Why choose a green space wedding venue in London
Just because you live in the big smoke doesn’t mean you can’t get married surrounded by nature and lush greenery! One of the best things about London wedding venues is that there’s something to suit everyone! I’ve been very lucky as an alternative London wedding photographer to photograph at a range of green space London wedding venues that are located in nature. What do I mean by this? Basically if you want to get married in London, but also want to be surrounded by greenery or trees for a relaxed organic feel, then this is the best list for you!
Why not just get married in the countryside I hear you ask? Well, London weddings benefit from easy access for all guests without cars. This can mean your guests can really enjoy the wedding with no designated driver for the way home! It might also benefit you if you live in London, as you can get ready at home before your wedding, instead of needing to travel to a prep location or additional hotel. It might also be the case that you’d like to have your wedding ceremony in a London Town Hall to save costs on the registrar. This then restricts where you can have your wedding reception to Central London.
Now you know why you might want a natural London wedding venue, let’s see the best options!
Kew Gardens wedding photography
Surely I have to start with the largest most obvious green space London wedding ! Kew Gardens is a truly unique and important botanical garden and research hub located in South West London near Richmond. It boasts multiple outdoor and indoor greenhouses, and themed green spaces. They also have multiple venues and buildings within Kew Gardens so you can hold either large or small weddings there. I personally have photographed weddings in both the orangery and Cambridge Cottage.
You tend to have your wedding events at exclusive buildings that are roped off from the general public, but you take a golf buggy to go around rest of Kew Gardens for your couple photos. It is a huge site but the team of Kew Gardens are flawless at helping you navigate the expansive site. If you plan a Kew Gardens wedding you really would be surrounded by the best of nature. If you need a relaxed Kew Gardens wedding photographer then check out my past wedding photograpy at Kew Gardens.
Pembroke Lodge wedding in Richmond
Let’s pop just down the road to Pembroke Lodge, which is a green space London wedding venue situated inside Richmond Park. Richmond Park is another famous large green space with wild deer. Pembroke Lodge is a gorgeous marble columned house next to the Rose Garden. It also has its own back garden overlooking a green valley of Richmond Park. It’s worth noting that at the front and back garden you will likely see members of public walking around!
Clissold House wedding photographer
From a park in South West London to a park in North East London! I am, if I am honest, predominantly an East London wedding photographer. So fully expect to see a flurry of East London wedding venue inspiration next! Clissold House is one of the official Hackney Venues and it is situated inside Clissold Park. It is quite a busy park, so although you are in nature it’s not necessarily a tranquil vibe. I have written a more detailed account of Clissold House in my Hackney wedding planning guide, you can also check out individual Clissold House wedding photography here.
Abney Park Chapel wedding
This is another one of the official Hackney Venues, but it is much quieter. This green space London wedding venue is located in Abney park which is more enclosed, it’s between some gravel pathways rather than within green lawns, so you don’t have members of public relaxing on Summer days. Abney Park chapel is surrounded by tall green woodlands, and is deep enough into the park that you cannot tell the park is right next to some busy roads! If you’d like to see a more Abney Park Chapel wedding photography click here.
Severndroog Castle wedding
If you liked the look of Abney Park Chapel but you need a venue more South, then consider Severndroog Castle in South East London. It is similarly hidden away in a quiet park, but located near Shooters Hill. The castle is a little hidden gem, where you can climb to the top of the castle and get some epic views and couple photos. It is completely surrounded by thick woods and you can hold both your small intimate ceremony there and a reception. The venue put a marquee up right next to the castle for a wedding dinner. For a more detailed insight into planning a wedding at Severndroog Castle click here.
Morden Hall
If you want to go even further South, consider Morden Hall for your wedding with green space. It’s a white walled Manor House situated inside Morden Park. Your wedding steps out onto a very large patio and lawn, which is cordoned off with a river. You can have your wedding prep time in this venue, it has quirky wallpaper interiors. The large flat lawn is perfect if you want to plan a wedding with lawn games, let any children attending the wedding stretch their legs! Check out this full Morden Hall wedding photography to see whether the venue interior suits your needs.
Walthamstow Wetlands wedding
If woodlands are not quite the nature you’re after, and instead you like some water, greenery and wildlife, then a London Wildlife Trust wetlands wedding might be more your jam. I’m a recommended photographer at Walthamstow Wetlands and work regularly with the London Wildlife Trust events team. For a Walthamstow Wetlands wedding you hold your wedding across various rooms of the Engine House. For a detailed guide on having a wedding at Walthamstow Wetlands then click here.
Woodberry Wetlands wedding photographer
If we are talking about Walthamstow Wetlands it’s worth mentioning their sister site, Woodberry Wetlands, which is located 2 miles further into central London. The main differences between Woodberry Wetlands and Walthamstow wetlands weddings are firstly, that Woodberry wetlands wedding venue is a little smaller than Walthamstow Wetlands. If you want more space, various rooms and more guests then Walthamstow Wetlands should be your choice. Woodberry Wetlands consists of one ground floor internal room/building, and mostly outdoor space with the dinner in an open sided marquee and drinks on the lawn. The second main difference is that the Woodberry Wetlands will feel more exclusive as they close the entrance to the public.
Walthamstow Wetlands still has some access way for public near the start of the wedding day. Other differences that are worth knowing about is that with Walthamstow Wetlands weddings, you will see lots of greenery but you’re not quite close to the lakes. Whereas at the Woodberry Wetlands your dinner is right next to it. So if it’s important to you to have a watery view then you might prefer the Woodberry Wetlands wedding venue.
To make it easier for you I’ve summarised the difference between Walthamstow and Woodberry Wetlands weddings below.
| Walthamstow Wetlands | Woodberry Wetlands |
| Larger venue | Smaller venue |
| Multiple rooms across different levels | Single room in one building |
| Public have access near the start | Closed off |
| Can’t see the lake from the wedding space | Whole wedding is right next to the lake |
| Can take couple photos around the wetlands anytime | Can take couple photos whenever but need to have the gate access unlocked by staff |
Ecology Pavilion Mile End wedding photography
The ecology pavilion in Mile End is a unique curved long glass walled room right next to a park and a sort of wet marshland. I’ve only photographed here twice and it was a long time ago so please excuse the photos looking a little bit different! It is a stunning venue that I highly recommend and would love to revisit. Your guests can wander through the corridors of platforms across the small water marshes in between courses. It’s also right next to a large public green space/park which is where this couple held a big bride vs. groom cricket match!
The Barbican wedding photography
I guess it’s safe to say that The Barbican is a little different. It’s a London wedding venue iconic for its brutalist architecture. However inside that brutalist building is a conservatory you can get married in, so you’re surrounded by man-made nature! It’s one of my favourite quirky London wedding venues, I’ve been fortunate enough to shoot multiple weddings at The Barbican so if you’d like to see some Barbican wedding photography check out this blog post.
Battersea Park bandstand and pump house gallery wedding
Inside Battersea Park there is the Pump House Gallery which can host ceremonies and drinks receptions. In a similar manner to Clissold House it’s a small venue right in the middle of a busy park, so only aim for this venue if you’re ok with a rather relaxed non exclusive wedding space.
Hampton court house wedding
Hampton Court House is a school situated in the iconic Bushy Park (birthplace of Parkrun!). It’s a gorgeous old manor home building converted into an independent school that is nestled in an expanse of flat green space. The greenhouse is surrounded by gorgeous tall palm trees and the drinks reception takes place next to rolling grass with unique shell structures and a little lake. So you could go out to take photos in Bushy Park but it’s really not necessary as the green space within the grounds is good enough.
I hope this helps nature loving couples hoping to plan an urban green space London wedding. If you are looking for a fun London wedding photographer then feel free to contact me to check my availability.
