Essential guide: How to throw a wedding in a restaurant

If you and your other half are foodies and have always envisioned your special day to be centred around a show-stopping meal, it makes sense to throw your wedding at a restaurant. Think about it: restaurants offer all the hallmarks of a great wedding venue, from dedicated private spaces to fantastic food and drink. To help you decide if they’re the right option for you, we’ve put together a helpful guide which explains everything you need to know about restaurant weddings, including the pros and cons, how much they cost and plenty of tips and advice.

An important thing to remember when starting your search is that just because a restaurant has a private space, it doesn’t mean it’s equipped to host a wedding. Get in touch with the restaurant first to check that it’s able to cater for your special day. Some may not openly advertise that they can host weddings, but are able to put on ad-hoc celebrations depending on the type, size and style of the event. Case in point: if you don’t ask, you don’t get. Want to consider your options? Start exploring all of London’s restaurant wedding venues.

We spoke to Richie Corrigan, the Managing Director at Corrigan Collection, about the increase in popularity of restaurant weddings over recent years, and why they're suddenly garnering attention. 'I think restaurant weddings are becoming increasingly popular as couples prioritise what is important for them at the wedding, and are realising they aren’t obliged to have a large traditional wedding for their family. They can do it their way, with a real highlight on the meal, the food, and wine.'

Of course, a huge reason why people choose to tie the knot in a restaurant is because of the food, as Richie explains. 'The food is always a focus, and the couples we attract usually come to us for this reason.

Of course, restaurant weddings aren’t for everyone, and while they definitely have their perks, they also possess a few drawbacks, too. Restaurant weddings are less traditional than ceremonies hosted at a dedicated wedding venue, which can be a positive or negative depending on what you have in mind. But what they lack by way of a dance floor, they more than make up for in incredible food and drink.

Ready to start planning? Check out our guide on how to throw a wedding at a restaurant, which includes the benefits and drawbacks, helpful insights, and things to ask the restaurant before you book. Then, get started perusing our favourite restaurant wedding venues for the big day.

First, what are the benefits of throwing a wedding in a restaurant?

We might be biased, but there are a huge range of benefits to restaurant weddings, from guaranteed good food to potential price perks. Here are all the reasons you should consider hiring a restaurant for your special day.

The food and drink

This, without a doubt, is the best part of planning a wedding in a restaurant; you can guarantee the food will be good. Still, it’s important to have conversations up front about what sort of menu the team are able to offer, and to what extent you can influence what’s served. We’d be surprised if the restaurant doesn’t let you personalise the menu to some extent, but restaurants that are accustomed to hosting weddings regularly may offer set packages, so make sure to ask.

This is also your chance to get creative! If there’s something special you fancy, like a bespoke welcome cocktail or a huge family-style feast, put in the request early on. Restaurants tend to be better equipped for tailoring menus to dietary requirements, too, especially more niche needs such as for coeliacs or nut allergies.

Finally, restaurants are built around providing food and drink for customers, so they already have a built-in kitchen and facilities. This means you don’t have to source and pay an external supplier to cater for your wedding; your money goes to one business rather than two.

Corrigan’s is known for classic British Irish cooking, and along with a healthy dose of Irish hospitality, the team can create bespoke dishes for the day

It could be cheaper

A restaurant wedding is necessarily cheaper than a traditional wedding - it depends on a number of factors. But, in general, hiring a restaurant instead of a dedicated wedding venue is a brilliant way to cut costs. They tend to be smaller affairs, require fewer decorations, and you don’t necessarily need to hire the venue for the full day, which will help reduce costs.

You also only need to pay for one meal, whereas traditional weddings tend to include two – the wedding breakfast and the evening meal. Of course, the more expensive the restaurant, the pricier your wedding will be, but as a general rule of thumb, restaurant weddings are one of the best ways to save money on your wedding.

Restaurants like Pedro’s Wine Bar offer cheaper pricing for midweek weddings, but even on weekends, it’s a brilliant deal.

You’re supporting a local business

A small, but rather lovely, perk. If you choose to host your wedding at your local neigbourhood restaurant, for example, you'll be providing them with a significant amount of business. Equally, you might be helping to create new business, by introducing people to the restaurant and encouraging repeat visits.

Frederick’s, for instance, is a family-run institution that’s been creating magical wedding days since 1995.

They’re a great choice for smaller weddings

Restaurant weddings tend to be best suited to smaller celebrations, especially if you’re planning to hire a private dining room for your nearest and dearest. Of course, this depends on whether you choose to hire the entire restaurant as opposed to a private events space, but restaurants tend to be smaller than dedicated wedding venues and, therefore, a great choice for more intimate weddings.

For more intimate dos, we’re big fans of the intimate pubby feel at The Lady Ottoline.

You can go back!

Unlike many dedicated wedding venues, which are hired specifically for one day, and one day only, you and your other half can return to your favourite restaurant again and again to relive the memory of your special day. There’s something romantic about being able to celebrate an anniversary, or even just a Friday night, at the place you got married.

What are the drawbacks of throwing a wedding in a restaurant?

Restaurants are, first and foremost, designed to serve customers good food, and don’t possess all the features of a typical wedding venue. If any of the below are a must for you, then a restaurant might not be the best option.

Space is limited

Space is one of the biggest issues you’ll face when planning a wedding at a restaurant. Even if the restaurant is able to hold up to 100 people, this will include use of the entire space, and doesn't include bridal changing facilities, a reception area or an expansive garden for photo opportunities, for example.

Look into restaurant venues with multiple areas, like Crispin at Studio Voltaire, with its varied spaces and courtyard garden.

No dance floor or live music

On the subject of space, restaurants don’t usually have room for dance floors, and will require extra planning if this is something you want at your wedding. While it’s not impossible, you’ll need to consider moving the tables and chairs out of the way in the evening for dancing, which will in turn affect the number of people the room can hold. Take this into account when considering room capacities.

Equally, while music is possible, it might not be able to accommodate a live band or DJ, which requires a special sound system. On top of that, many restaurants will have noise restrictions which limit how loud you can play music, and might mean a quieter party overall. So, if music and dancing are big factors for you, then make sure the restaurant can accommodate these.

No accommodation

Unless you’ve managed to bag a wedding at a brilliant UK restaurant with rooms, chances are, there won’t be accommodation on site to cater for guests travelling in. As most restaurants don’t offer accommodation, it’s important to scout out the hotels and B&Bs in the area to ensure it’s possible and affordable for guests to stay nearby.

Though most restaurants won’t have accommodation on site, a handful, like LAVO at The BoTree, are connected to hotels (though accessed through a separate entrance).

Décor limitations

If you have a particular vision in mind for your wedding, you’ll want to double-check with the team if there are any restrictions on decorations. To some people, not having to think about decorations is a positive - it's one less thing to plan and pay for. But if there's a particular feature or design element you've always dreamed of having, decor restrictions might put a spanner in the works and make your wedding feel less personal.

While additional decoration might be restricted, beautiful restaurants like Mowgli Street Food Charlotte Street don’t require much embellishment at all!

Private dining vs exclusive hire: which option is best?

This is one of the biggest decisions you’ll have to make when it comes to hiring a restaurant for a wedding. Do you opt for exclusive venue hire, which includes use of the entire restaurant, or simply hire out a private dining room for a more intimate event? Let us help you decide.

The obvious thing to consider is your guest list: how many people do you want to invite? If you’re planning a wedding for 100 people, then exclusive venue hire is a better fit. But if you want to celebrate with your nearest and dearest, then a private dining room would be the way to go.

Another thing to consider is price. If you want to hire the entire restaurant for the afternoon or evening, the restaurant will charge you a fee according to the amount of business they would have done that day. A Saturday evening, for example, is typically a busy evening for restaurants, so the cost of hire is likely to be higher. On that note, think about the day and time you’d like to host your reception. A Monday lunchtime will be much cheaper than a Friday night, and remember, you can always think outside the box and host a weekend brunch wedding in the morning. It’ll be cheaper and, let’s face it, sounds like a great time!

Clos Maggiore, for example, can host intimate 22-person wedding breakfasts in the private dining room, or exclusive hire of the conservatory for 50.

How much does it cost to rent a restaurant for a wedding?

We’ve already mentioned how a restaurant wedding can be a cost-effective way to celebrate your big day, but how much does it actually cost? Again, the answer is: it depends.

If you’re hiring a private dining room at a restaurant, most require a minimum spend or a minimum cost per head to hire the room, rather than charging you venue hire costs. Corrigan’s in Mayfair, for example, does not charge room hire and instead charges each of its spaces on a minimum food and drink spend, which keeps the focus on the meal. 

That said, exclusive use of the entire restaurant is likely to incur a rental fee, on top of the cost of food and drink. The type of restaurant will also dictate its prices. A small, family-run restaurant in your local town is likely to be cheaper than a larger fine dining spot in central London. To help give more of an idea, below we've drawn up a rough guide to restaurant wedding hire costs.

Restaurant wedding hire cost breakdown:

Minimum spend: Many restaurant wedding venues require you to spend a set amount on food/drink (e.g., the London average tends to middle around £2,500-3,000, though small weddings can be as little as £1,200.
Typical per-person costs: Typical per-head pricing for food and drink can start from as little as £35-60 in casual eateries, while mid-range sit-down dining jumps to £70-130. Luxury dining at restaurant weddings can range from £150-300+, but it's worth noting that many central London restaurants will sit in the mid to high band.
Location: Central London restaurants tend to be more expensive than those in the countryside, reflecting differences in the cost of eating out. But going outside of the capital won't always guarantee a lower price, it also depends on the calibre of restaurant and whether they work on a minimum spend hire or take a flat fee.
Guest count: More guests mean higher costs, and though minimum spends can sometimes cover smaller parties, it's worth doing some maths and asking the right questions to see if you'll have extra to pay.
Season & day: Summer, Christmas, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays are peak times and cost more.
Food & drink choices: Set menus are often cheaper than custom offerings and a la carte; bringing your own wine (if corkage fees apply) can add costs.
Extra fees: Factor in automatic service charges (12.5-15%), potential costs for AV equipment, and additional room hire charges (if you'd like to use a courtyard space, for instance).

What does a typical restaurant wedding look like?

Although there are certainly similarities between restaurant weddings, each event can vary depending on the size of the guest list and the flexibility of the venue you choose to hire. When we asked Richie what a typical wedding at the Corrigan Collection looks like, he explained that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to wedding celebrations.

'Each wedding and each couple are different', he explains. 'We take pride in making each wedding different too. At Corrigan’s Mayfair we have hosted dinner receptions for eight, to exclusive hires for eighty. We have had couples have a smaller meal within one of the rooms, then move to the main space for the remainder of the reception.

'At our sister restaurant, Bentley’s Oyster Bar and Grill, we have the opportunity to be even more flexible with the use of the basement space, where our last couple celebrated their ceremony in one half, their meal in the other, and then joined the two rooms together for the reception. Couples love that we are able to offer different spaces for each part of their special day, as it helps break up the occasion and make each portion all the more memorable.' 

The takeaway? Make sure to ask the restaurant exactly what's possible from the off.

The Swallow Street Rooms ready for a wedding breakfast at Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill.

Things to ask your restaurant wedding venue before you book

Don’t get caught out with unexpected costs or limitations after you’ve booked! There are loads of questions to ask your wedding venue before you book, but here are a few restaurant-specific questions to ask before you go ahead and secure your date:

Discuss the menu

While you can discuss the menu in detail further down the line, it's important to clarify a few things from the off. If you know you have guests with specific dietary requirements, check that the kitchen team are able to cater for special requests, potentially beyond just vegan and vegetarian options. Enquire if there is a set menu offering, and if it's possible to tailor this to suit you. The same goes for the drinks; do you want to create a special welcome cocktail? Or give everyone a glass of Champagne on arrival? What about teas and coffees after the meal?

Check parking and transport

Restaurants don't usually have dedicated parking areas, which might make things tricky. Do your research and locate the nearest car parks or parking options in the area before you book, to make sure it’s possible for your guests to access the venue. Check out the nearest train station and bus links too, then make sure to highlight everything to your guests on the invite.

Equally, if you’re hosting the ceremony elsewhere, research the route you’ll need to take to the restaurant. For older relatives, a long walk might not be feasible, and you’ll need to consider organising extra transport to the venue.

Ask about capacities

When you’re sending out your initial enquiries, ask about the restaurant’s event spaces and capacities. It’s helpful to know numbers for both seated and standing events, but the most important figure to know is how many it can hold for a sit-down meal.

Find out about noise restrictions

While a live band might be out of the question, a DJ or curated playlist is certainly a possibility. Either way, music is still an important part of a wedding, but check if there are any noise restrictions you have to adhere to that might affect the ambience of your reception. It's probably not a deal-breaker, but good to know anyhow.

What decorations will you need?

The beauty of hiring a restaurant for your wedding is that it has a lot of the table settings already, so you don’t need to worry about sourcing tables, plates and glasses. However, anything extra, like floral arrangements and centrepieces, will need to be sourced externally, so make sure the team are happy to accommodate this. If the restaurant occupies a listed building, be sure to check on restrictions surrounding candles and wall hangings. 

Talk tables

This might seem like an odd one, seeing as all restaurants have tables, but the types of tables they're able to provide can really vary. Many are tiny and might not be suited to larger parties. If you want to host everyone around one long table, you’ll need to ensure the tables can be pushed together in a suitable layout.

Confirm a schedule

Restaurants don’t typically work like a traditional wedding venue, in that they’re more flexible with how long you can hire the space for. Check to see what time you can hire the venue from, and crucially, when you need to vacate it by.

Ask about cake

If you’re a foodie, chances are a wedding cake is a pretty important part of your celebrations. Check whether the restaurant is able to provide a cake cutter and cake stand, as you may need to source these things separately. You can also enquire if the restaurant is able to make your cake too, with many kitchens boasting in-house trained pastry chefs. If not, you might want to consider sourcing your cake externally or asking what dessert options the chef team can come up with.

Hotels are a great bet if you're after more exclusive, intimate spaces, plus they often have brilliant restaurants on-site. Discover the best hotel wedding venues in London right here. Keen to hear more planning tips, venue advice, and venue finding help? Just sign up for the SquareMeal wedding newsletter for a regular dose of fuss-free advice.