a i - neuer dit GAN SAN GANGS — b a two-night stayin the Lake Distric Ne DMADE Go On? LL ; INENGIV ST ODIGTCGTIVES GEOUSIDIOGUGIS 07> JUL/AUG 2022 781023 LN \ \ =. SS ax ~~ \N XQ < ~ SS ~ LN ISSN 1757-7810 Ii 9 pay ldo: initiese open-Gitssettings a DRAPERS’ HALL At Drapers’ Hall you are marrying into 500 years of history. Thomas Cromwell chose to build his mansion in this very spot. Centuries and several reincarnations later, our Livery Hall is one of the grandest buildings in London, a palace in the heart of the City, surrounded by churches, a place where fellowship, generosity, heritage, and hospitality all come together. And for a day it will be yours. Sweep through the oak-panelled entrance hall and up the grand staircase to rooms decked with flowers where champagne flows, tables lit by silver candelabra glitter under painted ceilings and balconies give onto secret gardens. Our experienced in-house team and gold medal-winning chef will be at your service. Every wedding is unique and Drapers’ Hall offers complete flexibility and exclusively for wedding couples, with bespoke catering options and inclusive wedding packages that can be tailored to your taste. Couples that choose Drapers’ Hall for their wedding reception will benefit from an incredibly simple planning process, with all of the essentials included, plus elegant candelabra table centres, dance floor and a Steinway classic grand piano. Our Events team will help you at every stage to plan your day and ensure that every detail is perfect for you. Whether Drapers’ Hall is chosen to host a small intimate wedding breakfast or the grandest of celebrations, the venue is available for your exclusive use, including our two outdoor spaces, meaning your special day does not have to be shared with anyone else but your guests. Call the events team now on 0207 448 1324 or email us at [email protected] for more information. € 22 UST 20: SI JULY/AUC 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 84 HOT TOPIC Local experts answer your wedding woes 90 COMPETITION Win a two-night sty in the Lake District VENUES 19 KEEP IT LOCAL Tie the knot in West London 25 AL-FRESCO VIBES Say ‘I do’ in these open-air settings Oh the cover This issue’s gorgeous cover, shot by Jeff Oliver Photography, sees Neda and Pedram marrying at Kimpton Fitzroy London. Read more on page 36 hitps://jeffoliverphotography.com FEATURES 51 HANDMADE IN LONDON Gorgeous products from the city’s top creatives 55 THE GREAT LONDON BAKE OFF Local pros share their showstopper bakes 63 FRENCH CHIC Luxury high-end vibes were at the heart of this shoot CHURCHILL HYATT REGENCY LONDON * Ht Ue 4g BSR eee eee. IGGS- lSeREREES 5 BRE? der NE Ie ee FASHION W BEAUTY 66 FASHION FOCUS The latest bridal fashion news, buys and launches 68 STYLE DOWN THE AISLE These boho-inspired dresses in luxe lace and flowing fabrics were made for fun and flirting 75 PARTY PIECES These glamorous gowns are worthy of the red carpet 78 BEAUTY BUZZ Get the look with the must-haves for the bride-to-be 80 YOU CAUGHT MY EYE! We put together some gorgeous wedding-day eye make-up looks using the newest launches to hit the counters 82 FASHION & BEAUTY Q&A Our local professionals solve your problems ™ REAL WEDDINGS 31 TOGETHER FOREVER Emily and Jonny had the day they’d always dreamed of in Wimbledon 36 LOVE AT FIRST SWIPE For Neda and Pedram, fairytales really do come true 43 SUMMER RAIN Speeches, toasts, cocktails and love is what made Clare and Jess’s day so special GROOMS 87 GROOMS’ NEWS Best buys and product launches 88 FUN IN THE SUN Honeymoon must-haves for the groom-to-be HONEYMOONS 94 TRAVEL GOALS An island country nestled in South Asia, Sri Lanka has always been a bucket-list destination for Louise Prance 96 CARIBBEAN VIBES Enjoy breathtaking, tropical views whilst listening to turquoise waters rolling in with a glass of St. Lucia’s famous rum punch in hand WEDDING INVITATIONS - SAVE THE DATES - ORDERS OF SERVICE - INFORMATION SHEETS REPLY CARDS + MENUS - TABLE STATIONERY - THANK YOU CARDS - RECEPTION INVITATIONS —= LOND ON — PRINTERS OF EXQUISITE STATIONERY Based in Clapham for 45 years, Gee Brothers uses traditional and modern processes to create beautiful stationery of the highest quality. Choose between engraving, letter pressing, thermography, blind embossing, foiling and digital printing. For those requiring a bespoke service, book an appointment with our experienced consultants to design your perfect wedding suite. Visit our website and find a wealth of inspiration and over 40 designs available to order online. Start by ordering your sample pack today! WWW.GEEBROTHERS.CO.UK O20 7228 4081 [email protected] 221 ST JOHN'S HILL; LONDON SWI1 1TH COUNTY WEDDING MAGAZINES. EDITORIAL 01376 535 611 Danielle Harvey | Managing Editor Sarah Gallivan | Editor Kelly Andrews | Deputy Managing Editor, Beauty Editor Claire Ridley | Fashion Editor Melissa Barker | Senior Editor, Grooms and Honeymoons Editor DESIGN 01376 535 616 [email protected] 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 [email protected] Account Managers Richard Chesterton | 01376 538 493 [email protected] Nicola Phillips | 01376 535 612 [email protected] Loretta Smith | 020 8054 8120 [email protected] Subscriptions 01376 514 000 [email protected] ACCOUNTS 01376 535 616 [email protected] Accounting Manager | Derrick James 6 @CountyWeddingMagazines ry) @CountyWeddings @countyweddingmagazines Visit us online at county.wedding and countyweddingevents.com 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. Subscription rates are £18.20 per annum (incl. p+p). Cheques should be made out to KD Media Publishing and sent to Your London Wedding, c/o KD Media Publishing, Pantile House, Newlands Drive, Witham, Essex CM8 2AP. ISSN 1757-7810 EVENTS & Ve G)PUBLISHING ccrvtooncimes ummer’s finally here after what feels like a long time and isn’t it great! The sun’s shining, evenings are drawn out allowing us to get the very most out of each and every day and you just can’t beat what this season has to offer for weddings — outdoor ceremonies, endless backdrops for your all-important photos, flowers a plenty, lightweight attire keeping you cool and calm and bright, bold and uplifting colours. What's not to love? If like me, you’re a lover of summer you might want to choose a venue that has outdoor options. We've got the lowdown on a select few over on page 25. If you're keen to support local businesses, check out the range of gorgeous products on page 51 — all made right here in London and sure to add the extra wow to your day. Those with a sweet tooth will love our cake feature on page 55 and our sweet treat giveaway on page 13. Once again we've got all the big-day inspiration in our French chic shoot on page 63 and stunning real weddings on pages 31, 36 and 43. Everything you need to help you to plan your day is right here, so pour the sangria, dive in and get those creative juices flowing! Sarah Gallivan, Editor v= It’s worth taking time out for photos. Emily and Jonny have so many cool memories to look back on. This shoot oozed romance. Ta , duidodrs in Rash hese, al pate \ Look after lyour hair this summer with this top advice What a showstopper fiesta of a cake — | love this! LONDON WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY 07949 041144 www.roshiniphotography “com 4 Park Parade, Gunnersbury Lane, LONDON, W3 9BD roshini@r »shiniphotog iphy ym 0208 896 2866 : [email protected] : www.abfabfireworks.co.uk Bickleigh Castle An English Historical Landmark Where Wedding. Dreams Do Come True! SE Bickleigh Castle, Tiverton, Devon, EX16 8RP 01884 855 363 [email protected] bickleighcastle.com A LOVE OF HATS Mother and daughter team Yasemin and Merve, owners of Merve E Bavindir Milliners are proud to announce the recent opening of their flagship London store. Both lovers of all things vintage, they have a keen eye for detail when it comes to tailoring. They love the creativity that hat making brings and are strong believers of hand stitching and good quality fabrics. The Heirloom Bridal 2022 collection is not to be missed. This meticulously created collection consists of various timeless pieces that take inspiration from the 1920s to today. Every hat is handmade, from the flowers to the embroidery. Heirloom is an infusion of modern materials with old techniques. The detailing is crafted with love and patience and the simplicity of each piece is the result of carefully thought-out intricate detailing. Head to the new store at 28 Crawford Place, W1H 5NJ or visit https: //mervebayindir.com to view the stunning collections. RAISE YOUR GLASS London's award-winning sparkling wine brand Pale ; i Fox Prosecco has announced the launch of their first non-alcoholic sparkling wine. Whether your guests are perl drinking alcohol or not, you can now treat them all to a fabulous glass of bubbles to join you in celebrating your day. Available to buy online via the Pale Fox website, the new non-alcoholic, single estate sparkling prosecco is produced by vinifying a still white wine, then using reverse osmosis to separate out i \ the alcohol, before finally adding the fizz. The ] result is complex and celebratory, with an extra dry balance of acidity, fruit and classic yeasty notes. As well as being lower in calories, it also contains polyphenols and antioxidants, which have natural health benefits. Order yours now and see what else is on offer by visiting www.palefoxprosecco.com ——a"— wed CN WE All the latest from the city MICHELIN-STARRED DATE NIGHT Those looking for a special pre- or post-wedding date night should check out the newly launched menu at Adam Handling’s Michelin-starred flagship restaurant, Frog by Adam Handling, situated in Covent Garden. Fresh off the back of winning a Michelin star, chef Adam Handling continues to raise the bar as he announced a brand-new menu concept that launched in April. The menu, that previously consisted of two separate five- and seven-course tasting menus, has been transformed and replaced with one spectacular ten- course tasting menu. Adam has created the new menu to take his sustainability agenda to the next level, providing the team with even more opportunity to use their creative freedom and use the very best seasonal produce from some of the UK's top suppliers, in line with the restaurant's philosophy, ‘British food, inspired by London’. Almost every dish on the menu is new — even Adam's signature ‘Bread, chicken butter’ and ‘All about the sturgeon’ have been elevated, all whilst retaining his signature flair and touch of theatre. Check out www.frogbyadamhandling.com to book and find out more. enphotographer.com www.timgreenphotographer.com Shida Preserved Flowers has recently launched a seasonal collection to last all year. The two-piece collection features a gorgeous handtied bouquet and a Japanese-inspired Midori Ikebana flower arranging kit. The Nova handtied bouquet features deep blue hydrangeas accessorised with lush, preserved greenery. It also includes natural gypsophila, stuartina, fern, blue botao, lepidium, and parvafolia in ultramarine blue and forest greens, chosen for their mood-boosting qualities. The second piece is the Midori Ikebana Kit. This curated collection of stems, foliage and floral decorations features sumptuous greenery and pops of blue, providing a fresh take on |kebana, the ancient art of Japanese flower arranging. The preserved arrangements will last for months after your big day and are soft and supple to the touch, giving the same enchanting appearance as fresh cut flowers and floral bouquets. Shida’s expert team of florists hand-arrange each of its blooms and lovingly place them in sustainable packaging before they are delivered directly to your door. To view the new collection and wedding offering, visit the website www.shida florist A SLICE OF THE HIGH LIFE The UK’s oldest British caterer is celebrating its 175" anniversary with the recreation of a royal wedding cake created by its founder, John Searcy, 126 years ago. The caterer has taken a trip back through its archives to the 1896 royal wedding of Princess Maud, then the future Queen of Norway, to Prince Carl of Denmark. Considered the society wedding of the year, royal attendees included Queen Victoria, grandmother of the bride, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and the Crown Prince and Princess of Denmark. A confectioner by trade and a Royal Warrant holder, John Searcy came out of retirement to bake the breathtaking multi-tiered big-day bake. Adorned with sweet treats, the cake included fine sugar work flowers, roses and angels, along with the Royal Arms of England and Denmark. In tribute to its founder, Searcys has recreated the same cake in partnership with baker Elizabeth Solaru of Elisabeth's Cake Emporium. Working alongside Searcys own pastry chef, Yvonne Graham, the confectioners spent three weeks tirelessly completing the bake to reflect the original design. Five-tiers of Dundee fruit cake are covered with delicate marzipan and white and gold lattice work icing before being topped with carefully crafted sugar work of flowers, fruits and cherubs. The cake will travel across Searcys restaurants throughout the summer, so for your chance to sample a slice head to 116 Pall Mall, Searcys at the Gherkin or St Pancras Brasserie from early July to early August. The Princess Maud wedding cake can also be made to order for any wedding celebrations booked at Searcys iconic venues. To find out more check out www.searcys.co.uk 10 Your engagement and wedding rings are designed to stand the test of time, but accidents happen so independent jewellery brand, Loveness Lee has launched an aftercare program. This is the next step in their sustainability journey to encourage everyone to care, repair and love their Loveness Lee jewellery for as long as possible and keep materials out of landfill. The aftercare program, that comes with every purchase will see their team of skilled jewellers bring your pieces back to life should they need it. The program can be utilised at any point and gives you one refresh free of charge with competitive rates after that. Loveness Lee handcrafted designs are inspired by Loveness’ fascination with abstract shapes and textures that derive from nature. These textures create serendipitous wearable sculptures with no two ever looking the same. Sustainability is at the heart with all new designs being made with recycled sterling silver and lab-grown gemstones to reduce the need for future mining. Packaging is made from recycled materials and all production materials are sourced locally at Hatton Garden. Find out more by visiting www.lovenesslee.com