FORGET LONDON, PARIS OR ROME.
New York has to be the most romantic city in the world, with its iconic twinkling skyline. Dazzle your guests by hosting the wedding of your dreams in the heart of the city at the effortlessly cool PUBLIC Hotel. This hot spot is the latest brainchild of Ian Schrager (the legend behind celeb favourite Studio 54 and the first boutique hotel in the world) so, naturally, it was destined to wow. Schrager is renowned for delivering totally magical experiences, which is evident as soon as you pull up at the dramatic tree-lined entrance. Located in the vibrant Lower East Side, PUBLIC boasts 367 swanky rooms – plenty of space for all your loved ones – and, best of all, as it prides itself on affordable luxury, it won’t break the bank.
Walk down the aisle with a jaw-dropping backdrop of the city in the Sophia or Ava rooms (the latter also has a Sunrise Terrace) on the 17th floor, with dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows flooded with natural light. Afterwards, hold your reception in the secret Bowery Garden, a leafy, tranquil oasis that’s a beautiful setting for celebrating in style. Guests will tuck into a seasonal menu made from fresh ingredients from the local market, cooked on a wood-burning oven and grill by head chef Jean-George, who takes inspiration from his worldwide travels. The excitement doesn’t end there – the state-of-the-art penthouse is 800 sq ft of utter perfection, with breathtaking views over the Lower East Side and beyond. The day after your wedding, explore the city by helicopter or on one of the hotel’s Shinola bikes, hire a boat in Central Park or perhaps stroll over Brooklyn Bridge and into the city – the options are truly endless.
The 20 Best Destination Wedding Locations Around the World Photo Gallery
Spitbank Fort PORTSMOUTH
This historic fortress in the Solent was built more than 150 years ago and has been sensitively restored. Spaces include The Crow’s Nest, a contemporary room with floor-to-ceiling windows, and the Officer’s Mess with vaulted ceilings. Plus There’s a fire pit and hot tub, and eight bedrooms so guests can stay. solentforts.com/spitbank-fort
Weddings in the Wyldes CORNWALL
How rock’n’roll is this? A three-day bash in the fields that are home to the annual Leopallooza festival. Organisers are renowned for booking bands just before they hit the big time, so they can tip you off about the best music acts. Say your vows on the main stage, dance until 3am, then bed down in bell tents. Recover with a Sunday roast and a soak in a hot tub. weddingsinthewyldes.com
The Lodge VERBIER, SWITZERLAND
What sounds better – a white wedding on the slopes or saying ‘I do’ during a balmy Alpine summer? Either way, taking over Sir Richard Branson’s Swiss mountain retreat is a surefire way to celebrate in style. After a ceremony in the nearby village of Le Châble, head to this nine-bedroom lodge, which comes with indoor and outdoor Jacuzzis, a pool, bar and top chefs who will create an incredible feast. virginlimitededition.com
Euridge Manor WILTSHIRE
Enchanting woodland, a gorgeously serene lake and a castle add up to a fairytale formula for this gem in the grounds of Sir Walter Raleigh’s old hunting lodge, which is available for a three-night hire.There are rose gardens to wanderin, and lawns for afternoon tea, before a banquet in the marquee. Alternatively, have an intimate supper in the Orangery for your closest friends and family. euridgeorangeryweddings.com
The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa BATH, SOMERSET
At the heart of Bath’s most iconic crescent, this is a magical setting with endless possibilities, from weddings in the grand Library to a reception on the front lawn. For an intimate affair, book the Sir Percy Blakeney Suite, which has a four-poster overlooking the garden. Perfection! royalcrescent.co.uk
Home House MARYLEBONE, LONDON
This private members’ club in Portman Square is the epitome of 18th-century neo-classical elegance, with grand chandeliers, original cornicing and a dramatic staircase. All the action takes place in the Front Parlour and Eating Room, before dancing and a DJ downstairs in The Vaults. Food can be served al fresco in lovely Portman Square Garden opposite. homehouse.co.uk
Galle Face Hotel COLOMBO, SRI LANKA
Traditional Buddhist Poruwa ceremonies can only take place here when the stars align to give a positive blessing. There are dancers, drumming and the setting is either a chequerboard floor facing the ocean or inside in the Ballroom. Equally fun is the 1864 restaurant, where you sit at low pink tables and tuck into Sri Lankan dishes. gallefacehotel.com
Grand Hotel Central Barcelona SPAIN
This Art Deco hotel, between the Gothic District and El Born, has a rooftop infinity pool and Skybar – exactly what you need when it’s hot, hot, hot. Get married here, or inside surrounded by oak-panelled walls, refined herringbone-pattern parquet flooring and 1920s details. grandhotelcentral.com
St Ermin’s Hotel WESTMINSTER, LONDON
At the far end of a tree-lined courtyard, this hotel is an under-the-radar smash hit. It’s a tough choice between the Crystal Ballroom (named after its enormous chandelier) and the 100-year-old Cloisters Suite, with its Rococo plasterwork and vaulted ceiling. Whichever you book, you’ll get your wedding night in a suite with Champagne breakfast in bed – for free! sterminshotel.co.uk
Chelsea Old Town Hall LONDON
Be one of the first to tie the knot in the newly refurbished Chelsea Old Town Hall, which reopened last autumn. Restored to its former glory with gold-leaf ornate ceilings and marble floors, the historic Victorian building has three spaces to choose from, including the Cadogan Suite, which now comes with an adjoining ante room that’s ideal for popping Champagne corks after the ceremony. rbkc.gov.uk
The Gherkin CITY OF LONDON
Wow your guests with incredible views from the top two floors of this City landmark. The smaller sky-high rooms are ideal for daytime receptions for up to 60 guests; larger parties can take over the Helix restaurant and sip cocktails at Iris bar. Best of all, there’s no Cinderella-style midnight curfew – the party lasts until 3am. searcysatthegherkin.co.uk
The Marylebone Hotel LONDON
The spaces that make up The Marylebone Rooms at this central London hotel are all top notch, with plenty of natural light and modern artworks. Brides’ pick for a blessing and wedding breakfast is Number Six – it has a bar and terrace – and Courtyard, which has a retractable roof, open fire and greenery-covered glass wall so the weather won’t trouble you a bit. doylecollection.com
Hotel Heureka VENICE, ITALY
This is a real find: a 16th-century palazzo in the lively Cannaregio district that opened as a 10-room boutique bolthole last year, and is available for exclusive use. The look is a cool mix of mid-century modern furnishings with terrazzo marble floors and exposed brick walls. Hop in a water taxi for pictures along the canals, enjoy aperitivo in the garden under the trees and gather round the grand piano in the Music Room. Bellissima! hotel-heureka.com
COMO The Treasury PERTH, AUSTRALIA
The Victorian-era facade of the city’s 19th century State Buildings belies its crisp, modern interiors. After a ceremony on Cathedral Square Lawn, choose between fine dining in Wildflower – the hotel’s destination rooftop restaurant with city views – or Italian bistro The Post, once the franking space for Western Australia’s first General Post Office. comohotels.com
University Arms CAMBRIDGESHIRE
With acclaimed designer Martin Brudnizki in charge of the interiors, this newly refurbished 19th-century coaching inn was always going to be a design win. The Ballroom combines wood-panelled walls, stained-glass windows and a fireplace with red leather chairs. The food, overseen by head chef Tristan Welch, is delicious and the cocktails are named after Cambridge characters and stories. Book the Marlowe suite for its two terraces and the roll-top bath in the turret. universityarms.com
The Hair BELGRAVIA, LONDON
The place for a post-ceremony knees-up in Belgravia. Take over the bar and terrace for a reception with lip-smacking bowl food (meatballs, homemade gnocchi, octopus salad), cocktails under the retractable glass roof and ivy-clad walls that can be interwoven with flowers. Or For something more formal, il Pampero Italian restaurant can be hired for exclusive use. thehari.com
The London Edition FITZROVIA, LONDON
This über-hip hotel now offers nuptials, meaning you can get hitched in the Penthouse Suite or the Basement – an atmospheric former nightclub. An impressive art collection covers every inch of the wall in the Berners Tavern restaurant, which you can hire exclusively. editionhotels.com/london
Aynhoe Park GLOUCESTERSHIRE
From the one-of-a-kind art and taxidermy to the bridal suite designed by Matthew Williamson, this is a terrifically fun Cotswolds pad with a deer park. You’ll definitely want to make a weekend of it! Take your pick of rooms for the ceremony, fire up a BBQ on the lawns and have your first dance in the sculpture-lined Orangery. aynhoepark.co.uk
The Sculpture Gallery at Woburn Abbey BEDFORDSHIRE
Not many couples can say they’ve wed in a stately sculpture gallery, complete with grand oil paintings and marble pillars. Outside, the surroundings are also pretty special, with statues dotted around rose gardens and a tranquil lake. woburnweddings.co.uk
Brunswick House VAUXHALL, LONDON
An unlikely landmark on Vauxhall roundabout, what began solely as a LASSCO salvage yard within a Georgian mansion has evolved into a unique events space and an excellent restaurant with celebrated chef Jackson Boxer at the helm. Book a room or take over the entire building – and think of all the cool curiosities you can use as props in the pictures. lassco.co.uk
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