… to want a London pub wedding for less than £10 grand that ticks all the boxes?

[Worried1305]

We’re looking to get married next summer, and really wanted something quite informal for the reception that doesn’t cost the earth! The ceremony is already booked, for somewhere quite central, but it seems like all the venues we are looking at are £12,000 plus. Is this just what a London wedding costs nowadays and I’m hopelessly out of touch? Alternatively, can anyone suggest somewhere nice, north-ish or central?

What we would like:
*Pub grub
*Able to have a band or a DJ, with space for people to dance but also somewhere people can chat and chill when the music is going on
*Plenty of seating - but not reliant on outside space, because we all know you can’t do that in London, even if it is the summer!
*Ideally exclusive use of the venue (but willing to compromise on this if we have to).

All suggestions welcome, as well as a reality check if our budget (ie under £10 grand) is simply unrealistic! Thanks.

Thank you so much everyone, there are some wonderful suggestions here. I have made some enquiries already!

And apologies, I should have said in my original post - it would be for 75 guests.

Look at pubs in the City that would otherwise be closed at the weekend

They will have a lower minimum spend that one that is turning away it’s usual weekend trade to give you exclusive use

Yanbu.

I had a lovely gathering at the crown and greyhound in Dulwich Village. They have a hotel attached too and a short taxi ride to other hotels. Food is nice and they have rooms for hire above the pub for music etc

Pubs in The City often close at the weekend.
If you can guarantee a bath spend I'm sure you'll find one that will open for just you to have an event.

Another vote for the City. The Lamb Tavern is a delightful venue.

www.lambtavernleadenhall.com/weddings/

I got married here www.thepeasant.co.uk/weddings.php

You have the whole pub, we had a DJ and you build your package, drinks, money behind bar etc. The food was incredible and everyone got to order from a choice on the day. We had around 70 guests

We got married at Hackney Town Hall

As other have mentioned we’ve also attended weddings at the Londsborough. Despite living in Stoke Newington We preferred our venue as the eating happened upstairs and then you came downstairs pre/post drink so the space felt larger and there weren’t tables to contend with. Nick the manager is also lovely. To keep costs down further we did our own table flowers and they allowed us in to the venue the day before to make them and they stored them in their fridge. They also set up the room for you on the day of you supplier lights, bunting etc

My husband says the food at the Londesborough is the best wedding food he’s ever had. I doubt it comes cheap though - that pub is all weddings (pre-pandemic) every weekend for about six months of the year.

The Victoria Stakes in Muswell Hill might suit - they do weddings (but not all the time) and the minimum spend on a Saturday is about £5k. Good opportunities for photos in Ally Pally park across the road, too.

Try The Easton in Clerkenwell - gorgeous pub with great food.

www.entertainmentdaily.co.uk/news/get-married-wetherspoons-pub-london-bargain-all-inclusive-price/

Spoons?

Try st Barts brewery by Smithfield’s market

Update - we got married this month at the Dickens Inn, St Katharine’s Dock. The most wonderful venue! Thanks @Needsleep32 who suggested it. Ticked all our boxes except for exclusive use, but there is a separate bar and function room hived off from the pub so it felt like it was “ours” for the day. The sun shone, the food was gorgeous and the staff were lovely. Oh, and we got some great photos next to Tower Bridge. Would 100% recommend!

Oh and @AWorldGoneTopsyTurvy we did also visit and seriously consider The Fable and that is also a fantastic venue, it was our second choice - so thank you!

I love it when someone provides an update! And congratulations 🎉!!!

City is definitely the way to go. I see some people upthread have mentioned the D&D places, they are generally nice, modern venues.

Trading House. Says 60 for seated but if you’re doing less formal pub grub then it’s up to 459 capacity. It’s a nice building and right by Bank tube, could have nice pictures in the Guildhall behind the pub. thetradinghouse.uk.com/private-hire/private-hire-weddings

The Telegraph can seat 90, another one for exclusive weekend use in the same area. www.telegraphmoorgate.co.uk/functions

i didn’t see the update when I posted. Congratulations OP!

Dickens inn is fabulous but it’s can be busy on weekends