London Rowing Club | Wedding Venue Guide
Ella & Rory got married at London Rowing Club on the August bank holiday weekend, with the doors of the Long Room thrown open onto the balcony and the Thames sliding past below. It was a lovely summer’s day, and warm enough that the breeze picking up in the evening didn’t chase anyone back inside — people were in and out on that balcony throughout.
It’s a compact venue right on the Putney embankment, and that suits it. So here’s what I picked up from a full day there — where the light’s good, where everyone ends up, and what’s worth knowing before you book.
Real London Rowing Club Weddings
Why I Love Photographing Weddings at London Rowing Club
London Rowing Club is a close, contained venue rather than a sprawling estate, and that’s its best quality. Everything happens within a few rooms right on the Thames embankment — the Long Room for the ceremony, dinner and party, the Member’s Room next door, the Fairbairn Room tucked away as a quieter spot, and the balcony connecting all of it to the river. Nobody drifts far, which meant guests were never more than thirty seconds from each other, all day.
The Long Room itself is genuinely special — it’s got old Olympic rowing boats from the 1936 Berlin Games suspended from the ceiling, and it’s strung with fairy lights that give the whole space a soft glow well before you’d normally think to bring the lighting in. Ella & Rory’s ceremony was held in there, conducted by Rory’s brother as celebrant, and it looked lovely — light, warm, properly theirs.
On a summer’s day like it was, the balcony is a beautiful spot. It runs the length of the Long Room and the Member’s Room, looks straight out over the Thames, and on a clear day you can even pick out the Wembley arch in the distance. It’s where people naturally end up — for a breather, a drink, a bit of fresh air — all day long.
And the staff were properly on it. Ella was held up by a black cab that didn’t show, and because the ceremony was celebrant-led rather than registrar-led, the team had the flexibility to shuffle the start time and keep everyone updated as the new timings firmed up. Nobody arriving would have known anything had gone sideways.
Essential information:
Where is London Rowing Club?
7 Putney Embankment, London SW15 1LB — right on the Thames in Putney, looking across the river to Bishop’s Park.
How many guests can attend a wedding at London Rowing Club?
The Long Room seats up to 150 for a ceremony and around 100 for a wedding breakfast, and the Member’s Room next door takes about 25 and can be folded into a bigger day.
Food & drink
Ella & Rory used Pip Tree Catering, and the cake was from M&S, which I mention because I didn’t know M&S could tailor make Collin the Caterpillar wedding cakes!
Is there parking at London Rowing Club?
There is no car park at the venue, as this wedding was on a Sunday we were able to park for free on nearby residential streets however this wouldn’t be the case for most weddings.
One thing I did see: the Thames is tidal along this stretch and the tide came up over the road while we were there, so it’s worth a look at the tide times for your date if people are driving in or being dropped off.
What accommodation options are available on-site or locally?
Nothing on site however being located in Putney there are a lot of nearby hotels, AirBnB’s and other accommodation.
Getting ready:
Where Ella & Rory got ready
I didn’t photograph the getting ready for this one. Ella got ready away from the venue at homeand I met Rory at the Duke’s Head, the pub a short walk along the embankment, before we headed over. If getting-ready photos matter to you, it’s worth asking the venue what they can offer on site, because I can’t tell you from this wedding.
Venue Space:
Ella & Rory had a celebrant-led ceremony in the Long Room, conducted by Rory’s brother. The venue’s own site also lists it as licensed for civil ceremonies, so if you’d rather have a registrar it’s worth asking them directly what that involves.
The Long Room
The ceremony happens in the same room as the meal and the party. It’s strung with fairy lights that were already doing the work before anyone thought about lighting, and the old Olympic rowing boats hanging from the ceiling give you a backdrop you won’t get anywhere else. One thing worth knowing: guests sit with the balcony doors off to their right, so the river isn’t really in view from the seats during the ceremony itself. That’s what the balcony is for the moment you’re back down the aisle.
The balcony
The balcony runs the length of the Long Room and the Member’s Room and looks straight out over the Thames – on a clear day you can pick out the Wembley arch in the distance. It’s where everyone ended up, all day, and it’s where the view actually gets used. In the evening the Member’s Room and the Fairbairn Room came into their own as quieter spots away from the band — handy for anyone needing a breather, and where guests with babies and small children settled.
Confetti
Ella & Rory’s happened indoors, in the Long Room, as they walked back down the aisle — which means it isn’t at the mercy of the forecast, and everyone’s already lined up either side of you.
Suppliers from Ella & Rory's Day
Venue – London Rowing Club | Flowers – Blaise Drummond Flowers
Hair & Makeup – @weddingmakeupandhair | Catering – Pip Tree Catering
Band – Indigo Highway, booked through Bands For Hire | Cake – M&S
Top tips from a London Rowing Club photographer (aka me!)
– Make the most of the balcony. It’s where your guests will end up anyway, and it’s the best backdrop the venue’s got — river, sky, and the Wembley arch in the distance on a clear day. Drinks, group shots, quiet chats: it all works out there.
– You don’t need to think about lighting the Long Room. The fairy lights already do it, ceremony and evening both, and they come into their own properly once it’s dark.
– Confetti works indoors here. Ella & Rory’s was on the walk back down the aisle in the Long Room, which takes the weather out of the equation entirely.
– Ask about celebrant vs registrar early. Ella’s black cab never turned up and the morning ran late; because the ceremony was celebrant-led, the team could shuffle the start time and keep everyone posted. A fixed registrar slot doesn’t give you that room but you need to consider the legalities of the ceremony (at time of writing celebrant ceremonies are not legally binding) and whether you need to do the legal bit at another time.
– Check the tide times. Odd thing to plan a wedding around, but the Thames is tidal here and the water came up over the road on the day. Five minutes of checking saves a scramble if people are driving in.
– Use the side rooms. The Member’s Room and the Fairbairn Room work as breakout space away from the band in the evening — good for anyone needing a break, and for families with little ones.
– The embankment is right on the doorstep for couple and group shots. We did all of Ella & Rory’s along the river — you don’t need to go anywhere to get the Thames behind you.
Looking for a London Rowing Club Wedding photographer?
If you’re planning a wedding here, I’d love to hear about it. I’ll get in amongst the day and document it as it happens, rather than running it.