London Wedding Venues for Intimate Wedding Receptions
Here are five of my favourite London restaurants for smaller wedding receptions, suitable for between 30-60 people. I’m really passionate about good food, so it’s always such a treat when I get to visit great restaurants in London as part of a wedding day. These five options all offer something different when it comes to food, from delicate small plates to one of the best brunches you can find in the city. Food is such an important part of the day, and I love to see how people choose to feed their guests. A really popular option is to organise a ‘family style’ meal, to encourage sharing and conversation around the meal.
Lots of these restaurants are walking distance from their nearest town hall, but another way that’s always fun is to book a London bus to get your guests from A to B. I also love it when a couple chooses to hop on the tube; this is what we did for our wedding last year. For me it’s always really interesting to see the public reactions and to capture the hustle and bustle of the city as part of a London wedding day, it makes for some great photographs and memorable moments.
I’ve also chosen to focus on these five venues because of the quality of light, as well as the decor. These venues require minimal additions besides flowers and table placements.
These five spaces would also be perfect for your pre-wedding consultation. Get in touch if you’d like to chat about your wedding photos over a good coffee or natural wine.
London Coffee Co.
London Coffee Co. is the perfect East London wedding reception venue, especially if you love good coffee. Based on Hackney Rd. in a former brewery, the space is modern and airy, described as a ‘tropical oasis on Hackney Rd’.
The main dining area features a backdrop that can be personalised with flowers and foliage, and large dividing doors open out into an outdoor seating area. The surrounding area has lots of options for a quick portrait session. In terms of the food and drink, the venue hosts regular chef residencies and pop ups, with a commitment to excellent ingredients and wines.
Carousel
Carousel is a great choice for wedding receptions in Fitzrovia, and is a short walk from the ever-popular Fitzrovia Chapel. The surrounding streets are perfect for a casual stroll and couple photos, and the stylish private dining areas upstairs offer a flexible, blank-canvas style space for anything from 20 to 200 guests. The restaurant downstairs is host to a rotating list of guest chefs and events, so do check out what’s on while you’re browsing for your Central London wedding reception venue. They also offer seasonal small plates from their critically-acclaimed wine bar menu. If you’re looking for a memorable dining experience, and a stylish, minimal space for your London wedding reception then I highly recommend you pay a visit. Looking for a wedding photographer for your Carousel wedding reception? I’d be delighted to join you. You can enquire about my availability here.
The Bull & Last
Heading up to North London, we reach the Bull & Last, on the edge of Hampstead Heath. This London pub is a popular choice for Sunday Roasts, and offers a private dining space upstairs which seats 55 people. You can also hire out the entire pub for up to 110 guests, if you’re planning a bigger wedding reception. Their menus focus on seasonal British ingredients, with options from standing receptions (buttermilk fried chicken, seasonal terrines, sausage rolls…) to sit-down courses (roast halibut, aged short horn prime rib, medium rare onglet…). The food here is excellent.
Once your guests have settled in, you can duck out for a breather for photos at Hampstead Heath. Looking for a wedding photographer for your Bull & Last wedding reception? Take me with you, please. Get in touch here for my pricing and availability.
Bistrotheque
I’ve written about Bistrotheque in another blog post, celebrating the wedding of Ed and Mark in the large upstairs space. Bistrotheque also offers a smaller private dining space for intimate London wedding receptions. When I last visited, for the civil partnership of R & C, they served an unforgettable brunch menu featuring the most impressive French toast I’ve ever seen. The smaller space, known as The Cockatoo, is ideal for parties of up to 60 guests, and can be adapted to suit your needs; sit-down meals, dancing, or both. The menus are sharing-style plates, including a fruit de mare seafood option (with a lobster upgrade!). Bistrotheque serves wonderful cocktails and mocktails, too. It’s the perfect location for an elegant lunch or evening reception. The Cockatoo has less natural light than the upstairs restaurant area, which gives a moodier, intimate feel. The blush tones photograph very well, and the space requires minimal styling to look great in your wedding photos. For your wedding portraits, the urban streets outside are surprisingly quiet and make the perfect spot for a quick dash with your photographer in-between courses. If you’re looking for a wedding photographer for your Bistrotheque wedding reception, I’m always very happy to return; this is one of my favourite London wedding venues. Get in touch here to enquire about availability.
The Greyhound
We’re going South of the River for a trip to The Greyhound; a gorgeous space in Sydenham filled with light, colour and vintage artwork. The staff are wonderfully friendly, and the atmosphere is laid back and relaxed. Ideal for a smaller wedding reception, the upstairs space feels like you’re partying in someone’s (very stylish) living room. Natural light is plentiful, and playful, moving across the large windows over the course of your afternoon or evening celebration and adding interest to your wedding reception photos. They offer casual, buffet-style menus at an affordable price. If you’re looking for a South London wedding photographer, I’d love to join you for a pint and a chat at The Greyhound.
I hope you’ve found these suggestions helpful, and that you’re enjoying your search for the perfect intimate London restaurant for your wedding reception. If one of these options takes your fancy for a pre-wedding chat, fill out the contact form and let’s grab a drink!