Weddings are as much defined by the guests as they are by the venue, which is one reason choosing between London’s funky and intimate wedding venues can involve looking at boats, cool old breweries, concert halls, farms and even warehouses. Of course the wedding and reception locations you look through will often depend on the ideas you’ve got for your celebration, ceremony and planned decorations. The location’s proximity to guests should also be a consideration, along with your honeymoon escape plans.
Below we’ve selected six of the coolest places in town that will accommodate the needs of both you and your guests, while entertaining and delighting everyone with wonderful experiences that will build memories to last a lifetime.
The Pickle Factory
The Pickle Factory boasts 255 square metres of event space that can hold up to a maximum capacity of 180. This intimate, rectangular space is in essence a blank canvas, with a simple white wall finish that allows you to put your own stamp on the décor and transform it into your dream wedding venue. That’s not to say it is lacking in character however, with steel beams overhead and the distinct brick flooring adding touches of charm to this adaptable space. As for reaching it, your nearest transport options would be Bethnal Green and Cambridge Heath Road stations.
Rolling Stock
Another great marriage of funky and intimate space, Rolling Stock is a venue in Shoreditch where you’ll be able to bring your wedding dreams to life in vivid color and absolutely earth shaking sound thanks to their in house Martin Audio Sound System. Like so many of the funkiest places in town, it’s also built under railway arches, but that’s just part of the cool. While it’s not technically a blank canvas, it can be adapted to more creative and interesting wedding ideas. There is ample seating throughout, with plush cushioned chairs and stools tucked under the tables. Stage lights are featured as well, and there’s a big screen with a projector. Easily accommodating 400 guests, and just five minutes from Shoreditch High Street and Hoxton stations, this is a gem of a place if you’re among the truly hip.
The Hospital Club
Intimate, with as few as eight persons being enough to start out with, and as funky as they come, the Hospital Club is an eclectic mix of everything you could ever want, and it’s got room for up to 300 guests. The actual facilities include a great bar that’s stocked with the finest spirits around, an outstanding lounge where cool just oozes from the walls, and an outstanding on site restaurant serving up some of the finest delicacies around. In fact, the restaurant is rather well known in London and seats up to 120 guests at a time, or 300 people for drinks receptions. Additionally there’s a great art gallery, which is just near the video and movie screening room. Whatever you’re planning, this is a great event location that’s just steps from the Covent Garden station, meaning easy access for everyone.
The Pavilions, Mile End Park
London’s Mile End Park is a bit of traditional history and a testament to the will, strength and devotion of the English. That makes the wedding venue at The Pavilions unlike anything else in the city. Finished at the turn of the last century, the venue is located in Tower Hamlets, and can comfortably host 260 guests inside, and even more if you’re taking space outside. You’ll find lovely floor to ceiling windows throughout that look onto the water, with a beautiful curved roof topping it all off. Since they don’t have a corkage fee, you’ll also have no issues with bringing your own beer, wine or spirits. Since the facility is in the park proper, you and your guests will have plenty of other things to do too should you so choose, and when it’s all done, everyone without a car will have a short five minute walk to Mile End station to get home.
The Roost
A super cool 250 capacity venue built in 1863, the Roost features four stunning floors of traditional Victorian pub, decorated with an eclectic blend of furniture and everything else in between. The walls are covered with the most funky mix of papers, pictures and fixtures you’re likely to find anywhere in London. There are a number of large fireplaces conveniently located on the ground floor, and a planted garden that’s accessible by way of a pair of old French doors. You’ll find big bright windows throughout, flooding the space in brilliant light on every floor. Then there’s the basement, which you can use for a range of activities, or just as a place to keep things. of course, it wouldn’t be complete without the fantastic and fully functional commercial kitchen that’s available for your use or that of your catering team.
Tanner Warehouse
If you’ve got your eye on something funky, but a little closer to home, and home is in Bermondsey, South London, then the Tanner Warehouse is exactly what you want. A combination of bar, restaurant, and stunning warehouse space, it’s one of the more funky and cool spaces this side of the city. To start with, there’s room for 250 people in the venue, and they’ll be treated with a selection of spirits from the fully loaded bar, tempted with delicacies they can watch being prepared from the modern and open view kitchen, and of course have plenty of room to mingle as well because it is a warehouse. The place comes staffed by experts, and they’ve got plenty of experiences with making everything go right for your wedding or reception.
