Ali and Thom
Tell us your Horniman love story – how did your day unfold and what made it special?
We live 5 minutes away from the Horniman, and as luck would have it, we couldn’t have found a more perfect, picturesque place to marry. The whole day felt like a dream; seeing all our friends and family mingling outside the beautiful glass conservatory was such a special moment, and the ceremony set inside was a moment neither of us will ever forget. Throughout the whole process Suzanne and Megan were thoughtful, professional and went above and beyond to make our day as special as it was.
What drew you to the Horniman as the place to celebrate your wedding?
The Horniman was the first park we visited when we moved to London 11 years ago(!), and we remember being so blown away by the glass conservatory and the London skyline view. It’s also such an important part of our formative years in London; from having fish and chips on the grass to watching live music at the bandstand. Horniman holds an even more special place in our hearts as that’s where Thom proposed in 2022. We really wanted to keep the wedding local so we had our ceremony in the Horniman conservatory and then got a red bus down the road to our reception at the amazing Lordship Pub.
Was there a favourite moment, spot in the gardens, or detail that really captured the magic for you?
A: Walking down the aisle into the room full of loved ones was surreal, but seeing Thom beaming at the top of the aisle still makes me smile when reliving the moment.
T: Once the ceremony nerves had gone, we had our confetti shot over the lawn gardens, which was just such a lovely and happy release of love!
Did the Horniman inspire anything unique about your celebration – from photos to music, flowers or food?
There are so many lovely spots in the park for our brilliant photographer, Michael Maurer to take snaps. We took some of our favourite shots in the herb garden, but it’s also so cool to have photos against the stunning bandstand and Horniman clock house. Safe to say we have a lot of these pictures up on our walls now!
Looking back, what would you say to other couples considering the Horniman for their wedding?
Do it! It’s such a unique, special environment and as it’s a public park, we can visit our ‘wedding venue’ anytime we want to relive our day. The morning was so well organised, all the canapés made by Suzanne James were delicious, and our guests always had their glasses well topped up.
Find out more about having a Suzanne James wedding at the Horniman at their showcase.
Caterers: Suzanne James
Flowers: The Petal Emporium
Photography: Michael Maurer Weddings
Andrew and Maddy
‘Maddy and I met in university in Canada 7 years ago and have been together ever since! It was always one of our dreams to move abroad and explore new places together and two years ago we took the plunge and moved our lives (including our cat) to London.
We have since fallen in love with the city and have made incredible memories here together. We had talked about getting engaged for a little while but with Maddy completing her masters and busy work and personal lives it was difficult finding the right time.
We wanted a setting for the proposal that was intimate, naturally beautiful, and distinctly unique. Obviously that was a tall order for me! I looked at many venues in and out of London but struggled to find something truly special.
I then stumbled upon the Horniman and instantly knew it was the right place due to its combination of the beauty of the location, the magic of the pergola and the history of the Museum.
I then worked with a local small business to find the right decor for the moment, combining the classic design of the pergola with a personal touch. The last step was getting Maddy there!
With the secret help of my soon to be in-laws, we lured her to the Horniman to see the Museum and I then lured her to the pergola for the big moment. I think the pictures say the rest!
It was a magical moment for both of us that we’ll cherish for the rest of our lives, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the help of the Horniman and its staff!’
Ravina and Bennie
Tell us about your Horniman love story – how did the day unfold?
Waking up to beautiful sunshine following days of non-stop rain, we knew the day was going to be magical and it truly was. We loved every minute of it but highlights for us included saying our vows in the stunning conservatory, the unbelievable food and incredible staff, and the best party of our lives (the band were amazing!). We were so pleased we could give Megan and Suzanne, from Suzanne James Ltd, a big hug at the end because they are truly what brought everything together.
What drew you to the Horniman as the place to celebrate your wedding?
As people who love nature and are both London born and raised, it was our dream to get married in a conservatory but still in the capital. For us, the Horniman conservatory had it all – it brought the outside in, is the most beautiful building, and provided views of London’s skyline.
Was there a favourite moment, spot in the gardens, or detail that really captured the magic for you?
As the Horniman is a public park, there was a very special moment when a little girl – who had been watching us for a while – told me (Ravina) that I looked like a princess. Being congratulated by passers-by as we went off for couples photos made us feel like celebrities for a day!
Did the Horniman inspire anything unique about your celebration – from photos to music, flowers or food?
What really sealed the deal for us was being told that the Horniman’s caterers – Suzanne James Ltd – could do traditional Indian wedding food and were experienced with multicultural weddings. That was so important to us.
Looking back, what would you say to other couples considering the Horniman for their wedding?
You really have to see it to believe it! Suzanne James were very generous and let us visit a few hours before a wedding to see just how beautiful the venue looks when set up. After that visit, we knew!
Find out more about having a Suzanne James wedding at the Horniman at their showcase.
Caterers: Suzanne James
Photography: Jonny Donovan photography
Flowers: Floral Evolution
Music: DJ For Me
Alicia and Matthew
‘Nine years ago, I went on my first date with Matthew at the Horniman Museum and Gardens. I was running slightly late, so I marched up Horniman Drive, scanning for someone I only half-recognised from a profile picture, only to spot him playing in the outdoor sound garden. A good sign.
We wandered through the museum’s wonderfully curious collection. There was a quiet comfort between us, as if exploring oddities and hidden gems together was something we’d always done. I still believe that date at the Horniman shaped a core value in our relationship: to stay curious, enjoy the world around us, and keep exploring, together.’
