Description
Celebrate Your Wedding at the Iconic Barbican Centre
If you’re looking for a wedding venue that’s truly one-of-a-kind, the Barbican Centre in the heart of the City of London offers a stunning blend of bold Brutalist architecture and artistic prestige. This landmark venue not only provides a memorable backdrop for your special day but also supports the Barbican’s vibrant arts and learning programmes—so your celebration gives back to the community too.
The Conservatory: Your Urban Tropical Wedding Escape
The highlight of the Barbican is its breathtaking Conservatory, one of London’s most unique wedding spaces. Imagine exchanging vows surrounded by over 1,800 tropical plants, exotic fish, and peaceful pools—all under a soaring glass roof. This lush, green oasis creates the feel of a destination wedding without leaving the city. Licensed for civil ceremonies and partnerships, the Conservatory offers an unforgettable setting for your ceremony and reception alike.
Flexible Spaces to Suit Your Celebration
Next to the Conservatory, the Garden Room offers stunning views of the London skyline and the historic St Giles’ Church. This elegant space is perfect for your wedding breakfast and evening party, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and modern lighting to set the ideal mood for dining and dancing. You can also combine the Conservatory and Garden Room to host larger weddings and receptions.
- Conservatory Ceremony Capacity: Up to 120 guests
- Garden Room Dining Capacity: Up to 220 guests
- Combined Reception Capacity: Up to 650 guests
Expert Catering and Seamless Service
The Barbican’s in-house catering partner, Searcys, has been crafting exceptional menus here for over 20 years. Whether you want a formal three-course meal or relaxed street food stations, their culinary team will tailor your menu using fresh, seasonal ingredients. Plus, a dedicated wedding coordinator will guide you through every step—from planning to the last dance—making sure your day runs perfectly. The venue also provides essential services like an in-house PA system for speeches, furniture, and a dedicated event manager to support your celebration.
Message from the team
Experience
Overview of Barbican Centre
Reviews (4)
- EEmma & Robin10/09/2016An incredibly special setting for our weddingAn incredibly special setting for our weddingThe Barbican Conservatory was an incredibly special setting for our wedding. We'd seen other potential venues but when we visited the Barbican, we knew we'd found our perfect venue. On the day itself, all our guests commented on what a unique and beautiful venue we'd chosen for our wedding. The food was excellent quality and delicious - from the canapés to start to our evening food at the end. The staff were wonderful and made sure that everything we'd planned went smoothly and were complete professionals in supporting us when a couple of surprises happened to! We are so happy we chose to have our wedding at the Barbican - I couldn't recommend it enough as a venueThe Barbican Conservatory was an incredibly special setting for our wedding. We'd seen other potential venues but when we visited the Barbican, we knew we'd found our perfect venue. On the day itself, all our guests commented on what a unique and beautiful venue we'd chosen for our wedding. The food was excellent quality and delicious - from the canapés to start to our evening food at the end. The staff were wonderful and made sure that everything we'd planned went smoothly and were complete professionals in supporting us when a couple of surprises happened to! We are so happy we chose to have our wedding at the Barbican - I couldn't recommend it enough as a venue
- MMichael & Nick02/08/2016The most perfect dayThe most perfect dayI just wanted to email, on behalf of Nick and myself, to thank you and everyone else in the Searcys team, for making sure that we had the most perfect day on Saturday. We could not have been happier with the way we were looked after or the venue itself. The Conservatory provides the most wonderful and unusual setting for a wedding. I just wanted to email, on behalf of Nick and myself, to thank you and everyone else in the Searcys team, for making sure that we had the most perfect day on Saturday. We could not have been happier with the way we were looked after or the venue itself. The Conservatory provides the most wonderful and unusual setting for a wedding.
- PPam & Dan02/08/2016Absolutely perfectAbsolutely perfectOur wedding at the Barbican was absolutely perfect. The venue itself is stunning and like nothing else in London (or anywhere else!). From start to finish the whole team were really great to work with on planning our day. If you want a wedding with a beautiful setting, amazing food and drink and staff that take all the pressure off you then the Barbican is for you!Our wedding at the Barbican was absolutely perfect. The venue itself is stunning and like nothing else in London (or anywhere else!). From start to finish the whole team were really great to work with on planning our day. If you want a wedding with a beautiful setting, amazing food and drink and staff that take all the pressure off you then the Barbican is for you!
- AAgnes & Ian02/08/2016The whole day could not have been betterThe whole day could not have been betterWe loved every second of our wedding at the Barbican Conservatory. From the moment we first saw the Conservatory we knew that it would be the perfect place for us to get married and would give us and our guests a day that we would never forget – and we were right! Such an unusual venue, it looked fantastic both during the day and in the evening and we had so many compliments on it from our guests. The staff were brilliant – nothing was too much trouble for the events team, who were able to accommodate all our particular requests for the day so that we could make full use of the space. From the beautiful wedding ceremony in front of our family and friends among the tropical plants to live jazz and canapés on the mezzanine terrace, to a sit-down meal in the flower-filled Garden Room with food worthy of a five-star restaurant, through to dancing to a live band, an evening buffet and ‘one for the road’ in the fairy-lit Conservatory, the whole day could not have been better. We loved every second of our wedding at the Barbican Conservatory. From the moment we first saw the Conservatory we knew that it would be the perfect place for us to get married and would give us and our guests a day that we would never forget – and we were right! Such an unusual venue, it looked fantastic both during the day and in the evening and we had so many compliments on it from our guests. The staff were brilliant – nothing was too much trouble for the events team, who were able to accommodate all our particular requests for the day so that we could make full use of the space. From the beautiful wedding ceremony in front of our family and friends among the tropical plants to live jazz and canapés on the mezzanine terrace, to a sit-down meal in the flower-filled Garden Room with food worthy of a five-star restaurant, through to dancing to a live band, an evening buffet and ‘one for the road’ in the fairy-lit Conservatory, the whole day could not have been better.
Location & Contact Details for Barbican Centre
What makes the Barbican Centre a unique wedding venue in London?
The Barbican Centre stands out as a unique wedding venue due to its iconic Brutalist architecture combined with an artistic heritage. It offers a memorable and distinctive backdrop right in the heart of the City of London, providing a blend of cultural prestige and architectural boldness for your special day.
Can I hold a civil ceremony at the Barbican Centre's Conservatory?
Yes, the Conservatory at the Barbican Centre is licensed for civil ceremonies and partnerships. It offers an extraordinary setting amidst over 1,800 tropical plants, exotic fish, and serene pools beneath a soaring glass roof, perfect for an unforgettable wedding ceremony and reception.
What is the guest capacity for ceremonies and receptions at the Barbican Centre?
The venue offers flexible spaces with the following capacities:
- Conservatory Ceremony Capacity: up to 120 guests
- Garden Room Dining Capacity: up to 220 guests
- Combined Reception Capacity (Conservatory and Garden Room): up to 650 guests
What facilities are available for the wedding breakfast and evening party?
The Garden Room adjacent to the Conservatory features floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of the London skyline and St Giles’ Church. This elegant space is perfect for your wedding breakfast and evening party, equipped with modern lighting to create the ideal atmosphere for dining and dancing.
Does the Barbican Centre provide catering services for weddings?
Yes, the Barbican Centre partners with Searcys, an in-house catering service with over 20 years of experience. They offer customized menus ranging from formal three-course meals to casual street food stations using fresh, seasonal ingredients tailored to your preferences.
Is there a wedding coordinator available to assist with planning?
Absolutely. A dedicated wedding coordinator is assigned to every wedding at the Barbican Centre to guide you through planning, ensuring your day runs seamlessly from the initial arrangements to the last dance.
What essential event support services does the Barbican Centre offer?
The venue provides several key services including an in-house PA system for speeches, appropriate furniture, and a dedicated event manager who supports your celebration, helping to make your wedding day stress-free and special.
Can the Conservatory and Garden Room be combined for larger weddings?
Yes, the Conservatory and Garden Room can be combined to accommodate larger weddings and receptions, with a combined capacity of up to 650 guests, allowing for flexible space management to suit your celebration size.
Where is the Barbican Centre located?
The Barbican Centre is located in the heart of London at EC2Y 8DS, London, Greater London, England, GB. Its central location offers easy access for guests and a stunning urban backdrop for wedding photography.
How does choosing the Barbican Centre for your wedding benefit the community?
By celebrating your wedding at the Barbican Centre, you contribute to supporting their vibrant arts and learning programmes. This means your special day also gives back to the local community and helps sustain cultural initiatives in London.
