Finding providers that cater for same-sex marriages is no piece of wedding cake. Even making sure providers are just gay-friendly can be a source of unneeded planning anxiety. So, taking inspiration from Paul Wilson’s 2007 Big Gay Wedding Directory, we’ve handpicked everything from celebrants to synagogues, giving you a local, up-to-date, same-sex wedding directory.
The businesses we’ve curated are judged on the following criteria: whether they have catered for gay marriages before (marked with a 💜), whether they specialise in gay weddings (marked with a 💚) and whether they offer something downright fabulous (marked with 💖).
Do you think you’re a provider that deserves to be included – or know of one that should? Then send an email to news@eastlondonlines.co.uk. We hope to grow the directory throughout the week as we add your suggestions.
If you want to see at a glance your nearest wedding services, scroll to the end for our Wedding Directory interactive map.
The celebrant
Proud Fox Wedding Ceremonies
💜💚💖
Based in Bromley, ex-actor and theatre manager Martin Fox Roberts knows a lot about putting together large events. Occasionally known as their drag name Maria Hurtz, having been a Drag Idol Semi-Finalist and QX Magazine Awards Nominee for Best Drag Act and Best Comedy Act, he can celebrate wedding ceremonies as either Simon Fox or Maria Hurtz.
email: martin@proudfoxceremonies.com; telephone: 07973444664
Inner World Outer Life
💜💚💖
Jeannene is a London-based woman who is happy to travel to our boroughs for work. She has “a passion for people’s personal growth and search for meaning in life”. This is complemented by her work as a celebrant, leading services for Unitarian groups with a wide variety of beliefs. She has a wealth of experience when it comes to gay weddings.
email: jeannene@innerworldouterlife.com
Dave Octave
💜💚💖
Based in Hackney, Dave Octave is double winner of the inaugural Celebrant Industry Award and with 20 years of experience. As well as being regional finalist at The Wedding Industry Awards and a featured Celebrant on E4’s Married At First Sight UK for three years. Octave is the crème de la creme of London celebrants who is something of a specialist when it comes to gay marriage ceremonies having conducted many during his 20 years of experience.
email: emailme@daveoctavecelebrant.com; telephone: 07796917410
The tailor and dressmaker
Orhan London Tailoring
💜💚💖
This provider claims to be the “the UK’s leading purveyors of LGBTQ+ tailoring”. It’s easy to see why. Their master tailor, Orhan Kaplan, has been doing what he does best for over 40 years. But, in 2007, Kaplan and his wife wanted to open a provider that focused on unique, queer and creative designs for all same-sex couples – particularly women. One of their latest stand-out pieces included a Billy Porter-style ball gown dress, accompanied by a purple bouquet jacket.
email: info@orhanlondontailoring.com; telephone: 020 7250 3569
Beggars Run
💜
This Hackney-based business have just been featured in the LGBTQ+ wedding magazine, A Most Curious Wedding Fair. For gay couples buying together, Beggars Run told us they take special care over how both suits look together. Making sure fabrics and colours are complementary is something they have real experience in.
email: info@beggarsrun.com; telephone: 0208 1333466
Morgan Davies Bridal
💜💖
A woman helps her wife-to-be into her Morgan Davies Bridal dress (Pic: rebeccacarpenterphotography)
This family-run bridal shop may have been in business for 33 years, but there is nothing old-fashioned about it. They are proudly non-traditional, because, as they put it, “our brides are not super traditional at all”. They try to cater to every type of bride and have done it all: mini skirts, white suits and even wedding dresses for a trans wedding on a train.
email: info@morgandavieshitchin.co; telephone: 020 7253 3007
Elena Milani Couture
💜
Elena Milani is an Italian couture designer, who’s been running her business for 14 years (10 in Italy, four in Poplar). Having done many dresses for same-sex partners, she offers joint fittings, where brides-to-be can make sure their fabrics and cuts match or separate viewings, where dress choices can be kept secret until the big day.
email: commercial@elenamilani.com; telephone: 07939 152029
Richard Mark Menswear
💜
This family business has been up and running for over 60 years and “have done all sorts”, catering to same-sex couples on multiple occasions. Their most recent work includes creating suits for soon-to-be brides and “best women”. As they told ELL, “doing a suit for a woman is the same as for a man. The only thing that changes are the measurements.”
email: info@richardmark.co.uk; telephone: 020 8647 4062
Tweed Addict
💜💖
A same-sex couple, two Herefordshire farmers, wearing Tweed Addict suits (Pic: Tweed Addict) This entry helped kit out a Channel 4 first, providing the tweed suits for Don’t Tell The Bride’s first-ever same-sex couple. Gay and lesbian couples get a special advantage at Tweed Addict: buying two suits at once gets you a 15% discount.
email: info@tweedaddict.com; telephone: 07754 751900
The photographer
Docuwedding
💜💖
Based in Lewisham is Tony at Docuwedding who shoots 90 per cent observational reportage usually starting from about two hours before the ceremony until after the first dance. Tony believes that “documenting and telling the story of a wedding is best done through footage” as opposed to just photos. He has filmed lots of gay weddings and knows how to capture that fabulousness on camera.
email: docuwedding@me.com; telephone: 07828608869
Valo Studio Photography
💜
Valo Studio Photography is based in Hackney. Valo means “light” in Finnish and they say light is at the heart of everything they do. They will ensure you can look back on your gay wedding photographs and relive the day moment by moment, experiencing the same powerful emotions all over again.
email: contact@valostudio.com; telephone: 044792011 8266
Swansong Productions
💜💚💖
Based in Croydon, Swansong Productions was formed in 2016 by Joseph, a solo videographer, with the view that wedding photography shouldn’t be ridiculously expensive for incredible quality. They aim to deliver nothing but exceptional videos to their customers. They also hold the LGBTQ+ friendly badge awarded by the gay wedding guide. You can see their work on instagram here.
email: contact@swansongproductions.co.uk
Fiona Kelly Photography
💜💖
Covering Croydon is Fiona or Fee as most people call her. She specialises in “beautiful, natural, and creative” wedding photography. She is generally known as a Croydon wedding photographer but will happily work all over London. Fiona has captured “loads” of fantastic gay weddings on her camera and is excited by the prospect of doing more through our directory!
email: fiona@fionakellyphotography.com; telephone: 07879455932
The ceremony venue
New Unity
💜💖
Unitarians are not Christians, they are a liberal, religious organisation that welcomes everyone. This is ideal for couples looking to get married in a spiritual environment but not necessarily in a Christian church. New Unity is a Unitarian church in Newington Green; not only are they welcoming of same-sex weddings but in 2008 New Unity refused to hold any heterosexual weddings until marriage equality was achieved.
email: rental@new-unity.org; telephone: 02073540774
Purley United Reformed Church
💜
The United Reformed Church agreed to allow same-sex weddings in their churches in 2016, if the local churches wished to do so. Purley United Reformed Church has allowed same-sex weddings since 2017 however, as of April 2023, they have still not married any same-sex couples. Christian couples who want to marry in a church setting could have the honour of being Purley’s first!
email: minister@purleyurc.org.uk; 02086609371
Kehillah North London
💜💖
Back in 2013 Liberal Judaism lobbied the government with the Christian Quakers to allow religious organisations to hold same sex weddings. Kehillah North London is a Synagogue in Stoke Newington and is part of the Liberal Judaism denomination. It welcomes Jewish same-sex couples who want to get married in a Synagogue environment, provided they become members of Kehillah North London beforehand.
For information on joining Kehillah North London click here.
email: info@kehillah.org.uk; telephone: 02039518113
Asylum Chapel
💜💚💖
Though not in one of ELL’s boroughs, the Asylum Chapel is in easy reach of Lewisham, and deserves an honorary mention. It is a “repurposed forgotten chapel” which provides “a romantic, atmospheric space with a truly mesmerising history.” They are known to be very supportive of gay couples choosing them as their wedding venue and have done many gay weddings.
email: weddings@maverickprojects.co.uk; telephone: 07539595158
The reception venue
Queens House Wedding Venue in the sunshine (Pic: Flickr)
Peter Harrison Planetarium
💜💖
Near Lewisham, the Peter Harrison Planetarium at the Royal Observatory Greenwich has hosted many a Gay Wedding, providing a “versatile modern venue.” With its striking architecture the planetarium is a twist to the classic idyllic wedding venue. Other options within the Royal Observatory Greenwich include the Queens House and Cutty Sark down on the dry docks!
email: events@rmg.co.uk; telephone: 02083128517
Admiral Hardy
💜
Nestled in the heart of maritime London is Greenwich’s Admiral Hardy, a stone’s throw away from Lewisham. A “traditional pub, emanating charm and centuries of history,” it would make a rustic and wholesome gay wedding venue having carried out many in the last 10 years.
email: events@admiralhardygreenwich.co.uk; 02082939535
Trafalgar Tavern
💜💖
Neighbouring Lewisham, a popular riverside choice for weddings is the Trafalgar Tavern, which boasts period features including rich wooden floors, glittering crystal chandeliers and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Thames. An elegant, scenic take on the traditional tavern.
email: info@trafalgartavern.co.uk; telephone: 02038879886
Lardo
💜
A stone’s throw from Hackney Town Hall, Lardo serves as a perfect wedding reception venue in London’s gayest borough. Lardo is able to cater for a variety of budgets in both their restaurant and private dining room. Their manager, Erika told ELL they have done lots of gay weddings before, have “an extremely diverse team” and think “LGBTQ+ wedding options need to be publicised more!”
email: info@lardo.co.uk; telephone: 02089852683
The Ecology Pavillion
💜
The Ecology Pavilion in Tower Hamlets is a large modern venue in natural surroundings. The building is buried in a grass bank next to the reed beds of the Ecology Park. They have hosted lots of gay weddings with their natural, green setting.
email: pavilionbookings@towerhamlets.gov.uk; telephone: 02073643115
East Dulwich Tavern – The Lodge
💜
Sitting in East Dulwich is it’s famous tavern or EDT as it’s known to the locals. Upstairs you will find The Lodge, their delightful function room – complete with its very own bar. The Lodge provides the perfect backdrop for any party booking and private event, however big or small. They have done plenty of gay weddings during their time serving the community.
email: edt@anticlondon.com; telephone: 0208693201316
The food and entertainment
Christopher Howell – Wedding Magician
💜💖
Magician entertainment is all the rage on the wedding circuit at the moment. Christopher Howell is a magician who has made a name for himself as the “London wedding magician of choice” and is happy to perform in our boroughs. He has jazzed up many gay weddings during his career with a charming approach that will add some more magic to your special day.
email: magic@christopherhowell.net; telephone: 07887514809
Spin and Shake- Mixologist
💜💖
London-based and willing to cover our boroughs is Spin and Shake. You might not necessarily think of a mixologist as a performer but their team would certainly defy that assumption. They can create completely “original concoctions, using visually stunning techniques involving fire and smoke, while answering any questions your guests may have about different flavour pairings”. They have performed at many gay weddings in the past.
email: info@spinandshake.co.uk; telephone: 02032817003
Hamilton Ice Sculptors
💜💖
With over 40 years’ experience in the field, the team at Hamilton are proud to offer a wide range of bespoke party sculptures and ice bars to make any occasion that extra bit special. Each party ice sculpture is carefully designed, and hand carved individually by the team to meet every client’s requirements. You say “vodka luge for my gay wedding”, they say “yes”, having done it many times before!
email: info@icesculpture.co.uk; telephone: 02089449787
The Adobros- canopes
💜💚
In New Cross, for some delicious Filipino canapes to feed your hungry guests look no further than the Adobros. “A Filipino supper club based in London” starting up in their flat in Southeast London in 2013, they have created a canapes experience that captures the best of the Filipino food culture they grew up with. They have lost count of the gay weddings they have catered for.
email: info@theadobros.com
The cake
4S Cakes
💜💖
Saneeha at 4S Cakes in Lewisham will guarantee that your wedding cake is a unique centrepiece. She understands the importance of the occasion and will work with you every step of the way to create the perfect wedding cake for your special day. Her favourite gay wedding cake was one she made for a couple from Copenhagen and London including landmarks from the two cities all over the cake!
email: saneeha_shamil@yahoo.com; telephone: 07903799516
Violet
💜💖
Based in Hackney, Violet Bakery offers terrific cakes with amazing wedding designs on offer. Their founder Claire Ptack is a food writer and recipe developer who has a wealth of experience when it comes to cake. Their favourite gay wedding cake had four different variations of cake flavours, with each tier ranging from 6in to 12 in high.
email: info@violetcakes.com; telephone: 02072758360
Sugar Treats Cakes
💜
Sugar Treats Cakes based in Croydon offers an amazing range of cakes, their owner used to work in equality and inclusion so is proud to be able to bake fabulous gay wedding cakes with whatever splendid design your wedding requires!
telephone: 07709032915
Kontidor
💜
Konditor is a London chain with a branch in Bow, Tower Hamlets. They are on a mission “to Spread Joy Through Cake!” All of their cakes & bakes are handmade to order in their own kitchen using the finest ingredients. They are LGBTQ+ supporters and love getting involved with pride and making cakes for the occasion.
telephone: 02076333333
The flowers
Floral Jems
💜💖
Floral Jems is based in East Dulwich, south east London, founded and run by Jem and her small team. They offer “a bold, fun and quirky style,” whilst “aiming to lessen their impact on the planet.” They have catered for gay weddings before, and look forward to doing lots more.
telephone: 07775108594
Grace and Thorn
💜
Grace and Thorn is an independent florist based in Bethnal Green. Founded back in 2011, Grace and Thorn have catered for same-sex weddings in the past. They believe in bringing out the best in plants, so you can guarantee your flowers will wow on your wedding day.
email: info@graceandthorn.com; telephone: 02077391521
This article is part of our series, A decade since 'I do': celebrating same-sex marriage in London, click here to read our other stories.
