The best wedding venues in London in 2026 are The Savoy and Claridge's for a grand hotel wedding, the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich for a chapel and the Painted Hall, the Natural History Museum for a huge dinner under the whale, and Kew Gardens for a garden wedding.
To marry legally at a London venue, the building must be approved for civil ceremonies, and both of you must give notice at a register office at least 28 days before. Many grand venues do not hold a licence for every room, so ask which spaces are approved before you book. Prices are rarely published: venue hire at museums and palaces is quoted separately from catering by approved caterers, while hotels sell per-head packages.
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1. The Savoy — Strand, Soho & the West End
A legendary riverside hotel with ballrooms for big and small weddings.
$$$$Splurge
The Savoy has hosted weddings for more than a century, with ballrooms and private rooms ranging from intimate dinners to large receptions, and views over the Thames from its river-facing rooms.
It suits couples who want Art Deco glamour in central London and in-house catering and planning.
Good to know: Book the bridal suite with a river view for preparation photos.
A riverside chapel and the Painted Hall, in a World Heritage site.
$$$$Splurge
The Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich offers a chapel for ceremonies and the Painted Hall, with its huge baroque ceiling, for dinners, all set in a World Heritage site on the Thames.
It suits couples who want history and a riverside setting, with Greenwich Park nearby for photographs.
Good to know: Bring guests by Thames Clipper from central London for an arrival they will remember.
Dinner under the blue whale skeleton in Hintze Hall.
$$$$Splurge
The Natural History Museum hosts receptions and dinners after hours, most famously in Hintze Hall under the blue whale skeleton. It is one of London's largest and most dramatic event spaces.
It suits very large, formal weddings. Ask about which spaces are licensed for the ceremony itself.
Good to know: Ask about evening access to galleries as an extra for guests.
Weddings inside the Royal Botanic Gardens, with glasshouses for photos.
$$$$Splurge
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew host weddings in several buildings within the gardens, with Victorian glasshouses and landscaped grounds for photographs.
It suits couples who want greenery without leaving London. Seasonal planting changes the look throughout the year.
Good to know: Plan photographs in the late afternoon for softer light in the glasshouses.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, London TW9 3AE
A Victorian town hall with an industrial-chic east London feel.
$$$Upmarket
Shoreditch Town Hall is a Victorian civic building with a grand assembly hall and a warren of smaller rooms and basement spaces, now run as an arts and events venue.
It suits couples who want a big, characterful party in east London with their own choice of suppliers.
Good to know: Use the basement rooms for an after-party once the main hall is cleared.
9. Banqueting House — Whitehall, Westminster & South Kensington
A royal hall under a Rubens ceiling on Whitehall.
$$$$Splurge
Banqueting House is the last surviving part of the Palace of Whitehall, and its main hall is crowned by a ceiling painted by Rubens. It is run by Historic Royal Palaces and hosts dinners and receptions.
It suits grand, formal weddings with a strong sense of history.
Good to know: Plan photographs on Whitehall and in nearby St James's Park.
It varies hugely. Grand hotels and museums are among the most expensive in the UK, with venue hire and per-head catering quoted separately, while town halls and smaller venues are far cheaper. Ask for a full quote including VAT, service, minimum spend and any late-licence charges.
Can I get legally married at any London venue?
No. Civil ceremonies must take place in approved premises, and in the specific rooms that are licensed. Religious ceremonies follow their own rules. You must give notice of marriage at your local register office at least 28 days before the wedding.
What are the most unusual wedding venues in London?
The Natural History Museum's Hintze Hall, under its blue whale skeleton, is the best known. Shoreditch Town Hall, Battersea Arts Centre and Banqueting House, with its Rubens ceiling, are other memorable choices.
When should I book a London wedding venue?
Twelve to eighteen months ahead for Saturdays between May and September. Friday, Sunday and winter dates are easier to secure and often cheaper.
Where can I hold a garden wedding in London?
Kew Gardens and Hampton Court Palace both host weddings with garden settings, and the Old Royal Naval College has riverside lawns. Have a wet-weather plan, as London summer rain is common.