2016 Wedding Guide Part 3: Best London Venues For Large Wedding Events

There’s nothing quite like a big wedding – it’s so exciting and often a once in a lifetime chance to have all your friends and family together in one place at one time.

But obviously with all these people coming to celebrate your special day with you, comes pressure to get it all right. In London there’s such a wide variety of large venues, the options can at first seem daunting, so here are our suggestions for truly special venues for large weddings, each with something individual to make your day truly stand out.

For classic venues that exude elegance and luxury there are several amazing options.

Consider the former Michelin-starred chef Herbert Berger at the Master Innholders Hall, a stunning livery club with its wood panelled Great Room and linked reception areas – the perfect setting for up to 94 guests.

Similarly the In and Out Naval and Military Club is one of those hidden gems in the heart of St James’s that defies time and fashion to deliver a classically elegant event. It holds 84, 120 and 180 in its three largest areas, although there are also several other smaller rooms available.

You may also have missed the Diamond Jubilee Tea Rooms at the top of Fortnum & Mason’s–arguably the most elegant rooms on Piccadilly – the beautiful penthouse tea rooms can be hired for up to 220 guests or the South Salon alone can hold up to 140.

Over in Farringdon, the Bleeding Heart’s myriad of venues has something for everyone – from smaller rooms in the various restaurants to the Crypt in the nearby church for up to 120, which is also possibly the most romantic venue ever for a winter wedding. Exclusive restaurant takeovers are also possible at weekends.

For a more modern feel, Buddha Bar and Mint Leaf and Benares are musts.

The Buddha Bar’s main restaurant can hold up to 160 guests or the venue can be exclusively hired for up to 230 guests, providing two floors of uber-cool space, a stunning staircase, DJ booth, breakout areas and of course award-winning bar and pan-Asian cuisine.

For some of the finest Michelin-starred Indian cuisine in chic surrounds, Benares totally nails it. The ambience created by the low lighting in the bar area with its trickling water features sets the tone for a fabulously unique event for up to 150 as an exclusive hire, that will be only enhanced by the delicious cuisine. In Haymarket, another popular venue for great innovative Indian cuisine is Mint Leaf, which can cater for up to 220 for an exclusive event.

Over in Islington, Fredericks is a long-standing wedding reception favourite with its stunning glass conservatory and enclosed surprise terrace garden. It’s the perfect venue for an indoor wedding that can still make the most of any random sunshine. Exclusive takeovers of this family run venue seat 120.

The first and second floors of Smith’s of Smithfield can hold up to 140 and 130 guests respectively, while the top floor and balcony cater for up to 90, so depending on requirements various options can be hired out for up to 250 guests.

For a truly ‘smashing’ time, we love The Elysee. The Greek restaurant’s fabulous first floor venue comes complete with outside covered terrace (for up to 150 guests standing), the rooms have stunning original features, its own bar and even a chandelier made out of smashed plates. Exclusive hire of the restaurant and private rooms is also available for up to 250 guests.

And finally the River Rooms with their stunning white décor and views over the Thames provide an elegant backdrop that acts as a blank canvas for you to create your own ambience and style for up to 500 guests.