London Elopement Inspiration
Elopements and small wedding ceremonies have always been something I love to capture. I adore the intimacy of an elopement. Seeing a couple pledge their love to each other in front of just a handful of people, hearing their heartfelt vows and then heading off to spend the day with them as they celebrate however they wish to. No tradition. No fuss. Just two people head over heels for each and feeling absolutely on top of the world! The beauty of an elopement is that there is no right or wrong. You can choose to celebrate however, and wherever you like.
One of my favourite things about London is that you really are spoilt for choice when it comes to elopement venues. From the grand to the intimate from beautiful modern structures to stunning buildings evoking a real sense of the past. There is something for every couple. It’s one of the most diverse cities in the world, and I just love it! I’ve been lucky enough to be part of many London elopements and micro weddings. These are just a few of my favourite city venues.
Historical London wedding venues
One of my absolute favourite London ceremony spots is Islington Town Hall. What a venue! The inside is just as impressive as the listed building looks on the outside and all the ceremony rooms are gorgeous. Islington Town Hall is located on Upper Street, a rather fashionable part of town, which means there is no shortage of cool locations for photos nearby.
If Islington Town Hall isn’t quite impressive enough for you then the Old Royal Naval College could be a winner! With gorgeous views of the Thames this collection of buildings is nothing short of spectacular. Imagine holding an intimate ceremony in the light and airy Admiral’s House before heading out into the hustle and bustle of Greenwich for some portaits along the riverside.
One of my favourite things about London is that around every corner you’ll find a hidden nook or cranny filled with something unexpected. I stumbled upon St Dunstan in the East Church Garden by chance. Set within the ruins of a Wren church, the garden is a little oasis of peace and tranquility in the heart of the City. It makes for an incredible backdrop for romantic portraits and is a great place to stop off post ceremony.
The beauty of London is that grand historical buildings sit alongside urban, industrial spaces. If you’re looking for somewhere unique and distinctly cool for your elopement then read on!
Unique London elopement venues
For urban, industrial ‘cool’ then you really can’t beat MC Motors in Dalston. In fact, for me, MC Motors ticks all the boxes. It’s got a characterful history, from the Victorian Street running down the centre of the buildings to the fact it survived multiple bombing raids during World War Two before being occupied by, amongst other things, the Metropolitan Waterboard and a car mechanics! It’s also dog friendly which is a huge plus in my book!
Being a warehouse venue you might think it’s more suited to a huge party than a micro wedding, but going small doesn’t mean scrimping on the type of wedding you want. The industrial space can easily be divided up into smaller sections – a ceremony space, a dining area, bar and somewhere for guests to relax – and as it’s a blank canvas you can go wild on the decor!
Fancy getting married in your own tropical paradise, without leaving London? How about the Barbican! Exotic fish and thousands of tropical plants topped off with stunning views of the London skyline.
The Barbican have just introduced their own micro weddings package. You can say your vows in their beautiful, light filled, conservatory before we head out for some photos around the complex. I can’t think of a more unique wedding venue within London, and trust me, I’ve photographed at a lot of places in this city!
Beautiful, Epping Forest wedding venue
Now, the majority of the venues have been city based. Beautiful architecture, urban locations. But what if you’re after something a bit well, greener? Welcome to Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge.
Set on the outskirts of Epping Forest this venue is a real beauty. Dating back to Tudor times it has to be one of the most romantic venues in the South. I adore the oak beams and enormous stone fireplace. The views across the ancient Epping woodland are unbeatable and there’s something wonderful about seeing a couple say their vows knowing that they’re standing on the same spot as British monarchy and grand historical figures.
So there you have it. A brief introduction to some incredible London venues. If you’re planning your own city elopement or micro wedding then I hope this has helped, and I would love to hear from you!