Booking a London Restaurant for a Group or Small Wedding

Katerina Galkina · EN · 07/10/2026

Define the occasion first

A group can book one large table in the main restaurant, a private dining room or exclusive use of a venue. These arrangements have different costs, noise levels and scope for entertainment. Write down your date, likely guest numbers, per-person budget, preferred cuisine and whether you need speeches, music or your own cake before enquiring.

One private-room example is The Wolseley Piccadilly ↗. Its FAQ specifies a maximum of 15 seated guests and stair-only access. That rules it out for a larger party or a guest who needs a lift; attractive photographs cannot settle those questions.

Request a comparable proposal

Send two or three venues the same brief: adult and child numbers, start and finish times, allergies, access needs and seating preferences. Ask for the current group menu and a written quotation for your date.

Check whether a set menu is compulsory, whether guests can choose individually, when pre-orders are due and the deadline for changing numbers. For a wedding, agree decorations, cake arrangements, photography, entertainment, gifts and setup time separately. A standard table reservation does not automatically provide these facilities.

Calculate the whole bill

Include food, drinks, room hire, service charge, extra hours and agreed extras. Ask whether VAT is included. A minimum spend is a required spending commitment: establish which purchases count towards it and what happens if your bill falls short.

A deposit may be credited against dinner or may represent a separate charge. Obtain clear wording and the rules for absent guests. To control drinks spending, agree a shared-account limit and who may authorise additional orders.

Confirm before paying

Obtain a contract or booking confirmation naming the date, room, guest numbers, menu, payment conditions and cancellation deadlines. Establish who is responsible for the bill and whether separate payments are possible. Keep the correspondence and payment receipt.

Reconfirm seating and dietary requirements shortly before the event. Do not bring extra guests without agreement: capacity, prepared portions and the group booking terms depend on the confirmed numbers.