The Refinery Wedding Photography in Bankside London
Hampton Court Palace and The Refinery Wedding Photography
Mike and Selina's Chinese English wedding took place between two incredible venues and fused the colour and energy of a Hong Kong wedding with the elegance of an English ceremony and was an incredible blend of the two cultures.
The day began with Hong Kong style gatecrashing games in which the groom and his entourage must pass a series of playfully humiliating games in order to prove that he is worthy to gain access to the bride. These games included eating and drinking some ingenious concoctions as well as passing various items between each other using different body parts. Gatecrashing always leads to some amazing reactions and is so much fun to photograph.
Following the gatecrashing, the families took part in some traditional Chinese tea ceremonies before heading to the Little Banqueting house at Hampton Court Palace for the wedding ceremony and bride and groom photography portraits.
The wedding reception took place at The Refinery in New Street Square London and was filled with lots of laughter...especially when the groom and his best men re-enacted the three-way dance scene from the movie Romy & Michele's High School Reunion Step for Step. This was followed by an incredible performance from musician Kelly Barnes who kept the party going long into the night.
Here are a few images from this Chinese-style English wedding at Hampton Court Palace and The Refinery.
Wedding Photography at The Refinery and Hampton Court Palace by Nick Rose Photography
Wedding Ceremony Venue: Hampton Court Palace Little Banqueting House, Molessey, KT8 9AU
Wedding Reception venue: The Refinery, Great New Street, London, EC4A 3BF
Florist: Buds and Blooms
Singer: Kelly Barnes
Cake Designer: Beas of Bloomsbury
Hair and Makeup: Nikki from Amanda White
The Refinery London Wedding Photographer | Venue Guide
A Complete Guide to Wedding Photography at this Contemporary London Venue
As a London wedding photographer, The Refinery in Bankside offers something refreshingly different for couples seeking a contemporary wedding venue. With its floor-to-ceiling windows and industrial-chic aesthetic, this stylish urban space provides an impressive backdrop for modern wedding photography. The venue's combination of contemporary design elements and warm atmosphere creates opportunities for distinctive wedding photographs that capture the essence of city celebration.
About The Refinery
The Refinery Bankside stands as one of London's most stylish contemporary wedding venues. Located in the vibrant Blue Fin Building, this Drake & Morgan venue perfectly captures the essence of modern London. Its industrial-meets-luxury aesthetic creates an atmosphere that's both sophisticated and welcoming, making it ideal for couples seeking a contemporary city wedding.
Location
Situated in the heart of Bankside, The Refinery benefits from an incredibly central location that places it at the crossroads of London's cultural and business districts. Just moments from Blackfriars Bridge and a short walk from Tate Modern, the venue sits in one of London's most dynamic neighbourhoods. This prime location not only offers excellent transport links but also provides countless opportunities for stunning urban wedding photography against the backdrop of London's evolving skyline.
The venue's proximity to several of London's most iconic landmarks makes it particularly appealing for couples wanting to capture their day on the city's canvas. Within walking distance, you'll find the Millennium Bridge, Shakespeare's Globe, and Borough Market, each offering unique photographic possibilities.
Design and Style
The venue's design philosophy embraces contemporary urban elegance while maintaining a warm and inviting atmosphere. The interior architecture thoughtfully balances industrial elements with softer, more intimate touches. Exposed ceiling fixtures and contemporary lighting installations create visual interest overhead, while Scandinavian-inspired furnishings bring warmth and comfort to the space.
Perhaps the most striking feature is the abundance of natural light that floods through the floor-to-ceiling windows, creating an ever-changing ambience throughout the day. This interplay of light and shadow adds depth and dimension to wedding photography, while the careful selection of materials - from polished concrete to warm woods and metallic accents - provides a sophisticated backdrop for any celebration.
Wedding Spaces at The Refinery
The Refinery offers several versatile spaces that can be configured to create your perfect wedding setting. Each area brings its own character while maintaining a cohesive contemporary feel throughout. The thoughtful layout allows for natural flow between spaces, making it equally suitable for intimate gatherings or larger celebrations.
Main Restaurant and Bar Area
The main space at The Refinery provides a stunning setting for both ceremonies and receptions. The open-plan layout offers remarkable flexibility while maintaining an intimate atmosphere that can be tailored to suit your vision. The sophisticated bar area serves as both a functional service point and a striking visual feature, with its carefully curated selection of spirits displayed against illuminated shelving.
Natural light streams through the impressive windows throughout the day, creating different moods from morning ceremonies to evening receptions. The space can be transformed dramatically with creative lighting and decoration, allowing each couple to put their own stamp on the venue while working with its contemporary character.
Key features and capacity:
Licensed for civil ceremonies up to 120 guests
Wedding breakfast seating for up to 100 guests
Evening reception capacity of 250 guests
Floor-to-ceiling windows providing abundant natural light
Flexible layout options for different ceremony styles
Built-in bar area with feature lighting
Direct access to outdoor terrace
Private Dining Room
The private dining room offers an intimate space perfect for smaller celebrations or as a sophisticated addition to larger events. This versatile room can serve multiple purposes throughout your wedding day, from a private space for the wedding party to prepare, to an elegant setting for a more intimate ceremony or wedding breakfast.
The room's design echoes the main space's contemporary aesthetic while offering a more contained environment. Large windows ensure plenty of natural light, while adjustable lighting allows for atmosphere control as day turns to evening. The space can be styled to complement your wedding theme while maintaining its inherent elegance.
Capacity and features:
Seated capacity for 40 guests
Standing reception for 60 guests
Private bar facilities
Separate sound system
Adjustable lighting
Views over Bankside
Outdoor Terrace
The covered terrace provides an urban oasis, perfect for drinks receptions and capturing candid moments throughout your day. This versatile outdoor space has been thoughtfully designed to offer comfort in all seasons, with heating for cooler months and partial coverage for weather protection.
The terrace's design incorporates both natural and architectural elements, with built-in planters providing greenery against the urban backdrop. Evening lighting creates a magical atmosphere as the sun sets, with the city lights beginning to twinkle in the background. This space proves particularly popular for summer weddings, offering guests a breath of fresh air while maintaining the sophisticated atmosphere of your celebration.
Details:
Capacity for 70 standing guests
Partial coverage for weather protection
Heating for year-round use
Built-in planters and greenery
Atmospheric evening lighting
Views of the Blue Fin Building
On Instagram
Photography Opportunities at The Refinery London
The Refinery offers a wealth of photographic possibilities that allow me to capture the unique character of each wedding while making the most of the venue's distinctive features. The combination of contemporary design elements and abundant natural light creates perfect conditions for modern wedding photography that tells your story against the backdrop of London's vibrant heart.
Indoor Photography Locations
The venue's interior provides a sophisticated canvas for wedding photography, with each space offering its own unique possibilities. The main restaurant area, with its soaring windows and contemporary design elements, allows for dramatic compositions that capture both intimate moments and larger group celebrations. The interplay of natural and designed lighting creates opportunities for creative photography throughout the day, from morning preparations to evening celebrations.
The private dining room offers a more intimate setting for detail shots and quiet moments, while the bar area provides a striking backdrop for more dynamic images. Every corner of the venue has been thoughtfully designed, offering different textures and perspectives for creative wedding photography:
The main space's floor-to-ceiling windows create dramatic natural lighting effects
Industrial-chic exposed ceiling features add architectural interest
The contemporary bar area offers elegant framing opportunities
Modern furnishings and décor provide sophisticated styling elements
Geometric tiling and design details add visual interest
Carefully planned lighting creates atmosphere as day turns to evening
Multiple levels and perspectives allow for creative composition
Outdoor and Local Photography Spots
The surrounding Bankside area is rich with photographic possibilities, offering a mix of historic and contemporary backdrops within easy walking distance. This location allows us to capture a variety of styles and moods in your wedding photographs, from intimate moments on the terrace to dramatic urban portraits against London's iconic skyline.
The immediate vicinity offers numerous opportunities for creative wedding photography:
The venue's contemporary terrace provides elevated city views
The striking architecture of the Blue Fin Building creates dramatic backgrounds
Tate Modern's industrial architecture offers bold geometric elements
Millennium Bridge provides iconic Thames views
Riverside walkways offer romantic waterfront settings
Historic Southwark streets add character and contrast
Modern city architecture creates contemporary urban backdrops
Wedding Day Timeline at The Refinery
Morning Preparation
The venue opens early for suppliers, allowing plenty of time for setup and decoration. While The Refinery doesn't have dedicated getting-ready spaces, the private dining room can be transformed into an elegant preparation area if required. Additionally, several nearby hotels offer excellent preparation suites, allowing for a relaxed start to your wedding day while remaining close to the venue.
Ceremony Timing
Civil ceremonies typically begin from 2pm onwards, taking advantage of the optimal natural light flooding through the venue's impressive windows. This timing allows for beautiful photography as the sun moves across the sky, creating different moods and atmospheres throughout your celebration. The space can be transformed within 1-2 hours from ceremony to reception setup, with the experienced venue team managing this transition seamlessly.
Evening Reception
As day turns to night, The Refinery's atmospheric lighting creates a magical setting for evening celebrations. The venue's contemporary design takes on a different character after dark, with carefully planned lighting highlighting architectural features and creating an intimate atmosphere for dancing and celebration.
Seasonal Considerations at The Refinery
The venue's versatile design allows it to shine throughout the year, with each season offering its own unique possibilities for your celebration.
Summer Weddings
Summer at The Refinery takes full advantage of the long daylight hours and outdoor spaces. The terrace becomes an extension of your celebration space, perfect for drinks receptions and capturing relaxed moments throughout the day. The venue's excellent air conditioning ensures comfort regardless of the temperature outside, while the large windows can be opened to create a natural flow between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Additional summer benefits include:
Extended golden hour for dramatic city photography
Comfortable indoor/outdoor flow for guests
Natural ventilation options
Beautiful natural light throughout the day
Winter Weddings
Winter transforms The Refinery into a cosy urban retreat, with the venue's industrial-chic design creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The covered and heated terrace remains usable, offering views of the city lights, while the interior spaces become even more atmospheric with creative lighting and seasonal decorations.
Winter features include:
Dramatic city light opportunities after dark
Cosy atmosphere with feature lighting
Heated outdoor spaces
Festive decorations in December
Excellent wet weather contingency
Spring/Autumn
The transitional seasons often provide the best of both worlds, with comfortable temperatures and beautiful light. The venue's climate control ensures guest comfort regardless of the weather, while the mix of indoor and outdoor spaces allows for flexible planning.
Seasonal highlights include:
Perfect golden hour timing
Comfortable temperature control
Flexible space usage
Beautiful city light opportunities
Reliable wet weather options
Recent Weddings on the Blog
The Refinery London: Frequently Asked Questions
What makes The Refinery unique for London weddings?
The Refinery combines contemporary urban style with practical flexibility in a prime Bankside location. Its floor-to-ceiling windows, industrial-chic design, and versatile spaces create a distinctive setting for modern city weddings, while the experienced team ensures seamless execution of your vision.
How many guests can The Refinery accommodate?
The venue offers flexible capacity options to suit different celebration styles:
Civil ceremonies: Up to 120 guests
Seated dining: Up to 100 guests
Evening receptions: Up to 250 guests
Private dining room: 40 seated or 60 standing guests
Terrace: Up to 70 standing guests
Is The Refinery licensed for civil ceremonies?
Yes, The Refinery holds a full license for civil ceremonies in both the main space and private dining room, allowing you to host your entire celebration under one roof.
What catering options are available?
The Refinery provides high-quality in-house catering with customizable menu options. Their experienced culinary team can create everything from casual sharing platters to formal wedding breakfasts, with menus tailored to your preferences and dietary requirements.
Can we arrange early access for suppliers?
Yes, the venue typically allows supplier access from 8am on your wedding day, with specific timing arranged during the planning process to ensure smooth setup and decoration.
Is there parking available?
While The Refinery doesn't have dedicated parking, there are several secure car parks within walking distance. The venue's central location and excellent transport links (including nearby Southwark and Blackfriars stations) make it easily accessible for guests.
What time can the celebration continue until?
The venue is licensed until midnight, with last orders at 11:30pm. Extended hours may be possible through prior arrangement with the events team.
Can the venue space be decorated?
Yes, The Refinery welcomes personal decorations that complement their contemporary style. The venue team can advise on suitable options and recommended suppliers, helping you enhance the space while working with its existing design features.
Is there disabled access?
The Refinery offers full disabled access throughout, including accessible toilets and level entry from the street. The open-plan layout ensures comfortable movement for all guests.
What's the best time of year for a wedding at The Refinery?
The venue works beautifully year-round, with excellent climate control and flexible indoor/outdoor options. Summer weddings can make full use of the terrace and extended daylight hours, while winter celebrations benefit from atmospheric lighting and city views. Spring and autumn offer comfortable temperatures and beautiful natural light.
The Refinery's combination of contemporary style, practical amenities, and central location makes it a perfect choice for modern London weddings. Its versatile spaces and experienced team ensure every celebration is both distinctive and memorable, while the sophisticated urban setting provides a stunning backdrop for wedding photography throughout the seasons.
