Our Guide to London Wedding Reception Centre Hire
London is brimming with ideal reception centres, from historic banqueting suites to modern glass atriums that stream with sunlight. Suppose you’re looking for a reception centre in the UK. In that case, the capital is an easy, well-connected location to host your wedding meal, dancing and evening entertainment. Most of the reception venues mentioned in this guide have licenses for ceremonies, or they work well as the counterpart to a church or Registry ceremony.
Perhaps you’re looking for a vast hall, where dry hire is available, and you can go to town with the wedding reception aesthetic. If so, we highly recommend The Brewery as your London wedding reception centre. Its biggest indoor venue, The Porter Tun, features exposed brick walls, ultra-high ceilings and historic beams from its former days as a working brewery. It’s famous for Asian weddings and Jewish weddings due to the large capacity allowance.
Speaking of Asian weddings, The Royal Lancaster is a fantastic wedding reception centre choice in London. Situated next to Hyde Park, it’s a massive event facility where two ballrooms have space for hundreds of seated guests. Featuring drop chandeliers, colour changing LEDs and moveable walls to adjust the area as needed, it’s a versatile and grand option for weddings. For more package and pricing information, head to the Royal Lancaster venue profile.
Venue Specialist Tip No. 1: Livery Halls Have a Dose of History
London is home to several awe-inspiring Livery Halls, which were once halls for various craft and trade associations in the City of London. Given their age and prestige, the buildings are steeped in splendour. Take Drapers’ Hall, a magnificent wedding space with a dramatic Livery Hall. Your guests will marvel at the 28 marble columns and beautiful paintings above. Check out the Drapers’ Hall brochure here.
Ironmongers’ Hall is another excellent wedding reception centre in London. Built-in the 1920s, it’s like stepping back in time. The majestic hall features wall panelling and period furniture, which makes it feel like a country manor. If you’d like a cosy candlelit banquet or a royal-themed reception, this is the place to be. Read the Ironmonger’s Hall brochure for details.
Finally, Plaisterers’ Hall is a hidden gem in the City of London. It’s a neoclassical building with two large halls and break out areas that double up as bridal changing rooms. It’s known to be the largest Livery Hall in London, with 12 foot high chandeliers, regal interiors and a lavish atmosphere. Its customisable lighting and Bose sound system are other built-in benefits.
Venue Specialist Tip No. 2: Reception Centres Have Versatile Event Spaces
Some couples prefer venues that leave room for creativity. If you’d like a space that has a spacious and versatile room that you can make your own, we’d suggest booking a reception centre like the Grand Connaught Rooms in central London. This palatial building is for event use only, and the complex spans multiple floors of desirable wedding spaces. The piece de resistance is the Grand Hall, with its jaw-dropping arched ceiling, crystal chandeliers and Art Deco appeal. To find out more information, visit the Grand Connaught Rooms venue profile.
In St James’s, the magnificent 116 Pall Mall forms a part of the exemplary architecture. If you’d like an elegant wedding reception that feels like a palace, this Georgian building is a great option. Inside, there are a variety of drawing rooms that feature period paintings, regal carpets and views over towards The Mall. There’s also an outdoor garden which you can hire privately.
Are you dreaming of a country wedding reception centre in the UK? De Vere Wokefield Estate is a fairy tale Victorian manor in Berkshire. Set in 250 acres of manicured gardens with a lake, the photo opportunities here are endless. The grounds comprise the main mansion house and the state-of-the-art Wokefield Place, where you’ll find a total of 34 event spaces. The Wokefield Place is the newest function room, with modern amenities, desirable outlooks and a capacity of up to 500 guests — what’s not to love! Check out the Wokefield Estate brochure.
Venue Specialist Tip No. 3: Hotel Accommodation Is An Added Bonus
If your London wedding reception is due to finish on or after midnight, choosing a venue with accommodation on-site makes everything easier. Your guests are likely to stay longer, as they won’t be thinking about the logistics of getting home. Places like The Waldorf Hilton have a magical wedding feel. Its Palm Court is a bright and uplifting space with marble floors and ornate railings. Next door, the Adelphi Suite is another plush ballroom for wedding receptions.
Another 5-star hotel that’s popular for wedding receptions is Sofitel St James. Decorated in the hotel brand’s signature French style, the event suite on the lower ground floor is a vision of elegance. You can have the entire floor exclusively and arrive via the private entrance on Waterloo Place. There’s space to mingle, dine and dance the night away. To book your viewing and check out the hotel room discounts, download the Sofitel St James wedding brochure.
Venue Specialist Tip No. 4: Waterfront Reception Centres Have Incredible Views
London’s River Thames is an iconic feature of the capital. If you can see the water from your chosen reception venue, it makes a sensational photo backdrop for your wedding album. VenueCrew are the experts when it comes to finding your perfect waterfront wedding venue.
East Wintergarden is a highly rated wedding reception centre. Based in Canary Wharf, this colossal glass complex stands out along the riverfront. There are three primary event spaces here, called The Main Hall, The Gallery and The Promenade Room. You can create a different experience in each space, or use the smaller rooms for storage and changing areas.
Venue Specialist Tip No. 5: Call VenueCrew For A Free Consultation
Are you tired of scrolling through the search engines for your perfect venue, or you’ve lost count of unsuccessful wedding venue viewings? You’ve found the right page — VenueCrew is here to help! You can call us for free consultations about the type of wedding day in London you’re dreaming of. Once we’ve discussed your capacity, ideal date and style, we’ll get to work and deliver you a bespoke list of wedding reception centres in London and the UK. Call a London Venue Specialist today .