Testimonials
Testimonial - Adam & Adam
Adam & Adam chose to get married at Bishopsgate Institute in November 2024, holding a gorgeous ceremony and reception in our Great Hall.
We first met with the Bishopsgate Institute in June '23 in order to plan our wedding for November '24. My husband and I were engaged in the Summer of '20 and by Winter of '22 we had almost given up hope of planning our wedding.
As a gay couple, some of the venues that we viewed around London were actually quite homophobic - "oh you're a gay couple, you'd love the rainbow lighting" or "you guys will surely want the best (most expensive) catering". No venues spoke to us directly and we were made to feel like cattle at a market ... queuing for our turn for a chance to spend a fortune on a blank space that wanted to rinse us of our budget.
Our experience of working with the Bishopsgate Institute was the exact opposite of what we had experienced with other venues ... from our first encounter with Hannah, we knew it was the correct venue for us.
Their approach is fantastic, it is not an attempt to upsell you a load of other 'add-ons' or products that they have hidden up their sleeves. Their pricing is honest, their communication is clear, and their willingness to make a project work can only come from a venue that has an understanding of its significance as a Queer Archive and Cultural Institute beyond financial gain.
It was important for us to honour our individual queer stories with that of our love for each other and the backdrop of the venue that we chose. Bishopsgate Institute allowed us to plan a mini exhibition inside their archive space - this was entered via the library space and was open to guests on the day, with members of the archive team on hand to answer any questions.
A wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime and expensive endeavour - understanding that any money profited from our wedding day by the venue would be invested back into preserving the Bishopsgate Institute and the wonderful work they do for the Queer community has definitely helped appease our shared conscience.
Over many months we asked Sunil, Lily and the events team so many questions - in person, over the phone, via WhatsApp and email too. They could not do enough to help us make the day a success, and were a reassuring presence in the weeks preceding and on the day of the wedding.
They became a key contact and point of reference for our celebrant, caterer, photographer, entertainers and florist - seamlessly communicating and orchestrating with them all. Bishopsgate Institute also fully supported us on sound and lighting with a dedicated technician called Oliver who was a delight to work with.
The library was the perfect backdrop for drinks and canapes for our 120 guests whilst the main hall was re-dressed from the ceremony to the dinner and party.
Thanks to Sunil and the team for going with us on the long journey - the chopping and changing, the many ideas and hurdles that we threw your way that you handled with such grace and a big, unforgettable smile!
Thank you so much to the entire Bishopsgate Institute team for all your hard work on the days leading up to and on the day of the wedding. We had the best time and every single part of it was even better than we ever could have hoped for!
Testimonial - K & N
K & N chose to host a beautiful, intimate 'micro-wedding' ceremony in our library during the summer of 2024.
From our first meeting with the team to our wedding day, the entire experience of getting married at the Bishopsgate Institute was a dream for us.
Having our ceremony in the library, surrounded by such a unique collection of books and historic artefacts, was so so special and meant a lot to us as a queer couple.
The decor that the team provided matched perfectly with the beautiful and historic surroundings of the building. Being able to have Lily on hand for any questions or concerns meant we felt completely supported and comfortable throughout the day. She was incredibly accommodating throughout the entire process of our multiple requests and last-minute changes!
We could go on for paragraphs about how brilliant the entire experience was, and how friendly and considerate all the team at Bishopsgate Institute were, but we'll leave it at this - if you're thinking of getting married? Get married here.
