In the past few months, I’ve been tossed into the whirlwind world that is wedding planning.
It’s not something I will bore you with here on a regular basis, but it seriously is a whole different universe and has opened up bits of London I’ve never seen. So I’ll share some of those bits occasionally.
Part of this planning involves going to check out potential venues, so I convinced Dimple to join me for a wedding open day at the Kensington Roof Gardens over the weekend.
Mainly because I heard they have resident flamingos.
For the open day, the venue is set up as if a wedding were about to happen.
I hadn’t been to the Roof Gardens before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect when we walked in to the building tucked away on a side street off of Kensington High Street.
A receptionist pointed us to a lift in the corner and said to head up to the 6th floor.
We were greeted by friendly members of staff who offered us a seat and a glass of champagne while we waited to be taken around on a little tour.
Everything was decked out in purple – the table clothes, the flowers, the glowing lights around the bar.
A piano sat in the corner waiting for a pianist to come along.
We walked in to the main area where the ceremony is meant to take place, a separate table placed to the side where official documents are signed. A white carpet with rose petals was rolled down the middle.
The chairs were covered in white stretch material and tied with organza bows. Purple, of course.
We saw the “moo room” with its cow-print seats and froofy dress where the bride gets ready. Apparently it which can be used at some point during the event to contain naughty children or escape from the madness for a secret glass of champagne.
Besides the flamingos, the gardens outside were the best part.
We stepped outside into the Spanish garden which was lush and colourful.
There was a bar in the middle, a place to hang out under a structure with pretty archways along the side and water flowing along the other.
Tiles lined the walkway.
I could hang out here with a good book and a cup of tea any day.
It was peaceful and relaxing, although I guess once you fill it with 200 people, it’s probably not!
At the end of the garden was a Moroccan room.
Another place I could spend a few hours with a good book and a cup of tea.
Richard Branson owns the Roof Gardens.
He also owns property in Morocco (as well as probably most other places in the world) and much of the decor in this room came from there.
It’s colourful, cosy, has lanterns and looks back out onto the garden.
There were plenty of cushions and tea lights for atmosphere.
Next we walked back the way we came.
We headed through a long arched pathway where you can have your confetti thrown at you.
That led us to the area where tables are set up under a tent, a cake in the middle, heat lamps in case it’s cold.
We saw a million and one options for table runners and chair covers.
There’s a bar there as well, and an old water pump.
Around the corner is where the fabulous four flamingos live in a little pond.
Next to them, there’s a red wooden bridge and a Japanese maple tree.
This splits the flamingos from the ducks, which hang out on the other side.
There’s a play area there with huge garden chess, jenga and connect four.
After that it was back indoors to look at picture books, ask questions, eat canapés and have a cup of tea.
Little London Observationist 