Weddings and private events

 

To create your special occasion for family and friends, we want to make sure we achieve exactly the right amount of formality and ceremony. For the times of joy and celebration with your family and friends, we aim to make your event beautiful and memorable, and importantly, very personal to you.

We can cater for parties and receptions of different sizes, and we are especially delighted to now be able to offer Wedding Blessings in our lovely Chapel. If you so choose, you can now be married, blessed and have your Wedding breakfast or party all in the stunning rooms at the Charterhouse.

With our approved suppliers, or suppliers of your choosing, we offer a bespoke service in consultation with you, to create an event that will delight you and your guests.

It may add to your special experience here at the Charterhouse, that all profit goes directly to the Charterhouse charity, with has housed and supported older people in need since the 17th century.

Please note that, due to the special nature of the Charterhouse as an almshouse for a community of older men and women, events can only take place between 8.00am and 10.00pm.

We know that you will have many questions and we very much recommend reading our FAQs at the bottom of this page before you make an enquiry about the Charterhouse and availability.  We have tried to cover off all the things that matter to you most.

To make an enquiry giving the details of your proposed event please fill in our Enquiry Form here, or you can contact our team on events@thecharterhouse.org.

Charterhouse Wedding FAQs

Below some answers to the most frequently asked questions. If you can’t find what you are looking for, please email us with anything further on events@thecharterhouse.org

What should our first steps be when booking our wedding or civil ceremony?
We recommend first of all reading through these FAQs! These details should answer many of your queries and help you with your planning. Then we suggest you arrange a visit in-person so we can show you all the rooms and spaces. This is a complex site with many possibilities, so it’s good to see all the options at first hand. Once you have decided to hold your event here at the Charterhouse, you will have a designated Event Coordinator who will manage all arrangements.

Does the Charterhouse have a civil ceremonies licence?
Yes we are licensed to have marriage and civil ceremonies in our hireable spaces other than the Chapel, Chapel Cloister and the Old Library. We cannot hold civil ceremonies in our outside spaces.

Can we get married in the Chapel?
No, the Chapel cannot be used for weddings – but you can have your blessing there. Please note that we cannot hold Blessings on Fridays.

Can we have a humanist ceremony?
Yes, you are welcome to have a humanist ceremony in any of the available rooms other than the Chapel and Chapel Cloister.

Do we need to book a registrar separately?
Yes, you need to contact Islington Registry Office to book a registrar for your wedding. Please ensure that your preferred date is available with your chosen registrar before reserving a date at the Charterhouse. Please note that the times listed on the website are the only times available on that particular date. The only exception to this is for weddings held on bank holidays. For these, you will need to get in contact to check availability.

To book, please head over to Say I do Islington and check availability. Please only book a ceremony if you are ready to pay the deposit and have checked availability with us to make a provisional booking. The time you book will be the time the ceremony is due to start.

Can we choose our own religious celebrant for the blessing?
Generally speaking no, however, the Preacher at the Charterhouse, Reverend Canon Ann Clarke, is available for blessings in the Chapel on certain occasions. Your Event Coordinator will be able to give you further information.

How long is the wedding/civil ceremony/blessing?
Though most ceremonies last between 30 minutes to 1 hour, it is worth discussing your ceremony or blessing with the registrar or celebrant as these services can vary, and they may be able to be altered to your preference.

Are all your available rooms licensed for ceremonies?
All of our hireable spaces are licensed apart from the Chapel, Chapel Cloister and Old Library. Our outdoor spaces are not licensed for ceremonies.

How long can we reserve a date for?
You can reserve one or more dates as early as you like.  Those dates are then held for you but are not confirmed until your deposit is paid.  If we should get another enquiry for your reserved date you would still have priority, but we would then ask you to confirm your date with your deposit within 7 days.

When and how do I need to confirm the date?
Your date is not confirmed until your deposit is paid (50% of the quoted price). Unless there are other enquiries about your reserved date, it can be kept reserved right up to seven days before the event.

What is the deposit we need to pay?
Your deposit is 50% of the quoted price.

What is your cancellation policy?
Our cancellation policy takes into consideration both events outside our control that impact on whether we can open, as well as the reasons you may need to cancel.

What happens if we book for some or all of the event to be outside and it rains?
When planning any outdoors element of your event we will always consider a “weather-proof” option as good weather is sadly one thing we cannot guarantee.

When do we make the final payment?
The balance will be invoiced seven days after your event, and payment is required within 30 days of the invoice date.

When do we need to confirm the final menu and guest list size?
You have until 14 days before your event at the very latest to confirm your numbers with us and 21 days before to confirm your menu choices if you are using our preferred caterer. Other caterers will have their own policy for menu choices and guest numbers which you will need to check with them.

Can you offer our guests a tour of the Charterhouse during the event?
Yes, this is definitely possible, subject to availability on the day. A tour of the Charterhouse can last from 30 minutes to 1 hour and would be charged at £10.00 +VAT per person (regardless of the duration of the tour).

What is the best way to organise our event?
We really recommend hiring a dedicated and experienced co-ordinator to help manage the day if this is possible. This will take the strain away from you, especially if you are bringing in all your own suppliers (dry hire) so you can enjoy the day with your family and guests without dealing with any of the logistics. You will have a dedicated Event Coordinator at the Charterhouse – who ideally should have one point of contact with you (the client) to ensure there are no confusions or mix-ups.

Can we bring our own caterers, florists, production company etc?
We have a preferred caterer which we can tell you more about on application. As an alternative to using our preferred caterer you are very welcome to bring in your own preferred catering supplier (once agreed with us) who will also supply all service staff, necessary equipment, crockery, linen, etc. Please note, external caterers cannot use our kitchens but we can provide alternative spaces for a temporary kitchen. There is a £700.00 + VAT fee for bringing external caterers in.  You can also hire and bring in your own choice of other suppliers such as florists, production teams, musicians or DJs at no extra fee. Please consult with your Event Coordinator about bringing in these external suppliers – on most occasions it will be necessary to meet on site with the contractors and discuss all the logistics, access and any restrictions in detail. We are also very happy to make recommendations of a variety of suppliers we have worked with before.

Can we bring our own wedding cake – is there a cutting charge?
Yes – please do feel free to bring your own wedding cake. The cutting fee will depend on which caterer you choose.

Can we bring our own wine and spirits – is there a corkage charge?
If you choose our preferred caterer you are welcome to bring all your own wine and spirits. There is a £10.00 +VAT per person corkage charge and we will chill drinks for you as required. Other caterers will have their own policies. Please note when choosing the wedding ceremony and drinks package, we cannot not offer corkage as the fee for the wine is built into the package price. You would have to opt for the Wedding Ceremony Only package, then we will put together a bespoke quote for the drinks reception. This does not apply to dinner packages.

Can we bring any animals (e.g. pets) into the Charterhouse?
We allow guide dogs in our hireable spaces, but no other animals. Outside we can also consider well-behaved dogs on leads, and horses.

Are there high-chairs for children and a children-friendly zone?
We have no high-chairs on-site so please do bring your own if you need them.  All children under 14 need to be supervised by designated adults at all times during your event (in consideration for the older residents, and the value and fragility of our décor and collections).

Can we take photographs on site?

A location fee allowing you to take photographs is included in your costing unless you are booking a ceremony only in which case a photography session on-site is charged in addition at £350.00 +VAT.  Couple photos are possible in all available spaces, while large group photographs can only be taken where space capacity allows – so please discuss these with your Event Coordinator. (Please note that photographs must only include your guests and service staff, and not Brothers or Charterhouse staff).

Can we have live music or a DJ and dancing?
We are very happy to have music on-site but we have to be mindful of residents. We can have DJs and dancing in the Norfolk Cloister and Old Library (up to 9.30pm). In other areas we can have live music but within carefully managed noise levels.

Can we live-stream the service and/or event?
Please note that we do not offer live-streaming facilities but we can recommend some trusted production companies that will be able to assist you with this.

What are the room capacities?
Please see our rooms and spaces page for more details.

Can we have fireworks or confetti?
You can have hand-held sparklers outside but no fireworks. We can allow confetti outside in the form of dried petals only,  unfortunately we cannot allow rice.

Can we use candles or any other open flames?
As long as they are smokeless, you can have candles both inside and outside, and smokeless flaming torches or flambeaux are also possible outside.

Are there any décor restrictions?
Please discuss any other décor choices with your Event Coordinator.  There may be a few other restrictions – for example flowers whose petals can stain the flag floor in the Chapel and Chapel Cloister. We do not allow anything to be attached to the fabric of the building.

What type of tables and chairs do you offer?
We can offer long dining tables, but round tables require hiring in. Generally, we recommend long tables as we can accommodate more people more comfortably that way.  We also have poseur tables for stand-up receptions.  For seating we have mahogany bentwood chairs with dark green seating pads.

Do we get to specify the layout of the room?
There is some flexibility in how we lay out each room, depending on numbers and catering. We will do our best to create a layout that suits you.

Do you have sound and AV facilities on site?
We are able to offer very limited sound and AV facilities. We also have designated AV suppliers with whom you can discuss your requirements directly.

Are there any other charges e.g. for cleaning, staff, room hire we need to be aware of?
Our venue hire rates include cleaning and all room hire. Any additional costs will be outlined in the bespoke quotation which we will send you. If you are bringing in your own caterers, all cleaning will be expected to be done by your suppliers including disposal of rubbish off-site.

Is there a place we can get ready before the event begins?
We have a smaller room which can hold up to five people that is suitable for getting changed or ready before the event (there is limited toilet access).

How long before the event starts would we have access to the site?
We allow access to the site one hour before the event is due to start. We are happy to discuss exceptions if required.

Where would the wedding party and guests access the Charterhouse buildings?
You and your guests can enter through the Gatehouse or the Museum entrance – and it is possible to have both entrances open. Please note that the Museum entrance is open to the public Tuesday-Saturday, while the Gatehouse entrance is used by residents and people with appointments so perhaps offers more “exclusive access”. The Museum can be closed especially for an event, which incurs a £2,000.00 + VAT charge for the whole day or £350.00+ VAT per hour. That covers the revenue loss.

Regarding public access, we also need to be clear that, if you want to use the Chapel for a blessing, that space and the Cloister are parts of our public museum. During the day, unless you hire the space exclusively (and pay the charge for museum closure) we cannot guarantee there will not be the possibility of people walking into the Chapel during the ceremony.

Is there any accommodation you recommend nearby?
We have two good hotels in the close vicinity of the Charterhouse. Malmaison London which is right next door, and The Rookery, which is a four-minute walk away. Please get in touch for a list of other accommodation nearby.

Is there parking available?
Limited parking is available for disabled access. There is paid parking available nearby – we suggest Euro Car Parks at Charterhouse Square, NCP carpark on Aldersgate St – Barbican, Smithfield carpark – behind the meat market.

Is there disabled access to the site?
Yes, our site is fully accessible.

Can we leave anything behind to pick up at a later date?
Yes, this can be arranged – but we would ideally like everything picked up by the following working day. Please note that we are not liable for theft, loss or damage of any belongings left on our site.

Can you store wedding gifts safely somewhere on site?
While we can offer space to accommodate wedding gifts during the event, or until the following day, we cannot accept liability for theft, loss or damage while they are on site.

How many toilets would be available?
We have two sets of toilets on site with enough provision for the room capacities we offer.

Are there any other restrictions we need to be aware of?
We always need to keep in mind the very special nature of our site, and to respect for the privacy of the older residents in the almshouse and infirmary. Many of the restrictions already mentioned are for this reason, but unexpected restrictions may also occur which are out of our control and may impact our ability to run events on certain days.

Will the Brothers be on site during my event?
The Brothers who live here permanently will be on-site during your event.  They will be made aware of your event, and will respect the areas designated for you and your guests (though they may need to use the same lift on occasion).  We ask you to please in turn be respectful of their privacy and proximity.

Do you have public liability insurance?
We have our own public liability insurance but will also expect you to apply for your own event cover insurance and to share a copy with us.

Do you have security on site?
There is security on-site all week round – but there will also be a designated security person present during your event.

Do you have health & safety and risk assessments covered?
We have full H&S and risk assessments in place which we can share with you as required.