🍁 On Saturday 7th June we opened up our biodiverse Garden to the public, meaning they could enjoy the tranquillity & beauty of our secret space that we save for private events, staff & members.
🌿 Our head gardener, Daniela Sikora, was busy enlightening budding gardeners with highlights of her work, including sweet smelling roses, a grape vine, fig tree, olive tree, and a huge variety of herbs, many of which have medicinal properties & are good for our health.
🌷 Although our Garden can be enjoyed throughout the year, our favourite months are May and June when it really flourishes. Our freshly refurbished Garden Café spills out onto the Garden, meaning items purchased in the Café can be enjoyed in the sunshine, sat next to some stunning flora, beside a relaxing pond featuring fish, lilies & other interesting pond life!
📧 Here are a few images taken at the weekend, but if you’d like to visit the Garden for an outdoor event you’re planning, contact us on [email protected] – suitable for private hire for drinks receptions, BBQ’s, wedding receptions & much more.
🌻 London Open Gardens is an annual event when normally closed or hidden green spaces open their gates to the public. For more information, click here: https://lnkd.in/eZ9JThwR
⭐ We’re incredibly proud to have contributed to isla’s revolutionary Temperature Check Europe Report 2025 ⭐
🌿 Through measuring & collecting data on our latest set-menu initiative, we’ve been able to demonstrate significant cost savings to clients if they choose a set menu over bespoke food options.
And the results are in:
👉 £95 vs £105 per delegate — clients immediately saw the value
👉 93% of clients switched.
💸 Lower costs for clients and better margins for the venue
♻️ Food waste dropped, red meat almost disappeared — with no complaints
🛠️ Streamlined procurement, less chef stress.
No compromises. No green premium.
Just smart planning, smart procurement, and seasonal ingredients.
Scale that £10/head saving across 200 delegates — that’s £2,000 straight back into your budget.
Sustainability doesn’t deserve to be a side dish. Put it front and centre on the menu, because when you do – everyone wins.
isla‘s report serves as both a benchmark and a guide, helping businesses identify where meaningful sustainability progress can be made. Download your copy now: https://lnkd.in/eiNRfemw
As the first half of 2025 draws to a close, we’re reflecting with pride on what has been an energising and impactful few months at BMA House. Our historic venue has long been a favourite for a wide range of events, but this year we’ve taken things a step further – building a strategic focus around hosting key industry gatherings that go beyond the traditional client event.
From networking and knowledge-sharing to major sustainability launches and awards, BMA House has become a hub for the events industry itself – bringing together not just buyers and clients, but also our peers, partners, and even competitors.
So why this new approach?
At BMA House, we believe that real progress happens when the industry comes together. Whether it’s to share ideas, tackle challenges, or simply connect, we wanted to create a space where those conversations could happen – in person, in meaningful ways, and with sustainability at the heart of it all.
We’ve always been proud of our reputation as a sustainable venue, and this strategy has allowed us to both support and spotlight others who share that vision. From content that focused on responsible practices, to delivery that upheld our own environmental commitments, most of the events we hosted had a sustainability story to tell — and we were thrilled to be the setting for those stories.
Each event brought its own community and energy, delivering real value for attendees while also sparking new ideas and fresh connections. We’re proud to say that as a direct result of these events, BMA House has not only built new relationships but also secured new business and strengthened its position as a thought leader within the events space.
Here’s a snapshot of the standout industry events we’ve hosted so far this year:
Delegate Wranglers Networking Event (January 2025)
A buzzing start to the year bringing together one of the industry’s most active and vibrant communities.
Conference News Leaders Lunch
An inspiring and thought-provoking gathering of senior voices in the industry, hosted with zero waste principles at its core.
Sustainable Wedding Alliance Summit and Awards
A landmark moment for the sustainable wedding industry, with meaningful conversations, recognition of changemakers, and a clear path toward greener celebrations.
National Association of Wedding Professionals – Spring Networking Event
A beautifully curated event for wedding pros to connect, share, and explore sustainable options in the sector.
Event Industry News – Sustainable Guide Launch
The unveiling of the 2025 Sustainable Event Buyer’s Guide was a proud moment, made even more meaningful by the conscious choices behind its delivery.
Greengage Sustainability Awards
As Platinum ECOsmart members, we were chosen to host this hugely successful awards – celebrating excellence in sustainable practices across the sector.
These events have not only aligned with our values – they’ve helped drive our vision forward. And most importantly, they’ve brought people together in the spirit of collaboration, action, and innovation.
We’re excited for what the rest of the year holds and look forward to welcoming more trailblazers, changemakers, and event professionals through our doors. If you’re interested in being part of that journey, we’d love to chat.
Let’s continue leading the conversation – together.
🌷 This week, we swapped the office for the outdoors & got our hands mucky in the volunteering community!
🍀 Wanting to offer our support to help improve the environment for local residents, the Venues team and CSER team joined forces with others for a fun day spent digging, sanding down railings, painting, cutting gardening fabric and laying wildflower turf at a local estate in the Camden Borough, one of three estates mapped out for improvement.
🧡 Organised by the fabulous team at Think & Do Camden, we were able to get involved in their greening project & help make a huge difference to the local community, under the banner of ‘Rewilding Camden’.
🌿 We hope to continue with our volunteering efforts & help give back to the community, so watch this space for more fun & engaging social activities!
On Wednesday 12th February we were delighted to host a Networking Event for the National Association of Wedding Professionals (NAWP), what an evening!
Here is their blog below for an insight into the fantastic evening – enjoy.
Last week we hosted our first networking event of 2025.
The venue host was BMA House, a stunning setting with a professional and enthusiastic events team headed up by Rebecca and Victoria. Their suggestion of a cake decorating table was inspirational. Our guests had a great time decorating their take-home red velvet sponge cakes.
We were delighted to have Nyetimber sponsor one of our events again. Aside from serving their superlative wine, Helen MacKenzie always delivers a fun and insightful presentation that guests enjoy.
NAWP media member, Kelly Chandler, gave a brilliant and relevant presentation on ‘Is your business Gen Z ready?’. We all felt very enlightened from it.
As this event was a showcase as well as a networking event, we were pleased to have our members from Stylish Weddings dressing the Paget Room in great style and Guy Stevens providing the entertainment in the Snow Room and getting the party started!
Art of Couture had some of her designs on display to complement the tablescape and decor from Stylish Events.
Our member, John Ashmele, stepped up again to help keep the evening on track. His MC’ing skills are always very much appreciated. Fellow members, Peboryon, donated some delicious biscuits as a take home treat for our guests.
Big thanks to David Boulogne from 2exposures for capturing the evening.
The Event School London‘s student Karla Grijalva was tasked with organising this event on our behalf as part of her Advanced Diploma course. Karla did an amazing job; exuding professionalism, grace and enthusiasm throughout the planning.
The event was perfectly described by this quote from the BMA House Events Team: “BMA House was pleased to host the NAWP for a wedding showcase. It was a fantastic opportunity to welcome leading wedding planners, suppliers, and industry professionals to experience our venue in a real wedding setting.
Our team worked closely to create a tailored menu for the event, showcasing the high-quality catering we provide for special occasions. Dressing our licensed rooms as a wedding allowed guests to see first hand how BMA House can be transformed for celebrations, and we look forward to welcoming many of them back in the future.”
Thank you to everyone involved and see you all in June!
Picture this: a golden afternoon, a gentle breeze carrying the scent of fresh florals, and the soft murmur of loved ones gathering under open skies. This is the magic of BMA House’s Courtyard—our breathtaking, licensed outdoor ceremony space. But today’s couples are looking for more than just a beautiful venue; they’re looking for meaning, for responsibility, and for a wedding that aligns with their values.
At BMA House, we are proud to champion sustainable weddings, embracing the rise of the ‘conscious couple’—those who want their special day to reflect their love not just for each other, but for the planet.
Sustainability at the Heart of Every Celebration
With sustainability woven into our venue’s DNA, couples tying the knot at BMA House don’t need to compromise on ethics for elegance. A Grade II listed building in the heart of London, we have pioneered eco-conscious event planning while maintaining heritage charm. Holding Gold accreditation with Green Tourism and Platinum ECOsmart status with Greengage, we have long been a leader in sustainable venue practices.
We recognise that weddings can often be resource-heavy, from lavish decorations to imported food on the menus. That’s why we have taken proactive steps to reduce waste and carbon impact. Our plant-forward menus, crafted by Company of Cooks, highlight seasonal and local produce, supporting British farmers while reducing food miles.
Couples can opt for beautifully curated, plant-based dining experiences that are as delicious as they are ethical. With 70% of our menus now vegetarian or vegan, we’re offering greater choice for the conscious couple—without an inflated price tag. And for those looking for something truly specific, which they cannot miss on their special day, we offer bespoke menus.
The Courtyard: London’s Hidden Outdoor Gem
There’s something deeply special about exchanging vows under open skies, and our Courtyard offers an enchanting setting for a sustainable, alfresco ceremony. From intimate gatherings of 50 guests to grand celebrations of 200, our newly licensed space provides a unique and historic backdrop. The Courtyard’s natural beauty requires minimal decoration, reducing the need for single-use décor. In addition, our second outdoor space, the Garden, offers a tranquil retreat for drinks receptions, extending the sustainable wedding experience.
For those dreaming of a wedding with a low environmental footprint, we provide thoughtful eco-friendly touches. Printed materials, such as menus and place cards, can be replaced with digital alternatives, available at no extra cost. Our filtered and bottled water is provided on-site, eliminating single-use plastics, and floral arrangements can be replaced with centrepieces crafted from surplus vegetables—doubling as take-home gifts for guests.
Sustainable Weddings Without the Premium Price
One of the most common misconceptions is that sustainable weddings come with a higher price tag. At BMA House, we challenge that notion by integrating sustainability into our wedding packages at no additional cost. Our complimentary wedding planning service ensures couples can make environmentally friendly choices without added stress. From reducing food waste to selecting ethical suppliers, we make it effortless to host a responsible yet stunning celebration.
With our commitment to carbon neutrality by 2030, we are continuously innovating to redefine what it means to host an eco-conscious wedding. Our refurbishment projects are designed with minimal waste in mind, while partnerships with sustainable vendors ensure every detail, from furniture to florals, is thoughtfully sourced.
A Wedding Venue That Tells a Story
Every wedding tells a story, and at BMA House, we are dedicated to making it one that lasts beyond a single day. We have licensed spaces beyond the Courtyard to suit every couple, including the Great Hall, Snow, Paget and Prince’s rooms, all of which add a different flavour to a wedding. Whether it’s the history of our venue, the sustainability of our operations, or the cherished memories created in our outdoor spaces, we offer a wedding experience that is as meaningful as it is beautiful.
For couples looking to celebrate love while protecting the planet, BMA House is more than just a venue, it’s a statement of values.
The Venues team took home not one, but two trophies at the London Venue & Catering Awards 2024.
During a fantastic afternoon at Old Billingsgate, which brought together our industry’s top event professionals, we were delighted to take home a winners trophy for the ‘Sustainability Award for Venues’, and a bronze for ‘Best Venue Customer Service’, a remarkable triumph for everyone involved. These awards recognise the sheer amount of hard work, passion, dedication and time invested in making our beautiful building a successful & sustainable place in which to work and deliver outstanding events.
Up against strong competition from ExCel London, Olympia Events and Lambeth Palace, we felt very lucky to win this prestigious award, and couldn’t have done it without some key people at BMA; a special thanks goes to those in Estates, CSER, and our incredible catering partner, Company of Cooks, you’ve helped make BMA House the successful and reputable venue that it is.
Judges’ comments from our winning entry include:
The Judges commented that at BMA House there was a real commitment to see every aspect of the business reflecting sustainability at its core. Their sustainability policy was clear and achievable and training all staff in Carbon Literacy was a great way to ensure that their values were represented in day to day practices.
We’re so proud of our achievements and in the competitive London market it is a challenge to stand out from the crowd – we have proved our ability to do just that!
💚 We are delighted to announce that we have kept hold of our Platinum ECOsmart status with Greengage! 👏
Joining just a small group of other Platinum venues across the UK, this achievement proudly demonstrates our commitment to environmental sustainability across all areas of the business. This recognised standard is proof we are heading in the right direction on our sustainability pathway to achieving net-zero by 2030.
The ECOsmart certification provides a quality stamp of approval that helps companies make a sustainable decision when booking a hotel, meeting venue or serviced apartment.
The festive season isn’t quite upon us, but as those in the events world will know, planning for it is.
Christmas parties are fun, often fancy, and usually full of excess. As such, they can have an adverse effect on the environment.
So how can you make your London-based Christmas party more sustainable?
Hosting an eco-friendly Christmas party in London doesn’t mean sacrificing fun or festivity; it means making thoughtful choices that reduce waste and carbon footprint. Here’s a few tips on what you can do:
Choose a sustainable venue:
Positively Dickensian in look and feel (Charles Dickens did in fact once live here), BMA House screams Christmas parties. But while we’re a historic building, we also have modern sustainable practises embedded in everything we do. Plus, members of our team are certified carbon literate.
Don’t just take our word for it, our awards speak for themselves. We’re proud to say that we won first place in the Sustainability category in the London Venue Awards 2023. And we have retained our Gold accreditation with Green Tourism since 2017.
Hosting your party at a venue like BMA House ensures your event is rooted in sustainability from the outset.
Green menus:
Food and drink are the bread and butter (pardon the pun) of any celebration.
Menus that prioritise seasonal produce, use organic or biodynamic beverages and offer plant-based options will ensure you’re reducing your carbon footprint and making use of sustainable farming methods.
Whether its mince pies, roast turkey or spiced butternut squash, BMA House in collaboration with Company of Cooks, offers a mouth-watering selection of sustainably-sourced and locally-grown ingredients, as well as vegan options including wines.
Eco-friendly decorations:
When it comes to big events, we can too easily focus on the aesthetic over the environmental impact. Single-use items are rife at Christmas parties – and not just the plastic sort. Wrapping paper and crackers have the shortest lifespans and then there’s the packaging they come in.
We don’t want to be total Christmas scrooges of course. There’s nothing wrong with upholding traditions, but what about instead of wrapping a gift in paper, wrapping it in a fabric – a pretty scarf, handkerchief etc – that’s then part of the gift?
Additionally, natural Christmas decorations, when sourced responsibly, support sustainable agriculture, e.g. holly branches can be pruned in a way that promotes the healthy growth of the plant. They’re also biodegradable, decomposing post-event and returning to the soil. (Plus, they bring more of a rustic charm and evocative festive scent than their plastic counterparts).
If natural décor isn’t an option, investing in high-quality decorations means you’ll be more likely to find ways to incorporate them into future events, reducing waste and saving money in the long run.
We recommend seeking out suppliers who make clear their sustainability policies and have a focus on reusability, particularly with themed events which tend to use specific décor.
Minimise waste:
Did you know that, according to The Soil Association, around two million turkeys and 74 million mince pies are binned every Christmas? Christmas invites indulgence which in turn invites unnecessary waste.
But we can still enjoy all the trimmings of Christmas while being mindful about waste.
In the event-planning phase, menu choices and accurate headcounts are key. If you’re planning a sit-down dinner, make sure you know as close to exact numbers as possible, and go for a menu with fewer options (an overloaded menu only brings choice paralysis anyway).
Here at BMA House, our chutneys are made from leftover, unused vegetables and we have a sustainable two-course set menu that reduces food waste, but these aren’t the only options to reduce waste. You could for example, plan to donate any leftover food to local charities or food banks. Many organisations will accept donations of untouched, surplus food from events.
Transport & accommodation
Yes, guests might not fancy cycling to the Christmas party, but you can still encourage guests to use sustainable forms of travel and advertise this on your (digital) invite.
Conveniently, BMA House is in the heart of Bloomsbury – close to London’s Euston and Kings Cross – making it particularly accessible.
But we also suggest carpooling or walking where possible. Sometimes, in London, a walk is quicker than a tube or cab anyway.
It’s possible to host a sustainable and eco-friendly Christmas party without compromising on quality. By making mindful choices, you can reduce your environmental impact while still creating a festive atmosphere.
This December, let BMA House help you host a Christmas party that reflects the true spirit of Christmas and gives back to the planet.
We’re proud to offer green Christmas party packages, called ‘Walking in a Greener Wonderland’, which offer all the thrills and excitement of Christmas but allow you to party the night away with a clear conscience. From plant-based bubbles to hand-selected, sustainable menu options and gorgeous eco-friendly centrepieces, we’ve got green Christmas covered.
For more information on holding your Christmas party at BMA House, contact our event planners on [email protected] or call 020 7874 7070.
The venues team are on a roll having been shortlisted as finalists in not one, but two categories for prestigious industry awards, the London Venue & Catering Awards. Our magnificent venue will be fighting for a winning trophy in the following two categories:
⭐ The Sustainability Award for Venues
⭐ Best Venue Customer Service
We were fortunate enough to take home the ‘Winners’ trophy in 2023, but we’re hopeful the new initiative we launched over the year will keep us at the top.
These awards recognise and reward outstanding achievement in London-based venues and catering companies. A considerable amount of time, hard work & love has been invested into making BMA House the incredible venue it is today.
Up against strong competition from Friends House, The Science Museum, Church House Westminster, Olympia Events, The View London to name just a few, we feel very lucky to be shortlisted in these two categories.
We’ll find out if we’ve been successful at the lunchtime ceremony on 22nd November 🤞 but for now we’ll enjoy these achievements and well done to everyone involved at BMA House and Company of Cooks for your hard work in getting us this far.
