Are you looking to step away from the expectations of a large guest list? Small weddings offer a unique and special way to celebrate your day – an intimate affair, unforgettable and bursting with joy!
Weddings come in all sizes, and what is considered small can vary depending on culture and personal perspective. In the UK, a small wedding is typically defined as having up to 50 or fewer guests, while a medium wedding might range from 50 to 150 guests, and anything above that is considered large. However, cultural backgrounds can influence these definitions. If you’re from a Greek, Indian, or Italian heritage, for example, what’s seen as a small wedding in your community might be quite different. I’m of Greek heritage, living in London, and I had what would be considered a small Greek wedding with 180 guests – but for most UK couples, that would be a large wedding!
London boasts a fantastic selection of unique small wedding venues that are perfect for intimate weddings, allowing you to focus on what truly matters: your love story. From personalised experiences to stress-free planning, these venues cater to couples seeking a unique and meaningful wedding day. Get ready to explore stunning locations, charming atmospheres, and creative spaces that will make your small wedding truly special.
While this list focuses on small weddings of up to 50–60 guests, some of these venues do have the capacity for larger celebrations. However, they’ve been chosen because they offer flexible spaces – whether that’s smaller, more intimate rooms or larger spaces that still feel warm and inviting with a smaller guest list. The key is finding a venue that suits your vision, ensuring your wedding feels just right, no matter the size.
Here are 10 stunning locations to create a truly memorable day:
Not sure if a small wedding is right for you? Check out our blog post “10 Reasons Why You Should Have a Small Wedding“.
The Charterhouse
The Charterhouse website. Charterhouse Square London – EC1M 6AN
Wedding ceremonies and receptions from 30 to 100
One of my favourite small London wedding venues, The Charterhouse, is a hidden gem steeped in nearly 700 years of history. This former monastery and Tudor mansion offers a stunning blend of medieval charm and grandeur, making it an atmospheric choice for weddings of varying sizes. With multiple spaces available, it can accommodate up to 100 seated guests in striking historic settings like the North Cloister and the Great Chamber, yet it works just as beautifully for more intimate celebrations. One of my couples experienced this firsthand with an elegant wedding dinner in the Great Hall, where just 24 guests gathered around one long table, creating a warm and personal atmosphere.
The lush Norfolk Garden provides a perfect backdrop for an outdoor ceremony, while the Chapel Cloister is ideal for pre-dinner drinks and speeches. Whether you’re planning a grand yet intimate affair or a cosy gathering steeped in history, The Charterhouse offers a truly unique and characterful space for your special day.
Photography by Maja Tsolo via Always Andri Weddings
Museum of the Order of St John
Museum of the Order of St John website
St John’s Gate, 26 St John’s Ln, London EC1M 4DA
The Council Chamber up to 25
The Chapter Hall, ceremony and reception up to 100
For history lovers, the Museum of the Order of St John offers a truly unique and characterful backdrop for a wedding. Housed in a centuries-old building that once served as the headquarters of the Knights of St John, this venue combines medieval architecture with a sense of timeless romance. The Chapter Hall, with its dramatic vaulted ceiling, intricate wood panelling, and beautiful stained glass windows, creates an intimate and atmospheric space for a small wedding ceremony or reception. Having worked here last year, I saw firsthand how beautifully the Chapter Hall transforms for a heartfelt ceremony, with its historic charm adding a real sense of occasion.
After saying “I do,” couples can step outside into the little-known Cloister Gardens just opposite the museum, an unexpected hidden oasis in the city. In the summer months, the scent of flowers drifts through the air, making it the perfect spot for a relaxed drinks reception, where guests can soak up the history and tranquillity of this truly special venue.
Photography by Anne Schwartz from an Always Andri wedding
Little Banqueting House
Little Banqueting House website
Hampton Court Palace, Privy Garden, Molesey, East Molesey KT8 9AU
Wedding ceremonies and receptions for up to 50 guests
Set within the breathtaking grounds of Hampton Court Palace, the Little Banqueting House is an exclusive venue offering a regal yet intimate wedding experience. Overlooking the River Thames, this hidden gem boasts ornate painted ceilings by Antonio Verrio, grand fireplaces, and large windows that flood the space with natural light while offering stunning views of the palace gardens and river.
Steeped in royal history, it’s a venue that feels both opulent and personal, perfect for a wedding that blends elegance with intimacy. Who wouldn’t want to have a palace of their own for their wedding day? Adding to the romance, couples can even arrive by boat along the Thames, making a grand and unforgettable entrance before celebrating in this exquisite and private setting.
The Cadogan
75 Sloane St, Chelsea, London SW1X 9SG
Wedding ceremonies and receptions from 10 to 50 guests
For those looking for refined luxury with a touch of British elegance, The Cadogan, a Belmond Hotel, is an exceptional choice. Nestled in the heart of Chelsea, this boutique hotel seamlessly blends contemporary style with timeless charm, offering intimate event spaces with two exquisite private dining rooms.
I had the pleasure of planning a wedding here for a couple who wanted to share their day with only their closest London friends before hosting a larger celebration overseas. They spent the morning getting ready together in one of the beautiful bedrooms, followed by a romantic photoshoot and personal vow exchange in the private garden available for guests. After their legal ceremony at Marylebone Town Hall, they returned to The Cadogan for an elegant dinner, making the most of its refined yet relaxed atmosphere.
While the venue is best suited for wedding receptions, its prime location, not far from Marylebone Town Hall and its exclusive private garden makes it a truly special setting for an intimate, stylish celebration. With outstanding food and impeccable service, The Cadogan offers an unforgettable dining experience for couples seeking understated luxury.
Photography by Nigel John from an Always Andri wedding
30 Knightsbridge
30 Knightsbride website
30 Pavilion Rd, London SW1X 0HJ
Wedding ceremonies and receptions up to 100
Completely refurbished and reimagined, 30 Knightsbridge is a luxurious wedding venue where timeless elegance meets modern sophistication. With 16 stunning rooms and five beautifully designed event spaces, including the captivating Monet Garden Terrace, it offers both opulence and convenience. The venue’s exclusive hire policy ensures total privacy, creating an intimate and inviting atmosphere for your wedding.
Your guests won’t need to travel far at the end of the night, so why not make a weekend of it? Booking a two-night stay allows you to extend the celebrations with pre- and post-wedding events, making the most of its prime Knightsbridge location. Whether it’s a stylish city wedding or a weekend escape, 30 Knightsbridge provides an unforgettable setting for a truly special celebration.
Dulwich Picture Gallery
Dulwich Picture Gallery website
College Road, London SE21 7AD
Gallery Café for evening receptions for up to 50 guests.
Licensed for civil ceremonies in the Soane Gallery and Linbury Room, for between 10 – 150 guests.
Perhaps you’re an art lover, looking for a wedding venue with something a little more unique to offer? Are you drawn to the idea of saying ‘I do’ in a setting that celebrates creativity and culture. As the world’s first purpose-built public art gallery, this historic venue, just down the road from me, offers an exquisite and unique backdrop for a small wedding. Designed by Sir John Soane, its elegant architecture and warm, light-filled spaces provide an intimate yet timeless setting.
Surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens, it’s a venue that feels both refined and inviting. Imagine exchanging vows in the company of masterpieces, before moving to the Pavilion for a stylish reception beneath its striking glass ceiling. For couples who appreciate history, art, and classic design, I know I do, Dulwich Picture Gallery offers a truly enchanting and memorable space to celebrate both your ceremony and small wedding reception.
Photography by Jay Kowalik Photography via Dulwich picture Gallery
Somerset House
Strand, London WC2R 1LA
Erffing ceremonies and receptions, various spaces from 30 to 80
A London icon with breathtaking neoclassical architecture, Somerset House offers a stunning backdrop for a small yet unforgettable wedding. With its grand facades, sweeping staircases, and striking courtyard, this historic venue provides a sense of grandeur while still allowing for an intimate and personal celebration. One of the things I love about Somerset House is its versatility – its diverse spaces give you the freedom to shape the venue to suit your style and vision. Each room has its own sense of history and charm. The Portico Rooms, personal favourites of mine, boast breathtaking views over the Thames, flooding the spaces with natural light and creating an elegant setting for both ceremonies and receptions. For those seeking a more secluded and atmospheric space, the Navy Board Rooms offer warmth, charm, and rich historic details, perfect for an intimate wedding dinner. The central courtyard, with its dramatic fountains, provides a spectacular setting for wedding photos, ensuring an intimate wedding venue that is as picturesque as it is personal.
Andaz London
This Grecian-inspired Masonic Temple is spectacular, extravagant, and perhaps Andaz London’s best-kept secret. Rich in history and adorned with marble pillars, hand-painted ceilings, and opulent details, it creates a strikingly intimate and dramatic atmosphere. Located in the once iconic, Great Eastern Hotel, the building itself dates back to 1884 and each of its rooms has its own stunning personality, creating a perfect backdrop for your wedding day. Perfect for couples seeking something truly unique, The Temple offers a secluded yet grand setting for a ceremony or intimate reception in the heart of the city.
.
Swan at the Globe
Swan at the Globe website
21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London SE1 9DT
Wedding ceremonies and receptions up to 70 guests.
With its stunning views over the Thames and a direct connection to Shakespeare’s Globe, Swan at the Globe is ideal for a romantic wedding steeped in theatrical and historic charm. The private Balcony Room offers an elegant and airy space with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking St. Paul’s Cathedral. The Swan at the Glove is licenced for ceremonies as well so you could host your whole day here with an excursion down to the river while the room is being turned around. The combination of exceptional food, beautiful river views, and a relaxed yet sophisticated setting makes it a fantastic choice for an intimate London wedding reception.
One Moorgate Place
A hidden gem in the heart of the city, One Moorgate Place offers a breathtaking backdrop for a small wedding. The Main Reception Room, with its striking domed glass ceiling, colourful stained-glass windows, and grand stone columns, creates an unforgettable setting for both ceremonies and receptions. The space is brought to life by George Murray’s historic murals, adding depth and character. For a more intimate celebration, the Members’ Room offers ornate charm, featuring a Venetian-inspired balustrade bridge and beautifully preserved original fittings. This venue blends history, elegance, and a touch of old-world romance, making it a truly special choice.
And a little bonus venue that I recently had the pleasure of visiting…
Admiral House
Admiral House website
Old Royal Naval College, London SE10 9NN
Wedding ceremonies and receptions from 30 to 60. Midweek micro packages available.
Tucked within the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, Admiral’s House offers a beautiful blend of historic charm and riverside elegance—perfect for a small London wedding. Available for exclusive hire, it feels like having your very own private house for the day. Inside, the upper rooms are full of character, with soft sage green wood panelling and period details that set a refined and romantic tone. With stunning views over the River Thames and the option to arrive by river taxi, it’s a memorable setting for couples looking to combine intimacy with iconic London scenery.
Whether it’s a private dining room, a townhouse, a garden, or a historic museum, there are so many incredible small wedding venues in London to choose from. Each offers something unique—whether it’s stunning architecture, beautiful outdoor spaces, or an intimate setting that makes every moment feel even more special. Which of these venues caught your eye? I’d love to hear which one feels like the perfect fit for your big day! And if you need a wedding planner to bring your vision to life, I’d love to chat and help make your celebration truly unforgettable.
