Your London Wedding - May/June 2020 (Issue 71)

This central borough is renowned for its grand spaces 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. And now 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? Yes Contact: 020 3166 6115 www.hrp.org.uk BY ROYAL assent www.bylu miere.co.uk ALSO CHECK OUT… CHELSEA OLD TOWN HALL This recently renovated Grade II* listed building has stood witness to many iconic couplings in its time. Choose between one of three rooms on the registrar’s side: The Harrington Room – a simple and elegant location for small parties of eight nearest and dearest; The Rosetti Room where up to 12 loved ones can witness your vows and The Brydon Room, where some 38 friends and family can look on as you say ‘I do’. On the venues side, larger parties can be accommodated in the Cadogan Suite, a charming space that can seat up to 77 attendees, or the Small Hall, known for its ornate fireplace, can accommodate a maximum of 150 invitees and the capacious Main Hall, with its vaulted ceilings and marble columns, has room for 360 ceremony guests or 180 for a wedding breakfast – and its sprung wooden floor makes it ideal for dancing! Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 020 7361 4100 (registrars) and 020 7361 2220 (venue) | www.rbkc.gov.uk www.tino antoniou.co.uk Sawuku Photography CHELSEA PHYSIC GARDEN Stretching 3.8 acres alongside the River Thames and divided into quarters by intersecting paths, this walled botanical garden is an idyllic setting for weddings not to mention a mecca for plant-lovers. Ceremonies can take place in The Gallery, a bright airy space that can accommodate up to 70 loved ones and sits to one side of the main lawn. Blessings can also take place throughout the garden and receptions can be catered for in a marquee, pitched either on the Main Lawn for up to 200 seated friends and family or the Lower Lawn where 100 guests can join you for the wedding breakfast. Tours can be arranged for your guests for a small extra charge and the happy couple will be gifted a year’s membership in celebration of their union. Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 020 7352 5646 chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk KENSINGTON & CHELSEA 21