Your London Wedding - May/Jun 2019 (Issue 65)

From initial query to signing on the dotted line, our experts have your venue hunt sorted HOT TOPIC Venues special DOING YOUR RESEARCH How can we narrow down our venue search? Rachel says: Choosing a venue can be an overwhelming task. There are a huge number of options out there, from rural rustic barns to grand city halls, and it’s hard to know where to start. With such choice on offer, before visiting venues it’s a good idea to know what your priorities are for your big day, whether that be show-stopping food or creating the ultimate party atmosphere. Working out your budget is a key element of the decision making, and having an idea of your guest list early on is invaluable, as this means you can narrow down the list of venues by capacity as well as location. Ask each venue about hire costs before you arrange a tour so your shortlist contains affordable options only. Have a think about what style of wedding you want and let this lead you, although don’t be afraid to visit somewhere different too – you may be surprised when you see it in person Meet the experts: Rachel Bellon is events manager at Two Temple Place, an opulent late-Victorian mansion just moments from the City, part of the Unique Venues of London portfolio. Two Temple Place | uniquevenuesoflondon.co.uk 020 7836 3715 I DO, I DO, I DO We’re poised to book our venue and ceremony – can you talk us through the process? Steven says: Congratulations on your engagement! You’re free to get married anywhere in England or Wales that is licensed for civil marriage and civil partnership ceremonies. These include local register offices and approved venues. Each registration district sets its own fees for civil ceremonies. If you’re having your legal ceremony in an approved venue, you will need to contact the district where the marriage is taking place to confirm that registration officers will be available on your chosen day and time. An additional fee will be required for this. Before your marriage or civil partnership can go ahead, it’s a legal requirement to give notice before your ceremony. You must do this, at the latest, 29 days before the ceremony date (71 days before, if either of you is a non-EEA national). This must be done in either your local or designated register office. It costs £35 per person to give notice and must be done in person. Further fees may be required dependent on your immigration status. Once these legalities are completed, you’re then free to plan the finer details of your ceremony day. Try to stay calm and enjoy every minute, it goes so fast! Meet the experts: Steven Lord is superintendent registrar at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, which boasts a wonderful selection of ceremony venues, including the resplendent Chelsea Old Town Hall. Turn to page 19 for more details. Chelsea Old Town Hall | rbkc.gov.uk/registrars | 020 7361 4100 The Curries itsmymagazine.com 114