I’m not going to lie, a LOT of my decision making process, when picking my favourite hotels for you to get ready for your London wedding, was based around aesthetic. I’m a wedding photographer after all! You can’t blame me for considering light, design and architecture. I am a sucker for little details like industrial light fittings and four poster beds, free standing, roll top baths and floor to ceiling windows that let the light pour in.
Here are my suggestions for London hotels where you can get ready for your wedding against a backdrop that’s cool, quirky or colourful. I’ve picked one hotel for North, South, East and West London.
North London – The Great Northern Hotel
The Great Northern Hotel is situated right next door to the better known St Pancras Renaissance.
It was first opened in 1854 and has been refurbished in a contemporary style which nods to its heritage. If modern decadence is your cup of tea, this hotel is for you. I love the smaller rooms which are inspired by railway sleeper carriages of bygone ages but they probably aren’t that practical to get ready for your wedding.
Instead check out the Cubitt rooms – named after the master builder who built the hotel. King sized beds, roll top baths and an abundance of natural light. You can also eat, drink or dine in one of the hotel’s five bars / dining establishments (including the Kiosk which serves up hand carved roasted meat sandwiches for your train journey). A Cubitt room costs £203 upwards per night.
South London – Church Street Hotel
Quite why there is a Spanish / Americana inspired hotel in the middle of Camberwell is anyone’s guess but there is and it’s colourful, kitsch and I love that it exists.
Church Street hotel is inspired by the warmth and sensuality of the Americas and is perfectly located for everything that South London has to offer. It also has great transport links to central London.
On site there is an award winning Spanish restaurant and a cocktail bar with live music. Rooms are bright, colourful but also feel clean and calming, so this hotel would be a great location to get ready for your South London wedding, especially if you love vibrant colours and south American styling. Deluxe king sizes rooms are available from £120 or if you have a large bridal party they have family triples available.
East London – The Ace Hotel
The Ace Hotel is an achingly hip institution. With several locations in the US the London branch is a recent addition that’s located in Shoreditch (where else?!), one of London’s creative hubs. It couldn’t be more suited to East London if it tried.
Weddings aside it’s a great place to hot desk, hang out, drink coffee or, at the weekend, listen to a diverse range of music in their lobby or visit their basement for music and drinks until late.
The hotel’s aesthetic strikes a great balance between cool / modern and warm / inviting. It feels cosy and inviting rather than clinical or overly industrial. Standard rooms are available from £170 advance purchase and suits are from £600 upwards.
West London – Number Sixteen
I could have picked any of the Firmdale Hotels to include in this post, as I think they’re all lovely. The Covent Garden and Charlotte Street hotels are fab for a cocktail or two and all.
Number Sixteen is part of a mid-Victorian terrace on a leafy street in South Kensington. Number Sixteen also hosts weddings and would be a fab location for a stylish city wedding, just a stones throw away from the hustle and bustle of Kensington High Street and the museums.
The decor in each of the rooms is cheery and they’re all beautifully light. Rooms are available from £267.
Where will you be getting ready for your wedding?
If you’d like more information about things to consider when planning the getting ready part of your wedding day, check out this article in my planning your photography series.
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