Funky Wedding Venues

Venue Review

Character: Historic and majestic grand palace decorated in Baroque and Tudor style.

Funky Features: Idyllic location, beautiful grounds, over 1,000 historic artworks, view of River Thames, famous maze, fabulous tapestries and paintings.

Location and History

Situated on the bank of the Thames, a 35-minute rail ride from central London, Hampton Court Palace is a short stroll from the BR station of the same name. It is also close to the M3, M25 and M4 motorways with parking available within the grounds. Independent river launch operators serve the palaces and can provide a variety of boats for private hire. Independent operators can also provide luxury coaches or buses.

Since its early days as Henry VIII’s flamboyant ‘pleasure palace’, Hampton Court has always been a centre of hospitality and entertainment. The first buildings date back to the 11th Century. It was Thomas Wolsey who transformed the Palace, adding sumptuous private chambers for his own use, as well as three suites for the new royal family: one each for King Henry VIII, Queen Katherine of Aragon and their daughter Princess Mary. So much did the king like it that in 1628 he appropriated Hampton Court and spent the equivalent of £18 million in today’s money restoring and expanding it. All of Henry’s six wives came to the palace.

Interior

You’ve Got your prince or princess, Hampton Court is your palace! Enjoy the thrill of celebrating with your loved ones in the footsteps of royalty. Discover for yourselves the majesty and flamboyance of Hampton Court Palace, from the tranquil scented gardens and secret riverside spots, to the opulent state rooms. With an experienced Events team on hand to meet your personal requirements. At Hampton Court Palace you’ll be treated like royalty.

Set within 65 acres of beautiful gardens, this beautiful building, steeped in history and centuries of majesty and splendour is the perfect setting for your special day. The majestic palace of Hampton Court situated along the banks of the River Thames has echoed with the sound of celebrations and royal feasting for almost 500 years. What better place to join in union and celebrate the union of your marriage or civil partnerships and the start of a new life together?

Spaces for Hire

Hampton Court Palace has a multitude of possible venues which may be hired, from the Palace State Apartments to beautiful exclusive external venues and locations. There are four main options:

Option one. – Hire the Palace (available outside public hours)

Imagine the delight of your guests to arrive by boat and enter the spectacular Privy Garden, where waiters will greet you and your party with a tempting array of delicacies and delight. Then be escorted to dinner within the Great Hall of Henry VIII before retiring to the more intimate surroundings of the Undercroft of Henry VIII for a more relaxed finish to your special day, a perfect location for dancing to complement your wedding breakfast.

Option two. – Hire the Little Banqueting House (available all day)

For more intimate gatherings, the beautiful Little Banqueting House of William III dating back to 1703, offers you a charming and perfect venue for a reception and dinner. The main room may be used for the ceremony and wedding breakfast, has magnificent wall and ceiling paintings by Antonio Verrio and overlooks picturesque Pond Gardens and the River Thames.

Option three. – Hire the Garden Room (available all day)

Set within its own secluded garden in the Hampton Court Palace grounds is an exclusive and enchanting venue in which to host your wedding reception. Set apart from the day visitors to the Palace, this light and airy 1920’s Orangery – style venue offers versatility and the opportunity to have your ceremony and wedding breakfast with dancing.

Option four. – Hire of a marquee site

Within the 750 acres of parks and formal gardens that surround Hampton Court Palace, there are a variety of locations suitable for marquees. Guests may use the Palace State Apartments or the Garden Room before moving through to a bespoke purpose built marquee for the wedding breakfast and dancing.

Civil Ceremony / Partnerships

For those wishing to united in civil marriage or the palace has two venues licensed for civil ceremonies, they are:

The Little Banqueting House of William III - Licensed up to 50 people.
The Garden Room - Licensed up to 150 people.

Wedding Quote
“We had the most fantastic day and have nothing but praise for your support during the planning process and on the day. The Palace staff were very efficient and friendly. We also managed to get some fantastic photographs in the gardens and have had many compliments from our guests. We’ll definitely recommend you to others in the future”. Sophie and Jim Swerks - September 2008.

The Great Hall: The sheer splendour of Henry VIII’s Great Hall acts as an inspiration for entertaining on a grand scale. Originally a dining room for members of the King’s court, it regularly seated 600 people for two meals each day. The Great Hall’s treasures include the magnificent 16th-century Flemish tapestries commissioned by Henry VIII, which depict scenes from the Story of Abraham, and a stunning hammerbeamed ceiling richly decorated with mouldings, tracery and carvings. The hall lends itself to prestigious banquets and receptions, concerts and awards dinners and has excellent acoustics. The Minstrels’ Gallery, overlooking the room, can accommodate musicians if required. Capacities: 280 Stand-Up Reception / 280 Sit-Down Dinner

The Great Watching Chamber: Adjoining King Henry VIII’s Great Hall, the Great Watching Chamber is so called as it was the room where the royal bodyguards vigilantly protected the monarch’s safety. The Great Watching Chamber was originally the first of King Henry VIII’s state rooms and was used for entertaining those members of the court who had attained the status of baron or above. Of all the King’s many residences, each with at least half a dozen state rooms, this is the only one to survive in anything like its original form. The Great Watching Chamber is reached via the Haunted Gallery and can be used on its own or in conjunction with the Great Hall to accommodate larger numbers. Capacities: 120 Stand-Up Reception / 80 Sit-Down Dinner

The Kings Guard Chamber: The King’s Guard Chamber, built for King William III by Sir Christopher Wren in the late 17th century, is so called as it was where the Yeoman of the Guard kept watch over the safety of the king. This room is reached via the magnificent King’s Staircase and contains a breathtaking decorative display of nearly 3,000 swords, bayonets, muskets and pistols. This impressive arrangement of weaponry was completed by William III’s gunsmith in 1699 and is complemented by wooden carvings by Grinling Gibbons. The room can be used in conjunction with the remaining state rooms for a reception, or alternatively as a dining area which, during the summer months, offers spectacular views of the Privy Garden. Capacities: 200 Stand-Up Reception / 150 Sit-Down Dinner

The Cartoon Gallery: Overlooking Fountain Court, the Cartoon Gallery is the largest of the Georgian rooms and was used as a meeting room for the Privy Council. Originally hung with Raphael’s 16th-century cartoons, later given by Queen Victoria to the Victoria and Albert Museum, the room is restored to its former glory by 17th-century copies, probably painted in the gallery in the 1690s by Henry Cooke. The gallery offers the perfect setting for larger receptions and can be used alongside the King’s State Apartments if required. Capacities: 280 Stand-Up Reception / 200 Sit-Down Dinner

The Banqueting House: Set in an idyllic location on the banks of the River Thames and overlooking the picturesque pond gardens, the Banqueting House stands apart from the rest of the palace buildings. Built for William III for his own private entertaining, the Banqueting House provides a more intimate setting for Lunches, conferences and dinners and can be reached via the breathtaking Privy Garden or by boat! The main room with its magnificent wall and ceiling paintings by Antonio Verrio, offers splendid views of the river and the private walled gardens on either side of the building. The Banqueting House has a separate entrance from Barge Walk by the Thames and can be used in conjunction with other areas within the palace. Capacities: 80 Stand-Up Reception / 50 Sit-Down Dinner

The Queen’s Guard Chamber: This chamber, completed in 1717, once housed Queen Caroline’s bodyguards – the Yeoman of the Guard – who controlled access to the Queen’s Apartments. Today, two larger-than-life figures – marble Yeoman carved by Grinling Gibbons – remain to keep a watchful eye over the many and varied events which take place in this versatile venue. Whether you are hosting an awards’ ceremony, a reception, dinner or post-dinner drinks, the 18th-century architectural features and views of the beautiful Fountain Court will intrigue and delight your guests. Capacities: 120 Stand-Up Reception

The Public Dining Room: Situated in the heart of the Queen’s State Apartments and reached via the imposing Queen’s Staircase, this room is hung with paintings from the Royal Collection, counter-poised by a magnificent marble
chimney piece carved by Grinling Gibbons.The Public Dining Room overlooks the charming topiary and fountains in the East Front Gardens and is the perfect setting for receptions and smaller dinners. Capacities: 15
0 Stand-Up Reception / 80 Sit-Down Dinner

The Orangery and Privy Garden: Designed as a private greenhouse for William III, the Orangery opens onto the magnificent Privy Garden. The wonderful summer receptions and dinners held here, in conjunction with the Orangery, are among the most awe-inspiring to be experienced at Hampton Court Palace. To further enhance your event, it’s possible to arrive by boat and enter the Privy Garden through the fabulous Tijou Screens, strolling up to the palace in the footsteps of past kings and queens.

The Garden Room: This 1920s large, light and airy room, set within a secluded spot of the Hampton Court Gardens, is a versatile venue for many types of function, relaxed or formal. You can host conferences, training days and team-building events, elegant weddings and exclusive private functions. Delegates and guests can enjoy the beautiful surrounding lawns and gardens at their leisure. The Garden Room can also be used in conjunction with a reception or dinner in the palace. Capacities: 300 Stand-Up Reception / 230 Sit-Down Dinner