Unusual Wedding Venues In and Around London
Unusual Wedding Venues In and Around London
After the popularity of our ‘favourite barn venues in Surrey, West Sussex & Hampshire’, I wanted to share some of my favourite ‘unusual wedding venues’ in and around London, that don’t quite fit the norm. These aren’t necessarily what other couples might consider ‘unusual’ but I think that the word can be taken in many different forms. It doesn’t have to be synonymous with ‘boho’ or ‘aternative’ and it doesn’t mean that the venue needs to have beer pong and toilets on the ceiling. My interpretation is one of ‘untraditional’ or ‘not fitting into the mould’ or equally, having a very interesting history behind the venue!
If you are a non-traditional couple looking for an unusual wedding venue, or even a tradtional couple looking for a wedding venue with unusual charm, character and finesse, then I hope that this post helps you to find your dream wedding venue! I’d love to know if you find your wedding venue from my list so do let me know and enjoy the read!
Strawberry Hill House, Twickenham
I absolutely had to include Strawberry Hill House as my first unusual wedding venue in this post. Ever since I saw this venue, nearly ten years ago, it has always remained close to my creative heart. The Gothic architecture is so unusual and the rooms inside are like nothing I have ever seen before. The capacity for the venue is 84 but I think it would be perfect for smaller weddings as the rooms feel so intimate and lavish. The venue boasts a myriad of rooms, winding staircases and each room is more beautiful than the last. You can hire this 18th century venue, built by Horace Walpole, for the entire day or you can hire for your civil ceremony only, on Thursday’s and Friday’s.
Kent House Knightsbridge, West London
A gorgeous and homely 19th century townhouse in the heart of Knightsbridge, a stone’s throw from Harrods and opposite the Royal Barracks. This exquisite venue can be hired in it’s entirety for large groups, by using the space downstairs for drinks and canapes and the entire 1st floor for dining and dancing. Alternatively, smaller groups are also welcome to use only the ground floor suites that includes the Marble Hall, Rutland Room and Old Library. The building is unique and glamorous without feeling austere, and the stunning staircase is perfect for your photographs. What makes this building even more unusual is that it was used as a post office during WWII and there are even tunnels in the basement that were reportedly used to move valuables out of the house! Ask to see these on your tour as they won’t be available to view during your event. Choose from a variety of London caterers and vendors to make your wedding at Kent House Knightsbridge, a celebration to remember, with family and friends you won’t forget.
The Canary Shed, Essex
Imagine an exclusive wedding venue that's yours for the entire weekend! Picture a beautifully converted barn on a working farm, where Essex countryside meets creative freedom. Add boutique accommodation for all your favourite people, and you've found something truly special. This is the ultimate party venue just one hour from London. The design and decor is super unusual and goes beyond the styling and formality of a traditional barn wedding venue. What’s even better? You have access from Friday to Sunday INCLUDING late checkout of 3pm, allowing plenty of time to recover from the night before! Enjoy a BBQ on Friday evening, ceremony al fresco and party all night on Saturday with up to 120 of your favourites and have breakfast on the Sunday, reminiscing about the night before. The Canary Shed is a superb example of where unusual meets not only functional, but absolutely epic!
The Bell Inn Ticehurst, East Sussex
The story of The Bell stretches back to around 1560 when it was a rather showy Tudor building. Over the years it was remodelled and extended with additions of bedrooms, kitchen and the assembly room for concerts, weddings and community gatherings. The current custodians of this historic building have smoothed out the rougher edges, yet preserved the wonderful imperfections that somehow make it perfect. The Bell is truly the physical and emotional heart of the community, offering family style welcomes and unusual and eccentric decor and bedrooms. To me it gives ‘The Hobbit’ meets ‘Oliver Twist’ vibes and is perfect for seating up to 90 of your favourite people. I could not love this enchanting venue more and there is no truer saying than ‘If the walls could talk, they’d definitely have a tale or two!’
Architectural Plants, Pulburough
Set in the heart of the West Sussex countryside, this breathtaking 32-acre plant nursery is in the middle of open fields surrounded by farmland and views of the South Downs. It is available for hire throughout the year! Architectural Plants have been in business since 1980 and are renowned for their symmetrical avenues of mature trees, sculptural Japanese topiary and internal spans housing thousands of rare and tropical plants. Full of Tropical and Mediterranean plants, their tunnels provide you with plenty of space and complete cover come rain or shine. When it shines bright you could be in Tuscany and should the heavens open you’ll still stay dry but have all the drama of a tropical rainforest. They also have space al fresco for outdoor ceremonies and can be booked for weddings and events all year round. If you are green fingered or a plant loving couple, looking to say your vows in an unusual venue in West Sussex, Architectural Plants could be your dream venue!
Bombay Sapphire Gin Distillery, Hampshire
What an incredible destination for a wedding for those who love a little gin tipple, it’s the Bombay Sapphire Gin Distillery at Laverstock Mill in Whitchurch. Set in the absolutely beautiful and historic former Portal’s paper mill, which actually dates back as far as the Domesday book in 1086 when it was recorded as a corn mill, this venue is set in a beautiful and rural location. It is unusual, edgy and gives earthy East London vibes in the heart of Hampshire. What I love about this venue is that you can hire the stunning Grade II listed buildings for the whole day or you can hire them for evening weddings, keeping costs down and catering to couples who don’t wish to have an all day affair. The opportunity for unique photographs are certainly not limited at the Bombay Sapphire Distillery either. Not only are you able to have photographs taken by the River Test that has been opened up to be a feature of the distillery, but you will even have access to the glasshouses where the botanicals and spices are grown that are infused into this world famous gin.
What is your favourite unusual wedding venue? Have you visited an unusual wedding venue in and around London that you think should feature? If so, I want to hear from you! Email me your favourites at team@bridebyaster.com