London city wedding at the Ned

Are you planning a city wedding in London, but don’t know where exactly?

Well, have I got a bomb for you! The ultimate London wedding venue, ladies and gentlemen - the Ned!

I’m going to chat a bit about the Ned itself, but let me illustrate it all (I’m a wedding photographer, after all) with Aaron and Lauren’s elegant Ned wedding. They organised everything from Australia and have chosen the Ned because of it’s fame as the best and most stylish wedding venue in the square mile, if not the whole London. This fame, btw, is totally deserved! (do you know The Wed? This well known magazine for brides lists the Ned as one of the top 15 wedding venues in UK)

You can have (as Arron and Lauren) the whole wedding day at this fabulous venue - from the getting ready in one of their 1920s vibe hotel rooms, greeting the guests in the bar (oh, their whiskey sours..1), the ceremony in their Tapestry Room, couple shots at the terrace (and the streets surrounding the hotel), right up to the reception (the food is to die for) and the best cocktails in town for your party. Shall we have a look at some wedding photos, before I continue talking?

ultimate London city wedding venue - the Ned, as photographed by Marta Ilardo

Let me tell you more about the Ned - named one of the 10 best wedding venues in UK

These chandeliers are something else, aren’t they?

I’ll tell you a little bit about this spectacle of a hotel. It was founded by Nick Jones, founder of the Soho Houses, and here and there it shares a certain family resemblance with one or two of its younger, party-loving cousins. But really The Ned is its own thing: a 252-room hotel and members' club spread over eight floors above ground and three below, with nine restaurants, 15 bars, two pools, a spa, a barber shop, a gym, and, by the door to the old Tapestry Room, a beautiful old cabinet with compartments designed specifically for the secure storage of bowler hats. The rooms have this gorgeous 1920s vibe and you never want to leave them. Except for your own wedding reception, or drinks in the bar (where, btw, there’s often a lovely jazz band playing in the middle of it all)

The Ned is located in the heart of hearts of London - right next to the Bank station, in the square mile. From its terraces you can see the skyscrapers and St.Paul’s Cathedral and you truly feel like in the best movie about London. Let’s see some photos of and from the terrace.

editorial wedding photographer Marta Ilardo photographs weddings at the Ned, London

Luxury wedding in London?

This wonderful wedding venue has been opened as the Ned only in 2017 and became an instant success (called iconic by travel mags immediately after opening.) But don’t be fooled by its opening date. The Ned has been build in 1924, designed by the famous Sir Edwin “Ned” Lutyens. The interiors transport you back to the gorgeous 1920’s and 30’s - lush, elegant and with almost never seen before attention to details. It’s just perfect for your luxury city wedding!

Aaron and Lauren’s wedding was the visual description of what a luxury London wedding can be - rich velvets and woods, glistening chandeliers. It speaks luxury, but with a soft, singing voice. It’s not shouty, it’s decadent and elegant in the best of ways.

Let me tell you about the love story

Aaron and Lauren have met in London (that’s why they really wanted to come back and get married in the epicentre of their romance), but they live in Australia. It’s like a destination wedding, but the other way around :-) They really wanted the Central London location, something old, luxurious and elegant. They didn’t have to look for long - you open any wedding publication in the world and it will tell you - it’s the Ned! They wanted to see the best of London from their wedding location - for them, but also for the guests. They’ve chosen me as their wedding photographer, because they saw that I’ve shot at the Ned already and they were looking for a photographer who could document their day as it goes, but with the editorial flair. If you’d like to see some more weddings in the Ned, here’s the link to Yolanda and Mitch’s luxe Ned wedding

Aaron and Lauren are one of the couples (the majority of my couples are telling me similar things) who don’t like their photos taken. Oh, I live for couples like them :-) I love to make them comfortable and relax during our little couple session. When we chat and laugh - the magic happens. I would never put you in a stiff pose, only models look good like that!

Lauren chose a Liz Martinez bridal gown and oh did she look just stunning! They wanted their reception to be a relaxed party (as relaxed as it can get while wearing black ties!), so it was only them giving a short speech. No cake, but the first dance was to die for. And then - DJ, whiskey sours (with these little chillies inside, yum) and the sunset photos at the terrace. A fairy tale, I can assure you.

Looking for a editorial wedding photographer for your London wedding at the Ned?

Look no further, lovers!

If you’re dreaming of a luxury London wedding, I’d love to be by your side to capture your romantic, city adventure! Get in touch today and let’s chat!