5 cool and quirky London venues

5 cool and quirky London venues

London Wedding Photography, Venues

Ok, it’s been quite a while since we wrote our last installment about our favourite venues, best London pub venues. So we’re now back with another awesome list of my favourite places to host your wedding day. These venues vary a little from the traditional pub, barn and country house options. But they still offer everything you need to host an amazing wedding in London!

As we are on lockdown right now, I know you can’t actually visit any venues. So we’re hoping that maybe this post could serve as a substitute whilst we’re stuck inside and hopefully give you a few ideas for when we’re released back into the wild.

THE ZETTER TOWNHOUSE

thezettertownhouse.com
The Zetter Townhouse
Clerkenwell
London
EC1V 4JJ

The cobbles of St John Square outside gives you an old London feel before you even get through the door. Inside feels like a boutique bar and living room. It also had a science/academia/magic vibe going on, like a Hogwarts speakeasy… but maybe that’s just me.

I spent a long while just taking photos of the amazing selection of art, ornaments and taxidermy before I moved on to anything else. There’s more than enough for two weddings guests who’d never met, to get a conversation started.

At the far end, is the cocktail bar, serving a range of bespoke drinks catering to all tastes. It all feels well thought out and authentic rather than a venue trying to be something it’s not. Downstairs is the dining room and party area. It’s not huge but everytime I’ve been here the dancefloor has been in full swing. Need another drink? No need to worry, there’s a bar down here too. There’s also enough room to lay your evening food out.

The Zetter Townhouse has rooms upstairs for the couple and some of their guests, but if you do run out of space there’s always the Zetter Hotel across the road.

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CLAPTON COUNTRY CLUB

claptoncountryclub.co.uk
38-40 Upper Clapton Road,
London
E5 8BQ

Any old part of London that can be kept and repurposed as something we can keep using and appreciating, I’m totally up for! Clapton Country Club used to be a Tramshed and it has thankfully kept that industrial work space atmosphere.

The brick buildings and reclaimed materials give the venue an intimate, rough round the edges feel, like a working artist studio. The main dining area is more urban but with an added rustic touch. It makes you feel comfortable and at home.

It’s a short drive away from Hackney town hall. So, you can get ready there in the morning, meet your guests at the town hall, say your vows and be back at the country club within the hour. Perfect!

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THE OLYMPIC CINEMA

www.olympiccinema.co.uk
Olympic Studios 117-123
Church Road Barnes,
London
SW13 9HL

After discovering this wasn’t the official cinema for London’s 2012 Olympic Games, I realised it was in fact an awesome cinema, restaurant, café, cocktail bar and fancy members club. Whether you’re enjoying a film, sipping on a martini or enjoying the homemade food, the quality is consistent throughout. Each area works nicely on its own for any visitor, but as a whole when hiring the venue for a wedding, it’s really quite fantastic. You can take the cinema theme and run with it, pinning up retro themed posters and adding a red carpet outside for selfies and groups shots, as one of our couples did. The ground floor is the lovely bar and restaurant. The cinema is on the second floor and the third floor is the über trendy member’s bar. If you’re still around for the dancing in the evening, the top floor is where the disco is at!
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THE ROOST

www.theroost.co.uk
142 Sandringham Rd,
Clapton,
London
E8 2HJ

The roost is hired as a studio space for artists and commercial shoots, meaning anywhere you turn your head there’s a beautiful backdrop, trendy graphic print or some retro, boutique prop. It makes every photo full of colour and character. There’s a total of three floors and a basement, so as well giving your photographer an exhausting workout as they run up down throughout the day, you can also choose a different floor for each part of your wedding. The top floor has two bedrooms opposite each other for the couple to get ready in, so as long as you’ve surrounded yourself with logistically, savvy ushers and bridesmaids who can coordinate the opening and closing of the two facing doors, you’ll get to the ceremony without without a hitch. There’s a small garden out the back for any smokers, and a basement for late night beats if you want to push the party into the early hours. The Roost is also associated with two other venues, Dalston Heights and Friendly Place so if it’s already booked there are two other great options worth checking out!
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WILTON’S MUSIC HALL

www.wiltons.org.uk
Wilton’s Music Hall,
1 Graces Alley (pedestrian access only)
London,
E1 8JB

I first visited Wilton’s Music Hall a few years back when a couple of close friends got married there. At that point, I’d never even heard of it, but I became immediately keen to shoot there!

If history is your thing, or London is your thing, or theatre is you thing… or just really cool things are your thing, then Wilton’s should be a big contender for your venue. It’s completely magical, filled with history and atmosphere.

The buildings have lived many lives – homes and an ale house in the 1600s, concert hall and saloon throughout the 1800s, a methodist mission saw it through the two world wars until the 1950s, and then it was almost all over when as a derelict rag warehouse in the 1960’s it was listed for demolition. No Londoner was going to stand for that. Especially John Betjeman, who fought with many others to save it.

Through many periods of restoration, it is now an arts venue. Though indeed restored, it’s very much frozen in time as a music hall – from the moment you walk in, it’s like finding yourself in Victorian London. You can almost see the popular entertainment acts play and hear the audience merrily willing them on.

You can hire the whole venue, which includes the bars, the Victorian staircase, and the Hall with its famous barley-twist columns – there are countless photo opportunities and backdrops, everywhere you look is steeped in faded Victorian charm. This venue is so special and completely unique and a fantastic place for a proper east-end knees up.

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I hope you enjoyed our 5 cool and quirky London venues recommendations, if you have any other suggestions get in touch, we’re always happy to learn about new places and hopefully when we’re allowed back out I’ll be shooting a few of them soon! If you want to see more images from our recent weddings then click on gallery on the main navigation.
5 amazing barn wedding venues

5 amazing barn wedding venues

Barn Weddings, Countryside Weddings, Venues

Gate Street Barn

Set in the surrey hills just 5 miles outside of Guilford. Whenever I’ve shot at Gate Street Barn I’ve always felt that it was the perfect layout for a wedding. With a number of areas for every part of your day, you move seamlessly from ceremony to reception and on to the wedding breakfast without evening knowing the work happening behind the scenes. The surrounding areas are fantastic for couple shots, although you could easily stay within a 20 metre radius of the barn itself and still get some lovely shots. [smart-grid row_height=”400″ captions=”false” lightbox=”none”] [/smart-grid]    

Lillibrook Manor

This estate is set in the Thames Valley in a stunning grade 2 listed building, with beautiful spacious grounds catering to whatever their guests desire. When I worked at Lillibrook Manor the ceremony was outside in the Cloister Garden, a courtyard surrounded by brick walls and old barn doors. The couple also hired dogems and fun fair stalls for the evening which the venue happily hosted in the area just outside the Great Barn where they held the wedding breakfast. [smart-grid row_height=”400″ captions=”false” lightbox=”none”] [/smart-grid]    

Upwaltham Barn

Found in the rolling south downs, drive too fast and you’ll miss the entrance. This is another venue that seems to have been perfectly designed for your wedding day. The barn, ceremony hall and bridal suite are all surrounding a beautiful courtyard where you guests can drink and chat after the ceremony before heading inside for the wedding breakfast. There’s also a small, picturesque garden for anyone who wants take a time out from the wedding crowds. [smart-grid row_height=”400″ captions=”false” lightbox=”none”] [/smart-grid]    

The Tithe Barn

Shooting at Tithe Barn meant a bit of a road trip for me, living just outside London I drove 5 hours up into the beautiful yorkshire country side but it was totally worth it. It’s a brand new venue opening only mid 2018 and I had the honour of shooting their very first wedding. It’s lovely and spacious with a nice, intimate little garden area for reception drinks but enough room inside if the weather wasn’t looking great. But if the sun is out, enjoy the view of the beautiful Bolton Abbey, which is definitely where you want to go for some photos at sunset. [smart-grid row_height=”400″ captions=”false” lightbox=”none”] [/smart-grid]    

Stone Barn

This is another venue that has the perfect layout and combination or areas to suit any wedding. It has a great mix of traditional decor but with a modern architectural twist. Choose between the stone barn itself or the charming garden area for your ceremony. Wander around the beautiful Cotswold countryside for your couple shots, then head in for the wedding breakfast in the light and spacious dining hall. The corrugated metal ceiling and hanging fairy lights adds a cosy, magical feel to the day. I absolutely loved shooting at this venue and can’t wait to go back! [smart-grid row_height=”400″ captions=”false” lightbox=”none”] [/smart-grid]
Best pub wedding venues in London

Best pub wedding venues in London

Londesborough, London Wedding Photography, Venues

contact-story-and-colourThis is the second post about my favourite wedding venues (part one can be found here) and this time I’m focusing on the building that is so many people’s humble home from home – the old English pub.

Pubs have really upped their game over the last few years and can now hold their heads high amongst the many wedding venues on offer. What they lack in grandeur and size they make up for in modesty, intimate down-to-earth atmosphere and of course, price!

There are so many great pubs in London and I don’t pretend to know them all, but the below are some of the ones I’ve shot in and can highly recommend. So, in no particular order, here are my top pub wedding venues in London – enjoy!

 

THE DEPOT

thedepotn7.co.uk
1 Carpenter’s Mews, North Road, London N7 9EF
The Depot (previously Shillibeers) is a few minutes walk from the Caledonian Road station and tucked away just below the Pleasance Theatre. It’s one of the bigger pub venues I’ve shot in, but still has loads of atmosphere. It also has a nice little cobbled area outside for those warmer days and for any group shots you might want.

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THE LONDESBOROUGH

thelondesborough.com
36 Barbauld Road, Stoke Newington, London N16 0SS
This has got to be my most shot in pub venue in London, it has an unofficial partnership with Stoke Newington Town Hall which is a two minute walk up the road and the Londesborough seems to be the place to go after your ceremony. Packed full of warmth and atmosphere, The Londesborough has a nice long bar area big enough for 50-70 people to chat before moving down to the restaurant area for your wedding breakfast. Nice and cosy!

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THE PRINCE ALBERT

https://princealbert.pub
60 Dace Rd, London E3 2NQ
I love this place. This pub has the perfect layout, a nice central bar with room for people to mingle around the outside. It also has a small garden and a separate upstairs area for the wedding breakfast, so whilst not enormous, it has enough space to cater for every part of your day.

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THE PEASANT

thepeasant.co.uk
240 St John Street, London EC1V 4PH
The Peasant is a great pub with a downstairs bar for the reception and a lovely french bistro-styled eating area upstairs. The downstairs is a traditional wooden bar area with a lovely tiled floor and enough room for dancing in the evening, but the restaurant area is the best feature – the decor and the layout gives off a lovely family feel.

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ARTISAN

theartisanofclerkenwell.com
53 St John’s Square, Clerkenwell, London EC1V 4JL
As you can tell by the name, The Artisan has a trendier, urban, industrial style and is more cocktail bar than traditional pub but I’m still including it here, as it is such a great venue. Follow the long bar down into the seated, eating area which is a great sized dance floor in the evening.

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ROYAL INN ON THE PARK

royalinnonthepark.com
111 Lauriston Road, Hackney, London E9 7HJ
This place feels like a royal home with a bar plonked in the centre. A place from the mid-Victorian era, its large marble pillars and black and white chequered floors give you a sense of quality and sophistication without being snobby. It’s also right next to Victoria Park so you can do a quick 5k to burn off your meal.

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THE GREEN

thegreenclerkenwell.com
29 Clerkenwell Green, London EC1R 0DU
Based in the heart of Farringdon, this lovely little venue has everything you want from a London pub. It has a bar downstairs for reception drinks and an upstairs area for the wedding breakfast. The location is great for group and couple shots as well.

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TRAFALGAR TAVERN

trafalgartavern.co.uk
Park Row, London SE10 9NW
Located on the edge of the Thames, this pub gives off a nautical atmosphere, which isn’t surprising as it couldn’t be any close to the water. With a bustling pub downstairs, the weddings take place upstairs where you have your own bar, reception room and ceremony/dining hall which has loads of room to boogy when converted in the evening. This place has everything you need!

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5 awesome urban wedding venues in London

5 awesome urban wedding venues in London

Trinity Buoy Wharf, Venues, Wedding

contact-story-and-colourOne of the great things about being a wedding photographer is being able to visit so many amazing venues. Whether it’s in the country side or the city, a spacious hall or a cosy east end boozer, it never disappoints.

Choosing a venue is hard, probably the hardest decision you’ll make when organising your wedding. So to help you out, I’ve started a list of the best venues I’ve photographed this year.

Starting with my top 5 Urban wedding venues. If you want that big spacious barn vibe but don’t want to leave the city hopefully this list can help you kick start your venue research.

 

THE WORX

http://www.theworx.co.uk
10 Heathmans Road, Parsons Green,
London, SW6 4TJ
The Worx is a Venue and Studio hire complex. With infinite white backdrops used for fashion, portraits and car photography, it also works well for couple’s portraits and group shots. The wedding was held in one of the bigger studios and was later transformed into the dining area, there’s also a courtyard outside for drinks and canapés!

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HOXTON ARCHES

http://www.hoxtonarches.com
402 Cremer St, London E2 8HD
Situated across the road from the Hoxton Overground Station, The Hoxton Arches are literally underneath the railway track. With a cool, art gallery feel to it, it’s a blank canvas for you to transform into whatever you see fit. There’s a back garden area, with tables and chairs and a backdrop of graffiti.

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SWAN WHARF

http://www.swanwharf.org
60 Dace Rd, London E3 2NQ
I love this venue. Hidden away in East London, this is a super cool, spacious warehouse with all the trimmings. This is as urban as you can get! It’s three floors up, with exposed brick walls and high ceilings with metal girders. It has loads of space inside and out for drinking, dining and dancing!

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TRINITY BUOY WHARF

http://www.trinitybuoywharf.com
64 Orchard Pl, Poplar, London E14 0JY
Situated right on the Thames at what used to be a former working dock. Trinity Buoy Wharf is the perfect wedding venue. Sip your drink whilst looking out over the Thames, or maybe have a wander past the colourful shipping containers, have a game of ping pong… and if you’re lucky, see the view from the top of London’s only lighthouse!

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STOUR SPACE

http://www.stourspace.co.uk
7 Roach Rd, Tower Hamlets E3 2PA
Stour Space is a fantastic, creative space. Drink your fizz in the large open area on the ground floor before heading up to the mezzanine level for some yummy food. To chill out, head to the floating jetty on the canal to see amazing views of the Olympic Park.

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