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Wedding Venues

Author Message
Liz
Joined 26-04-2006
Posted on Monday, 19 June, 2006 - 07:39 pm:   

OK, slightly unusual thread, I know, but here goes....
Can anyone out there recommend a nice location for a wedding reception in the area, please. And good caterers to go with it.
Now, obviously, we'd love to have our ceremony and reception in the Horniman with catering provided by Suzanne James - but this ain't gonna happen. We're not quite on a miserly budget but certainly we're looking for something fairly modest.
Help!
Djnever
Joined 09-04-2006
Posted on Tuesday, 20 June, 2006 - 05:25 pm:   

What are the prices like at the Horniman? I know the palace next to the Museum looks ideal for a wedding/ and or reception
Seeformiles
Joined 09-04-2005
Posted on Tuesday, 20 June, 2006 - 09:58 pm:   

Would you be having both your ceremony and reception at the Horniman? Prices vary accordingly. You could try nearby Greenwich as they have a few smaller venues and a historic community centre in a leafy setting which I know is significantly cheaper - it's not as smart though.
Hate to say it but apart from the Horniman I suspect good venues in nice locations are a bit thin on the ground in Lewisham. I'm willing to be proved wrong though. Otherwise try here:

http://www.guidesforbrides.co.uk/asp/results.asp?c ounty=53&category=30

http://www.greenwich.gov.uk/Greenwich/LeisureCultu re/VenuesForHire/Greenwich.htm
Jem
Joined 28-03-2006
Posted on Wednesday, 21 June, 2006 - 10:39 am:   

The greyhound in Dulwich do wedding receptions and that would be on a much lower budget than the horniman - and Dulwich College do wedding and receptions I think
Missjones
Joined 21-02-2006
Posted on Wednesday, 21 June, 2006 - 10:59 am:   

Beauberry House, formerly Belair House, on Gallery Road is in a very nice setting. It does receptions although I'm not sure what the pricing is like.

The Griffin sports club off Dulwich Village is nicely situated and can be hired too.
Seeformiles
Joined 09-04-2005
Posted on Wednesday, 21 June, 2006 - 07:11 pm:   

Apparently the Clockhouse in Peckham Rye has a nice room for hire. Not been to it yet but friends tell me it's also nicely situated.
Seeformiles
Joined 09-04-2005
Posted on Wednesday, 21 June, 2006 - 07:12 pm:   

So it looks like venues in Southwark or Greenwich would do the job, sadly not much else coming up in Lewisham yet.
Liz
Joined 26-04-2006
Posted on Wednesday, 21 June, 2006 - 09:36 pm:   

I'm grateful for all your suggestions and will pursue them. Thank you.
DJNEVER - according to their website, the Horniman charges £2600 for ceremony and reception in the conservatory. It's £2000 just to hire it for the reception. Catering is extra, so it would have to be Cuppasoup all round, I think.
Les
Joined 28-01-2004
Posted on Wednesday, 21 June, 2006 - 11:14 pm:   

I went to a great (informalish) reception at the Trafalgar Inn in Greenwich - it's got upstairs rooms used by the Round Table etc, and has views over the Thames. Great if you have guests from out of London.

http://www.trafalgartavern.co.uk/
Baggydave
Joined 19-05-2004
Posted on Thursday, 22 June, 2006 - 10:49 pm:   

horniman is frighteningly expensive (although very nice) as is their caterers.

Dulwich College offer a range of surprisingly good value venues and are more flexible with the caterers they allow.

You could try the various cricket and sports pavillions, Beckenham is very reasonable. And the Scout Hut turn left up the College Estate (think it is left off the toll road) is remarkable value and in a lovely position. I'll try and get hold of some e-mail contacts but you will find a lot of it on the web

Yes I have done a lot of research!
Liz
Joined 26-04-2006
Posted on Friday, 23 June, 2006 - 06:18 pm:   

You're all doing very well on this subject! Thank you. Yes, I'm looking into Dulwich College and was surprised that it seemed quite reasonable - certainly in comparison with the Horniman.
I know the Scout Hut you mean, I think. Hadn't thought about sports pavillions but it's a good suggestion.
I understand the Clockhouse opposite Peckham Rye Park does weddings. Anyone been to a wedding there?
Baggydave
Joined 19-05-2004
Posted on Friday, 23 June, 2006 - 10:20 pm:   

South London Scouts Centre 0208 693 5287
Clockhouse lost a lot of character following the refurb a few years ago and now have lost most of its clientelle following change of management, so take care! Sorry this of course is one for my pub thread
Liz
Joined 26-04-2006
Posted on Thursday, 29 June, 2006 - 08:00 am:   

Thanks for the contact. Unfortunately, the Scout Hut tells me it's unsuitable for wedding receptions.
Dulwich College no longer flexible on the caterers they allow. They do it in-house and although it looks wonderful, it is very expensive.
I'm pursuing other options...
Loneranger
Joined 29-10-2005
Posted on Thursday, 29 June, 2006 - 09:09 am:   

How about Kingswood House, Dulwich?
Seeformiles
Joined 09-04-2005
Posted on Thursday, 29 June, 2006 - 01:41 pm:   

Charlton House? Don't know much about it apart from it being a Jacobean mansion but I can't see it being that expensive. It's used more as a community centre these days but I think it has a decent room for hire.

http://www.greenwich.gov.uk/Greenwich/LeisureCultu re/VenuesForHire/VenuesCharlton.htm
Seeformiles
Joined 09-04-2005
Posted on Thursday, 29 June, 2006 - 01:54 pm:   

Also there's a community centre at the top of Mycenae Road near Blackheath for hire (I used to live nearby) It's a historic building in a very nice setting and although the main room isn't quite as smart as some I've seen, once everything's set up it would look lovely. The prices look reasonable too - here you go:

http://www.mycenaehouse.co.uk/
Djnever
Joined 09-04-2006
Posted on Thursday, 29 June, 2006 - 04:18 pm:   

What about Dulwich Wood Pub on Crystal Palace Road? My favourite 'local' to walk to on a sunny weekend!

Though am not sure if you can actually hire the place, it also looks a little bit small down at the 'posh end' but it has a great outdoor bit where you could perhaps have a marquee. It would probably have a late liscence too for the reception and the setting in woodlands is top notch.
Djnever
Joined 09-04-2006
Posted on Thursday, 29 June, 2006 - 04:26 pm:   

Okay its on Sydenham Hill

http://www.pubs.com/pub_details.cfm?ID=178

Interesting fact: Opposite the side entrance over Crescent Wood Road the guy who invented TV used to reside....John Logie Baird! You can just about make the blue plaque out on the wall without trespassing down the drive.
Baggydave
Joined 19-05-2004
Posted on Thursday, 29 June, 2006 - 05:03 pm:   

Dulwich College may have their arm twisted on catering (they did for us). Alternatively there is the hotel on the Sydenham Hill roundabout (it looks like a DSS doss house though!)

Shame you do not live in Walford as the Queen Vic is always available at short notice no matter what and you will be sure of a shooting, fight or an estranged relative turning up. dun dun dun ...
Loneranger
Joined 29-10-2005
Posted on Thursday, 29 June, 2006 - 05:32 pm:   

Right! You're barred, now get out before I throw you out!


Meanwhile here are details of Kingswood House.

http://www.southwark.gov.uk/Uploads/FILE_5250.pdf
Liz
Joined 26-04-2006
Posted on Wednesday, 05 July, 2006 - 04:20 pm:   

Thanks for Kingswood House details. It's added to our diminishing list of contenders and I'm trying to remain upbeat about the whole thing! Any suggestions for good caterers then?
Seeformiles
Joined 09-04-2005
Posted on Wednesday, 05 July, 2006 - 11:27 pm:   

Liz did you investigate Charlton and Mycenae House plus the other details I posted?
Annie
Joined 27-06-2006
Posted on Thursday, 06 July, 2006 - 10:36 am:   

We celebrated our civil partnership at The Crown and Greyhound in Dulwich Village (function room upstairs - we decorated it ourselves with the help of some friends and it looked very good by the time we'd finished - it was an unexpectedly enjoyable part of the whole day!). They were very helpful with the planning, flexible about the food (we had a buffet but they do sit-down)and the costs were pretty reasonable. All of our guests commented on how good the food was. They gave us a good recommendation for a disco who played exactly what we wanted. We also looked at the other local venues (too expensive, too dreary etc) and were very pleased with our eventual decision. Hope you enjoy your day as much as we did!
Jem
Joined 28-03-2006
Posted on Thursday, 06 July, 2006 - 11:49 am:   

Annie - Just out of interest - how did you decorate, I know someone having her reception there very soon, - so any advice welcome -
Liz
Joined 26-04-2006
Posted on Friday, 07 July, 2006 - 01:48 pm:   

Annie, we'd have loved to use the C&G but it's too small for my partner's vast network of family and friends, unfortunately.
Seeformiles - yes, we're checking out those venues but I'm reluctant to go too far outside of the area. I wanted to celebrate the wedding somewhere that I had a connection to.
Anyway, the search continues but looks like we may be reverting to Plan B which is to restrict the whole thing to immediate family and then logistics becomes much, much easier.
Thanks to everyone who posted in this thread for their advice.
Baggydave
Joined 19-05-2004
Posted on Monday, 10 July, 2006 - 12:57 pm:   

We very much enjoyed our do at the Trevor Bailey Dulwich College sports centre on Saturday (next to the old Alleynian club on South Circular. They allowed us to use the veggie caterer Leon (see www.leonlewis.co.uk).I am not allowed to endorse him, but our guests were very pleased.

The main hall was a bit drab but we spruced it up with bright batik table cloths, balloons, fairy lights, floral displays, some greenery, pagan/harvest festival displays of fruit and veg. The DIY aspect is quite hard work and we couldn’t have done it without the help of friends, some of which may be reading this now. It wasn’t cheap, but far better value than other venues without going seriously down market. The warm evening meant that the kids in particular could play outside, and the venue is flexible having a bar/lounge area. We paid a modest corkage charge meaning that guests could brink fizzy stuff and we supplied some real ale. You may wish to go back to Dulwich College on the basis of this (happy to help you off line). We had over 100 adults and 50 kids, there was space for more! It worked out at around £20 a head all included. Irrespective of where you end up I hope that our experience is of help. The only bad point was one of the guests, who I suspect used to be on this site, who started drinking at 11.30 am and did not stop for over 24 hours
Robwinton
Joined 07-06-2006
Posted on Monday, 10 July, 2006 - 01:34 pm:   

Not sure what costs are compared to alternatives, but just in case you still need a space, it occurs to me that there is one large venue not mentioned (though I only bring it up as I walk past it, and I have never been in).

Crystal Hall, Perry Vale (behind Forest Hill station). Not much from outside, but pictures are OK on their site: www.crystalhall.com
Annie
Joined 27-06-2006
Posted on Thursday, 13 July, 2006 - 10:21 am:   

Jem, this may be a late reply but anyway .. lots of balloons (blown up the old fashioned way) and streamers (gold and silver) and balloons up the grand staircase. We really splurged on flowers for the tables and the wide windowsill and had tea lights in glass holders (cheap from M&S) and silver table confetti on the tables (Google table confetti and discover a whole new world of internet shopping) and a few congratulations banners. The thoughtful colour scheme was completely offset by a large red flag supporting my team but that was a personal touch that my beloved had little say in. Our friends with more artistic inclinations brightened up the rather dreary loos with flowers and balloons and hand soap - as complete amateurs we were pleased with the results so take heart!


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