How To Plan A Destination Wedding In London

If local weddings are tricky enough, what about destination weddings? If you are planning one, you have to consider factors such as travel expenses, photography charges, and more. When it comes to planning a wedding in London, it is all about making the most out of the great capital, embracing everything the city has to offer, and booking minibus hire for weddings in style. Keep the following pointers in mind as they will help you plan the perfect London destination wedding:

Know the Legalities of Destination Weddings in London

If you are planning to hold a personal ceremony in London (because you don’t live in London permanently), you may consider preceding the destination wedding with a simple legal ceremony where you currently live. You should keep in mind that there is a minimum residency requirement of seven days in the UK (England and Wales) before couples are given the green light for a civil ceremony. You may also have to wait 28 days for paperwork to be available. Only then, the marriage can take place.

For most working adults, they don’t have the time for long visits to the country, thus this can make wedding planning challenging for them. Be it civil or religious, it is a sound idea to explore any legal requirements for the wedding ceremony you wish to have. One’s circumstances vary based on their nationality. Hence, you should check with the relevant consulate.

Another important thing to note is that you can’t start the legal paperwork for a civil ceremony before having a confirmed wedding venue. That’s why you have to be prepared for at least two to three visits to London.

Just because you are getting married in London, it doesn’t mean that you have to buy your wedding dress there. You can shop for wedding dresses at any location, maybe near your home or at a bridal boutique recommended by friends.

Plan in Advance

You need to give yourself ample time to plan. It is recommended that you make a minimum of two visits to London to plan the details. The first trip should involve scouting venues approximately nine months to one year in advance. The second should take place three to five months before the wedding, and it is for you to settle the finer details of your wedding. By planning early, you give your loved ones ample time to calculate if they have the time and can afford the cost of traveling to your wedding reception and ceremony in London.

Hire a Professional Wedding Planner

If you need help, be sure to get it. Hiring a professional wedding planner and/or coordinator can smooth out the bumps along the road that leads to your perfect destination wedding. If you can afford this option, you can avoid spending hours on phone calls struggling to overcome a language barrier or making executive decisions about ceremony sites and flowers from many miles away. Hiring a wedding planner is not in your budget? Don’t worry. Having a strong on-site coordinator is the next best alternative.

Pick Out Your Favourite Landmarks (for Photos)

What is your partner’s and your favourite London landmarks? Is it the Thames? Or is it the Big Ben? You should decide early on which special location(s) you want to take photos at after the ceremony is over. This ensures that you have enough time to arrive at the wedding breakfast on time. With wedding minibus hire, travelling to and from these special venues will be a breeze.

Go Local

London is home to a wide variety of independent stores and designers. They sell everything from wedding décor, wedding stationery, bridal wear, jewellery, and more. These incredible products will truly make your day special. Supporting local businesses is all the rage at the moment. Make sure that you choose businesses that are based in London to tie in with your wedding theme.

Opt for Traditional English Food

The great thing about London is that there are many pubs located in the capital. This means that finding a reputable caterer for your wedding will be easy. Some great menu items include bangers and mash and roast dinners. When it comes to dessert, you can never go wrong with cream teas, scones (with plenty of jam), and even hiring a traditional Mr Whippy ice cream van. Cracking out the Pimms is a stellar idea too!

Choose a Well-Known London Wedding Venue

There is a great array of well-known locations in London that can be rented out for a wedding. Some of the most popular venues include:

• Horniman Museum and Gardens

This wedding venue is located at Forest Hill. The place is perfect for a summer wedding and it offers three unique rooms that can be used for both the reception and ceremony. There is a lot of natural light in this area as the glass roof of the conservatory ensures that your big day is filled with sunshine. The Horniman features an ornate greenhouse style and it is sure to impress your guests, even you. Horniman Museum and Gardens has a venue capacity of 120 guests. You can hire the wedding venue between April and October.

• One Canada Square

Located at Canary Wharf, One Canada Square is comprised of a beautiful baby grand piano, luxury leather furnishings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and two sweeping staircases. The Art Deco-inspired wedding venue also has a licence until 2am, which means that you and your guests can dance carefreely. The main dining room has a capacity of 72 guests.

• The Roof Gardens

This one-of-a-kind venue is perched above Kensington High Street. There are one and a half acres of exotic wildlife and themed gardens. Yes, real life flamingos are in the house! At the Roof Gardens, up to 500 guests can enjoy a garden haven. Next, civil ceremonies can be held in the licensed clubhouse on the sixth floor. It has a capacity of 150 guests. That’s not all. The venue’s dedicated team can personalise every aspect of your big day. From organising the flower arrangements to the civil ceremony itself!

• London Zoo

Looking for an exciting wedding location in London? If you have always felt that marriage is the ultimate adventure, you won’t regretting holding your wedding at the London Zoo. You can rent The Prince Albert Suite and the Grade II listed Mappin Pavilion for the day. There is room for up to 300 guests. If you choose to hold destination wedding at Regent’s Park, you are not only creating wonderful memories for yourself because all profits from your celebration are used to help critically endangered animals!