There are so many reasons why London is my favourite place in the world. It’s a huge melting pot of cultures, a city of innovation and style, and it delivers it all with confidence. When planning a London wedding, you’re spoiled for choice. From magnificent historic landmarks and exclusive private residences to striking contemporary venues with architectural impact.
The days of the cookie‑cutter wedding, complete with package caterers, chocolate fountains and (shudder) spandex chair covers, are long gone. This city and its surroundings are home to an array of unique and remarkable ceremony and reception venues that can truly reflect who you are, whether your style is refined and timeless, bold and modern, or a carefully curated mix of the two.
I’m Andri, a wedding planner and designer with 15 years of experience creating distinctive, design‑driven celebrations for couples who want something a little less ordinary. If you’d like expert guidance to find the perfect backdrop and bring your ideas to life, get in touch to arrange a chat.
In past posts I’ve shared my favourite Orangery‑style venues, London’s surprising green spaces, and top foodie venues, perfect for a wedding feast. But some London venues resist neat categories. They stand out for their individuality, history, or atmosphere. This updated collection is all about those spaces – my favourite distinctive and unusual wedding venues in London with genuine wow factor.
Fitzrovia Chapel
One of the most stunning wedding venues in London for intimate ceremonies, Fitzrovia Chapel is a treasure in the heart of the city.
You can’t get more of a hidden gem than Fitzrovia Chapel. Tucked discreetly among the sleek, modern architecture of its surroundings, it offers a breath-taking contrast the moment you step inside. I’ve had the pleasure of planning weddings here several times, and each one feels just as magical as the last.
Perfect for intimate ceremonies of up to 78 guests, this secular chapel combines historic grandeur with a peaceful, almost otherworldly atmosphere. Originally part of the Middlesex Hospital and completed in 1929, its Gothic architecture is complemented by exquisite stained‑glass windows and an intricately detailed mosaic ceiling in shades of gold and azure. The craftsmanship is extraordinary, making the space feel like a jewel box in the heart of the city.
For couples looking for a central London location that delivers impact without vast scale, Fitzrovia Chapel is a rare find – elegant, romantic, and truly unforgettable.
Planner’s Tip: Fitzrovia Chapel’s dramatic atmosphere comes with low light levels, so choose a photographer experienced in shooting in darker spaces. The venue includes plenty of LED candles in the hire, adding to its warm, intimate glow.
Old Sessions House
22 Clerkenwell Grn, London EC1R 0NA
Capacity: Up to 120 for sit down in Great Room
If you’re looking for grandeur with an edge, Old Sessions House in Clerkenwell delivers it in spades. Once the largest courthouse in England, this Palladian‑style landmark was completed in 1782 and has since been transformed into one of central London’s most striking event spaces. I’ve always loved how its historic details and raw textures create an atmosphere that feels both important and effortlessly cool.
The building’s three principal floors are defined by its 20‑metre‑tall central dome, original pine floors, aged stone and plasterwork, and vast sash windows. The Great Room, with its 9‑metre‑high ceilings, grand chandelier, and views over Clerkenwell Green, makes a show‑stopping setting for your wedding breakfast before transforming into a lively party space. Across the hall, The Courtroom Bar floods with morning light through its original crown glass windows – perfect for after dinner drinks or a more intimate gathering.
With space for up to 120 for dinner in the Great Room or The Showroom for an more intimate event, it’s a venue that can flex to suit your vision while keeping its distinctive character. The entire house can be yours for the day – and yes, that includes the rooftop pool.
Blending historic grandeur with contemporary edge, Old Sessions House is a standout choice for couples seeking a truly stunning backdrop for their wedding.
Planner’s Tip: Don’t miss the chance to use the central dome and sweeping staircase for photos – they’re iconic. They also make a brilliant alternative spot for speeches while the Great Room is being turned around for the evening. Clerkenwell’s location means you’re surrounded by excellent boutique hotels and outstanding restaurants, perfect for hosting your guests in style.
Brunswick House
LASSCO, 30 Wandsworth Rd, London SW8 2LG
Capacity: 112 for dining, celebrant led ceremonies only
For couples seeking a unique wedding venue with character, Brunswick House offers Georgian elegance, eclectic antiques, and a vibrant riverside location.
Brunswick House has always caught my eye. It’s practically on my doorstep, and I’ll be working there soon, so I already know its blend of history and personality will make for an unforgettable celebration. This grand Georgian mansion in Vauxhall, built in the 1700s, now stands proudly among the glass, steel, and concrete of Thames House, luxury apartments, and just a short walk to the River Thames. I love how London’s skyline throws eras together like this, and Brunswick House wears its history with style.
Inside, the house doubles as an antiques showroom run by LASSCO, the renowned architectural salvage company. Every room is filled with a constantly changing collection of reclaimed treasures, statues, stonework, fine furniture, and curiosities, so it feels like stepping into a living, breathing cabinet of wonders. (No need to scout antique markets for wedding finds when they’re already party of your venue!)
With seven rooms spread over three floors, plus the Statuary Garden for summer cocktails, with both indoor and outdoor spaces, Brunswick House can host anything from intimate dinners to lively parties. Guests might sip champagne on the ground floor surrounded by gilt mirrors, enjoy a wedding feast in one of the upstairs dining rooms, then descend to the vaulted cellar for dancing. It’s a quirky wedding venue that refuses to be generic; every corner has a story to tell.
Planner’s Tip: Because the interiors are richly decorated with antiques and salvaged finds, you can keep additional styling minimal, the backdrop is already extraordinary. The layout works beautifully for a relaxed, flowing celebration where guests move between spaces, but it’s worth factoring in the stairs between floors if having elderly or less mobile guests.
Hotel Café Royal
An icon of luxury on Regent Street, Café Royal is a unique wedding venue in central London with historic grandeur and rare outdoor views.
If you want a wedding steeped in history yet wrapped in modern elegance, Hotel Café Royal is hard to beat. Once the meeting place for London’s most celebrated cultural figures, it’s now one of the city’s most sought‑after historic venues and as one of their recommended planners, I’ve seen first‑hand how beautifully their events come together.
The jewel in its crown is the Pompadour Ballroom, one of London’s grandest. This Louis XVI‑style space seats up to 110 guests for wedding receptions, under a richly decorated ceiling, surrounded by gilded mirrors and Corinthian pilasters. A private outdoor terrace overlooks the curve of Regent Street, offering a rare al fresco moment in the heart of the West End. For more intimate celebrations, the Domino Room is an elegant private dining space for up to 60 guests, blending original details with subtle modern updates.
Planner’s Tip: Café Royal’s terrace is a rare central London backdrop for photos especially at sunset when Regent Street glows. Beyond the event spaces, the hotel’s Akasha Holistic Wellbeing Centre offers a serene retreat with a pool, spa treatments, and wellness facilities, ideal for pre‑wedding relaxation or post‑celebration unwinding.
Wilton’s Music Hall
1 Graces Alley, London E1 8JB
Capacity: up to 144 for dining, licensed for ceremonies
From the outside, Wilton’s Music Hall in East London is unassuming. But step through its doors and you enter a world where more than 150 years of performance history hums beneath your feet. As someone with a background in theatre design, I can tell you this is a venue like no other a space that blends raw, atmospheric beauty with an incredible sense of story.
Built in 1859 by John Wilton to bring West End glamour to the East End, it is the oldest surviving grand music hall in the world. After falling into disrepair, this historic venue has been partially restored, keeping its patina and character intact. Inside, you’ll find award‑winning Grade II* architecture, the famous barley‑twist columns, and a Victorian staircase that’s perfect for portraits.
Weddings here are rare, with only a limited number of dates released each year. Hire includes exclusive use of the entire building, the bars, staircase, and main hall, so you can hold your ceremony on the stage, enjoy your wedding breakfast under the high ceilings, and dance the night away in the same auditorium where stars have performed for generations. Suitable for 100–300 guests, this is a setting that guarantees atmosphere in every frame.
Step into living theatre history at Wilton’s Music Hall, a unforgettable wedding venue in East London with faded grandeur and dramatic charm.
Planner’s Tip: The hall’s lighting and textures create a wonderfully moody backdrop. The stage offers a natural focal point for your ceremony, and the Victorian staircase makes a memorable entrance. Availability is limited due to their artistic programme but new dates are released at the end of each year, so keep an eye out and act quick to secure your date.
Royal Opera House
Bow St, London WC2E 9DD
Capacity: up to 300 seated
If you’ve got a love of theatre and want your wedding day to feel like something truly special, the Royal Opera House could be your dream wedding venue. Tucked right in the heart of Covent Garden, it’s not only home to world-class ballet and opera, but also one of London’s most iconic event spaces.
The Paul Hamlyn Hall is the star of the show. Its soaring glass and iron barrelled roof was once the Floral Hall of the old Covent Garden flower market, and today it’s a breathtakingly light, elegant space for receptions or even a stylish wedding brunch. By night, the atmosphere transforms into pure glamour, making it one of the city’s most dazzling spots for dinner and dancing.
For something a little more intimate, there are other spaces within the Royal Opera House too. The historic Crush Room with its chandeliers and Flemish artwork, or the contemporary Dorfman Conservatory.
Planner’s tip: Evening availability at the Royal Opera House is limited to just a handful of dates each year, so if this venue is on your wish list, it’s worth checking availability early.
Young V & A
Young V & A formally the Museum of Childhood
Cambridge Heath Rd, Bethnal Green, London E2 9PA
Capacity: Up to 300 seated for dinner, 250 dinner & dancing
Young V&A offers one of the most unique wedding venues in London full of playful nostalgia, striking Victorian architecture, and creative energy.
If you want your evening reception to have a fun, nostalgic edge while still feeling breathtakingly elegant, this is the perfect setting for you. Formerly the V&A Museum of Childhood, the Young V&A in Bethnal Green, East London, is home to a world‑famous collection of childhood treasures, from dolls and teddy bears to vintage games, clothing, and furniture, all displayed with a designer’s eye.
Once the museum closes to the public, the McLain Hall transforms into a chic event space for up to 300 guests. Its original Victorian marble floor and high arched ceiling make a big first impression, while half‑moon windows flood the room with natural light. If you love the airy, light‑filled feel of my favourite Orangery‑style wedding venues, you’ll adore this space. The dramatic spiral staircase is perfect for a grand entrance, romantic portraits, or even a surprise performance.
By holding your wedding here, you’re also helping to support the museum’s work with local communities and keeping admission free for all a small but meaningful way to give back.
Planner’s Tip: This is a big, open space, so creative lighting is key for adding warmth and atmosphere after dark. The museum’s character gives you plenty to work, with you can style it up for timeless elegance or lean into its playful side.
Tate Modern
An unique wedding venue doesn’t have to mean Victorian grandeur. If modern, creative design speaks to you more, Tate Modern could be the perfect wedding venue. Home to world-class contemporary art, its striking industrial architecture and versatile event spaces create a bold canvas for couples who want their wedding to feel different, stylish and unforgettable.
From the vast Turbine Hall, once home to giant power station turbines and now famous worldwide for hosting contemporary art installations, to the sleek Levels 9 & 10 with panoramic views across the Thames to St Paul’s Cathedral and city skyline, Tate Modern offers options for both dramatic large-scale celebrations and more intimate gatherings.
Hosting your wedding celebrations here also means being part of the gallery’s cultural story. All profits from events go directly back into supporting Tate’s mission, helping secure the future of art for all, so your celebration is not only modern and meaningful, but also contributes to a creative legacy.
Planner’s tip: With such expansive, blank canvas spaces, production is key. Lighting, staging and thoughtful styling will transform Tate Modern into a wedding setting that feels warm and inviting, so it’s worth allocating a healthy portion of your budget to these elements.
Cutty Sark
If you’re looking for a London wedding venue that’s full of history, character, and wow-factor, it doesn’t get more unique than saying your vows beneath the hull of a 19th-century sailing ship.
I recently visited the Cutty Sark in Greenwich, and it’s such a special space, particularly for history buffs or anyone with a soft spot for tea (you can actually learn all about her journeys as a tea clipper during your visit). The ship offers a choice of very different spaces, each with its own atmosphere. You could host a drinks reception on the Weather Deck, looking out across the Thames; plan an intimate dinner on the ‘Tween Deck, where precious cargo was once carried; or make the most of the show-stopping Dry Berth, the largest space beneath the raised ship’s hull.
The Dry Berth can host up to 250 for dinner or 400 for a standing reception, with a glass canopy letting in the evening light and the striking silhouette of the ship above you. It’s the only venue in the world where you can celebrate directly under the gleaming hull of a historic vessel — and that’s a pretty unforgettable backdrop for dining and dancing.
Planner’s Tip: The space is dramatic by nature, so lean into it. Clever lighting can highlight the ship’s shape overhead and create a magical, atmospheric setting as the evening unfolds.
And while Cutty Sark is undeniably grand, it’s also meaningful, hosting your wedding day here supports the preservation of this national icon, keeping her story alive for generations to come.
Control Room A
Battersea Power Station, Control, Directors’ Entrance, Circus Rd W, London SW11 8AL
Capacity: up to 200 for dinner. Licensed for ceremonies
If you’re looking for a unusual wedding venue that blends London’s industrial heritage with unexpected elegance, Control Room A at Battersea Power Station is one-of-a-kind. Tucked away from the bustle of the shops, it has its own private entrance that instantly sets the scene for something truly special. Step through the grand bronze doors and you’re transported into a stunning Art Deco interior – a total surprise in what was once a working power station.
The journey for your guests is part of the experience: from the Directors’ Entrance and striking lobby to the light-filled Directors’ Bar, perfect for drinks and canapés, anticipation builds before entering the breath-taking Control Room itself. Inside, original control panels, a gold glass ceiling, and meticulously restored 1930s details create an atmosphere of romance, glamour and history combined. It’s a space that feels both iconic and intimate, ideal for couples who want their wedding to be memorable, stylish and just a little bit different.
Planner’s tip: Control Room A is beautifully restored but also highly detailed, so lean into its character rather than competing with it. Keep florals, lighting and décor considered and complementary – enhancing the space’s natural drama rather than overpowering it.
Your Beautiful Backdrop Awaits
London is a city of endless possibilities, and choosing a unique wedding venue here sets the tone for a celebration that’s truly your own. Whether it’s a hidden historic building, a grand Georgian mansion, a striking post-industrial space, or an iconic cultural landmark, each venue offers a canvas for creativity, style, and unforgettable moments.
Looking for a unique wedding venue in London? As a creative wedding planner with years of experience designing and delivering extraordinary weddings, I can help you navigate the city’s best-kept secrets, curate spaces that reflect your personality, and transform them into an event that’s uniquely yours.
I offer venue finding as part of my full wedding planning service, whittling down a shortlist of the best for your needs. It makes your life easier, saves you time, and most importantly, I can uncover absolute gems you might never have discovered on your own. Each venue is a blank canvas for creativity, style, and unforgettable moments, and I’ll show you how to bring your vision to life. If you’re ready to start exploring London’s most distinctive venues and craft your dream wedding, get in touch today. I’d love to help make it truly exceptional.
Photography Credits: Fitzrovia Chapel photography by Fiona Kelly | Old Sessions House The Shannons | Wilton’s Music Hall photography by Razia Jukes Photography via Love My Dress |
Unique Wedding Venues FAQ
Start by thinking about the atmosphere you want to create: intimate and historic, bold and modern, or something more eclectic. Consider how the venue’s architecture, layout and location support the experience you want for your guests. When I search for venues for my couples, I look at how each space can be personalised, how it flows across the day, and whether it complements their design style and priorities.
Some venues do, especially heritage sites, cultural institutions and spaces with complex logistics. Others strongly recommend having a planner because it ensures the day runs smoothly and the venue team can focus on what they do best. A planner will also manage timelines, suppliers and setup, which is invaluable in busy London venues.
It depends on the venue. Many will have one accredited catering partner you must use, while others offer more flexibility and allow external caterers from an approved list of caterers. If food is a big priority for you, it’s worth exploring this early on. Part of my planning service is finding you venues that align with your dining vision.
Absolutely! And for lots of different reasons. Historic chapels, industrial landmarks, galleries and riverfront spaces all offer striking architectural backdrops. Lighting varies from venue to venue though, so choosing a photographer who understands the space (especially low-light venues or those with dramatic interiors) makes a huge difference.
Yes! I offer venue searching as part of my full planning service. I curate a personalised shortlist based on your style, guest numbers, logistics and overall budget. This saves you hours of research and helps you discover hidden gems you may never have found on your own.
Most London venues are very accessible, with strong transport links by tube, rail and taxi. Some venues also have parking nearby or drop-off points for guests needing assistance. When I plan a wedding, I always look at how easy it will be for guests to arrive, move between spaces and get home comfortably at the end of the night.
While many of these unique venues won’t have onsite accommodation, one of the biggest advantages of a London wedding is the wide range of nearby hotels. Whether you want boutique options, luxury suites or something more budget-friendly for guests, most venues are surrounded by excellent accommodation choices. I often put together tailored recommendations for my couples so their guests can stay close by.
