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

20 OGNISKO RESTAURANT This splendid 19 th century townhouse is one of South Kensington’s gems – ideal for a grand reception. There’s three spaces to choose from at this reception-only venue – the first- floor ballroom, which is accessed via an impressive and infinitely photogenic suspended staircase, can seat up to 120 guests for a wedding breakfast or accommodate 180 friends and family for a less formal affair. Combine with the ground-floor restaurant and stunning terrace, which overlooks private gardens for a maximum capacity of 150 seated loved ones or 250 standing. A restaurant ‘by day’, the venue offers free tastings to couples and is a dab hand at whipping up a classy cocktail. Ceremony licence? No Contact: 020 7589 0101 ogniskorestaurant.co.uk KENSINGTON PALACE A welcome retreat from the nearby hustle and bustle thanks to its tranquil gardens and surrounding parkland, Kensington Palace is one of London’s most beautiful and architecturally impressive buildings. For the first time in history, Kensington Palace’s State Apartments have been opened up to wedding parties. Couples can tie the knot in the magnificent King’s Gallery, which seats 150 guests for an evening ceremony, or the King’s Drawing Room where up to 100 loved ones can enjoy the glorious paintings and idyllic views over the gardens. And in those gardens lies the Pavilion, a fabulous reception space standing in for the Orangery during its refurbishment. There’s room for up to 300 seated friends and family here, or up to 800 carousers can join you for a more informal affair. More intimate parties of 80 can be accommodated in the Cupola Room where the trompe l’oeil will certainly provide a talking point. Ceremony licence? No Contact: 020 3166 6115 | hrp.org.uk All images courtesy of byLumiere