 replies

beigeslippers · 14/12/2013 18:26

Got engaged in June but haven't moved an inch in terms of planning a wedding. After lots of chat with fiancée, have narrowed it down to a simple format of registry office with the family then a reception venue afterwards with everyone. Has anyone been to any weddings recently which has stood out? Venues/ restaurants/ spaces all welcome...preferably in London please. Thanks x

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TondelayoSchwarzkopf · 14/12/2013 18:33

Can you narrow it down? Rough location, size, budget all would help.

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AndIFeedEmGunpowder · 14/12/2013 18:36

If you want somewhere quirky and central the union club is fun.

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eurochick · 14/12/2013 18:36

Some idea of budget and size would help.

We looked at Dulwich Picture Gallery and loved it but it would have swamped our relatively small wedding.

A friend had her reception at the Trafalgar Tavern in Greenwich (overlooks the river).

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beigeslippers · 14/12/2013 18:58

Party size will be 80 guests, with a budget of around £15k. Location wise, anywhere south east (Greenwich, Blackheath etc) or south west London (Fulham, clapham etc) would be nice. I'm not sure how many places we could get in Central London given our budget.

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bruffin · 14/12/2013 19:00

There are some garden behind the Phoenix theatre in Charing Cross Road which i think you can hire for a wedding. I think there was a wedding there when we walked past one day. Its a bit different phoenix gardens

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PartyFops · 14/12/2013 19:01

The Trafalgar tavern is lovely, in Greenwich, right on the thames next to the Naval College. We got married there, we had the smaller room which has a little night club room downstairs. They have other rooms, its stunning and will be well within budget i'm sure.

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extracrunchy · 14/12/2013 19:05

Ooh we got married at the RSA on the Strand (Royal Society of Arts) in their vaults. It's all candlelit with old brick arch ceilings and really pretty good value. Loved it! Smile

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eurochick · 14/12/2013 19:09

There are quite a few venues around Greenwich. The Naval College is lovely. I'm not sure if you can also get married in the Queen's House (the collonade is great for photos). In addition to the Picture Gallery in Dulwich, there is also Dulwich College and another manor house type place (we viewed it but I can't recall the name now), so a few options around there.

Most venues are licensed to carry out civil ceremonies too, so guests don't have to be moved around London. You might want to consider this, rather than a register office for the ceremony.

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beigeslippers · 14/12/2013 19:11

Thanks for your suggestions.The trafalgar tavern looks nice, love the fact it's on the river! Phoenix gardens - never knew about this little patch, certainly different and like it for central-ness.

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HotelTangoFoxtrotUniform · 14/12/2013 19:22

We went to a wonderful wedding here recently. It was lit with about a million candles and was just lovely. Really unusual and special.

Have you thought about restaurants? Many, particularly (though not exclusively) in the city, are available for private hire at the weekends for just a minimum spend and no hire charge. We had a smaller reception in a restaurant near Victoria with a minimum spend requirement which was fab and our original plans were a city restaurant which also had no hire charge.

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beigeslippers · 14/12/2013 19:28

Eurochick - is that the Rangers House you're thinking of? We came across it whilst on a walk around Blackheath, it's one of these English heritage properties. Will look into combining registrar with venue too - thanks.

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Gumps · 14/12/2013 19:30

The Bingham in Richmond is lovely. As is the venue in Richmond Park, sorry forgotten what it's called.

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beigeslippers · 14/12/2013 19:37

Ooh that's a good idea about city & restaurants, which place in Victoria did you use if you don't mind me asking?

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ScottishDiblet · 14/12/2013 19:38

Gumps is thinking of petersham lodge in Richmond park. It's fab. You might want to look at ceremony in Fulham registry office, then wedding in Fulham palace. Of you're looking south east look at eltham palace.

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MumOfTheMoos · 14/12/2013 19:39

We looked at the Dulwich picture gallery but the caterers attached to the cafe were appalling and it was going to end up costing more than Claridgres!

In the end we went to the mandarin oriental Hyde park.

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beigeslippers · 14/12/2013 19:44

Just flashed mandarin oriental in front of fiancée (still hate using that term?!) and he goes 'yep that's great..' Lol

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AntoinetteCosway · 14/12/2013 19:55

Templeton House in Roehampton is lovely. Went there for a wedding a few years ago. Gorgeous grounds and beautiful old house.

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AntoinetteCosway · 14/12/2013 19:57

www.templetonestate.co.uk/index.html

Actually, looks like a private residence now so maybe they don't allow weddings anymore.

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AntoinetteCosway · 14/12/2013 19:57
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Manchesterhistorygirl · 14/12/2013 19:58

My friend is a London wedding photographer and he's been to lots of different venues and they are all pictured and blogged on his website. That might give you some ideas. I don't think I can advertise for him on here, but if you pm me I can link you his webpage.

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Taffeta · 14/12/2013 19:59

Awww we got married at the Trafalgar Tavern. Gorgeous, thoroughly recommend.

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ScottishDiblet · 14/12/2013 20:11

Mumofthemoos we got married at the mandarin too! Did Kelly Hunt organise your wedding? She is amazing isn't she? I think our wedding was the best one we've been to (!) - amazing food and venue!

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MumOfTheMoos · 14/12/2013 20:22

Ah, Scottishdiblet, I don't remember that it was Kelly Hunt but as a venue I wouldn't have changed a thing! We actually got married in the room that opens out onto the garden on the park and then had our meal in a lovely room at the front. Everything was perfect and I loved it!

I loved coming up from the 'royal' gate in the park!!!

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Gooseysgirl · 14/12/2013 20:25

We attended a wedding at the Soho Hotel (Richmond Mews in Central London) a couple of years ago and we thought it was fab! Not sure if they can take 80 though but well worth a look..

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ScottishDiblet · 14/12/2013 21:30

Oh Mumofthemoos that room is just stunning - we had some photos in there (is it called the loggia room?) and it is just so beautiful. I didn't arrive by the royal entrance but we had group photos out there on a red carpet and people in the park waved and said hello! It was so lovely. Best day ever (until our daughter was born 51 weeks later!). Thank you for reminiscing with me! OP do keep us updated with your planning. And good luck with it all!

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