Located in the most charming corner of London, Portman Marylebone has an eclectic array of independent shops, designer boutiques, beauty salons and fine eateries making it an idyllic location for wedding preparation.
Fran Newman-Young, Contributing Editor of The Wedding Edition, shares her tips on the ultimate day out in Portman Marylebone.
Taliare
Made-to-measure or bespoke wedding suits are sometimes considered a luxury available only to those with a less restricted budget, but Taliare challenges this old-school attitude to tailoring. Founder Erlend Norby and his team have made the experience more accessible with pricing that suits most pockets, without compromising on quality.
The store itself sits proudly on Seymour Place. With its petrol blue walls, herringbone floors and large leather Chesterfield sofas, the interior very much emulates the brand’s ethos. Taliare combines modern flair with the finest traditions: Savile Row standards, minus the stuffiness.
On arrival, we’re warmly greeted by the sharply dressed Erlend and his equally dapper miniature schnauzer, Kingsley. We discuss the options of designing a three-piece suit and all the particulars. Erlend’s expertise is invaluable. He knows everything there is to know about fabrics, cuts and styling down to the very last detail. He advised which materials are better suited to warmer climates, which cut works best on certain shapes and which styles suit certain aesthetics. And, despite the options being almost endless, we didn’t feel out of our depth.
Whether it’s made-to-order shoes, shirts or a fabulously fitted suit for the bride or groom, from the moment you arrive at Taliare, you’re made to feel at home. A well-tailored suit is a fabulous investment and one that can be re-worn for other special occasions.
Made-to-measure suits from £1,150, bespoke suits from £3,500 and shoes from £300. 2 Seymour Place, London W1H 7NA taliare.com
Cox & Power
This artisan jewellery boutique is located in the heart of Marylebone, on ultra-chic Chiltern Street. Cox & Power launched its first Platinum Collection in the late eighties, and quickly gained recognition for its unique, contemporary designs and sustainable ethos. This is the perfect place to design your bespoke wedding bands, and the integrated shop and workshop space allows you to observe the craftsmanship in action. If you’re looking for something sentimental, you could even upcycle your heirlooms and recreate a piece with precious metal and stones.
As well as commissioned pieces, Cox & Power has a magnificent collection of ready-to-wear jewellery. All handmade. All marvellously modern. There are some exceptional bridal accessory options, including a ‘Something Blue’ edit featuring some exquisite blue tourmaline ‘Berry’ drop gold earrings with briolette diamond accents. In addition to using Fairtrade metals, Cox & Power specialises in unusual diamonds and precious coloured gemstones. It’s even created the world’s first Fairtrade and Fairmined Platinum, ideal for eco-conscious couples.
Wedding bands start from £525. 10-12 Chiltern St, London W1U 7PX coxandpower.com
John Boyd Hats
John Boyd Hats is something of an institution. And with a millinery career that spanned 75 years, the late John Boyd himself is something of a legend. His rich and famous clientele included many members of the royal family; Princess Anne, Princess Diana and – more recently – the Duchess of Cambridge. Boyd’s hats were often big and bold, but his main principle was that the wearer should wear the hat and not the other way around. As he often said, ‘The face dictates the hat.’
After working with John Boyd for more than 14 years, Sarah Marshall was given the business and is both owner and creative director. The showroom is breath-taking. Adorned with a variety of hats and unique accessories, it has something to suit even the most particular tastes. I thought a certain white pillbox hat would look particularly chic paired with a shift dress for the registry part of my wedding. (I could spend hours trying on the hats – which range from minimal and elegant to bold and fabulously brazen). What’s more, Sarah is interested in sustainability and many of the hats are made with vintage materials. It’s about time hats made a comeback to weddings, so I look forward to returning when wedding season recommences. And perhaps for my next Ascot outing, too.
John Boyd Hats range from £200-800. 16A New Quebec St, London W1H 7RU. Johnboydhats.co.uk
Mathew Alexander Hairdressing & Make Up
Choosing the right hair and make-up artist for your wedding day might seem daunting, but you can rest assured you’re in safe hands with Mathew Alexander. He’s worked with some very famous faces and on a host of red-carpet events.
Mathew’s salon is a heavenly oasis, a tranquil space with elegant details and an impressive collection of plants. After a friendly reception from Mathew and his team, it was only a short time until I learned that Mathew is very passionate about animals, sustainability and giving back. He uses sustainable, organic luxury products and a portion of every fee is donated to charity, with the cause rotated throughout the year. So looking beautiful on your wedding day can be blissfully beneficial too.
Make-up services start from £170 for weddings and special occasions. Hair is from £75–£368 for a blow dry or colour.21 New Quebec St, London W1H 7SA mathewalexander.co.uk
Trishna
Trishna is the spectacular Michelin-starred sister restaurant of Gymkhana. The interior is smart and spacious with pale blue reclaimed timber panelling and solid oak dining tables with beautiful brass pendant lights. There’s also a decadent wood-panelled private dining room next to the wine cellar that’s worth considering if you’re planning a dinner event for up to 12 guests. The menu is a celebration of the coastal cuisines of southwest India. It’s perfect for seafood lovers, and there are also superb meat options and an incredible selection of vegan and vegetarian options, too.
A special mention for the service here. No glass will be left near empty and, if you’re unsure of what to try, you can leave it in the hands of the staff who are not only keen to help you order, but have expert knowledge on all aspects of the menu.
The reasonably priced tasting menu comes highly recommended and is wonderful for those with healthy appetites. Smoky Shahi Salmon Tikka is cooked to perfection, and the Dorset Brown Crab is nothing short of sublime. You’ll also find delicious Chemmeen Manga Curry with large, juicy Vannamei prawns in a rich coconut and green mango curry sauce which deserves to be mopped up with one of the signature Duck Keema Naans. Heaven. Make sure you save room for the Chocolate Chikki, a luxurious chocolate mousse served with a scoop of cardamom ice cream.
Trishna’s Tasting Menu is priced at £90 and the Vegan Tasting Menu is £75. 15-17 Blandford St, London W1U 3DG trishnalondon.com
Related Article: Why Marylebone Is A One-Stop-Shop For Weddings