JANUARY may be dark and grim, but for many couples the sounds of wedding bells are already chiming in distance.
For any brides or grooms looking for inspiration, here are five of the most unusual licensed wedding venues in our bit of north Kent and south east London.
Brands Hatch
Less getting married in a rush, more like getting married in a scene from Rush. Part of last year’s blockbuster was filmed at the Kent racetrack, which has seen icons like James Hunt, Nigel Mansell and Ayrton Senna tear round the tarmac.
Well, now you can get hitched there in a beautiful suite, and there are tonnes of spots for epic photos – how about the bride and groom on the podium? Go to motorsportvision.co.uk or call 01474 875224.
The Valley, Charlton
For Addicks, there’s surely only one place to tie the knot. It doesn’t matter if you have 10 or 1,000 guests, the SE7 ground will look after you like you’re their new star signing.
There are six suites, from the small and exclusive board room to the vast North Stand. Views include the O2, Thames Barrier, Canary Wharf and, of course, the hallowed turf.
Go to cafc.co.uk/commercial/weddings
Shampan at the Spinning Wheel, Westerham
Selling the idea of getting married in a curry house to your other half sounds tricky on paper. But Shampan 4 is not any curry house - it has won Newcomer of the Year at the British Curry Awards for the past two years, even though that doesn’t sound like it should be possible.
As well as attention to detail with the food, the place is classy and beautiful and it hosted its first wedding in October 2012.
Go to shampangroup.com
Glow, Bluewater
When you get married in a shopping centre there is no reason for guests not to bring a gift.
More used to hosting concerts by The Saturdays or championship Boxing, the5,200 square metre venue can accommodate up to 2,700 people for gigs so there shouldn’t be a problem deciding who to invite.
There are two halls and a Gallery Beam for more intimate functions for those not so keen to rival the Royal Wedding for scale.
Glow’s director Michael Watton said the venue “provides a blank canvas where you can create your dream wedding with a range of catering options to suite your taste and budget”.
Call 01322 374191 or e-mail glow.bluewater@lendlease.com
The roof of the 02 Arena, Greenwich
You probably can’t get many guests up there, but getting hitched on the top of one of London’s most recognisable landmarks really would be a day you will never forget.
Up at the O2 launched in 2012, allowing people to climb to the top of the giant dome, but now you can tie the knot there too.
The O2 is currently putting together a package for prospective brides and grooms.
E-mail boxoffice@upattheo2.co.uk or call 020 8463 2149
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