Your London Wedding - Nov/Dec 2019 (Issue 68)

RIBA AT 66 PORTLAND PLACE Located on an avenue known for its decadent Georgian architecture, Grade II listed RIBA at 66 Portland Place provides a romantic backdrop for a wedding or civil partnership. Built in 1934, the building is considered one of the best examples of Art Deco/Swedish Modernism in the UK. In other words, it’s a Mid-century dream of a venue. Ceremonies take place in the bright, Art Deco-style RIBA Gallery, where the original 1930s floor-to-ceiling windows bathe the space with light and give views over Portland Place. There’s room for up to 120 friends and family here. Receptions can be catered for in Florence Hall, which can accommodate 220 loved ones for a dinner dance. In summer months, guests can step out onto the leafy roof terrace for a drinks reception with fantastic views over the capital. More intimate occasions of up to 22 nearest and dearest can be held in the Aston Webb Room or guests could repair to the triple-height atrium for drinks post-ceremony before heading back into the RIBA Gallery for the wedding breakfast. Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 020 7303 3888 | architecture.com LSO ST LUKE’S Artful external restoration has transformed Grade I listed LSO St Luke’s into one of the most striking event spaces in London. With its distinctive Hawksmoor-designed spire, this concert venue provides an elegant 18 th -century backdrop for those all-important photographs. The main events space, Jerwood Hall, is flooded with natural light and provides a highly versatile space able to accommodate up to 220 guests for seated dinners or 425 for standing receptions. Alternatively, if you’re looking for an outdoor reception, LSO St Luke’s Front Lawn can accommodate 425 guests for an informal affair. Ceremony licence? No Contact: 020 7566 2871 | lso.co.uk BANQUETING HOUSE Banqueting House offers two enchanting spaces licensed for civil ceremonies and suitable for receptions too – the Main Hall, which features Sir Peter Paul Ruben’s magnificent painted ceiling alongside glittering chandeliers and sweeping pillars, and the atmospheric Undercroft with its vaulted ceiling, long dramatic aisle and candelabra – perfect for creating an intimate and romantic mood. The former boasts one of the largest capacities in London and can host some 400 guests, or be divided for more intimate affairs. The Undercroft, meanwhile, is ideal for parties of 150 and its vaulted ceiling and long dramatic aisle will certainly lend an air of gravitas to the big day. Situated in the heart of Whitehall, the front courtyard can be used to create a breathtaking entrance for guests, not to mention a picturesque backdrop for photographs. Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 020 3166 6152 | hrp.org.uk 30