Why London has some of the best wedding venues in the world

 

Weddings are an incredibly special day, and the number of people who decide to get married every year is huge.

Unfortunately, there are over 200 weddings per day in London alone and among these masses, it can be very hard for couples to find a great wedding venue that will make their occasion unforgettable. So why is London such a great place to have a wedding?

Historic Hotels, bespoke wedding venues and even royal palaces are among the favourite locations to be married in London in 2022.

The majority of couples decide to have their wedding in the same location where they are living or their hometown, which means that it is up to them to find a venue.

While many agree that having the option to be married in any location you desire can sound like a great idea, this is not always the case. It takes time and effort for people who do not live in London to travel here just to look at venues. You also have no guarantee that your chosen hotel will have availability because many hotels receive booking requests well before weddings take place. Another thing that often puts off couples from visiting different locations is that they cannot imagine how the actual ceremony will be like inside a building they find themselves lost within on their first visit. This usually ends up with them deciding to book the first venue they find, which is not always what you want.

What makes London such a great place for weddings is that brides and grooms can easily visit multiple hotels in one day without having to travel too far.

 

Not only do many wedding venues have hotels attached to them, but they are also often located along the River Thames or within beautiful historic buildings that have been used as wedding venues for centuries now. All of these locations are easy to reach during your stay in London. Train stations are also conveniently located around almost all major wedding venues.

London has such a diverse variety of wedding venues you are sure to find something that fits your style and your budget.

 

Every year, thousands of brides and grooms visit London to look for the perfect place to hold their wedding.

 

The number of hotels that offer wedding venues is huge, but many are often booked up months before an actual date has been set. This makes it important for couples to book as early as they can in order not to miss out on some of London’s best locations. Not only does this allow you more time to decide which hotel would be best for your big day, but it also gives you the opportunity to visit all of these great places without feeling rushed or stressed about missing the last train back home. Some hotels even let you take a peek at their facilities so that you can get a better idea of how your wedding day may look at your favourite venue.

 

With the wedding season about to get underway here is our list of the best luxury hotel wedding venues in London for 2022. These urban hotspots are our favourite city venues to photograph luxury weddings.

Claridges

Our number one choice for luxury London weddings is Claridges followed closely by The Landmark London, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park and Shangri-La Hotel in the Shard

Claridge’s hotel is one of the most sought after wedding venues in town. Situated at the top end of Brook Street this Edwardian Baroque masterpiece is a favourite location for London royalty and the centre of society events. This luxury hotel has been a renowned venue ever since it opened in 1853, with the likes of Oscar Wilde enjoying lavish weddings & parties at this grand venue. The ballrooms boast ornate chandeliers which illuminate with subtle lighting above long white banquette seating for ceremony style wedding photography and a spacious dance floor surrounded by elegantly dressed tables.

Luxury hotel weddings at this iconic Landmark London hotel are some of our favourites to photograph in London. These modern style luxury weddings benefit from the simple elegance of white linen, plenty of natural-looking floral arrangements and smaller details to create a fresh, organic look for your wedding day.  If you are looking for a wedding photographer for your wedding at Claridge’s please do get in touch. 

Mandarin Oriental

The Mandarin Hotel is a fabulous wedding venue and one of the most popular in London for luxury weddings, the formal grand lobby and a long red carpet are the perfect setting for a luxurious London wedding. The Mandarin Oriental hotel is fully equipped to host your dream wedding from the grand ballroom right up to one of their luxury suites which can be used for bride & groom getting ready space if necessary. Susan Mayor is a luxury London wedding photographer working with private clients in the UK and international destinations. Based in London, we covered over 200 weddings last year and have been named as one of the top 5 wedding photographers in London by TheKnot.com

How many people can attend a wedding at the Mandarin Oriental Knightsbridge? We’ve attended a wedding with 160 guests in the Hyde Park Corner suite, which is quite a large space. We’ve also photographed a smaller wedding with 25 friends and family (same location). The ballroom holds 260 people.

Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park

The Mandarin Oriental has just opened its new restaurant Coppelia where you can choose to have a wedding breakfast with your nearest and dearest. With its modern take on oriental cuisine, this is the perfect setting for a romantic & intimate London wedding, and one of our favourite venues in central London.

The Landmark London

The Landmark London is a popular wedding venue due to its central location, the hotel is located just a short walk away from Oxford Street and Bond Street. The ballroom has crystal chandeliers hanging from a gold ceiling, soft yellow lighting throughout with mirrored walls and plenty of space for large tables. The Landmark London is one of our favourite luxury hotels in London to photograph weddings.

This luxury London wedding venue is a favourite of ours for photographing luxury weddings. The hotel itself has been carved out of the old Royal London County Assurance offices and features a classic grand lobby with five storeys rising up to a glass roof. The ballroom is located on the top floor overlooking Hyde Park Corner, the white chandeliers in the ballroom are from the original offices and are a classic feature.

The luxury hotel itself is just around the corner from the Royal Albert Hall and Hyde Park, making it an ideal London wedding location for those wanting a central location with convenient transport links.

Shangri-La Hotel At The Shard

Weddings held at Shangri-La at the Shard are guaranteed to have amazing views from the 52nd floor. The new venue is Shangri-La’s first-ever hotel in Europe and has a fabulous Asian feel with live cooking stations, trolleys transporting sushi, dim sum and hot dishes from the kitchen to tables – very popular with guests at weddings! The ballroom holds up to 130 people and there are 2 other smaller venues that can be used for photos after the ceremony. Shangri-La at the Shard is London’s best venue to be married on this new eye-catching structure

Wedding photography at Shangri-La at the shard is always something special. The London venue is a favourite for many couples looking to get married in a luxury London hotel. We have photographed weddings with the views of the Shard lit up and seen some fantastic fireworks shots as well!

St Pancras Renaissance Hotel

This historic building at St Pancras station is one of the most iconic wedding venues in London. The station itself was built in 1868 and has a beautiful glass canopy at the front. The hotel is right opposite Kings Cross station, and adjacent to St Pancras. The ballroom of St Pancras Renaissance Hotel is one of the most popular London wedding venues for intimate weddings with friends and family. The venue is decorated with chaise longues, tables and chairs around the edges. This unique location is one of the best wedding venues for photography in London.

The ballroom itself holds up to 200 people: One of our favourite features is the arched windows at St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, these have beautiful red velvet curtains which provide soft lighting – perfect for taking photographs during sunset. We love the architecture here with curved ceilings and huge glass chandeliers throughout the venue.

Corinthia Hotel

The Corinthia Hotel luxury wedding venue in London was formerly the Metropole Hotel and is now owned by Corinthia Hotels. The hotel has recently completed a £50 million refurbishment in order to become one of London’s most exclusive hotels. The ballroom holds up to 300 people with long red drapes, high ceilings and chandeliers – all very memorable for those wanting a luxury wedding in the city. Wedding photography at The Corinthia Hotel in London is always very stylish, all the design has been finished to an incredibly high standard.

The staff have all been trained to help make your wedding day as special as possible.

The ballroom at the Corinthia Hotel in London is a favourite of ours for a luxury London wedding venue. We have photographed a lot of beautiful weddings here and the ballroom is always decorated with stunning white flowers which help make it one of the most memorable locations.

Sanderson London

For your wedding day at Sanderson London, our wedding photographer in London will ensure you have a fantastic day with wonderful memories to treasure. The Sanderson Hotel is definitely a very popular contemporary wedding venue for your special day in the capital. It’s one of the most exciting luxury hotels around and offers modern, stylish design throughout. And it was voted ‘UK’s best hotel lobby’ by Condé Nast Traveller readers in 2014.

The hotel is located in a central location with easy access to major attractions and transportation hubs. The cosmopolitan area, home to lots of quirky shops, restaurants and cafes – means the Sanderson Hotel is the perfect starting point for an unforgettable day out.

This luxury hotel offers a variety of spaces for your wedding reception, which is one of our favourite luxury hotels in London for weddings. And the rooms are spacious to host a huge wedding reception with your closest friends and family.

One of the most popular features about Sanderson London is its two glass chandeliers that hang from the ceiling: The ballrooms at The Sanderson Hotel are so wonderfully decorated with the most beautiful designs. The space provides an intimate area to host a wedding reception and is an unforgettable location for your special day.

On the top floor of the hotel is their fabulous bar – Long Bar which offers stunning views across London and is definitely one of our favourite bars in London.

The Langham

Plan your wedding at The Langham London and you will be able to enjoy a range of facilities and services. Every wedding is unique, so with a choice of venues, you are guaranteed us catering to your individual needs from the moment you reserve your

wedding venue. Choose the location of your ceremony and reception at Langham London and you will be spoilt for choice with the selection of magnificent function rooms in the hotel.

In addition to flexible function spaces, there is a range of packages for wedding guests at The Langham London. These include complimentary accommodation, breakfast and exclusive use of ballrooms – all while staying in the heart of London’s vibrant West End.

Wedding photography at this prestigious luxury hotel is always fantastic!

If you are planning a pre-wedding photoshoot in London then any of these hotels are a great place to base yourself for your trip to London. As London’s most highly sought after pre-wedding photographer I can help you work out an itinerary for your stay and advise you on all aspects of your pre-wedding photoshoot, from places to stay, where to hire a wedding dress or tuxedo to limo hire in the city.