When newly engaged couples begin considering a luxury London wedding venue. They are often searching for somewhere that combines exceptional service, iconic surroundings and an experience that will feel truly memorable.
As one of London’s newest (opened September 2023) and most prestigious UK wedding destinations, Raffles London at The OWO offers exactly that. And more.
Located in the heart of Whitehall, this remarkable building has been transformed from the historic Old War Office (OWO) into one of the capital’s most celebrated luxury hotels. Combining rich heritage, exquisite design and world-class hospitality.
It provides an extraordinary setting for couples seeking a truly sophisticated London wedding.
Perfect for international couples wishing to introduce family and friends to one of London’s most iconic landmarks. Raffles London at The OWO offers an experience that extends far beyond the wedding day itself.
Having planned a luxury private celebration at Raffles London at The OWO. Weddings By Mary has experienced first-hand their exceptional service. Meticulous attention to detail and dedication to creating memorable weddings and celebrations.
Let experienced London wedding planner, Weddings By Mary, guide you through hosting your London wedding at Raffles London at The OWO.
Saying “I Do” at Raffles London at The OWO
For couples seeking a seamless wedding experience, Raffles offers the opportunity to host multiple elements of your celebration within one extraordinary venue, allowing guests to relax and enjoy every moment without the need to travel between locations.
Whether you envision an intimate wedding ceremony surrounded by your closest family and friends. Or a larger celebration with guests travelling from around the world to join in your special day. The venue offers beautifully designed spaces that can be tailored to suit your vision.
The historic interiors, grand architectural features and abundance of natural light create a timeless setting for exchanging your wedding vows. (See FAQs below for details of the Registy Office required to contact to conduct your legal wedding ceremony).
Your Wedding Reception at Raffles London
Following your civil ceremony or celebrant led wedding ceremony, guests can enjoy champagne and canapés whilst taking in the beautiful surroundings of The Lawrence Foyer.
One of the advantages of hosting your wedding at Raffles is the natural flow between each stage of the celebration. Guests remain immersed in the experience, moving effortlessly between ceremony, drinks reception, wedding breakfast into the evening celebrations.
Giving you at the newlyweds the opportunity to enjoy quiet moments together before rejoining your guests for the next stage of the celebrations.
The Whitehall Ballroom
The Whitehall Ballroom is undoubtedly one of the most impressive event spaces in central London.
Featuring elegant design, magnificent proportions and a sense of grandeur, it provides a breathtaking setting for your wedding breakfast, speeches and evening celebrations.
The ballroom offers a versatile blank canvas that can be transformed to reflect your wedding vision. Whether that includes lavish floral installations, dramatic lighting, sophisticated tablescapes or luxury wedding decor.
Its flexibility makes it equally suited to elegant UK weddings, multicultural celebrations and larger guest numbers. Whilst maintaining the refined atmosphere that defines the entire Raffles experience.
A Luxury Wedding Weekend Experience
One of the reasons many couples are drawn to Raffles London at The OWO is that it offers far more than simply a single day of wedding celebrations.
With luxurious accommodation, exceptional restaurants and bars, private dining experiences and the renowned Guerlain Spa all under one roof. Newly engaged couples can create an entire wedding weekend for family and friends.
From welcome dinners and rehearsal celebrations through to post-wedding brunches and spa experiences. Every element can be incorporated seamlessly into your wedding weekend.
For couples welcoming guests from overseas, this creates a particularly enjoyable experience. Allowing loved ones to spend meaningful time together as well as combining the opportunity to explore our vibrant capital city.
Celebrating Cultural & Multicultural Weddings
London is known as one of the world’s most diverse cities and many UK weddings beautifully combine multiple cultures, traditions and family backgrounds.
Raffles London at The OWO is exceptionally well suited to luxury multicultural wedding celebrations.
The venue’s exceptional culinary offering allow couples to curate a wedding feast that reflects their heritage whilst enjoying the highest standards of hospitality.
Whether you are planning a Jewish wedding, Asian wedding, Middle Eastern celebration, or a wedding that brings together traditions from across the globe. The flexibility of this remarkable venue allows every wedding to feel truly personal.
Weddings By Mary’s Perspective
Having planned a luxury private celebration at Raffles London at The OWO, one aspect that impressed her most was the attention given to guest experience as well as the incredible connection made with the Raffles Events Team.
From initial contact through to the last supplier’s departure, every interaction reflected the exceptional standards which you would expect from Raffles.
The service is polished yet personal and working together with the Raffles Event team tirelessly behind the scenes ensure every detail of any wedding or celebrations is delivered seamlessly for our clients.
Frequently Asked Questions About Weddings at
Raffles London at The OWO
How many wedding guests can Raffles London accommodate?
Raffles offers a variety of event spaces suitable for both intimate weddings and larger scale celebrations.
The Whitehall Ballroom provides an impressive setting with capacities of:
- Dinner & Dancing – Up to 450 guests
- Banqueting Rounds – Up to 600 guests
The Ballroom can also be sectioned into smaller areas, whilst still offering an impressive space
- Dinner Dances – Up to 200 guests
- Banqueting Rounds – Up to 250 guests
Morse & Code are available for more intimate dinners with a variety of options available
- Banqueting Rounds – Up to 40 guests
- Boardroom – Up to 30 guests
- Receptions – Up to 45 guests
Can I host both my wedding ceremony & reception at Raffles London?
Yes. Couples can host multiple elements of their wedding day within the venue, including ceremonies, wedding breakfasts and evening celebrations in the Whitehall Ballroom. Drinks reception in The Lawrence Foyer or smaller celebrations in Morse & Code.
Is Raffles London at The OWO suitable for UK destination weddings?
Absolutely. The combination of luxury accommodation, exceptional guest facilities and a central London location makes it particularly attractive for couples welcoming guests from overseas.
Who provides the wedding registrar at Raffles London at The OWO?
For those wishing to host a civil wedding ceremony at the hotel, these are conducted in partnership with Westminster Register Office and which the couple are legally bound to organise directly themselves.
Can I host a multi-day wedding celebration at Raffles London?
Yes. Many couples choose to incorporate welcome dinners, rehearsal celebrations, spa experiences, post-wedding brunches and farewell gatherings as part of a wider wedding weekend experience.
Is Raffles London a suitable venue for multicultural weddings?
Yes. The flexibility of the venue, combined with the experience of the events team and extensive catering options, makes it an excellent choice for multicultural weddings.
What accommodation is available at Raffles London at The OWO?
Raffles London at The OWO offers 120 bedrooms and suites. Including 81 classic & deluxe rooms and 39 extravagant suites such as The Westminster, The Turret, The Churchill, The Granville and The Haldane Suites to name but a few.
Is there a secret bar at Raffles London at The OWO?
Yes. Raffles London at The OWO features an exclusive subterranean speakeasy known as The Spy Bar. Hidden several floors underground, the clandestine location pays tribute to the building’s rich espionage history.
Weddings By Mary however can neither confirm nor deny having been permitted such access!
What are the transport links to Raffles London at The OWO?
Located in Whitehall, Raffles London at The OWO benefits from excellent transport connections.
Conveniently located close to Charing Cross, Embankment and Westminster stations, providing easy access to both the London Underground and National Rail services.
For guests travelling internationally, Heathrow Airport is easily accessible via the Elizabeth Line, whilst London City Airport, Gatwick Airport and St Pancras International are all within convenient reach.
Can you park at Raffles London at The OWO?
Chargeable parking is available for guests staying at Raffles London. Alternative car parks are within walking distance of the hotel.
Why Hire a UK Wedding Planner for your Wedding?
Whilst Raffles London at The OWO, alongside many other luxury London wedding venues, provide you with their experienced event teams.
Many couples choose to work with a UK wedding planner to ensure every single detail of their wedding is managed from the earliest stage through to the last guest departure.
High-end weddings often involve working with multiple suppliers. Have complex logistics, desire top class entertainment as well as requiring production teams, and carefully coordinated timelines.
Weddings By Mary guides couples throughout their entire wedding planning journey, including:
- Curating a bespoke wedding design
- Managing supplier sourcing, venue coordination and all administration
- Guest Management including wedding invitations, RSVP monitoring, dietary needs and more
- Expertly planning multi-day wedding celebrations
- Creating detailed timelines and logistics plans
- Overseeing every aspect of the wedding day or wedding weekend itself.
Meaning you can truly relax into your engagement knowing every detail of your London wedding is being professionally, calmly and confidently managed behind the scenes.
Is Raffles London at The OWO the Right Wedding Venue for You?
If you’re seeking a London wedding venue that combines heritage, luxury and exceptional service, Raffles London at The OWO should undoubtedly be on your shortlist.
However, with a plethora of luxury London wedding venues to consider for your UK destination wedding. As part of Weddings By Mary’s Multi Day Wedding Planning & Full Wedding Planning services, sourcing and securing the right wedding venue for your UK wedding is a top priority.
As the right London wedding venue is key to the true vision & experience you desire of your unique wedding.
