£3.55 NOV/DEC 2022 HONEYMOONS, BEAUTY, GROOMS, FREEBIES, FASHION AND MUCH MORE... www.yourlondon.wedding WIN! KEEP IT LOCAL A luxury getaway with renowned hotel brand GuestHouse Seasonal blooms Create your winter floral look Where to tie the knot in North London Picture-perfect settings Real weddings in the capital WONDERLAND Love stories LOOKING YOUR BEST Be the finest version of you with this top advice Winter
Throw me or keep me? What will you choose? THE F LOWER PRE S ERVAT I ON WORKSHOP WWW. F LOWERPRE S ERVAT I ONWORKSHOP.CO.UK F LOWERPRE S ERVAT I ONWORKSHOP@GMA I L .COM 0782 5 6 5 3 308 S P EC I A L I STS I N WEDD I NG BOUQUET PRE S ERVAT I ON
REGULARS 6 EDITOR’S LETTER Sarah Gallivan highlights this issue 9 NEARLYWED NEWS Catch up on news from around the city 13 FREEBIES & OFFERS Great giveaways and discounts up for grabs 76 HOT TOPIC Local experts answer your wedding woes 90 COMPETITION A luxury getaway awaits with renowned hotel brand GuestHouse CONTENTS NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 VENUES 19 KEEP IT LOCAL Where to tie the knot in North London 25 WINTER WONDERLAND Picture-perfect settings On the cover This issue’s cover was shot by Leanne Ashcroft Photography and is taken from our dreamy City of London elopement shoot on page 55. www.leanneashcroftphotography.co.uk 69 25 FEATURES 45 SEASONAL BLOOMS Create your winter floral look 48 WALKING IN A WINTER WONDERLAND Our guide to creating the ultimate seasonal celebration 51 LOOKING YOUR BEST Be the finest version of you with this top advice 55 LOVE YOU WITHOUT TRYING The city of London comes to life in this dreamy elopement shoot 69 BRIDAL CHIC Create your mood board with inspiration from this local shoot 3
REAL WEDDINGS 31 TO INFINITY AND BEYOND Gary and Jack’s RuPaul’s Drag Race-themed day was full of fun and colour 36 LIKE NO OTHER Rebecca and David’s day oozed glamour and seasonal vibes 40 STRIKE IT LUCKY An epic party was had by all at Danielle and Will’s special day HONEYMOONS 82 HONEYMOON NEWS The newest openings and honeymoon destinations 84 GREECE IS THE WORD Summer in Santorini and Athens 86 IN LOVE WITH THE LAKES A myriad of delights lie in wait in The Lake District for UK honeymooners 88 PURE LUXURY Discover The Belfry Hotel & Resorts in Sutton Coldfield GROOMS 79 GROOMS’ NEWS The latest best buys and product launches 80 WINTER LUXE The latest seasonal must-haves for the groom-to-be FASHION & BEAUTY 58 FASHION FOCUS The latest bridal fashion news, buys and launches 59 SHINE LIKE A DIAMOND Dazzle this festive season in gold, pearls, charms and diamonds 60 WHAT’S TRENDING? This is what brides-to-be will be wearing in 2023 72 BEAUTY BUZZ Get the look with the must-haves for the bride-to-be 74 BEAUTY Q&A Our local professionals solve your problems 75 SKIN FOOD Discover how to achieve that much-desired bridal glow the natural way, through a healthy diet of skin-loving foods 58 36 82 80 60 4
Join Costco You may qualify to EVERYTHING YOUWANT. ALL IN ONE PLACE. Costco has that special gift! Costco Wholesale is a membership warehouse club, dedicated to bringing our members quality goods and services at the lowest possible prices. We provide a wide selection of merchandise, plus the convenience of speciality departments and exclusive member services, all designed to make your shopping experience a pleasurable one. We are confident in the quality and value of our products, and we stand behind them with our guarantee of satisfaction. For more information please visit www.costco.co.uk/join or scan the QR Code. The annual membership fee for Standard Trade Membership* is £22 exVAT (£26.40 incVAT).The annual membership fee for Standard Individual Membership* is £28 ex VAT (£33.60 inc VAT). To join and start saving please provide one piece of business evidence for Trade membership, or for Individual membership your employee ID card or current pay slip to prove your employment, PLUS one piece of photographic identification for both memberships. Diamonds, pearls and gemstones are stocked in all of our warehouses and online. Choose from earrings, rings, bracelets and necklaces with the confidence that the quality and value of Costco jewellery is unsurpassed. All diamond jewellery is set in 14ct or 18ct gold or platinum with a minimum clarity of VS2 and minimum colour I. All items are subject to availability in the warehouse or online 1.60ctw Round Brilliant Cut Diamond Pendant, 14ct White Gold 3.12ct Pear Cut Diamond Solitaire Ring, Platinum 2.00ctw Princess Cut Channel Set Diamond Eternity Ring, Platinum Costco Wembley, 30 Second Way, Wembley, London, HA9 0YJ T: 0203 862 1800 E: marketing128@costco.co.uk www.costco.co.uk Special Offer JOIN TODAY £10VOUCHER for new members to spend online when you sign up for membership†. Expires: 30th April 2023 YOUR MEMBERSHIP IS VALID IN ALL 29 UK WAREHOUSES, WORLDWIDE AND ONLINE! † Sign up for membership with this advert at our Wembley warehouse and receive a £10 voucher to spend online at www.costco.co.uk. New members only. *Membership Criteria applies. Membership must be obtained before purchases can be made. ∆Qualifying ID required to preview in the form of business evidence or company payslip ID. Accepting Mastercard, American Express and Visa credit cards as well as cash, debit card or cheque. No cash or cheque at fuel station. Fuel stations not available in all locations. JN32119
If you’re just starting your wedding planning journey and wondering how to execute a theme, look around you right now and take inspiration from Christmas! This is the best time of the year to see how a theme can come together. It’s not just about the mouth-watering seasonal food and drink or the magical winter wonderland décor (don’t you just love festive styling?), it’s the warm feeling that you get that’s been building for weeks. The anticipation of what’s to come, the excitement of seeing your loved ones come together and the happy glowing buzz that’s all over the city whenever you venture out to do that last-minute Christmas shopping (even though you said weeks ago you were finished – or is that just me)! All of that’s so similar to the build-up to your big day, so soak it up and enjoy every minute, just like you do throughout the festive season. If you like to hibernate in winter (like I do), now’s the time to do your wedmin and delve into the world of weddings. Your London Wedding’s the perfect place to start and this issue won’t disappoint. We have our pick of gorgeous venues from page 19, local florists share their favourite seasonal blooms on page 45 and look your very best with our top fashion, beauty and accessory advice on page 51. For real wedding inspiration, head to pages 31, 36 and 40 and check out our two local shoots on pages 55 and 69, all brimming with ideas, beautiful love stories and showcasing the wonderful City of London in all its glory. Happy planning! Sarah x arah Gallivan, Editor Deck the halls Blooms come into their own at this time of the year! Check out our flower feature for all the inspo. Create your winter wonderland in these stunning venues. If cake’s not your thing, opt for a cheese tower like Danielle and Will did – yum! 45 40 25 ISSN 1757-7810 EDITORIAL 01376 535 611 Danielle Harvey | Managing Editor Sarah Gallivan | Editor Kelly Andrews | Deputy Managing Editor, Beauty Editor Claire Ridley | Fashion Editor Melissa Cullen | Senior Editor, Grooms and Honeymoons Editor DESIGN 01376 535 616 artwork@county.wedding Graphic Designers Stephanie Hodder | Vicky O’Connor Production Assistant | Lorna Butcher Digital Marketing Coordinator Katie Laley Web Development Manager Stuart Weatherley ADVERTISING Sales & Events Director Sarah Ellis | 01376 535 602 sarahe@county.wedding Account Managers Julia Owen | 01376 538 556 julia.owen@county.wedding ACCOUNTS 01376 535 616 accounts@county.wedding Accounting Manager | Derrick James Your London Wedding is solely owned, published and designed by KD Media Publishing. Whilst every effort was made to ensure the information in this magazine was correct at the time of going to press, the publishers cannot accept legal responsibility for any errors or omissions, nor can they accept responsibility for advert content, or of the standing of advertisers or by the editorial contributions. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. Your London Wedding is published six times a year. @CountyWeddingMagazines @CountyWeddings @countyweddingmagazines Visit us online at county.wedding and countyweddingevents.com cwe COUNTY WEDDING EVENTS
I love that Gary and Jack’s guests were all asked to wear white – some even wore their wedding dresses! Don’t let the winter weather ruin your day – Rebecca and David didn’t and the pics are beautiful. 31 40 This bridal mini dress is perfect for dancing the night away. 51 Enjoy 20% off the latest collection of headpieces by Krausz Jewellery. 55 A city wedding can be oh so romantic and this shoot showcases just that. 13 What an entrance this floral detail creates! It’s important to dress every part of your venue to set the scene. 76 Wondering what tipple to serve your guests this season? Our Hot Topic feature has it covered. 45 https://johnnassari.co.uk/ 69 Contemporary florals, dreamy gowns and chic jewellery – what’s not to love! EDITOR’S LETTER 7
A N A W A R D W I N N I N G B A R S E R V I C E W I T H N O F E E S . F R I E N D L Y A N D F A S T B A R T E N D E R S . W I T H A D E D I C A T E D C O C K T A I L B A R . A Z E R O W A S T E P O L I C Y . N O S N E A K Y F E E S . Because you deserve the best Hire the bar www.hirethebar.com
All the latest from the city WHAT’S YOUR FLAVA? London’s award-winning social enterprise Luminary Bakery has released not one, but two new flavours for the autumn/ winter season, available in their signature mini cakes, celebration cakes or tiered wedding showstoppers. What’s more, both new flavours are plant-based so no one has to miss out on these delicious new additions. First up is Chocolate Mocha for the chocoholics and coffee addicts. Rich and indulgent, this cake’s made with a decadent chocolate sponge, layered with smooth coffee buttercream and ganache. The Spiced Apple and Blackberry option brings all the flavours of autumn into one bake. The apple sponge is perfectly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg and layered with exquisite cinnamon buttercream and fruity blackberry jam. Made by an all-female team, each cake’s lovingly baked and beautifully hand-decorated, meaning every single one is bespoke. Check out https://luminarybakery.com to find out more about this amazing brand and to order your sweet treats. NEW DESTINATION TO LONDON’S WEDDING SCENE Rose Court Events has recently launched on London’s South Bank and brings a new destination to the capital’s wedding scene. Offering the ideal private bolthole for intimate wedding receptions, engagement parties, and commitment ceremonies, Rose Court Events spans the top three floors of its riverside location with nine private spaces accommodating 10-30 guests. And for larger wedding gatherings the venue can host up to 220 for a seated dinner or up to 450 guests for a reception in a single space. Every space has floor to ceiling windows and expansive views across the capital. At the pinnacle of the venue are the show-stopping views from the roof garden. Accessed via a contemporary curved staircase, guests can take in the sweeping River Thames along with views of The Shard, St. Paul’s Cathedral, The Walkie Talkie, Tower Bridge and Canary Wharf. With an eye for Instagram, the interiors feature clean lines and sleek, natural materials and colours along with the roof terrace which is styled with contemporary outdoor furniture and has one of the best photo backdrops in London. To plan your big day here, head to www.rosecourtevents.co.uk WITH THIS RING If you’re looking for your wedding bands or a gift for your partner, check out London-based jewellery brand SAM HAM Design. As well as a contemporary wedding collection, Sam’s taking on her Irish heritage in an all-new unisex Claddagh Ring collection. Inspired by connecting with her homeland, Sam’s new pieces are a clean, modern reinterpretation of the traditional elements of the Claddagh ring. Showcased across three designs - one 9ct. yellow gold pinky ring and two over-sized sterling silver rings - each piece is created with Sam’s design technique which unfolds a familiar representation of Irish jewellery in an all-new aesthetic. Sam was inspired by her longing for family and friends back home during the pandemic so she’s linking this new collection with anti-loneliness charities in the UK and Ireland with 10% of each order going to Age Action Ireland and The Loneliness Taskforce UK. View this new collection and more at www.samhamdesign.com NEWS Nearlywed 9 NEWS
BAKED TO ORDER My Baker, who sell delicious artisan cakes made by a network of independent bakers has launched a new range of 12 wedding cakes, available in just one week from ordering. Cake lovers everywhere will be delighted by the eyecatching modern and traditional designs available in a range of flavours. My Baker’s ‘wedding within a week’ range is made freshly to order and can be customised to meet any colour scheme. The new range includes the Azure Innocence, a decadent tiered caked topped with beautiful florals and a touch of elegance with a gold drip; the Forest Retreat, a rustic winter themed cake perfect to adorn any autumnal wedding table; the Fleurs de Printemps, a delicate sponge cake layered and covered with fresh buttercream and decorated with dried edible flowers. With prices starting from £150, these delicious cakes can be delivered within 48 hours across the UK and next day within London. For more information visit the website https://mybaker.co YOUR CITY OASIS Those looking for some pre- or post-wedding time out should check out AIRE Ancient Baths London, located in an 18th-century townhouse in Covent Garden where the author of Peter Pan, JM Barrie, once lived. Nearlyweds or newlyweds can now choose packages from The White Collection – an edit of gifts designed exclusively for weddings. The curated experiences have been chosen to honour this celebration of love and make the perfect gift as well as being a treat for those needing a much-needed respite in the lead up to or after the big day, or a thank you to someone who helped to make your day as special as it was. The AIRE experience begins with a tour at your own pace of the thermal baths at various temperatures (hot, warm, cold and ice), steam rooms infused with aromatherapy, a bath of a thousand jets and the Floatarium; a salt bath that allows you to float effortlessly. Each wedding experience is enhanced with a botanical and magnesium salt footbath, moisturising face mask and Cava and truffles to add a little more indulgence. The White Collection Gift boxes are beautifully packaged in a white and gold cover and include a space for a personal dedication to be written for the recipients. To find out more about the range of experiences on offer visit https://beaire.com/en/aire-ancient-baths-london SOMETHING BORROWED Something Borrowed at London’s The Wedding Wardrobe is a new service offering designer dress hire, giving brides-to-be beautiful gowns for a fraction of the buying price whilst still helping you feel special on your big day. These elegant, timeless bridal gowns are perfect for those on a tighter budget or for those arranging your wedding sooner rather than later! The dresses range from timeless classic designs to glamorous gowns, ensuring every budget and style is catered for. Choosing to rent a wedding dress is becoming increasingly popular. It reduces the environmental impact of the fashion industry while lowering cost for brides across the country. The wedding dress hire is straight forward and stress-free. The Wedding Wardrobe take care of dry cleaning, and you can forget about long waiting times, because with Something Borrowed, you can pick up your bridal dress rental in as little as a week from your order date. For more information, head to www.waterlooweddingwardrobe.co.uk COUNTY WEDDING EDITOR, RACHEL WESTALL, TRIES OUT THE EXCLUSIVE MEDICAL PEDICURE BY MARGARET DABBS LONDON What a treat for the feet! As a working mum my feet work hard. Often wearing heels or sandals, exposing my feet to the elements I suffer with dry heels and skin build up on the balls of my feet. So, when the opportunity came to try out a medical pedicure at Margaret Dabbs, I jumped at the chance. It’s a giant leap further than your standard pedi. To explain a bit further, think hygienist for the feet and foot facialist all in one. The famous medical pedicure or medi-pedi, as I like to call it, is a thorough overhaul performed on the feet, by a qualified HCPC registered Podiatrist. This treatment includes a comprehensive consultation, diagnosis and treatment, providing feet with a complete maintenance, and addresses all aspects of foot health. The pedicure is performed on a dry foot to ensure exceptionally long-lasting results and uses their own-brand, sumptuous, award winning Margaret Dabbs London product range. My treatment was delivered within a beautiful, tranquil specialist clinic. I came away feeling confident and cared for, with a walking on air feeling and realise the importance of investing in your feet – I mean, they’re pretty important! The Margaret Dabbs London Foot Clinic & Nail Spa is based at 7 New Cavendish Street, London, W1G 8UU. You can call the ever-so-helpful staff on 0207 487 5510 to get yourself booked in! 10
The Fan Museum Greenwich, London The Fan Museum 12 Crooms Hill London SElO BER Situated in Greenwich World Heritage Site, The Fan Museum is the only museum dedicated entirely to the history, culture and craft of the fan. Our Grade II* listed buildings are the perfect site for our internationally significant collections, and our Orangery is the perfect venue for your special day. To arrange a viewing, please get in touch. 020 8305 1441 info@thefanmuseum.org.uk thefanmuseum.org.uk
Follow us on: /CountyWeddingEvents @CountyWedEvent @countyweddingevents Pre-register at countyweddingevents.com/registration Hosted at Wembley Stadium London A date for your diary... SUNDAY 5TH MARCH 2023 • Free entry • Win a luxury honeymoon • Huge number of wedding specialists including venues • Bridal fashion shows • Entertainment • Refreshments • Covid-19 secure One of the largest wedding shows to be held in the South of England Pre-register and attend the show to have a chance to win a £250 gift voucher courtesy of IN ASSOCIATION WITH SPONSORED BY
COLOUR POP Delving into the magic of bygone eras, Michelle Krausz of Krausz Jewellery creates one-off headpieces, earrings and hair combs using the most exquisite vintage pieces from 1930’s to 1960’s. Sourced from many eclectic people and places, Michelle tells a contemporary story by re-modelling jewellery pieces from the past. These stunning hair accessories make a perfect finishing touch for a modern bride. A new Colour Pop collection has just launched. These headbands are easy to wear and complement any big-day outfit either with or without a veil. “I was inspired by strong floral hues, using rich green materials, cornflower blue, red, pink and lilac paired with gold or silver and added sparkle and pearls to create a statement,” explains Michelle. To celebrate this launch, we’re offering readers a 20% discount on all orders placed before the end of December, 2022. To order, email Michelle at info@ krauszjewellery.co.uk, with your choice of headpiece from the website www.krauszjewellery.co.uk, and quote Your London Wedding to receive the discount. RAISE YOUR GLASSES Hire the Bar is an East London based mobile bar service. Founded in 2019 by Tom Lissimore, Hire the Bar will take care of all aspects of your bar service and the dedicated team of industry professionals offer everything from welcome drinks through to bespoke big-day cocktails and a cash bar service. The bars are set up to minimise queues and with over 40 years combined hospitality experience you can rest assured that you’ll be in good hands and your drinks will be served seamlessly. When booking Hire the Bar for your wedding drinks, you can add your own décor touches to the bar itself and the team welcome drink requests too – so you can be sure that your favourite tipples will be served. We’ve teamed up with Hire the Bar to offer a free bottle of fizz and two bottles of wine to all couples booking a package before the end of December, 2022. Just quote Your London Wedding when booking to receive this offer. To find out more, check out www.hirethebar.com or call 07487 612233. FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN, ENTER ONLINE AT WWW.YOURLONDON.WEDDING Great giveaways and discounts up for grabs STYLE STATEMENT On your wedding day, light up the room in these statement gold ear climber earrings which bedazzle with four intricately cut moonstone gems. The sparkling gemstones, in a staggered line, descend in size and sit in an 18k gold-plated setting. Every detail has been well thought out, from the size of the stones to the slight curve of the earrings, creating the perfect mesmerising bold earring for a bold woman. Founded by Ramona Gohil, an inspirational female entrepreneur passionate about her British Indian heritage and culture Rani & Co is not just any jewellery brand; its crafted unique pieces symbolise how powerful women can be. Check out www.raniandco.co.uk County Wedding Magazines’ readers have the chance to win a pair of Rani & Co Moonstone Climber Earrings worth £64.99! Freebies &OFFERS YOUR ESSENTIALS 13
Pre-register for all of our events at www.countyweddingevents.com ASCOT RACECOURSE, 26TH FEBRUARY, 2023 WEMBLEY STADIUM, 3TH MARCH, 2023 THE BRENTWOOD CENTRE, DATE TO BE RELEASED SOON MERCEDES-BENZ WORLD, DATE TO BE RELEASED SOON X Sarah Here at County Wedding Magazines and Events HQ we’re looking forward to kickstarting our Autumn wedding show season. From must-visit local fairs in some of the region’s best wedding venues to our larger Signature Wedding Shows, we can’t wait to welcome back our couples and help plan their wedding days. Here’s what to expect when attending one of our events... Whether you’re joyous that restrictions have passed, or are still a little hesitant, couples can rest assured our venues are continuing to maintain some of the government guidelines and measures to ensure everyone can feel comfortable and enjoy the day: • Attendees will need to pre-register to attend events • There will be allocated time slots for visitors • All venues will also have enhanced cleaning procedures, with hand washing and sanitising facilities still available • Spaces between exhibition booths will be maintained to ease congestion • Optional face masks • Anyone with symptoms must refrain from visiting Each event will boast a huge range of specialists who will be on hand to talk through your planning ideas and requirements; venues, bridal boutiques, photographers, florists, cake makers and more, there’s everything you could need to plan your wedding under one roof. On the day refreshments will be available to purchase from each of the venue’s on-site restaurants, bars and cafés, and attending our exhibitions is free! For more information on any of our exhibitions visit County Wedding Events’ website. We look forward to seeing you at one of our events. Sarah Ellis, Sales and Events Director County Wedding Events. Psst! Our pre-registered Signature Wedding Show visitors will have the chance to win a £250 gift voucher courtesy of Spabreaks.com A date for your diary... GREATEXPECTATIONS
WEDDING SHOWS SPRING 2023 ALL EVENTS 11AM - 3PM unless otherwise stated /CountyWeddingEvents @CountyWedEvent @countyweddingevents At County Wedding Events each show is professionally and meticulously run to ensure a variety of suppliers are on hand to help you plan your big day and are hosted by some of the loveliest premier venues in your area. All our shows offer you free entry and parking, a goody bag each containing gifts, and useful local information to plan your wedding. You will also have the opportunity to enter prize draw competitions and take advantage of exclusive offers and discounts on the day. EAST ANGLIA KENT SUN 26 MAR | HAYCOCK MANOR Wansford, Peterborough, PE8 6JA SUN 16 APR | PENSHURST PLACE Penshurst, TN11 8DG BERKS, BUCKS & OXON SUN 12 MAR | RACKLEYS CHILTERN HILLS Marlow Road, Cadmore End, Bucks, HP14 3PP SUN 2 APR | THE COMPLEAT ANGLER Bisham Road, Marlow Bridge, Marlow, SL7 1RG
As part of KD Events and Publishing Ltd, County Wedding Events (CWE) is ideally placed to offer you a wealth of experience organising events in the wedding industry. If you would like more information about either holding a wedding show at your venue or exhibiting at any of our shows, please contact us at info@countyweddingevents.com, call 01376 514000 or visit countyweddingevents.com. WORK WITH US ESSEX SURREY SUSSEX SUN 5 APR | HAMPTON COURT PALACE GOLF CLUB Home Park, Kingston Upon Thames, KT1 4AD SUN 2 APR | SELDEN BARNS Selden Lane, Patching, Worthing, BN13 3UL 12PM-4PM SUN 8 JAN | HEDINGHAM CASTLE Castle Hedingham, CO9 3DJ SAT 1 APR | HOUCHINS WEDDING VENUE Houchin’s Lane, Coggeshall, Colchester, CO6 1RT SUN 14 MAY | BRAXTED PARK Great Braxted, Witham, CM8 3EN 12PM-4PM SUN 15 JAN | BRAXTED PARK Great Braxted, Witham, CM8 3EN SUN 12 MAR | LAYER MARNEY TOWER Layer Marney, Colchester, CO5 9US
• Free entry • First 100 couples receive a free wedding journal keepsake • Goody bag for each couple • Up to 200 stands • Bridal fashion shows • Huge number of wedding specialists including venues • Demonstration areas • Competitions • Entertainment • Refreshments • And more... Pre-register and attend the show to have a chance to win a fabulous spa break worth £250 courtesy of Pre-register at www.countyweddingevents.com/registration Brooklands Drive, Weybridge, KT13 0SL DATE TO BE RELEASED SOON MERCEDES-BENZ WORLD Doddinghurst Road, Brentwood, CM15 9NN DATE TO BE RELEASED SOON THE BRENTWOOD CENTRE High Street, Berkshire, SL5 7JX SUNDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2023 | 11AM - 3.30PM ASCOT RACECOURSE London, HA9 0WS SUNDAY 5 MARCH 2023 | 11AM - 4PM WEMBLEY STADIUM Sponsored by
Pre-register at www.countyweddingevents.com/registration Follow us on /CountyWeddingEvents @CountyWedEvent @countyweddingevents Hosted at The Brentwood Centre, Doddinghurst Road, Brentwood, Essex CM15 9NN DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED • Win a luxury honeymoon • Huge number of wedding specialists including venues • Bridal fashion shows • Covid-19 secure • Entertainment • Refreshments One of the largest wedding shows to be held in the South of England Pre-register and attend the show to have a chance to win a £250 gift voucher courtesy of IN ASSOCIATION WITH FREE ENTRY
local Where to tie the knot in North London THE DEPOT 020 3218 0083 | https://thedepotn7.co.uk This converted old English bus depot, benefits from its entire exterior being made up of floor to ceiling windows that bring light into the venue no matter what time of day. The rustic and bohemian interior is the perfect backdrop for any wedding and one of the venue’s focal points is the grand-rounded bar, that was originally sourced from Royal ascot racecourse. The three open plan levels allow a party of any size to be an intimate and memorable affair. From the spacious dining and bar level to the loft and mezzanine for a drinks reception space, you can go from a refined wedding breakfast for 180 guests to a buzzing disco for 300 guests in a moment! Outside, the courtyard is embraced by two exotic plant walls that act as a beautiful entranceway for the newlyweds into a cobbled courtyard with an array of country-like picnic benches all framed by bulb-bunting lights that bring a warm glow after sundown. Couples are offered an evening of wine sampling, food tasting and cocktail tippling to experience what their wedding day has instore. KEEP IT www.beckypaynephotography.com www.beckypaynephotography.com www.beckypaynephotography.com 19 LOCAL VENUES
LAUDERDALE HOUSE 020 8348 8716 | www.lauderdalehouse.org.uk Located amongst the pretty gardens and green spaces of Waterlow Park in Highgate, Lauderdale feels like a country house while offering all the convenience of a London location. This Grade II listed historic building dates back to 1582, offers several flexible spaces for ceremonies or receptions, with options to accommodate up to 130 guests. Located a short walk from Archway tube station, Lauderdale’s attractive rooms open directly onto the beautiful, terraced gardens of Waterlow Park; the perfect backdrop for those all-important photos. Lauderdale House is a registered charity and runs as an arts centre for the local community. The income made from weddings is invested back into education, outreach and heritage projects. FORTY HALL 020 8363 8196 | www.fortyhallestate.co.uk Located on the edge of London, Forty Hall’s perfect for couples looking for an idyllic countryside setting yet near to the city. The Grade I listed Jacobean manor house boasts exquisite architecture and stunning views over its ornamental lake, medieval fishing ponds and streams, walled garden and pleasure grounds. There’s a selection of period rooms to choose from in which to host your day. The Long Gallery boasts brick walls, high windows and its ceiling beams give a quirky and country feel to the room. Ideal for larger celebrations, this room can seat 100 guests for a ceremony and 120 for an evening reception. Welcome drinks are served in the Inner Courtyard with its white walls, interior windows, glass doors and a contemporary glass roof allowing natural daylight to flood the space. Located on the ground floor, the Great Hall is one of the most opulent and highly decorated rooms, boasting an exquisite fireplace as its focal point. With rich wooden paneling, Jacobean-style ceilings and large bay windows offering views across the estate, these stunning period rooms are perfect for more intimate gatherings of 40 guests. 20
ONE OF THE LARGEST WEDDING SHOWS TO BE HELD IN THE SOUTH OF ENGLAND • Free entry • Win a luxury honeymoon • Huge number of wedding specialists including venues • Bridal fashion shows • Entertainment • Refreshments • Covid-19 secure Pre-register and attend the show to have a chance to win a fabulous spa break worth £250 courtesy of IN ASSOCIATION WITH Pre-register at countyweddingevents.com/registration Follow us on /CountyWeddingEvents @CountyWedEvent @countyweddingevents Hosted at Ascot Racecourse, High Street Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7JX ASCOT RACECOURSE, BERKSHIRE SUNDAY 26TH FEBRUARY, 2023 IN ASSOCIATION WITH • Free entry • Win a luxury honeymoon • Huge number of wedding specialists including venues • Bridal fashion shows • Entertainment • Refreshments • Covid-19 secure IN ASSOCIATION WITH Pre-register at countyweddingevents.com/registration Follow us on /CountyWeddingEvents @CountyWedEvent @countyweddingevents Hosted at Mercedes-Benz World, Brooklands Drive, Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0SL MERCEDES-BENZ WORLD, SURREY ONE OF THE LARGEST WEDDING SHOWS TO BE HELD IN THE SOUTH OF ENGLAND Hosted at DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED Pre-register and attend the show to have a chance to win a fabulous spa break worth £250 courtesy of
STEPHENS HOUSE & GARDENS 020 8346 7812 | www.stephenshouseandgardens.com Having appeared in many film and television productions, Stephens House boasts a stunning classic Italianate-style exterior that was extended by the Ink Magnate Henry Charles Stephens in the late 1800s. Surrounded by 10 acres of historic landscape and nestling within an arboretum of ancient and rare trees, the photo backdrops are endless. The beauty continues indoors with lovingly refurbished classic Victorian interiors with private external areas and access to the extensive gardens. The recently restored Dining Room, Salon and Drawing Room are all available for your ceremony and evening reception and in warmer months, the private terrace is ideal. This venue can host 70 loved ones for your ceremony and wedding breakfast and 120 guests for your evening celebrations and the inhouse catering is second-to-none. Stephen’s House & Gardens has a strong connection to the late comic genius Spike Milligan with his statue on a bench in the gardens and his grand piano and other memorabilia being on display indoors. ISLINGTON TOWN HALL registrars@islington.gov.uk | www.sayidoislington.com The impressive Grade II listed Islington Town Hall, with its grand façade and colourful displays of flowers, is a real focal point of Upper Street and home to an endless choice of reception spaces. On arrival, friends and family can gather in the courtyard at the front of the building before the ceremony, and the main steps are perfect for them to greet you with confetti as you leave. At the top of the Town Hall’s impressive sweeping marble staircase, you enter the grand ceremony room that is the Council Chamber. The room features an original vaulted ceiling and beautiful stained-glass windows. The horseshoe seating layout ensures that none of your guests will be more than five rows from you, and although it seats 50 guests, it retains the intimate atmosphere. After you’ve tied the knot, the famous marble corridor’s the perfect place for a romantic moment together. When it comes to your photos, the backstreets of Islington are picturesque and charming, with many beautiful small parks, the historic Camden Passage and Regents’ Canal all being nearby. www.peterchamberlainphoto.com www.olliverphotography.com 23 LOCAL VENUES
Celebrate your wedding in style with a private boat party on the Thames Call us on 020 77 400 411 or send an email to charters@citycruises.com for a quote WWT London Wetland Centre is a unique and beautiful location for weddings and receptions. We are licensed for wedding and civil ceremonies and have wonderful facilities for receptions. By holding your event with us, you will be directly contributing to the global conservation of wildlife and wetland habitats. T 0208 409 4400 / 4429 Email: functions.london@wwt.org.uk www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/london/plan-your-visit/venue-hire/ WWT London Wetland Centre, Queen Elizabeth Walk, Barnes, London, SW13 9WT Weddings at WWT London Overlooking the Thames, on the outskirts of London within acres of nature reserve, pools and reed beds, WWT London provides the perfect backdrop to your wedding. Late availability mid-week and winter weddings packages available Ceremony Packages from £1,500 Full Wedding Packages from £5,500 We offer everything in one location. A magical ceremony in Wetland Living, our thatched fisherman’s hut, nestled within the reserve is perfect for those looking for a small, intimate wedding. For larger celebrations book our Observatory, with stunning views over the lakes and pools. This glass walled room can bring the outside in creating a stunning romantic wonderland.
Winter Picture-perfect settings THE CADOGAN ARMS 020 3148 2630 | https://thecadoganarms.london Located in the heart of Chelsea’s bustling King’s Road, just a short walk from Chelsea Old Town Hall, The Cadogan Arms is available for pre and post wedding celebrations. The Rose Room, the dedicated events space, is equipped with a horseshoe bar and space for up to 50 guests with a variety of food and drink packages. The Dining Room can be reserved for private use and can accommodate up to 35 seated guests, and 50 seated and standing. For larger wedding parties, The Cadogan Arms is also available for exclusive hire. The venue’s infamous Feast Menu has been designed specifically for large groups, and a Best of British menu is on offer, with Two Michelin-starred chef James Knappett appointed as Culinary Director and Alex Harper formerly of The Ledbury and The Harwood Arms as Executive Chef. Following the ambitious renovation, the restoration of The Cadogan Arms recreated the lost early Georgian architectural details and ornate timber panelling of the original building, which are softened with warm velvets and floral-patterned fabrics. WEST LODGE PARK HOTEL 020 8216 3900 | www.westlodgepark.co.uk West Lodge Park is a stunning hotel with a rich history. Situated in 35 acres of rolling countryside, this venue’s a romantic, luxury setting within easy reach of London. All accessed by an impressive drive, the landscaped Beale Arboretum, Garden Pavilion and historic 16th-century lodge offer the perfect backdrop for your day. The interiors at West lodge Park are elegant and relaxed, paying homage to their historic past while delivering beautifully designed, modern bedrooms. With space for 100 guests, The Garden Pavilion situated on the croquet lawn under the stunning giant redwoods is the latest addition here and the premier place to host your ceremony. More intimate gatherings can be accommodated in a variety of rooms that cater for 10 to 80 loved ones. For your reception, the largest space is the marquee. Located on the lawn beside the national collection of hornbeam trees, this state-of-the-art setting can host up to 200 guests. When booking, couples receive a complimentary menu tasting, a bridal suite for the wedding night and a full English breakfast the next morning. WONDERLAND www.peterdyerphotos.co.uk www.peterdyerphotos.co.uk 25 THEMED VENUES
LE GOTHIQUE 020 8870 6567 | https://legothique.co.uk The Grade II* listed Victorian Gothic-revival facade of Le Gothique is one of the best original exteriors of its kind in Britain. The spectacular towering spires, gargoyles and large statue of St. George give it a dreamy castle-like feel. An enchanting awardwinning Secret Garden is found tucked within the venue. The perfect al fresco space for celebrations, it can be covered, heated and lit. A hard-standing patio with a barbecue is surrounded by neatly striped lawns and hanging floral baskets. Inside, the space is split into two levels, with formal dining on the mezzanine floor and a Gothic bar occupying the ground floor. A bronze statue of Bacchus, the god of wine, adorns the west wall. Outdoor weddings with 250 loved ones are accommodated in the Secret Garden and celebrations can also be held inside the venue in the Gothic Room for a maximum of 90 guests. The venue can also help couples arrive in style with its vintage Rolls Royce to hire. MORDEN HALL 020 8102 0553 | www.mordenhall.com Morden Hall’s a romantic country house steeped in history and surrounded by 125 acres of National Trust parkland. Built in 1770s and lovingly restored in 2015, this venue’s been brought into the present day without losing the heart of its elegant history. This 18th-century house exudes elegance, charm and sophistication with high ceilings and a real sense of character. There’s a collection of stunning spaces to use in the morning whilst you’re preparing for your big day and The Willow and Mulberry Suites are both options for your ceremony and reception seating 120 guests and 150 guests respectively for your nuptials and up to 200 for your evening party. Outdoors a tranquil oasis awaits you. Situated beside the River Wandle, the private lawn offers stunning photo opportunities with its beautiful old footbridge leading over the river and what’s more, Morden Hall’s exclusive use, which means you’ll have the place all to yourselves on your big day. www.galileophotography.co.uk www.galileophotography.co.uk 26
West Lodge Park is a stunning country hotel set in 35 acres of beautiful grounds 020 8219 3909 wlpweddings@bealeshotels.co.uk www.westlodgepark.co.uk We offer many different settings for your ceremony, whether it be in the gardens or one of our beautiful rooms. Just 12 miles from central London If you are considering a celebrant led ceremony, be it a wedding, vow renewals or a baby naming ceremony. We will work together to bring your story to life. We cover most of the UK and also travel outside of the UK. Beautifully tailor made ceremonies. Y u ream, ou isi n, ou ay, ou ay! We offer a free no obligation consultation to discuss your requirements call: 07947 610483 or email: kelly@blessedcelebrants.co.uk www.blessedcelebrants.co.uk @blessedcelebrants
THE PACKAGE INCLUDES: 1x 3D Skin Analysis 3x DermaPen 1x Hydrafacial 1x Photo Rejuvenation 3x Botox Treatments BRIDAL PACKAGE £1,197 WAS £1,494 Picture Perfect Terms and conditions apply To f ind out more, scan the QR code or vi s i t us at pul sel ightcl inic.co.uk
DRAPERS’ HALL 020 7448 1324 | www.thedrapers.co.uk Drapers’ Hall is a hidden oasis in the city of London that offers an idyllic and picturesque setting. Whether Drapers’ Hall is chosen to host a small intimate wedding breakfast or the grandest of celebrations, the venue’s available for exclusive use including its two outdoor spaces. The Drapers’ Garden’s perfect for entertaining up to 180 guests on warm evenings and the Courtyard provides another separate outdoor space for evening receptions. Although this venue’s not licensed for ceremonies, you can host a blessing here and it provides an exquisite setting for receptions, which take place in The Drawing Room. Peaceful and elegant, the Drawing Room can host a champagne drinks reception followed by the wedding breakfast with up to 276 friends and family. When tying the knot here, couples are offered a complimentary menu tasting and will benefit from an incredibly simple planning process, with all of the essentials included, plus elegant candelabra centrepiece, dancefloor and a Steinway classic grand piano. CORE CLAPTON 020 3011 4161 | www.coreclapton.org Set in a quiet street in Clapton, Hackney, Core Clapton is the perfect setting if you want a large blank canvas with the freedom to add your own personality to your surroundings to create a stunning winter wonderland. The main event space benefits from high, barrelled ceilings and its numerous windows provide an abundance of natural light. The white décor means this space is perfect for any theme and can be brought to life with your choice of décor and lighting. The ground floor reception room hosts ceremonies with 50 loved ones and the main event space can accommodate 200 guests. The reception room is also perfect for your arrival drinks, a children’s area, photobooths or a chill out zone. It’s also a useful area for guests to mix if the main space needs a room change between your ceremony and evening party. The venue benefits from a private terrace for the warmer months and a large onsite kitchen for all your catering needs. 29 THEMED VENUES
Ferguson R E P O R T A G E P H O T O G R A P H Y dwferguson@hotmail.com 07932 023 016 www.instagram.com/london_film_photographer Iconic wedding transportation and everything else to make your day special Covering London and surrounding area. WWW.VANILLAMOONWEDDINGS.CO.UK @VANILLAMOONWEDDINGS Vanilla Moon Weddings & Events Vintage VW campervans • Photobooth with props Pop-up bar • Lawn games • Confectionary LONDON’S MOST EXPERIENCED PHOTOGRAPHER AND VIDEOGRAPHER TEAM Why book a separate photographer and videographer who have no idea how the other works on the day? Unrivalled Experienced We’ve captured over 800 weddings, from stunning beaches in Ibiza to the Iconic Ritz Hotel. Jewish, Indian, African, Afghan & Persian we’ve captured them all. Trusted & Recommended We have the honour of being recommended suppliers to some of the Southeast’s most prestigious venues, including Gos eld hall, Leez Priory & Braxted Park. Relaxed Reportage Style Our style is relaxed and unobtrusive, we keep things laidback and pride ourselves on being able to relax those couples that may be a tad nervous having a camera around. These guys are insanely good, our wedding film had us crying like babies – SYLVIA & DAN IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR AN EXPERIENCED TEAM TO CAPTURE YOUR WEDDING, SIMPLY REQUEST A BROCHURE VIA THE WEBSITE AND WE’LL BE IN TOUCH. Call Scott on: 07887 641698 Email: info@boutiqueweddingfilms.uk WWW.BOUTIQUEWEDDINGFILMS.UK
To infinity Gary and Jack’s RuPaul’s Drag Race-themed day was full of fun and colour Images courtesy of David Ferguson AND BEYOND Gary and Jack met online and soon became best friends. “We realised we lived two roads apart, so we spent many nights dancing around each other’s flats, just the two of us,” says Gary. “I wasn’t ready to commit for a long time though, so we didn’t become official boyfriends for two years. Jack waited that whole time,” he adds. They became official on holiday in Greece a couple of years later. “We were in a bar, and I went into the bathroom at midnight on 01.08.17 and added him as my boyfriend on Facebook. I came out and showed him and told him I’d waited for this date so our anniversary could be 01.08, because 8 is the infinity symbol and I wanted this to be forever,” Gary recalls. The duo visited Jack’s family in Devon over Christmas 2020, when Gary asked Jack’s stepdad and mum for permission to propose. “We then went to stay with my family in Barnsley and on Christmas Eve I gave him a card that said Fiance on the front,” says Gary. “I made him read the inside verse out loud and the last line said Will you marry me? As he said that, I was down on one knee giving him the engagement ring and I said yes! So, I always tell everyone Jack officially proposed to me!” he says. “We always loved each other from the beginning and the relationship grew from a friendship which was the perfect foundation for us to get married seven years later.” Here, Gary tells us more about their day… 31 REAL WEDDINGS
We had 18 maids of honour who came to our room in the morning, and we gave them all matching silver bracelets and shared a glass of bubbly. We wore matching navy check suits and tailored waistcoats with a gold and blue marble material for the back and acces sorised with bronze metal flowers as lapel pins. Our ushers wore grey check suits, which looked really smart. They did an amazing job of decorating the venue and organising everyone for our photos. We live in Walthamstow and we wanted the we dding to be in London as our lives and lots of our friends are in London n ow. The Screen on the Green was the perfect quirky venue for our ceremony. We walked into the Wenlock and Essex and loved the vibe and décor. It has lots of fairground lights, big windows that open onto the street, and the size was perfect. 32
Our tables were named after drag queens. Our top table was RuPaul and the rest were our other favourites like Adore Delano and Jinkx Monsoon. We didn’t have favours as such but we asked our guests in advance to send pictures of us together. We spent hours formatting and printing them and we let people take their photos at the end of the night as a keepsake. For our centrepieces we bought twig lights and placed them in empty alcohol bottles on the tables. We walked to the cinema with our maids of honour. We got a lot of looks and people taking pictures with all the girls being in white. Every female friend was invited as a bridesmaid, so we had about 70! We asked them to wear white bridalwear. It was fantastic because we had such a mixture of outfits, from wedding dresses to white suits and party dresses, and some even wore veils. 33 REAL WEDDINGS
Our wedding song was Happiness by Alexis Jordan, and Jack and I had some silly moves to it. We taught this to our friend who recorded herself dancing along and we sent this to our friends, so when the song played, everyone joined in the dance with us which was so much fun. Our friend Angela wrote and sang a song about us and our relationship which was incredibly funny. She’d asked us some questions about what we love and what annoys us about each other and worked everything into the song. During the reception we played musical bingo, t hen Mr and Mr and we made paddles with cartoon versions of me and J ack for us to use to answer. Throughout our day we were surprisingly relaxe d. We’d been planning for a year and had so much help from friends th at we weren’t worried about how the day would run. Our friend Flo is a professional opera singer so she sang Habanera from Carmen during the service. The acoustics in the cinema were great and it sounded fantastic without a microphone. My mum made our huge cake. We had a naked cake design with a few flower details in white and navy blue to match our suits and the cake topper was how I proposed. GARY AND JACK’S LITTLE WHITE BOOK Venues, Screen on the Green, www.everymancinema.com/screen-on-the-green, Wenlock and Essex, https://wenlockandessex.com Photographer, David Ferguson, www.instagram.com/london_film_photographer | Jewellery and accessories, Bassin and Brown, www.bassinandbrown.com | Suits, Moss Bros London Oxford Street, www.moss.co.uk Rings, Blazer Arts, www.etsy.com/shop/debblazer | DJ, DJKP, www.dj-kp.co.uk The table plan was a curtain of lights with the drag queen picture clipped on and names underneath which hung in the entrance as people walked in. One of our maids of honour made us two white b ouquets for us to throw. Our friends Lindsay and Jo caught them. We thr ew them again a couple more times later in the night directly to our other single friends. 34
DESIGNER WEDDING DRESSES MADE TO MEASURE IN ITALY 81 Ebury Street London SW1 020 7901 9020 lesposedigio.com
no other Rebecca and David’s day oozed glamour and seasonal vibes Images courtesy of Heather Sham Photography LIKE 36
Rebecca and David met in a local bar on Christmas Eve, so a seasonal wedding was always on the cards for them. “Linking our day to that time of the year was very special to us,” Rebecca says. “David was like no man I’d met before. We took the time to get to know each other and found that we were both attracted to what we wanted from life and how we were going to get there, and we share the same sense of humour, which helps!” she says. It was during a holiday in Portugal that David proposed. “It was a complete surprise, as a few days before I’d joked that I loved a particular ring I’d seen while we were out shopping for last-minute holiday bits and David got upset saying that we couldn’t afford it to throw me off the scent,” she recalls. “We’d rented a beautiful villa with our family, and I was getting ready to go to dinner one night when David called me out to the garden. All of our family were on the balcony looking over us and our son was standing next to me when the next thing I knew, David was down on one knee,” Rebecca explains. “The sun was going down behind us and it was a very special moment. I was in so much shock, I couldn’t really take in what he was saying,” she adds. LONDON VIBES The duo tied the knot at The Old Marylebone Town Hall and hosted their reception at 34 Mayfair. “We wanted something small and intimate with a jazzy London vibe,” says Rebecca. “When we walked in, we knew it was perfect for our guest numbers. It had a beautiful bar with neon signs, a small space for dancing and for entertainment to perform and the staff were really friendly.” When it came to getting to the venue, there was a slight hiccup. “We hired a white wedding bus to take guests from the ceremony to the reception but there was a police incident in Westminster, which meant the roads had been shut off so it couldn’t get to us in time. Luckily it was only five minutes away so instead we all got black cabs or walked. It’d just started to drizzle with rain but we made it work,” Rebecca says. DRESSED TO IMPRESS Rebecca’s dress was by Australian designer Jane Hill. “I always knew what style I wanted. I loved square necklines and gowns with lots of embellishment,” she says. “I found a dress online called Benji and my son is called Bennie, so it had to be the one! I found out that there was a trunk show at Halo and Wren, a small boutique in Hemel Hemstead and booked straight away to go and check out the collection,” she explains. After trying on four different dresses, she knew that Benji was the one for her. “The dress was very bling with pearls and shimmer, so I paired it with small diamond pear-drop earrings and wore a pair of white patent Christian Loubiton court heels to keep the look simple,” says Rebecca. David and his groomsmen all looked handsome in black tuxedos with a satin lapel and black patent shoes and Rebecca’s maids of honour wore black satin floor-length dresses to match the theme. SEASONAL STYLING Rebecca carried a beautiful bouquet of white roses and the flowers in the décor complemented that perfectly. “For our centrepieces we had gold bowls that contained a mixture of red, blush and white winter flowers to reflect the deep colours of the room,” she describes. “We didn’t opt for much décor, as the room was very colourful and dressed already. It had a beautiful Christmas tree in the corner with flowers and cute neon signs were placed around the space, which we loved.” 37 REAL WEDDINGS
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