Iconic and unique wedding venue at its best!! I love the whole setting, it is very romantic and special. The 360 degrees panoramic views of London will take your breath away.  Getting married here will truly and literally make you feel you are on top of the world!

At a Glance:

• Accommodation – N/A
• Architecture – modern skyscraper by Norman Foster
• Capacity – 106 for seated reception or 260 for buffet
• Ceremony –Licensed for Civil Ceremony
• Children – Very welcome
• Exclusive Use Only - Yes
  
• Facilities – wedding planner, restaurant, in-house caterer, and 360 panoramic views of London
• Location – London City
• Marquee wedding – N/A
• Room Hire –£6,000
• Style – unique London city wedding venue
• Transportation – Liverpool Street tube station
• Transportation – 1hour away from London Heathrow by car
• Wedding Package – £199 + VAT

*Prices include room hire, food & bevarage for canapes and wedding breakfast to name a few. Exclusive of music, registrar fees and other wedding costs. Please get in touch with Searcys at The Gherkin to get further details.

40 | 30 The Gherkin

30 St Mary Axenue, London, EC3A 8EP

T: +44 (0) 20 7071 5011

E: entertaining (a)searcys.co.uk

Photos courtesy of The Gherkin

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2. Stoke Park, Buckinghamshire – Wedding Venue
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The Royal Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton will be on Friday, 29th April 2011 and it will be held at the Westminster Abbey in London.

Bells in the Abbey hasn’t stop ringing since the announcement was made and a lot of people are definitely getting really excited that the biggest wedding of the century is happening in just five months. There will definitely be a lot of wedding preparations to do and according to the media report, the Prince Willaim and Kate plan to be as involve as possible and to put their own stamp to their wedding.

The whole team at Dolce Sposa are definitely very thrilled and are looking forward to getting inspiration from this event which will definitely be fit for the future King and Queen!

Watch this space as we update you all on a regular basis about all the happenings and wedding planning of the royal wedding! Let us all see who the lucky wedding vendors will be for much awaited wedding! But ultimately, we hope that the Prince and Kate find wedding vendors they love and that will suit their own personal style!

To all our readers, apart from getting inspiration on how to plan a grand wedding suited for a royalty, you will also be happy to hear the news that it will be a public holiday. PM David Cameron said: “We want to mark the day as one of national celebration, a public holiday will ensure the most people possible will have a chance to celebrate on the day.”

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Enjoy a romantic walk in the park with someone special….

From the 19th November until 5th December, Syon House will be seeing its fifths year of Syon Park’s Enchanted Woodland, a magical event which sees an illuminated trail laid out through the Gardens and Arboretum of Syon. The garden walk is a celebration of autumn and literally shines a spotlight on trees that are so vital to our everyday lives. As the path winds around the eighteenth century lake, a range of exciting lighting effects bring the landscape to life in a whole new way. The shapes and textures of Syon’s fine old trees are thrown into sharp contrast against the night sky, or reflected in the mirror of the lake before the route culminates at the magnificent Great Conservatory.

A unique and magical event for young and old alike. It is recommended to wrap up warm as the walk passes along the banks of the frosty lake.

Wedding Venue – Syon Park

Syon Park
Brentford, Middlesex, TW8 8JF
Tel: +44 (0) 20 8560 0882

Photos courtesy of Syon House and Experience Seminar

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Another year is ending and we hope that it has been a fun filled year of wedding planning for all our gorgeous brides-to-be. And before we bid 2010 a big farewell, make sure not to miss out on some of the fabulous events in the next two months.

November

• 4 – 7 The Luxury Travel Fair – Olympia, London (honeymoon ideas)
• 5 – Natural History Museum Ice Rink (a potential wedding venue)
• 8- 11 – World Travel Fair, Excel Centre, London (honeymoon ideas)
• 10 – Natasha Collis – Brown’s Bride, London
• 14 – The Vintage Wedding Fair, Uxbridge, London
• 19 - Winter Wonderland – Hydepark, London
• 18 – 20 – Jenny Packham Sample Sale, Mayfair, London
• 19 – 20 - Elizabeth Filmore Trunk Show – Brown’s Bride, London
• 20 – 21 The London Bridal Designer Sale – Marble Arch, London
• 23 - Tiffany & Co presents The Skate – Somerset House, London
• 27 – Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink (a castle wedding venue)

December

• 3 – 4 – Marchesa Trunk Show – Brown’s Bride, London
• Tiffany & Co presents The Skate – Somerset House, London (till 23rd January 2011)
• Winter Wonderland – Hydepark, London (till 4th January 2011)
• 26 – Boxing Day Sale
  

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Getting married can be very expensive and the whole idea can be daunting. But there are many things you can do to cut down the cost and still have the most stylish and beautiful wedding of your dreams. Here are some tips to consider:

1. Wedding Venue – This is one of the biggest costs in your wedding budget but you will be happy to know that there are ways to bring down the cost:

a. Pick a wedding venue where you can hold both wedding ceremony and wedding reception in one roof. This will save you money in transporting guests and wedding vendors.

b.Find a venue without up-front hire charges. Venues with all-inclusive packages including food and beverage can often work out cheaper.

c. Pick a wedding venue that does not require a lot of wedding decoration for it to be beautiful so you can immediately save money on that front.

d. If you have the space, perhaps you can also consider getting married in your own back garden – this can be very romantic!

2. Wedding Date - Many wedding venues offer a slightly lower hire fee if you choose to get married on a weekday or during an off-peak season.

3. Wedding Guests – One of the quickest ways to cut down the cost of your wedding is by limiting the number of people you invite on your wedding day.

4. Lunch Wedding Reception – The packages you get for lunch are typically cheaper than dinner and you can save a lot of money by opting to have your wedding reception in the afternoon.

5. Wedding Dress – Find a talented up and coming bridal designer whose prices are more affordable compared to the big names in the industry.

6. Wedding Stationery – Creating your own wedding stationery is becoming more popular amongst brides these days – it’s fun and adds a personal touch to your wedding.

7. Wedding Music – Consider making do without a live band or DJ on your special day. Here are some things you can consider doing:

a. Ask one of your friends or relatives who are musically inclined to play a beautiful piece as you walk down the aisle.

b. compile some of your favourite music onto your ipod and use that to provide background music as well as dance music in the evening. Or get one of your bridesmaids/groomsmen to arrange this.

8. Wedding Cake – You will be surprised to know how costly wedding cakes can be. But here are some ways to help you save a bit:

a. Sugar icing flowers/decorations are difficult to make and can be expensive. Fresh flowers are usually a cheaper and arguably more beautiful alternative.

b. After the ceremony, consider using your bridal bouquet and bridesmaids’ bouquets to help decorate the wedding cake table.

c. Let your wedding cake be your scrumptious dessert, so you can avoid paying extra for dessert. Or use the cake as wedding favors, which I am sure they will enjoy eating the next day.

9. Wedding Flowers – Wedding flowers can be costly but there are  ways to save and still have the most elegant wedding flowers on your special day:

a. Pick flowers that are in season and are locally produced.

b. Stick to fewer types of flowers instead of a large variety

c. Use more foliage

d. Consider using cheaper flowers that still go with your wedding theme. For instance, Calla lilies are cheaper than Phaelenopsis orchids

e. Recycle your ceremony flowers and re-use them for the reception tables or elsewhere.

10. Wedding Videographer – In an ideal world, you’d have both a wedding photographer and a wedding videographer. But if your budget is tight, I’d recommend skipping the wedding videos and invest on hiring a really good wedding photographer to capture all the beautiful memories of your wedding day. From my experience, unless you pay top dollar for a videographer, the quality of the editing can be fairly amateurish and I’ve known many brides & grooms who’ve been disappointed by what they get. Hence an alternative might be just to get someone with a camcorder to capture some key moments during the day, and you can in the future pay for a good editor to create some special video clips for you.

Photo courtesy of Andy Le Gresley of CKP Weddings

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Summer weddings are always very popular in this country especially with the beautiful outdoor venues available out there. Marquee weddings and garden weddings are usually firm favourites and they are undoubtedly very romantic and well suited to the summer months. But we all know that there are other possibilities available to us and if you and your fiance(e) are keen golfers, what better place to wed that a wedding venue with a golf course?

In no particular order, here are our top ten picks.

Cameron House, Scotland

Cameron House is one place I personally love and it ranks right at the top of the most romantic places I have ever been. It is a five star resort/hotel that will spoil you and your loved ones from start to finish. Every detail in this hotel is just fabulous – the attentive service, the charming baronial architecture, a Michelin-starred restaurant, the exquisite spa and the Scottish interior that is oh so chic and cosy! The above combined with its picturesque and serene setting at the edge of Loch Lomond makes it an ideal venue to consider for the most romantic day of your lives.

Cameron House offers two championship golf courses plus a challengingly fun 9-hole to suit all players. The greens are stunning with breathtaking views to enjoy over the loch.

Wentworth, Surrey

A lot of people say that a trip to Wentworth is an experience. I couldn’t agree more – the stunning grounds with the renowned and prestigious golf-course make it a spectacular wedding venue. This is ordinarily a members’ only club but they are open to welcoming non-members to celebrate their wedding day here.  The staff are warm and receptive and will help you host a most exclusive, romantic and memorable wedding at Wentworth.

Follow the footsteps of Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Ernie Els, Nick Faldo and other golf elites from around the world and enjoy playing at all three championship golf courses at the Wentworth. Every minute of your visit will surely be an experience to savour.

Stoke Park, Buckinghamshire

Stoke Park is a favourite haunt of the rich and the famous. It is an award-winning members-only golf club, spa, restaurant and hotel known the world over for its stunning grounds and its impeccable service and attention to detail, while its close proximity to Central London makes it one of the favourite wedding venues in Britain.

The golf course is known as Stoke Poges and it is named one of the “Top 100 Courses in the World” by Golf World. My husband and I have actually played here before when our very talented golf teacher Dave from the Knightsbridge Golf School took us here for an outdoor session and it was great fun. The quality of the greens are exceptional and all the facilities are fabulous!

The Grove, Hertfordshire

The Grove is a beautiful and magical destination in Hertfordshire.  It has everything your heart could desire as an ideal country retreat with your partner, friends or family. The hotel is fabulously chic, the spa is divine, and the golf course and grounds are exquisite. It is a luxurious playground in a beautiful country setting close to London and a venue to be strongly considered for a serene country style wedding.

The championship course at the Grove is one of the finest in the country and it was recently voted as the second 2010 modern golf course in England by Golf Week.

Ashford Castle, Ireland

Ashford Castle is a picturesque and romantic destination wedding venue in Ireland that will take your breath away. It is one of the most sought after hotels in the world with five star services, amazing architecture, a beautiful golf course and gorgeous surroundings. Its picture perfect views make it no wonder that Conde Nast named Ashford Castle as the best resort in Ireland and the 2nd best resort in Europe. We couldn’t agree more that Ashford Castle offers one of the most beautiful settings for a wedding day.

Get married in style and enjoy a five star golf experience in a perfect environment that you will all love. The beautiful 9 hole 2296 yards par 35 parkland course is perfect for all golf levels and complimentary fees are offered to all residents.

Skibo Castle, Scotland

Skio Castle is most definitely one of the most exclusive places in Scotland or should I say, the world!? If privacy, and unsurpassed services fit for a king and queen are what you are looking for, then this is the wedding venue for you. Of course you will have to pay for it but, if money is no object, I think every bride-to-be would want to wed here. This wedding venue is absolutely beautiful and it certainly needs no introduction!

Like the castle itself, the golf course is one of Scotland’s treasures and is an absolute beauty to play in.

Brocket Hall, Hertfordshire

Brocket Hall is one of the finest stately homes in England that is rich in history. The mature parkland, the beautiful lake, and the impressive interior architecture coupled with Michelin starred restaurants and a championship golf course easily makes this one of our top 10 golf wedding venues.

The two championship courses at the Brocket Hall are a delight to all senses and a real experience. There are rivers that run through the course and you also get to take the ferry to complete the 18^th hole. Doesn’t that sound lovely?

Bovey Caste, Devon

Beautiful wedding venue and golf paradise that is ideally located at the Dartmoor National Park. This is an absolute venue of choice for bride and groom’s who love the outdoors and all the beauty it has to offer. It can easily be considered a dream destination as it’s got something for everyone!

To all the golfers out there, here is a taste of what Bovey Castle golf is all about:-

Top 100 golf course in England
Voted England’s Finest Golf Resort 2008 and 2009 at the World Travel Awards
Voted 8th in Golf Monthly’s “Where to Stay and Play” 2008
Voted 97 in Golf Monthly’s Top 100 in 2008

Gleneagles Hotel, Scotland

Scotland is associated with many beautiful castle wedding venues and this hotel here may not be a castle, but it is worthy of all the romantic connotation you get from a castle wedding. It is one of Scotland’s finest luxury five star hotel that is rich in natural beauty, grandeur, tradition and romance suitable for any special occasion. It also boasts three championship golf courses that are coveted by professional golfers from around the world. It is definitely an amazing wedding venue to consider!

Whether you are a pro or an enthusiastic beginner, the golf courses here at Gleneagles can surely give you an inspiring golf experience and holiday that will be truly memorable.

Leeds Castle, Kent

Many would agree that Leeds Castle deserved to be named as one of the most romantic castles in the world. It’s not the largest or grandest of castles, but it exudes an old-world romantic charm that make it perfectly suited for weddings! It is rich in history that you and your guests can explore should you decide to pick this wedding venue.

The nine hole golf course offers stunning views of the castle – it may not offer a full round of golf that some of the other venues offer, but the cosiness and the romance of playing in a beautiful setting like this will be unparalleled!

Related posts:

1. Ashford Castle, Ireland – Romantic Wedding Venue
2. Skibo Castle, Scotland
3. Stoke Park, Buckinghamshire – Wedding Venue

At a Glance:

• Accommodation – available
• Architecture – Art Deco
• Capacity – maximum 500 guests
• Celebrity wedding – many celebrity, state and royalty events to mention
• Ceremony –Licensed for Civil Ceremony
• Children – Very welcome
• Cost – average cost £20,000 incl VAT
• Exclusive Use – n/a
• Facilities –  bar, restaurants, concierge, butler, spa, wedding planner,
• Location – Mayfair, London
• Marquee wedding – n/a
• Style – London luxury hotel
• Transportation – Hydepark London Underground Station
• Transportation – 30 minutes away from London Heathrow by car

*Please note that price mentioned is a rough and basic wedding budget guideline based on 100 guests for F&B and room hire only. It can go up depending on how much you want to personalize your wedding celebration. We always recommend that you get in touch with the venue directly to see detailed packages and to discuss all specifics.

The Dorchester can offer you the perfect location to celebrate with a beautiful selection of private rooms varying in size, style and design, allowing you and your guests to indulge and enjoy a memorable occasion.

The Ballroom

Bridal Suites

The Dorchester Spa

The Dorchester Spa is one of the best spas in London and this is a place to get pampered before and after your special day. They have great facial and body treatments that can help prepare your skin for the big day. I personally like this place a lot and I think it is a great place to be indulged and to enjoy with girl friends and husband-to-be.

Wedding Venue – The Dorchester

Park Lane
London, W1K 1QA
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7629 8888

Westminster Registry Office

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7641 1162

Photos courtesy of The Dorchester

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