london venue help

North, South, East, West, Central or any of the above?

Anywhere in central london ideally, or alternatively south/south west?

Have you thought of art galleries? Not sure if they have licences (guessing not) but Dulwich picture gallery is lovely. May be able to get married near by and then go there.

Hi

We looked at some London venues when we were first engaged, but the decided on a venue in Hertfordshire (where Im originally from) that we both fell in love with. Generally we found the West End hotels more expensive, as you would expect, but the Canary Wharf/ Docklands ones more reasonable. Of course everyone's idea of reasonable is different, but here are ones I looked at:

The Grange City Hotel near Tower Hill is nice, but it doesnt do civil ceremonies, only reception. I know you said South but since Im the other side of London we looked at some in East London that were also nice, the Four Seasons in Docklands, I think, looks over the river by canary wharf. I think there is also a reasonably priced Hilton near there.

Coq d'argent restaurant near Bank does receptions. One of my ex- bosses got married there some years ago and said it was quite good value because the City is dead on a weekend. I've never been there for a wedding, just lunch, but it does have a fab roof terrace.

My cousin got married at the weekend. She had the ceremony at Islington town hall in a beautiful room (apparently lots of celebs have got married there), then the reception was at 1 Lombard Street. I know NOTHING about the price, but it was stunning!!

Hi there Caroline,

If you're looking for the perfect London venue for a wedding, I can't recommend 1 Lombard Street Restaurant Bar and Brasserie highly enough. A good friend had her reception there last year and the setting was fabulous - very gracious Grade II-listed features, an amazing domed ceiling and circular bar and plenty of room for dinner and dancing. I know it wasn't as expensive as other venues she was looking at and the location is amazing - right in the heart of the City. Another plus is it stays open 'til 1am - a real bonus.

Hope that helps

S/SW - Fulham Palace and then walk across the bridge to the Star & Garter in Putney? Went to a great wedding doing just that.

Plenty of the nice bars are shut in the city at weekends making them perfect to hire for a private function.

If you've got a decent amount of money to throw at it I'd suggest Home House or Club Eight. Both of those are great.

Hi Caroline,

We looked at Somerset House, St Mary's Axe (The Gherkin) and The Star and Garter. Loved the Gherkin, the views are spectacular but I didnt love the layout of the room so much, purely personal - photos of weddings I have seen there were amazing.

We eventually went with One Marylebone which I think is fab - however our wedding isnt til April so I cant tell you how fab !

good luck - ps If you are looking south of the river Greenwich has some beautiful venues

Susyq