10 Alternative London Wedding Venues for Couples Who Want Something Different

Hi, I’m Paola, a London wedding photographer with a quirky love for unusual, creative and genuinely imperfect wedding venues with real soul.

Places that, rather than simply impressing you, make you feel inspired and connected. Places that touch your inner creative spirit and rock you with excitement.

Some of these wedding venues I know very well, as I have photographed weddings at them and, at some, I am also lucky to be a preferred or recommended supplier. Others are on my list of magical places where I would absolutely love to photograph a wedding.

As an LGBTQ+ inclusive London wedding photographer, LGBTQ+ couples are always warmly welcome in my world. The respect and open-mindedness that define me as a person also define me as a wedding photographer. I always want to make sure that the places and suppliers I recommend share my belief in inclusivity and respect.

This little list of alternative London wedding venues is a very personal selection, based on the places that genuinely inspire me. It isn’t a generic paid advert or a list of venues I have chosen simply because they are popular.

These are places that have something I love: personality, creativity, history, beautiful imperfections and soul.

Burgh House Wedding Venue, Hampstead

What is there not to like about this beautiful historic Grade I listed building?

First of all, there is Hampstead itself. If you’re not from London, you might not realise that London is made up of many little villages, each with its own style and personality.

I personally live in Wimbledon, near Wimbledon Village, and discovering all these different London villages is something I find very exciting.

Hampstead is green, inspiring, creative and welcoming, and Burgh House sits in a beautiful neighbourhood with a real sense of community.

It isn’t simply a wedding venue. It’s also a place where people can enjoy art, as it has an art gallery, and music, with its beautiful panelled music room and grand piano.

I personally experienced Christmas carols here, with atmospheric lighting and beautiful singing, and it was magical.

If you are a lover of history, connection, community, gardens and Britishness in a wonderfully quirky way, I think you will love this place.

I am a preferred supplier here and have photographed weddings at Burgh House many times, so I know the venue and the staff well. Sophie, who runs the events, is absolutely adorable.

I can personally vouch for this incredible venue and its deeply creative, quirky, British and inspiring personality.

You can also read my Burgh House wedding photography guide, where I share my personal experience of photographing many weddings at this beautiful Hampstead venue.

Petersham Nurseries Wedding Venue, Richmond

You might be a little confused when Googling this place, as there is also a Petersham Nurseries in central London. I’m specifically referring to the original one in Richmond.

Why?

Because it’s near the river, close to Richmond Park, and it is the original place.

I first discovered Petersham Nurseries many years ago with an architect friend of mine who wanted to show me a beautiful, unusual nursery that didn’t simply sell plants, but seemed to sell soul, style, creativity and wonderfully unusual pieces.

Over the years it developed into much more, including becoming a beautiful place for weddings.

I haven’t photographed a wedding at Petersham Nurseries itself yet, and I would absolutely love to.

I do, however, know this area very well. I live in Wimbledon, just on the other side of Richmond Park. I’ve cycled around here, walked along the river and crossed the Thames on the little river ferry. I’ve also photographed on the other side of the river at the beautiful Orleans House Gallery.

The family behind the original Petersham Nurseries is Italian, and perhaps that’s one of the reasons I feel such a deep connection with the aesthetic of this place.

It reminds me of that beautiful Italian creativity you find in places such as Florence, where history and art are part of everyday life.

Petersham Nurseries feels like an oasis along the River Thames, where nature, creativity and art meet in a sophisticated yet raw and imperfect way, just the way I like places.

It has deep soul without the pretentiousness of a glossy, marble-covered, shiny five-star London hotel.

The place is theatrical in a wonderfully rustic way and creative in a very organic way.

It is definitely very high on my list of places where I would love to photograph a wedding.

Feel free to have a look at some of my pictures of the venue.

Brunswick House Wedding Venue, Vauxhall

I first discovered and visited this place, formerly known to me as LASSCO, probably more than 20 years ago, when it was filled with antiques across its many floors and possibly a few ghosts hiding in the corners!

I used to visit a lot because I loved the intense energy of the place and the excitement of discovering unique and historical pieces that I could add to my own home.

It later became a restaurant and is now also a beautiful wedding venue with a very quirky personality, stylish presence and aristocratic background  and possibly the odd ghost still floating around.

One of the things that makes me smile about Brunswick House is the way it sits proudly amongst the enormous, shiny skyscrapers of modern Vauxhall.

The building isn’t particularly tall. It’s historical, covered in character and fairy lights, and somehow its grandeur almost overpowers the skyscrapers behind it.

It makes me laugh every time I pass by.

I love the fact that this place has kept its position in London while all these tall buildings and modern architecture have grown around it.

I love its quirkiness and the richness of every little detail. I love the fact that it is unique and stands alone against the pressure of modern life, holding on to its history and wonderfully creative personality.

I’ve not yet had the pleasure of photographing a wedding here, and I would absolutely love to embrace all the beautiful quirks of this venue with my camera.

It’s definitely somewhere for creative people who think outside the box and want something unique, real and perhaps a little imperfect.

It’s also very close to Vauxhall station and very much in my neck of the woods, as I live only a couple of train stops away in Wimbledon.

Asylum Chapel Wedding Venue, Peckham

Oh yes. This is another quirky, creative and beautiful London place that is very close to my heart.

And yes, I have photographed weddings here — and I would absolutely love to come back again and again.

The crumbling walls, theatrical lighting and incredible atmosphere make this Grade II listed venue completely unique.

It’s full of history, but again, what I also love is its community spirit. The chapel sits amongst the houses of Caroline Gardens, and I love venturing around the grounds and watching life go by.

This venue is beautiful whether you are planning a summer or winter wedding.

In winter, the crumbling walls and candlelight create the most atmospheric, almost Christmassy feeling. In summer, the beautiful light coming through the stained-glass windows transforms the space.

It’s imperfect, theatrical and full of soul, which is exactly why I love it.

Have a look at one of my real Asylum Chapel weddings to see how this extraordinary venue photographs.

The Greenhouses Wedding Venue, Marylebone

This venue is quite literally a collection of greenhouses, and I’m really fond of this beautiful place.

Weddings here feel like a celebration surrounded by flowers, foliage and nature.

One of the things that makes The Greenhouses so special is that they are right in central London, yet when you’re there it can feel as though you’ve escaped to a magical place in the countryside.

There are flowers, foliage and little hidden corners everywhere. It blends nature with a very relaxed, modern way of celebrating.

I’ve photographed weddings here as well as a secret wedding proposal, so this is a venue I know very well.

I’ve worked at The Greenhouses many times and I’m also listed as a preferred wedding photographer.

You can even read the lovely review I left for them on Google.

If you’re thinking about getting married here and have any questions, please ask me. I’ll be very happy to tell you what I know about this wonderfully unusual London venue.

You can see more of my photography from The Greenhouses here.

Linden House Wedding Venue, Hammersmith

This Grade II listed Georgian riverside venue, close to the iconic Hammersmith Bridge, is one of my most cherished London places.

I’m also listed as a recommended wedding photographer here.

Linden House is home to a sailing and rowing club, which gives it a charming nautical personality.

It’s elegant, but in a very relaxed way.

It sits directly in front of the River Thames and has a private courtyard where you can sit with a cocktail, enjoy the atmosphere and simply watch the river go by.

Inside, there are lots of little details reflecting its connection with sailing and rowing. The rooms are spacious and filled with natural light.

I absolutely love working here and with the lovely staff.

If you have any questions about Linden House, please get in touch. I would be very happy to share what I know and help you make your day feel completely your own.

Have a look at one of my real Linden House weddings for more photographs and inspiration.

100 Barrington Wedding Venue, Brixton

Formerly known as Brixton East 1871, this venue is incredible.

I worked there a lot before the new owners changed the name and redecorated the space.

I was also very good friends with the previous owner, Andy Luckett, and I was forever asking him questions about how he came across this former warehouse and turned it into such an amazing wedding venue.

I love the exposed brick walls, high ceilings and metal pillars.

It’s conveniently located around a ten-minute walk from Brixton Underground station and has a wonderfully rustic feeling while still being sophisticated and modern.

It’s a space that gives you the freedom to decorate it in your own way and make it yours.

I know this venue very well and would absolutely love to photograph more weddings here.

It’s urban in a very romantic way. Industrial, but creatively elegant.

For me, it’s a perfect venue for stylish, creative couples who want something historical and unusual while still feeling unmistakably London.

You can see one of the weddings I photographed here when the venue was known as Brixton East 1871.

London Rowing Club Wedding Venue, Putney

This is a beautiful historic riverside venue overlooking the Thames in Putney.

And yes, I have photographed weddings here before.

This Victorian riverside clubhouse has beautiful large windows, giving it a bright and airy atmosphere.

I love its connection with the river and its very particular London personality.

There’s something very special about celebrating a wedding beside the Thames: the water, the changing light, the rowing boats and the life of the river all become part of the atmosphere of your day.

It’s historical and traditional, but still feels relaxed, another little piece of London with its own personality.

Clapton Country Club Wedding Venue, East London

I absolutely love this venue because it feels like a hidden treasure.

There is reclaimed furniture, interesting décor, exposed brick walls, beautiful lights everywhere and plants growing almost as if you were inside a mysterious greenhouse in the middle of London.

It’s incredibly photogenic, with so many possibilities for wedding photography.

It feels relaxed, quirky and creative.

I haven’t photographed a wedding at Clapton Country Club yet, but I absolutely love its style and energy.

It’s urban, but also rustic and wonderfully quirky in a very British way.

This is definitely another venue on my wish list.

Wilton’s Music Hall Wedding Venue, East London

This Grade II listed building is a beautiful theatre and music venue with a long history of performances and productions.

Built in the mid-19th century, Wilton’s Music Hall has preserved so many of its original features.

That’s what makes it so enchanting to me.

There are beautiful arches, Victorian staircases, brick walls, antique fireplaces and layer upon layer of history.

It feels cosy and theatrical in a deeply creative way.

I love that it isn’t perfect and polished. You can see its history, and that gives the building its personality.

I haven’t photographed a wedding here yet, and I would absolutely love the opportunity to explore this intricate and exciting venue with my camera.

For couples who want something creative, historic, theatrical and very different from the conventional London wedding venue, Wilton’s Music Hall is definitely somewhere I would look at.

Looking for an Alternative London Wedding Photographer?

If you’re planning a wedding at one of these incredible London venues or somewhere equally creative, quirky and completely your own, I’d love to hear about it.

I’m an LGBTQ+ inclusive London wedding photographer and I photograph weddings in a fun, relaxed and documentary way, focusing on real connection, personality and all the wonderfully unexpected moments in between.

Whether I’ve photographed at your venue many times or it’s somewhere I’ve been dreaming of photographing, what matters most to me is that your wedding feels like you.

If that sounds like your kind of wedding photography, come and say hello.