Best wedding venues in KL

For a blowout luxury space

If you want serious wow factor, Grand Hyatt is one of the most lavish hotels in town. Its other strong point is flexibility – choose from three rooms (each has its own unique décor), depending on the number of guests. Both the Grand Ballroom and Grand Salon are pillar-free and their layout is incredible – the crystal chandeliers blanketing the rooms are made of up to 8,000 lightbulbs each.

Perks: Score a luxurious stay in a Club Room or Grand Suite with champagne and chocolates on your wedding night. With a minimum of 300 guests, your parents will also get a free night’s stay in a Grand Room.

Will fit 700 people, costing from RM3,134.21nett per table of ten (03 2182 1234/www.kualalumpur.grand.hyatt.com).

For the largest ballroom space 

The Mandarin Oriental Grand Ballroom could fit a Boeing 747 – after all, its claim to fame is being the largest pillarless function space in town. It also boasts windows overlooking KLCC park, a luxury in any ballroom. It’s a glitzy place in every sense – the eight-metre-high ceiling allows for elaborate draping and dramatic lighting effects.

Perks: One night stay in the Honeymoon Suite with in-room breakfast, chocolate pralines and complimentary bottle of champagne.

Will fit 1,800 people, costing from RM2,088++ per table of ten. (03 2380 8888/www.mandarinoriental.com/kualalumpur).

For the ultimate grand entrance

Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral is the funkier offshoot of the more expensive W Hotels. Their pillarless 22-metre high ceiling ballroom is equipped with chandeliers, projection screens as well as solid soundproofing – great for live bands. And get this: The ballroom has a secret door that leads to the car park so cars can be driven straight into the room. Why walk down the aisle when you can arrive in a Porsche?

Perks: Festive bubbly tower with two bottles of sparkling wine, one night stay in loft king rooms for parents and parents-in-law.  

Will fit 720 people, costing from RM2,088++ per table of ten. (03 2723 1188/). www.aloftkualalumpursentral.com

For modern chic

As far as ballroom theatrics go, Empire Hotel’s impressive wavy LED lights make you feel like you’re entering a futuristic portal. The lights change colours every other minute, or you can set the colour to match your wedding theme. Being a design boutique hotel, Empire’s Emperor Ballroom is less formal – we envision guests rocking up in their skinnies rather than Armanis.

Perks: No extra charge for flower arrangements on the tables. Each wedding package comes with a one-night stay in the bridal suite.

Will fit 320 people, costing from RM1,588nett per table of ten (03 5565 1388/empirehotel.com.my).

For well-priced luxury

The Gardens Ballroom is unusual with its added mezzanine level to the room, so you can play with space and seat your guests there, or host your cocktail reception there before making your way down to the main floor for dinner. And if you’re not expecting a large crowd, the Gardens Ballroom can be converted into two separate function rooms – each comfortably accommodates between 100 to 150 people. Do your cocktail reception at the pre-function area before tying the knot onstage and making your way back to the main space for dinner.

Perks: You’re entitled to a pair of personalized yukata for the newly-weds and a complimentary one-night stay in a deluxe room (inclusive of two breakfasts at The Spread for family members; in addition with all wedding favors accorded).

Will fit 350 people, costing from RM2,388nett per table of ten. (03 2268 1188/www.stgiles.com).

For everything customised

Hilton KL is all about customisation – request the chef to create a special wedding menu, bring in their in-house sommeliers for wine pairing (the menu comes with one complimentary bottle of liquor, or three bottles of wine per table), ask the pastry team to design a cake, or consult the resident florists for table arrangements. The Grand Ballroom is decorated in browns and golds so it’s subtle enough not to upstage your wedding décor. Or for something a bit more classy, you’ll like the combination of black granite walls and soft fabric panels in the cosy Sentral Ballroom.

Perks: Get a romantic spa session in a private couples room at Hilton KL’s Spa & Gym.

Will fit 850 people, costing from RM2,488++ per table of ten. (03 2264 2264/life.hiltonkl.com).

The Saujana will lay out the red carpet for you and up to 350 guests, complete with canopy, floral arch and the ubiquitous swan ice sculpture. For food, you can choose from the international buffet, or Malay or Indian dome sets.

Will fit 120–350 people, costing from RM1,988nett per table of ten. (03 7843 1234/www.thesaujanahotel.com).

Pullman Putrajaya’s restaurant Laguna can host your dinner in the open, or you can dine under attap roofs at The Village Restaurant with a full view of the lake. (You can even make your grand entrance in a kayak.) Plus, the lake provides a spectacular night view – the lit-up Seri Saujana Bridge.

Will fit 150–350 people, costing from RM1,160++ per table of ten. (03 8890 0000/www.pullmanputrajaya.com).

Cyberview has no pesky curfews so party as long as the booze lasts. The unstructured space – though fairly bare-bone with just hills as the scenery – allows you to be elegant or as casual as you like since the manicured lawn already provides a ready-made frame for photo-op or exchanging vows. Just expect small shortcomings like the rain, heat and sweaty guests – in other words, don’t skimp on tents and fans.

Perks: Free flow of their signature Blushing Bride drink (a combo of Calamansi, apple and red dragon fruit juice) during pre-dinner and dinner for one hour and three hours respectively. Complimentary parking.

Will fit 150 guests, costing from RM128++ per person. (03 8312 7177/www.cyberviewresort.com).

For bistro fare and modern aesthetics

If you’re not the sort for banquets and red carpets, try Acme for its lofty, modern retro aesthetics and excellent food. You can rent out the top floor for a bit of privacy (40 guests for sit-down dining or 60 guests for cocktails, tops) with a private bar. Venture outdoors to their air-chilled park terrace and wedding gazebo. Go all out and book the whole restaurant for an even more private event.

Will fit 40–60 people, price per guest upon request. (03 2162 2288/acmebarcoffee.com).

For a destination wedding in the city

Don’t let the congestion of Jalan Sultan Ismail fool you – Neo Tamarind is like a private garden in the middle of the city. Resembling a private resort with décor inspired by elements of water, fire and stone, the well-hidden restaurant specialises in modern Thai cuisine and is a popular spot for intimate weddings. The dimly lit interior opens up to a cosy bar area for welcome cocktails and rows of long tables for a banquet dinner. If you can’t afford to whisk all your guests away to a forest retreat, this is the next best thing.

Will fit 180 people, costing from RM130 per person. (03 2148 3700/www.samadhiretreats.com).

For a garden wedding with regional cuisine

Bungalow-turned-restaurant Passion Road offers a serene canopy-covered courtyard for couples looking to tie the knot in the city centre. Take your pick from the different cuisines on offer, and then select either the buffet or banquet menu option. Passion Road’s notable dishes include Irish stew, Thai curry noodles and Balinese curry chicken.

Will fit 60-350 people, costing from RM130 per person. (03 2166 7111/www.passionroad.com.my).

For alfresco dining

Bijan has been voted Best Malaysian by our readers from 2009 to 2013 in our Time Out KL Food Awards. Renowned for its innovative spin on Malay classics, the Jalan Ceylon-based restaurant also boasts a romantic alfresco dining patio, making it a top choice for an intimate wedding without a kenduri-sized guest list. Only customised wedding menus are offered, but patrons can find solace in Bijan’s dexterity with fine Malay cuisine like rusuk panggang and kari udang galah.

Will fit 200 people, costing a minimum F&B spend of RM22,000++ for the entire restaurant. (03 2031 3575/www.bijanrestaurant.com).

For fine dining Chinese cuisine without the price tag

Oriental Group’s latest outlet is modelled after a classic Chinese mansion, and just five months since opening, their calendar is already filling up with banquet weddings. Floor-to-ceiling windows add a nice touch (though with a slightly less than glamorous view of Section 14 shoplots) as does the sleek, black-accented decor and imposing red doors. May we also point out some notables on the menu: Shunde province-inspired delicacies like braised lobster bisque with bird’s nest, pan-fried cod fish with pomelo sauce, Hong Kong-style roasted suckling pig, and stir-fried king prawns with salted egg yolk.

Will fit 250–350 people, costing from RM938 per table of ten. (03 7960 8992/www.orientalrestaurants.com.my).

For a rustic feel

Picturesque garden weddings are brought to life at Italian eatery Ciao Ristorante, which is housed in a rustic Italian-style country house with a sweeping garden and a man-made lake overlooking a golf course. There’s also a chapel-like private function room with high ceilings for smaller parties and an adjacent verandah bar ideal for welcome drinks. For a romantic Registry of Marriages ceremony, the air-conditioned glasshouse (available for booking on Sat-Sun, 10am-2pm) is a good fit. The restaurant can fit around 180 people indoors while outdoor ceremonies can accommodate up to 300. You can choose either a four-course set or a buffet menu.

Will fit 300 people (outdoors), 180 people (indoors). Costing from RM138++ per head (03 9285 4827/www.ciao.com.my).

For traditional Chinese entertainment

Chin Woo Stadium Hall is old school, but it’s very good for value. The performance packages are sweeping: select from dragon and lion dances, wushu demonstrations, Chinese musical performances or gu zheng. They can also recommend caterers, but charge for cleaning services. There will be additional charges for extra rooms and spaces. If you can ignore the peculiar sentiment of your wedding reception being viewed by imaginary spectators akin to a badminton tournament, we’d say go for it.

Will fit up to 700 people, costing from RM2,000++ for the entire hall. (03 2072 4602/www.chinwoo.org.my).

For classic, grandiose architecture

Get neo-classical architecture on the outside, and a theatre-like layout on the inside – when you rent the KL and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, you can play up to its years of history. The rental fee includes stage use, basic lighting system and 400 chairs (unfortunately of the plastic variety) as a base, but you can go wild with the other decorations, taking into consideration the high ceiling, Roman pillars and European-style carvings.

Will fit up to 1,200 people, costing from RM2,700++ for the entire hall. (03 2274 6645/klscah.org.my)

For space and good surround sound

Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre changes its packages throughout the year for variety – they’re categorised  by food, booze, accommodation, decoration or add-ons like photography and VIP parking. You’ll get a huge space and the knowledge that you’ve walked the same halls as Foster the People and, uh, Michael Bolton. By the way, no external caterers – all catering services have to be provided by the centre to maintain their international food safety standards.

Will fit 1,000 to 1,200 people, costing from RMRM2,519.73 per table of ten. (03 2333 2888/www.klccconventioncentre.com).

Duchess Place is one of those venues that looks small from the outside but expands exponentially as you make your way through it. When you enter through the imposing white gate, you’ll see a wide lawn and a generous driveway before you. These can be converted into a canopied outdoor hall, complete with Astro turf-red carpet, ceiling drapes and all manner of subtle mood lighting to match your chosen theme.

Will fit up to 700 people, costing from RM100 per person (1300 88 6800/www.facebook.com/OfficialDuchessPlace).