Your London Wedding - Jul/Aug 2019 (Issue 66)

SAY CHEESE! The UK’s oldest cheesemonger Paxton & Whitfield has curated a range of delicious pre-designed, visually stunning Cheese Wedding Cakes to help celebrate life’s important occasions. Ranging in price from £65, all the cakes feature some of the best British and Continental European cheeses that Paxton & Whitfield is renowned for selling. Alternatively, couples looking for a more bespoke service can arrange to talk to one of the experienced cheesemongers at their nearest shop to decide which cheeses they want to make up their cake. So, whether you’re looking for cheese for your wedding or any other celebration – look no further. All the Cheese Wedding Cakes and cheeses are available from Paxton & Whitfield’s two London shops in Jermyn Street, Piccadilly, and Cale Street, Chelsea. Pre-designed cheese cakes are also available online at paxtonandwhitfield.co.uk OUT AND ABOUT This issue Hannah Faulder checks out The Gherkin’s wedding credentials The Gherkin is one of London’s truly iconic silhouettes. Its distinctive architecture features an incredible glass dome peak, which provides 360-degree views over the city. Could there be a more spectacular place to say your vows in the capital? I certainly jumped at the chance to visit its wedding showcase in April and check out the venue. There was also word of a delicious brunch; if there was an Olympic event in brunch-eating, I’m pretty sure I’d win gold, especially when the foodie delights are created by luxury caterer Searcys. After enjoying a lovely watermelon cocktail, my sister and I (who had also heard about the brunch!) spent a good hour or so just soaking in the views. The top floor was set up for a wedding, and you could picture what a memorable experience it’d be to tie the knot in front of up to 140 people as the hustle and bustle of London plays out 40 floors below. I also got to meet the venue’s events manager, Egla Dedushaj. The kind of person who makes you feel immediately at ease, you’d be in good hands with her at the helm of your wedding. Heading down to level 38, there’s an entirely different vibe. Smaller and more intimate, the private dining rooms would be perfect for a personal celebration for up to 50 loved ones. This is where we enjoyed a feast, courtesy of Searcys, of pastries, breads, cheeses and salads, followed by yummy avocado on sourdough toast for the veggies and salmon for the non-veggies. If you love brunch as much as me, this would be a fabulous alternative wedding breakfast – and not too heavy to hinder your dance moves! To find out more, head to searcysatthegherkin.co.uk or call the lovely events manager Egla on 033 0107 0816. Brides in the know Designed to help brides-to-be prepare for their big day, No.Ten Manchester Street has launched its bridal concierge package, providing guests with the ultimate guide to everything wedding-related in the Marylebone area, all compiled within a keepsake Little White Book. What’s more, the package grants guests access to the hotel’s expert concierge team to a help plan a day of wedding-related tours, trials and tastings. In addition, brides-to-be can enjoy an overnight stay in one of the hotel’s beautifully appointed Junior Suites or Grand Suite, including a delicious breakfast, a welcome bottle of prosecco, a Molton Brown gift or similar and The Little White Book. Guests seeking to enhance their experience will have the opportunity to upgrade their stay and indulge in an in-room or in-salon wedding hair trial in partnership with award-winning hair salon Martyn Maxey. The bridal concierge package starts from £371 per night per person, based on two people sharing. For more information, visit tenmanchesterstreethotel.com THE FRANKLIN LONDON LAUNCHES CHRISTIAN DIOR: DESIGNER OF DREAMS MENU The Franklin London has launched its Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams menu, a culinary fashion experience inspired by the Victoria & Albert Museum’s exhibition. Designed in partnership with bespoke event and wedding planners La Fête, highlights include The Pink House, a lemon pink macaron, and J’adore, a peanut sponge and dulcey chocolate cream served with vaporised Calvados sprayed in a Dior-inspired perfume bottle, not to mention a dedicated cocktail created by The Franklin’s in-house mixologist. The afternoon tea costs £40 per person and is available Monday to Sunday from 2:30pm until 5:30pm in The Franklin Restaurant. For further information, visit starhotelscollezione.com and to read a full review, visit yourlondon.wedding 10