Garden Wedding Venues for Hire in London

Your Guide to Hiring Garden Wedding Venues in London

We love all garden weddings, from the ones on rooftop terraces in the centre of London to rustic celebrations in the countryside. Pretty scenery and beautiful natural landscapes mean that you can embrace a less-is-more approach when it comes to decorating. That being said, there’s a significant amount of legwork and orchestration that goes into planning an al fresco celebration. To make things a lot easier for you, we’ve listed a couple of garden wedding tips below.

Some expert tips for organising your garden wedding:

• Prepare your guest list in advance – This is an important step toward establishing a budget. This will help you pick the right sized garden wedding venue, too!
• Plan the spendings wisely – Allocate the majority of your budget to venue hire, food and drink.
• Think of your guests’ needs while arranging the agenda – Schedule speeches throughout the meal so guests don’t have to sit for long periods without getting up (and don’t stand for too long either).
• Keep the London weather in mind – Don’t forget to make a contingency plan for rain! Many garden wedding venues have special on-site facilities for such cases, so it’s always good to ask the manager if they’re prepared to handle emergencies of this kind.

Things to consider when hiring a garden wedding venue in London:

• ease of accessibility for the elderly or disabled
• time of the event (aim to schedule your ceremony after the hottest part of the day so the sun won’t be so strong for your guests)
• lighting (this is key for events that carry on into the evening)
• the audio system (garden weddings can be demanding in terms of getting the sound right, so remember to double check everything before the event starts)
• any cancellation fees (it’s better to avoid the surprise)

Seasonal Blooms and Decor: Tailoring Your Garden Wedding to the Time of Year

Creating a harmonious and visually stunning garden wedding in London demands thoughtful consideration of the season. Seasonal blooms and decor enhance the natural beauty of your chosen garden venue and add a personal touch and an element of sustainability to your special day. Here's how to tailor your garden wedding to the time of year, ensuring every detail resonates with the season's palette and mood.

• Spring: A Fresh Start: Outdoor weddings in spring thrive on a palette of soft pastels and the first blooms of the year. Think delicate daffodils, tulips, and cherry blossoms that mirror the rebirth of nature. Decorate your aisles with petal-lined pathways, and use abundant fresh greenery to frame your ceremony space. Centrepieces featuring peonies and ranunculus in colourful vases will complement the lovely setting of a blooming London garden reception venue.
• Summer: Bold and Bright: Summer weddings can afford to be bolder, with lively colours and lush floral arrangements. Incorporate sunflowers, roses, and dahlias into your decor to reflect the season's warmth and energy. Consider lighter materials and open tents to allow for a breeze. Mix bright blooms with citrus fruits for a fresh and festive look for centrepieces. Utilise the long daylight hours with an evening ceremony under fairy lights strung between trees, creating a magical twilight vibe.
• Autumn: Rich Hues and Rustic Textures: Autumn in London brings a rich palette of burgundy, deep orange, and golden yellow. Decorate with seasonal foliage, pumpkins, and berries for a warm and cosy feel. Use rustic elements like wood and burlap to complement the garden's natural decline into the cooler months. Centrepieces made from dried flowers and grasses, accented with candles, add romance and hint at the approaching winter chill.
• Winter: Elegance and Enchantment: While outdoor weddings in winter may be challenging, they're not impossible. Create an enchanted setting with evergreens, holly, and ivy. Use white and silver accents to mimic the frost and incorporate twinkling lights and lanterns for warmth and light. A clear marquee or gazebo can protect guests from the elements while allowing the winter garden’s beauty to shine through. Hot drinks stations with mulled wine and hot chocolate will keep guests cosy. Although, it may be more convenient to have a winter wedding indoors!

Year-Round Tips

• Consult with a local florist specialising in seasonal blooms to ensure your floral arrangements are fresh, sustainable, and on budget.
• Embrace the hired garden's natural landscape by incorporating its features into your decor, reducing the need for additional decorations.
• Consider the lighting as it changes with the seasons; ensure there's ample light for your ceremony and reception, especially for late afternoon or evening events.
• Communicate with your venue about seasonal changes in the garden's appearance and what backup plans they offer for inclement weather.

By tailoring your garden wedding reception to the season, you celebrate the beauty of London's natural landscapes and ensure your wedding feels authentic and connected to the time of year. Seasonal decor and blooms create a sensory experience that is visually stunning, fragrant, and unique to your special day.

To make sure the hired wedding garden venue perfectly fits your vision of your special day, have a look at the Top 40+ Questions to Ask a Wedding Venue Before Booking!

FAQs about Garden Wedding Venues in London

When's the best time to hire a garden wedding venue in London?

The best time to look for a wedding venue is definitely now. As soon as you know that you want to seal the deal, it’s time to hire a space for your big day. London's best garden wedding venues often book out early! As for when you should actually have the wedding, we suggest the warmer months. Between May and October you will be blessed with amazing weather that will make your outdoor wedding one to remember. Of course, make sure to take into consideration whether you want to stand outside in great heat (usually around July), or prefer to stick to slightly cooler months (but with some risk of it being a little too cold or overcast, like May or September). We recommend getting a space that can offer at least some kind of roof over your head in case it rains, or an outdoor heater if it gets cold. 

What kind of wedding can I have in a garden venue in London?

London will make any bride’s wedding dreams come true. A rustic wedding? A dreamy wedding that will offer the ideal space both indoors and outdoors? Or maybe you want to make your dreams come true in Kew Gardens, where the photos are always out of this world, and the atmosphere is to die for. You’ll find many wedding packages and offers here at Tagvenue, make sure to search through them all! Garden party wedding venues are unlike any other–if you wanted to have a fairytale wedding, then you couldn’t have found a better place to book your ideal type of venue.

How to have the best wedding photos at a garden wedding venue in London?

Most of all, consider hiring a professional photographer. But in case you don’t have the opportunity, you simply must (at least) stick to the following tips for great shots:

• Use natural lighting or artificial lighting that looks like natural light (like string lights) to illuminate parts of the garden that are darker than others.
• Choose a time of day when there’s less sunlight in the sky so that shadows aren’t cast on people’s faces.
• Take advantage of natural backgrounds such as trees and bushes—they will frame your subjects and provide interesting angles for photos!
• Learn how to pose.
• Use good props!

Check out some unique photo ideas for your wedding day!

Where can I hire the best garden wedding venues in London?

When searching for top garden wedding spaces in London, consider exploring the charming neighbourhoods of Hampstead, Notting Hill, and Greenwich. Hampstead offers a tranquil escape with its leafy streets and beautiful parks, providing idyllic settings for cosy outdoor ceremonies. Notting Hill exudes romance with its beautiful streets lined with colourful houses and hidden gardens, offering fantastic private gardens for a magical wedding celebration. Meanwhile, Greenwich boasts historic charm and riverside beauty, with picturesque gardens and parks providing an elegant backdrop for your special day. These neighbourhoods offer natural allure, making them ideal destinations for couples seeking enchanting garden event spaces in London.