NEARLYWED NEWS

The Royal College of Music (RCM) in South Kensington has opened its doors to wedding celebrations following a £40m investment and a transformation of the world-famous conservatoire, which is now available to hire.

Couples can make use of a wide range of spaces in this gorgeous Grade-II listed building. The Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall is a popular option, with its Flentrop Orgelbouw organ forming the stage’s backdrop. If access to an indoor and outdoor area is a must, the 1815 Courtyard at RCM is the perfect choice. This red brick courtyard overlooks the stunning CotesBurgan atrium with its high glass ceiling letting in incredible light and is full of original features and a built-in bar. The Performance Hall, one of the newly built venues, boasts a wooden lattice panelling as a backdrop. The Hall was designed with performances in mind with state-of-the-art acoustics, so couples can opt for a performance by some of the college’s students to make the occasion extra special. For more information and to view the spaces, visit https://venuehire.rcm.ac.uk NEWS Nearlywed All the latest from the city

THE VEGAN DREAM

SHAKEN NOT STIRRED

Untitled Drinks, the team behind London’s famous bar trio - 69 Colebrooke Row, Bar Termini and Untitled Bar has created a mixture of classic bottled cocktails – perfect for your big day. Choosing to go with Untitled Drinks removes the need for a bar/bartender, and if the cocktails are chilled correctly, you get cocktail-bar-quality drinks at your wedding, with none of the fuss. No need to buy all the ingredients, set up shakers, work on recipes or get staff – it’s all done for you.

Using premium ingredients, these cocktails can be customised and the team can work with you to create your very own creations, which can not only be served at your wedding, but also decanted into small take home gifts for your guests.

Based in Hackney, a next working day nationwide delivery service is on offer as well as a click and collect option for customers in the area. Check out www.untitled-drinks.com to find out more. Leading sustainable luxury wedding dress designer, Sanyukta Shrestha unveils her 2022, ready to wed vegan bridal collection, The Vegan Dream. Inspired by Narnia’s whimsical world, this collection is a celebration of love between humans, the Earth and animals, a bridal look that effortlessly fits into any woman’s sustainable wardrobe and provides her with options to reuse after the wedding.

The collection is created without any animal products and features 23 handmade ethical vegan wedding dresses. Every piece is thoughtfully created for style-savvy brides of every shape and size. From stylish fashion-forward shirt dresses and smart wedding suits to floaty elegant dresses and dramatic princess gowns, each piece is named after Narnia related characters like Aslan, Namsi, Faun, Caspian and Telmar as a tribute to the inspiration.

Prices starting from £1000, not only is this collection the brand’s most affordable luxury bridal collection, made with handmade, sustainable, vegan materials, it also highlights positivity and strength as a developing vision of achieving a sustainable bridal fashion world.

Explore the new collection and more at www.sanyuktashrestha.com

WED IN WINDSOR, MOON IN THE MALDIVES

Fairmont Windsor Park has launched an exclusive wedding and honeymoon package in collaboration with Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi – a private island escape nestled in the remote Shaviyani Atoll. Couples who book their wedding at Fairmont Windsor Park can enjoy a fairytale wedding in the luscious British countryside before jetting off to start married life in the Maldives.

Positioned adjacent to Windsor Great Park and The Savill Garden, Fairmont Windsor Park is surrounded by 40 acres of open green space. Offering a personalised service, lavish accommodation and guest areas, world-class spa and wellness facilities and gourmet dining, it’s the ideal venue for your big day.

As the sole resort on the Shaviyani Atoll, Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi is the ultimate private island escape. Following the special day, couples can stay in a luxurious villa, with private pool and access to a private swathe of sand, laze by the infinity pool, or take a luxury boat out onto the lagoon and swim with reef sharks and manta rays. For an unforgettable dining experience, head out to a nearby uninhabited island for a candlelit feast of seafood, before retiring to one of the island’s safari-style tented villas for a private pop-up cinema under the stars.

If this sounds like your idea of heaven, head to www.fairmont-windsorpark.com and www.fairmont.com/maldives/ to find out more.

HONEYMOON-READY

After months of travel restrictions, the world has begun to slowly open, which can only mean one thing… honeymoons are back on! Don’t dust off your old suitcase just yet though. If you want to travel in style be sure to visit Globe-Trotter in their new flagship boutique at House 6061, Burlington Arcade, where you’ll be assisted by the team to find the perfect piece of luggage.

Next, update your swimwear at Vilebrequin’s at House 1, and pair your new purchase with a timepiece from Diamond Watches London at House 23. Finally, to ensure you truly relax, whether planning a staycation or travelling abroad, the ultimate treat for your hubby’s feet is Manolo Blahnik Men’s Chiltern Slippers, available at House 34. All that’s left to pack is a good read and your sun cream!

Take a tour of the arcade and see what’s on offer at www.burlingtonarcade.com FESTIVE TASTE EXPLOSION

Indulge in a festive box of richly coloured gluten-free macarons this Christmas. Emma Dodi Cakes is offering a range of delicious seasonal flavours including dark chocolate cherry, milk chocolate orange and spiced gingerbread. Also available will be Emma’s signature hand-painted macaron marvels in yuletide designs such as holly, Christmas wreaths and Emma’s iconic signature rose design. Each box will be wrapped with a deep claret coloured satin ribbon and for those needing an extra bit of sparkle, a sprinkling of gold leaf or edible glitter’s also available. “When I hand paint my macarons, I want them to look beautiful and taste delicious and when I prepare my flavours, I try to recreate those that remind me of my family Christmases, so when you bite into them you get a little festive taste explosion just like that,” says Emma.

The Christmas macaron boxes will be available to order at www.emmadodicakes.com from 8th November, and prices start at £26 for six.

MAD HATTERS TEA PARTY

If you’re looking for a fun hen party idea, London’s Katherine Elizabeth is now running face-to-face hat making workshops for you and your best girls!

You’ll be able to prepare for your big day by making your own oneof-a-kind headpiece to wear to your wedding, while enjoying afternoon tea and a glass of bubbly with your hens. Parties are held in groups of seven at the iconic Oxo Tower, or alternatively a venue of your choice. When you book a workshop, everything you need to make your own headwear masterpiece will be included; from sumptuous velvet, feathers and beads to crystals, netting and trimmings. Katherine Elizabeth herself will guide your bridal party through the process, sharing expert tips and advice from her extensive career as a milliner, creating pieces for celebrities and catwalks across the world.

View the collection and find out more by visiting the website www.katherineelizabethhats.com