Kew Gardens Weddings
A Guide To Getting Married At
Kew Gardens
You’re Getting Married In One Of The World’s Great Gardens
Kew Gardens Weddings
Most London wedding venues ask you to imagine what the photographs might look like. Kew Gardens makes that entirely unnecessary.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site on the banks of the Thames, 326 acres of botanical gardens containing over 50,000 living plants, a Victorian glasshouse, a Georgian palace and a formal parterre that has barely changed in two hundred years. The photographs take care of themselves. Your job is simply to be present in them.
Kew Gardens weddings have a particular quality; they feel both grand and intimate at the same time. The scale of the place is extraordinary, but the ceremony rooms themselves are beautiful and personal. And the portrait locations, after the ceremony, are unlike anything available at any other venue in London.
My approach to wedding photography is all about real moments between people, and Kew Gardens gives you the space for those moments to unfold naturally.
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We received so many compliments from our guests on how dedicated you are to taking photographs from all angles and ensuring that anyone who wanted a photograph got one
Medha & Rusheel | Kew Gardens
Photographing Weddings At Kew Gardens
Kew Gardens Weddings
Every setting here has something the others do not.
The Nash Conservatory gives you soft, all-around light. The Palm House gives you drama and depth. The Queen’s Garden gives you elegance. The Woodland Garden gives you quiet.
Between the ceremony, the drinks reception and the portraits, a wedding at Kew can produce photographs that look like they were taken in six completely different locations, all of them extraordinary, all within a few minutes’ walk of each other.
I arrive before the ceremony and stay through the evening. I know the Nash Conservatory light during a morning ceremony and how it changes as the afternoon arrives.
I know the Palm House exterior at golden hour and what the Queen’s Garden does in the last of the day’s light.
After the ceremony, while your guests move to the drinks reception, I take you out into the gardens for portraits. The Palm House reflected in the lake. The formal parterre. The Orangery.
I have been photographing weddings at Kew Gardens for over a decade and I still find new angles, new light, new moments every time. That is the mark of a genuinely special venue.
Award-Winning
Getting Ready For Your Kew Gardens Wedding
Kew Gardens does not have on-site accommodation or dedicated getting-ready rooms, so your morning begins at a nearby hotel before arriving at the venue for the ceremony.
The most convenient options for wedding parties are within Richmond and Kew itself:
The Bingham Riverhouse – Richmond, 10 minutes. A boutique hotel on the Thames with beautifully lit rooms and an exceptional spa.
The Richmond Hill Hotel – Richmond Hill, 12 minutes. Classic, well-appointed and popular with Kew Gardens wedding parties.
Petersham Hotel – Richmond Hill, 12 minutes. Elegant Victorian hotel with suites that photograph very well for getting-ready images.
Whichever you choose, I can be with you from the morning, photographing the preparations, the details, the last quiet moments before the ceremony, before we make our way to Kew together.
How Much Does It Cost To Get Married At Kew Gardens?
Kew Gardens offers three main wedding packages, each covering different spaces and scales. Every package includes exclusive use of the venue spaces, a dedicated event manager, stewarding and security, cleaning, and access to the gardens throughout the day. Here’s what to expect at each level.
The Intimate Package – from £2,500 plus VAT (2026). Based at Cambridge Cottage for up to 80 guests.
The Classic Package – from £10,500 plus VAT The most popular option. Includes the Nash Conservatory for the ceremony, the Sir Joseph Banks Lawns and Princess of Wales Conservatory for drinks, and the Orangery for the reception. Capacity up to 200 guests for the ceremony and up to 230 for dining.
The Luxury Package – from £19,500 plus VAT The flagship experience, using the most iconic spaces in the gardens including the Temperate House. Overall spend typically starts from around £100,000 for a fully dressed celebration at this level.
South Asian Packages Kew Gardens has dedicated packages for South Asian mandap ceremonies. These are tailored around the specific requirements of Hindu, Sikh and other South Asian wedding traditions and are priced separately.
Bank holiday weekends are available at an additional fee. You can hold a date provisionally for 14 days free of charge while you confirm your plans.
For current pricing and availability, contact the Kew Gardens events team directly via the venue hire section of kew.org.
The Ceremony Spaces
Kew Gardens is licensed for civil ceremonies in two distinct settings, each with its own atmosphere and character.
Nash Conservatory
Firstly, the Nash Conservatory is a gorgeous 19th-century glasshouse adorned with soaring columns and vaulted ceilings. Due to the abundance of windows practically all around the conservatory, your Kew Gardens wedding photography will have a special glow you will surely appreciate.
Cambridge Cottage
For smaller, more intimate ceremonies of up to 120 guests.
The Drawing Room and Gallery open directly onto the Duke’s Garden, which gives you a lush, private outdoor backdrop that most guests won’t have seen in any other wedding they’ve attended.
The relaxed elegance of the spaces here suits couples who want something less formal, a ceremony that feels personal rather than grand.
Cocktail Hour Spaces
Once the ceremony ends and you are officially married, Kew Gardens provides several spaces for your drinks reception.
Much like the ceremony spaces, you’ll find great pleasure knowing that the Gardens are abundant with areas where guests can mingle until the wedding reception starts.
Lawns Outside The Nash Conservatory
If you opt for the Nash Conservatory, the most convenient option is to host a cocktail hour on the intimate lawn that’s part of it. It’s serene yet sophisticated, so consider including a string quartet to give your guests the ultimate experience.
The Princess of Wales Conservatory
You can decide on the Princess of Wales Conservatory. This setting is bolder than the previous option, with over 10 climate zones! Allow this space’s vibrancy and colourful loudness to make your Kew Gardens wedding photography simply spectacular!
Reception Spaces
The reception space is where all your guests will celebrate your milestone in all its glory!
Temperate House
The Temperate House is one of the most remarkable event spaces in the country.
The largest surviving Victorian glasshouse in the world, home to over 10,000 plant species from five continents.
The sheer scale of it is breathtaking, walking into it for a wedding reception is a moment guests never forget.
For photographs, it’s extraordinary.
The ironwork, the tropical canopy, the light filtering through the glass. I’ve photographed receptions in extraordinary spaces around the world and the Temperate House is still one of the most visually compelling rooms I’ve ever worked in.
The Orangery
For couples who want a large, elegant space with room to dance.
The Orangery is a classic venue, high ceilings, clean lines, state-of-the-art facilities, and it works beautifully for both seated dinners and evening receptions.
If you want a proper dancefloor and the space to fill it, the Orangery delivers.
Where To Take Your Portraits At Kew Gardens
This is where Kew Gardens separates itself from every other London venue. Most wedding venues give you two or three portrait spots. Kew gives you an entire botanical world to work with.
Through my Kew Gardens wedding photography experience, we have realised that there aren’t many more spectacular places than this. The gardens provide stunning scenery, a glorious atmosphere, and breathtaking natural elements. The gardens’ rich history and paradisiacal setting are everything you need for an unforgettable wedding celebration.
Kew Gardens offers several locations from which you can choose for your portraits. The versatility of this botanical heaven lets you pick a spot that delivers the dreamy photographs you want. Kew Gardens is the ultimate venue for creating something unique.
The Surreal Palm House
Palm House is one of the most dramatic portrait locations in the gardens. An indoor tropical rainforest, towering palms, abundant greenery, and extraordinary light filtering through the curved Victorian glass.
The grand staircase inside is one of the best portrait spots of any venue I photograph at in the UK.
As a Kew Gardens wedding photographer, I believe this atmosphere is the perfect setting for your celebrations.
The grandiose stairs inside the Palm House make an ideal spot for fabulous portraits of the bride and groom, while the paths are perfect for spontaneous romantic shots.
In short, the sole atmosphere of the Palm House makes you feel like you are in a tropical paradise. So, your wedding photographs will be astounding.
The Glorious Queen’s Garden
Kew Gardens wedding photography is all about royal and elegant features.
The Queen’s Garden is one of the most sophisticated and stunning places for a bridal photoshoot. With its beautiful setting, you can create memories that will last forever.
Moreover, the Garden’s surroundings allow you to accentuate the features of your bridal appeal. Your attire for your big day will look majestic in such an ambience.
The Queen’s Garden was designed to highlight nature’s beauty and architecture. This fantastic blend of natural and artificial elements makes for breathtaking weddings in Kew Gardens.
If you plan your celebrations in spring or summer, you have just found the venue of your dreams. Queen’s Garden is home to numerous unique plant species, and its colourfulness will add authenticity to your portraits.
Although I have been a wedding photographer at Kew Gardens for years, I am constantly impressed whenever I work there.
The romantic paths, the astonishing arches, the glorious fountains, and the spectacular landscapes can add a glamorous touch to your couple’s portraits.
Kew Palace & The Royal Treasures
A little history always adds to spectacular Kew Gardens wedding photography. Kew Palace was a place the King and his Queen, Charlotte, loved and enjoyed.
So, when you decide to have your portraits in this part of the gardens, it will be nothing short of exquisite. This location’s historical features and architectural treasures will lend authenticity and help you create beautiful memories.
If you have always imagined getting married in a place of historical significance, you should not look any further.
In addition to its majestic views, the Kew Palace features a wondrous 18th-century cottage. It is a magnificent backdrop that will make your photographs impressive. As a Kew Gardens wedding photographer, I assure you this place will not disappoint you.
The Breathtaking Woodland Garden & The Temple of Aeolus
Weddings in Kew Gardens mean choosing the most glorious natural settings you have seen.
If you want to enter the world of magic, a celebration in the Woodland Garden and the Temple of Aeolus is the spot you are looking for.
This part of the Gardens is known for breathtaking views and an incredible variety of plant species, designed to evoke the spirit of the mountains and to allow you to experience the fascinating world of colourful plant varieties.
Planning a bridal photo session in the Woodland Garden will provide you with majestic landscapes that will be a perfect backdrop for your portraits. You will have the chance to admire some of the rarest sacred trees in the world and the lavish bushes that surround the entire Garden.
The impressive foliage is guaranteed if you plan your union in Spring or Autumn. It is a jaw-dropping spot for creating unforgettable mementoes for your big day.
The locations I mentioned offer excellent opportunities to create iconic wedding photography pieces in Kew Gardens. The breathtaking landscapes will ensure a memorable day, and your photographs will serve as a testament to your most precious moments. You deserve to celebrate your love uniquely and commemorate it as you imagined!
QUESTIONS?
01 / Is Kew Gardens Licensed For Civil Ceremonies?
Yes. The Nash Conservatory and Cambridge Cottage are both licensed for civil ceremonies. The outdoor spaces can be used for celebrant-led or religious ceremonies.
03 / Can We Take Photographs Anywhere In The Gardens?
Kew Gardens has specific photography guidelines for weddings.
Your portrait locations will be agreed as part of your booking.
I’ve photographed at almost every location in the gardens and can advise on the best spots for your time of year and time of day.
02 / How Many Guests Can Kew Gardens Accommodate?
It depends on the spaces you choose. Cambridge Cottage accommodates up to 120 for the ceremony.
The Nash Conservatory holds up to 200.
The Temperate House and Orangery can host larger receptions. The venue team will advise on the best combination for your guest numbers.
04. What Time Of Year Is Best For A Kew Gardens Wedding?
Every season has something to offer. Spring brings blossoms and bluebells in the Woodland Garden. Summer gives you full foliage and long golden evenings. Autumn turns the trees into extraordinary colours. Winter is quieter and more intimate, with the glasshouses at their most magical. There’s no wrong time.
If you are planning a wedding at Kew Gardens, fill in the form below and let’s find out if your date is available
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