Guide to Planning a Savoy Hotel London Wedding from a Photographer
Savoy Wedding Planning and Wedding Photography at the Savoy Hotel London
Wedding photography at the Savoy Hotel in London is always a pleasure. This magical venue is one of my favourite venues and the perfect location for all types of weddings. It is always a pleasure to photograph weddings here and I love working with couples that have chosen this special venue for their big day.
I have been photographing weddings for over 10 years and have been lucky enough to photograph a number of weddings at The Savoy which is regarded as one of the best London wedding venues so feel free to get in touch if you are planning a Savoy wedding.
About the Savoy
The Savoy is renowned as a luxury wedding venue in the City of Westminster and is one of the most iconic 5-star hotels in the world and the perfect setting for any London wedding. It has a rich history, dating back to its establishment in 1889 and over the years, the Savoy Hotel has been the setting for many memorable moments and has hosted numerous famous guests, including royalty, actors, politicians and musicians. The hotel has also been the location for numerous films and television shows, making it an integral part of London's cultural heritage. It is this history and iconic status that makes it one of the world's most sought-after wedding venues.
Location of the Savoy
Located on the bank of the River Thames in the heart of London, The Savoy is perfectly situated near Covent Garden, Mayfair and the West End. With easy access from all parts of London as well as numerous transport links, the Savoy’s location is part of the appeal of this wedding venue.
Design
The luxurious Hotel wedding venue is famous for its art deco style and elegant Edwardian design. It is renowned for its exceptional dining experience and cocktails, making it the perfect choice for any type of London wedding.
Wedding and Reception Rooms at The Savoy
The Savoy is particularly appealing to couples planning a destination wedding in the UK as the Savoy brand is recognised worldwide for its reputation for quality.
There are several function rooms and spaces within the Savoy that make it suited to many different types of weddings. The Lancaster Ballroom, Abraham Lincoln Room and River Rooms each hold in excess of 400 guests and can cater to weddings of most sizes. The impressive rooms are beautifully decorated but still offer the opportunity to personalise and customise the spaces to create a truly unique wedding day. Here is a breakdown of some of the incredible event spaces that the Savoy London has to offer:
River Room
The river room is an incredible space located on the Mezzanine in the Savoy Hotel. With windows along the full length of the room, the River Room boasts impressive views over Embankment Gardens and the Thames River.
This luxurious space is one of the most flexible wedding spaces in the hotel, and the venue can be either split into two halves with hidden floor-to-ceiling dividers or utilised as one large space with a capacity of up to 400 guests. This flexibility makes the River Room suitable for intimate wedding events, large scale wedding celebrations and everything in-between.
For large weddings, combining reception welcome events with the Lancaster Ballroom creates an incredible set of spaces that work together perfectly for lavish wedding celebrations.
River Room size: 252 square metres
River Room capacity: 100-400
Lancaster Ballroom
The Lancaster Ballroom is one of the largest ballroom wedding venues in London. It is a luxurious event space with an impressive scale and impeccable decor, which will wow any guest.
The historic Lancaster Ballroom is located on the River level of the Savoy hotel and is particularly suited for luxury wedding celebrations and lavish wedding receptions. The ballroom has a capacity for up to 800 guests with a completely clear floorspace which is free from any pillars or obstructions.
One of the unique features of the Lancaster Ballroom is that it boasts a full stage which is well suited for evening entertainment such as bands, singers, DJ’s and other entertainment leaving the dance floor space entirely free for celebrating.
You can take a look at a wedding reception in the Lancaster Ballroom here.
The opulent Edwardian decor, with its high ceilings, chandeliers and mirrors make the Lancaster Ballroom one of the premier event spaces in London and a combined with the River Room almost any style and size of wedding can be accommodated.
Lancaster Ballroom Size: 476 square metres
Lancaster Ballroom capacity: 70-800
Planning a Savoy Wedding
The Savoy’s wedding events manager is incredible and will look after all of your wedding planning requirements to ensure that your wedding day at The Savoy goes perfectly. The whole wedding team at the Savoy is one of the most experienced and accommodating in the world and are experts in creating the most unique and memorable wedding events. Find out more about having your wedding at the Savoy here and get in touch if you are looking for wedding photography at the Savoy Hotel in London.
Abraham Lincoln Room
The Abraham Lincoln Room in the Savoy is an elegant wedding venue which works as either a stand-alone venue or in combination with any of the other event spaces in the Savoy to make this suitable for any type of wedding.
The Manhattan Room, which is adjacent to the Abraham Lincoln Room creates a flexible combination of spaces which are particularly well suited to wedding ceremonies and wedding reception events.
One of the most popular combinations for the most luxurious weddings is having a luxury wedding ceremony in the Abraham Lincoln Room, reception drinks in the River Room and an elegant wedding breakfast and reception party in the Lancaster Ballroom.
Abraham Lincoln Room size: 282 square metres.
Abraham Lincoln Room capacity: 40-400
Bridal Preparations at the Savoy
If you are getting married at the Savoy, then I would highly recommend staying in the hotel the night before your wedding. The rooms at the Savoy are stunning and you would be hard-pressed to find a more luxurious and relaxing setting to get ready for your big day. Getting ready at the hotel will take a lot of the stress out of the morning of your wedding and provides a beautiful backdrop for your getting ready photographs. You can find out more about rooms and suites at the Savoy Hotel here.
WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY AT THE SAVOY HOTEL LONDON
For wedding photographs at the Savoy, there are a number of areas within and around the hotel that are perfect for your family photographs and couple wedding portraits and these include the beautiful staircases, ballroom and many other areas within the hotel itself. For outdoor photographs, the Embankment Gardens, with views across the river and across London is the perfect setting for iconic London wedding photographs. The front of the Savoy Hotel with its iconic frontage is another spot for unique and memorable wedding photographs.
For family formal photographs, I would recommend either the Embankment Gardens for group photographs if the weather is nice, or alternatively your reception space also works well for these. If you are having reception drinks in the River Room then there are a number of areas here or by the staircase for your family group shots.
For your couple photographs then depending on the weather I would suggest 20-30 minutes is plenty of time for us to capture some natural images in the Embankment Gardens followed by some photographs at the front entrance of the Savoy hotel and then following this with a walk through the hotel to capture some couple images in various locations inside the Savoy. These areas include some of the incredible staircases and unique internal architecture that the Savoy is famous for. Wedding photography at the Savoy Hotel in London is always a pleasure and I love working with couples here to tell incredible stories.
Savoy Wedding Photographer London
I have photographed many weddings at the Savoy Hotel and am experienced with all of the main event spaces in the hotel. I will work with you to ensure that your wedding story is captured in a memorable way.
Take a look at some weddings that I have photographed at The Savoy below and get in touch to check out availability for your Savoy London wedding and to have a chat about your plans for the wedding.
Savoy London Sample Wedding Photography
Get in Touch
If you are planning a wedding at the Savoy Hotel in London then get in touch below as I would love to hear all about your plans and talk about how I would work with you to tell your wedding story.
Can’t wait to hear from you!
Savoy Events and Wedding Photography: FAQ’s
Planning your wedding at the iconic Savoy Hotel is an exciting journey, and with it comes a lots of questions. Here's some of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to planning your Savoy London wedding.
Q: What size weddings can be accommodated at the Savoy?
A: The Savoy caters to a diverse array of weddings, from intimate elopements for 10 guests in the Thames Suite to grand celebrations for up to 500 in the Lancaster Ballroom. They offer cosy private dining rooms like the Gilbert & Sullivan Suite or Abraham Lincoln Room for smaller gatherings and the grand Lancaster Ballroom for larger, more lavish events.
Q: Is parking available for guests at the Savoy weddings?
A: Yes, the Savoy provides valet parking on-site for the convenience of wedding guests. Additionally, there are alternative parking options available in nearby garages.
Q: Does the Savoy support outdoor wedding ceremonies?
A: While the Savoy doesn't have an official outdoor ceremony license, they can integrate outdoor elements into the celebration. Options include a welcome drink reception on the Thames Terrace, followed by a ceremony in the River Room or a post-ceremony celebration on the terrace.
Q: Can wedding spaces at the Savoy be personalised to fit specific themes?
A: The Savoy offers full personalisation of its spaces to align with any wedding theme. Couples can transform rooms to fit their vision, whether it's a Parisian garden in the River Room or a vintage-themed Lancaster Ballroom.
Q: Are Hindu weddings accommodated at the Savoy?
A: The Savoy warmly welcomes couples from all backgrounds, including those desiring a traditional Hindu ceremony or a fusion celebration. The event planners at the Savoy work closely with couples to meet cultural needs and ensure authenticity.
Q: What are the catering options at the Savoy for weddings?
A: The Savoy's award-winning culinary team offers bespoke menus featuring seasonal ingredients, accommodating various dietary needs. They specialize in everything from appetizers to wedding cakes, ensuring a memorable dining experience.
Q: What additional services are provided for weddings at the Savoy?
A: The Savoy offers a range of services, including spa treatments, live music, floral arrangements, transportation solutions, and expert event planning, aiming to create a stress-free and luxurious celebration.
Q: Does the Savoy offer wedding packages?
A: A variety of wedding packages are available at the Savoy, catering to different budgets and visions. These packages include exclusive use of ceremony and reception spaces, catering, dedicated staff, and access to picturesque grounds for photography.
Q: What is the average cost of a wedding at the Savoy?
A: The cost of weddings at the Savoy varies due to their bespoke nature. The Savoy team works within clients' budgets to create a celebration that reflects their vision while maintaining quality and service.
Q: Can the Savoy accommodate cultural rituals at weddings?
A: The Savoy is experienced in incorporating a variety of cultural rituals and traditions into weddings, ensuring that cultural heritage is celebrated and respected throughout the event.
Q: Are there bridal amenities available at the Savoy for wedding preparations?
A: The Savoy provides luxurious bridal suites equipped for comfortable and stylish preparations. These suites offer a serene atmosphere with necessary amenities for make-up artists and hairstylists, along with champagne and refreshments.
Q: How does the Savoy handle dietary restrictions in wedding catering?
A: The Savoy's culinary team expertly caters to various dietary restrictions and allergies, ensuring every guest enjoys a high-quality dining experience that aligns with their dietary needs.
Q: Is exclusive hotel booking available for wedding guests at the Savoy?
A: The Savoy offers the option of exclusive hotel booking for weddings, allowing every guest to be part of the celebration and enjoy the luxury and service of the hotel.
Q: What are the audio-visual capabilities for weddings at the Savoy?
A: The Savoy is equipped with advanced audio-visual technology, including sound systems, sophisticated lighting, and large screens for photo and video displays, enhancing the wedding experience.
Q: Does the Savoy assist in planning eco-friendly weddings?
A: The Savoy offers options for eco-friendly weddings, including sustainable menu choices and minimal waste practices, aligning with environmental values without compromising on luxury.
Q: Can the Savoy arrange unique entertainment for weddings?
A: The Savoy can arrange a variety of entertainment options, from classical quartets to magicians, tailoring the entertainment to fit the wedding theme and vision.
Q: How does the Savoy accommodate guests with mobility challenges?
A: The Savoy is fully accessible and has facilities to ensure comfort for guests with mobility challenges
Wedding photography at the Savoy Hotel in London by Nick Rose Photography