Unique wedding venues in London
A law court, a cathedral crypt, an Elizabethan hall, a glass dome at the top of a skyscraper, two members' clubs and a dance school. Eleven venues, all of them places I have photographed a wedding myself.
Most lists of unique London wedding venues are written by people who have never stood in the rooms. This one is different in one way: every venue on it is somewhere I've photographed a wedding myself.
They're not hotels. They're a law court, a cathedral, an Elizabethan hall, a livery hall, a glass dome at the top of a skyscraper, two members' clubs, two historic houses, a botanic garden and a dance school. What they have in common is that the building does half the work in the photographs. For each one I've said what it's like, who can actually marry there (some are more restricted than you'd think), and linked to the wedding or guide on this site.
The Gherkin, Middle Temple and the Oriental Club, all from weddings I've photographed.
Historic halls and a law court
Royal Courts of Justice, Strand
The Victorian Gothic law courts on the Strand, designed by George Edmund Street and opened by Queen Victoria in 1882. The Great Hall is the reason to book it: a vaulted stone hall that looks more like a cathedral than a court, and it takes on an evening event very well once the lawyers have gone home.
I photographed Navid and Roujin's Iranian wedding here, including their sofreh ceremony. See Navid and Roujin's wedding.
Middle Temple Hall
An Elizabethan hall, built between 1562 and 1573, tucked away between Fleet Street and the Embankment. It has a double hammer-beam roof, heraldic stained glass, and a High Table made from single oak planks from Windsor Forest. Shakespeare's Twelfth Night was first performed here in 1602. Outside, the Temple's courtyards, Gothic doorways and gardens down to the river are some of the best quiet portrait spots in central London.
I photographed Chetna and Rakesh's Indian wedding at Middle Temple.
Stationers' Hall
One of the City's livery halls, in a courtyard off Ave Maria Lane just behind St Paul's. The hall was rebuilt after the Great Fire, with a carved oak screen and tall stained-glass windows, and there's a small garden for drinks. It's a good fit for a church ceremony nearby followed by a reception a short walk away.
I photographed Derri and Erica's reception at Stationers' Hall, and there's a fuller Stationers' Hall guide.
A cathedral
St Paul's Cathedral
The most unusual on the list, because most people can't marry here. Weddings take place in the Chapel of the Order of the British Empire in the crypt, and are open only to members of the Order of the British Empire, the Order of St Michael and St George, the Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor, holders of the British Empire Medal, and their children, plus some members of the cathedral community. You need a Special Licence from the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the cathedral says the wait is currently two to three years.
If you are eligible, it's extraordinary. I photographed Sam and Matt Wilson's wedding at St Paul's in 2026, and years earlier Julie and Tony's, with their reception at the RAF Club.
Something modern
The Gherkin
The glass dome at the top of 30 St Mary Axe, run by Searcys. You're above almost everything in the City, with the diamond pattern of the glass over your head and London in every direction. At dusk, when the lights come on across the city, it's one of the most striking rooms in London for photographs.
I've photographed weddings at the top of the Gherkin. My Gherkin wedding guide covers it in more detail.
Laban, Deptford
The Laban building on Deptford Creek, home of Trinity Laban's dance school, designed by Herzog & de Meuron (the architects of Tate Modern). The outside is wrapped in coloured translucent panels, and inside there are walls in bold pinks and greens. Not what anyone expects from a wedding, which is exactly the point.
I photographed Victoria and Brian's wedding at Laban.
Members' clubs
The Oriental Club, Mayfair
A members' club in Stratford House, an 18th-century townhouse at the end of Stratford Place, a quiet cul-de-sac just off Oxford Street. Grand drawing rooms, chandeliers and a courtyard that lights up beautifully after dark. You'll normally need a connection to a member, so ask about that first.
I photographed Kasia and Kireth's wedding at the Oriental Club.
The Hurlingham Club, Fulham
A private members' club in acres of grounds on the Thames in Fulham, with a Georgian clubhouse and lawns that feel like a country house in the middle of London. Like the Oriental Club, you'll usually need a member to sponsor your booking.
I photographed Inja and Tunde's wedding at the Hurlingham Club.
Houses and gardens
Kenwood House, Hampstead
An English Heritage house on the edge of Hampstead Heath, with white stucco walls and rolling lawns. English Heritage offers weddings of up to 200 guests, using the kitchen garden with a tipi or marquee in the summer months. It feels a long way from the city, and it isn't.
I photographed Joshua and Hannah's wedding at Kenwood House.
Syon Park
The London home of the Dukes of Northumberland, owned by the Percy family since 1594, on the Thames near Brentford. The Great Conservatory, built by Charles Fowler in 1826, is the headline space: a glass and stone dome that is lovely for a ceremony.
My Syon Park guide covers the rooms, the light and how the day runs.
Kew Gardens
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, with ceremonies in the Nash Conservatory and larger celebrations in the Temperate House in summer. Between the glasshouses, the Palm House pond and Kew Palace, you can go a long way for portraits without leaving the gardens.
I photographed Maryam and Haddi's wedding at Kew, and the guide covers the spaces.
The Royal Courts of Justice, Syon Park and Kew Palace in Kew Gardens.
Choosing an unusual venue
A few things I have learned from photographing weddings in buildings that were not designed for them.
- Check who can marry there.Cathedrals and members' clubs often have rules about eligibility or sponsorship. Find out before you fall in love with the place.
- Check whether the ceremony can happen on site.Some of these hold a legal ceremony, others are for the celebration afterwards. A register office or church ceremony first works well with most of them.
- Ask about the light after dark.Historic halls can be very dim once the daylight goes. A glass dome or a conservatory is the opposite. Either is fine, as long as you know which you're getting.
- Think about the walk.Several of these are close to good portrait spots: the Temple gardens, St Paul's, the Heath. Ten minutes outside gives you pictures that look nothing like the rest of the day.
My prices are the same whichever venue you choose, and they're all on my prices page. For a smaller wedding with a register office ceremony, hourly coverage may be all you need.
Unique London wedding venue questions
What are some unique wedding venues in London?
Some of the most unusual I've photographed are the Royal Courts of Justice, Middle Temple Hall, Stationers' Hall, St Paul's Cathedral, the glass dome at the top of The Gherkin, Laban in Deptford, the Oriental Club, the Hurlingham Club, Kenwood House, Syon Park and Kew Gardens.
Can anyone get married at St Paul's Cathedral?
No. Weddings are held in the OBE Chapel in the crypt and are open to members of the Order of the British Empire, the Order of St Michael and St George, the Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor, holders of the British Empire Medal, their children, and some members of the cathedral community.
Can you get married at a members' club like the Hurlingham Club or the Oriental Club?
Usually only with a connection to a member who can sponsor the booking, so ask the club about their rules before anything else.
What's the most unusual modern wedding venue in London?
Of the ones I've photographed, the glass dome at the top of The Gherkin and the Laban building in Deptford, with its coloured translucent walls, are the most striking.
Have you photographed weddings at all of these venues?
Yes. Every venue on this page is somewhere I've photographed a wedding, and each one links to the wedding or guide on this site.
Every venue and area I have written about is on the venues page, and there is more on the grand hotels and houses on my luxury wedding photography page.
What couples say
Barrie was the photographer for our civil wedding ceremony at Old Marylebone Town Hall and he was great! Professional, friendly and creative throughout the day. The photos are amazing, stylish and ple…
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Barrie was such a great photographer for our wedding from start to finish. He was so friendly and make us feel so calm and relaxed on our big day. The photos he took were amazing and we loved all of t…
Simply the best wedding photographer we have ever come across. Barrie was not only incredibly professional, he also slotted right in to the day and all our guests commented on how relaxed, fun and tal…
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Barrie was fab! He knew Old Marylebone Town Hall really well (even the registrars knew him). He made us feel comfortable and took us to really cute places to get some special shots. Would highly recom…