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Livery Hall Venues in London

Livery Halls in the City of London

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A Livery Company, for for those of you who are wondering, is a company descended from the Medieval Trade Guilds in the City of London, who have some of the most spectacular and grandiose halls available anywhere. Livery halls are very grand hall with high ceilings and steeped in London’s heady tradition, and of course we have all the best ones for your viewing pleasure.

Tips for Hosting a Black-Tie Wedding

If you’ve decided that you want your big day to be a more formal event, then black-tie is the way to achieve this. Having your wedding labelled as a black-tie event lets all of your guests know what to expect and it means that you can really pull out all the stops. We’re talking white glove service, a formal dinner, the whole shebang. After all, it’s your day, so if you want one night where everyone gets really fancy, then now is the time to do it. Knowing where to start with a formal wedding is more difficult, so here are a few tips for organising your black-tie big day.


Be Sure


Before you decide on black-tie, you have to be sure that it’s right for you. Don’t be pressured by your parents or in-laws’ expectations of the day. You need to make sure that you are both comfortable with it, and that dressing up fancy suits your personalities. If you aren’t normally the type that goes all out for an event, then you’re going to leave your guests confused. Your wedding should still feel like you, no matter how you dress on the day, and if black-tie really isn’t your vibe, then there’s no point in trying to force it.


Make it Clear


When you send your invites out – or even when you send your save the dates, you need to make it absolutely clear that black-tie is what you want. Don’t word in vaguely either, as guests tend to interpret instructions the way that they want to. If you don’t mind if people wear a suit or tux, write ‘black-tie optional’. If you want to make sure that everyone dresses to impress, you’ll need to go with a simple ‘the dress code is black-tie’. Of course, you might get a few people who ignore this, but you’re unlikely to get anyone breaking the rules in a big way.


Let Your Venue Shine


If you are having a black-tie wedding, then it goes without saying that your venue is going to be somewhere special. If it’s a grand building, then let the architecture and décor speak for itself, and use it as a guide when it comes to anything that you want to add. In general, these venues will provide some beautiful tableware and you should take full advantage of this. After all, the management know how to show off the venue in the best way possible. Consider going for a historic site such as one of the livery venues for hire in London. Some portions of these buildings date back to the 13th century and they really are as grand as it gets. They are also used to holding formal dinners, so a black-tie wedding won’t be an issue.


Think Food


If you had your heart set on a buffet dinner at your wedding, then a black-tie event isn’t for you. Guests will expect a certain amount of formality and that will need to be in the form of a seated plated dinner of at least three courses. Take care when choosing your menu as well. Consider giving your guests an option to choose from for their meal. This will add to the sense of class and sophistication that’s brought to the dinner. Having some canapés either after the ceremony or later on at night will be a great added touch, and of course a certain amount of wine and champagne should be provided.


Consider Budget


It’s definitely a myth that black-tie equals breaking the bank, it can still be done on a budget. That being said, if you are looking to add certain extras to the day, and you want the formal meal, it will add up to a healthy amount. Traditionally, black tie events have at least 100 people in attendance which will add a lot to the cost as well. However, you don’t have to do much more than that in order for your wedding to fit black-tie requirements. Ultimately, it’s about the dress code, so while a certain amount of luxury will be expected, you don’t need to be rich and famous to afford it. Making a budget before you plan any event is a must, and a black-tie wedding is no exception.


Add Sophistication


Black-tie is classy, there’s no other way to describe it. Because of this, you’ll have to carefully consider your décor in order to fit with what your guests will be wearing. Think neutral colours and a pared-back look. With all of the gents in black and white, this gives everyone a wonderfully uniform look, and you’ll want things like your table linens and menu cards to reflect this look as well. When choosing décor, you’re thinking about minimalism and sophistication at all times. This should also, of course, fit it with the style of your venue. You should take all of your design cues from it.


When Black-Tie Isn’t Appropriate


Black-tie is suitable for almost every wedding. As we’ve mentioned, you don’t need a huge budget for it, and it’s more about the dress code than spending lots of money. Yet there are times when a black-tie wedding just isn’t going to work out. One of these times is if you are having a destination wedding. Too much sun and humidity, plus sand, just won’t be comfortable for anyone involved. While it might look great in photographs, your guests are going to be overheated and miserable.


Your wedding day is always going to be amazing, simply because it’s your day. Having a black-tie event is a great way to bring in a certain level of sophistication to proceedings and let’s face it, black-tie looks amazing in photographs. The best tips for this type of wedding is to not go overboard, add a bit of luxury, but still keep to the chic minimalism that black and white naturally brings alongside it.

FAQs Livery Hall Venues in London

What is a livery hall venue?

Livery hall venues are popular for a whole host of different events in the capital and beyond. With their grand nature, spectacular architecture, high ceilings and fascinating history, livery halls are steeped in London’s heady tradition and never fail to impress.



What events can be held at livery hall venues?

Livery halls provide the perfect backdrop for a wealth of different occasions, including: • Conferences • Weddings • Award ceremonies • Dinner parties • Engagements • Networking • Proms • Graduation celebrations • Birthdays Bursting with character and centuries of stories that will captivate and excite your guests, London’s magnificent livery halls are available to hire for all different types of events. With this in mind, if you’re looking for an impressive yet unusual venue for your event, this traditional style venue should be your first port of call.



How much does it cost to hire a livery hall for a conference?

When hiring any event venue in London, it’s certainly not a case of one size fits all, especially when it comes to how much it will cost to hire an event. Prices for hiring a livery hall typically start from around £2000, but vary depending on how many guests you are inviting, the nature of your event, your requirements, and how long you need to book the space for. When booking any event, venues will listen carefully to your requests before providing a price.



Can I bring my own caterer to a livery hall?

The vast majority of livery halls have a list of approved caterers and sometimes in-house caterers, which they use for events. So, if you wish to bring along your own caterer for your event, it’s worthwhile checking in with the venue manager to make sure that this will be allowed, before making the booking.



How many livery halls are there in London?

London is home to some of the most fascinating historic buildings in the UK, which have undoubtable shaped the city’s iconic landscape. And, if you’re on the hunt for the perfect livery hall venue in London, you will be pleased to hear that there are more than 100 liveries for you to choose from.



Why are livery halls a unique venue for your event?

If you’re looking to add a unique dimension to your London event, look no further than a Livery Hall. Offering an incredible amount of flexibility when it comes to planning the perfect event, these historic venues provide a unique backdrop for any event. Varying in size and style, livery halls also offer a high-quality catering services that can meet individual event requirements.



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