Is Bulgari Hotel London The Wedding Venue For You? -

Why book?

For laidback luxury, the most elegant modern architecture and all the cachet of the Bulgari brand in the heart of Knightsbridge.

Venue style:

The old adage, ‘money talks, wealth whispers’ is the very essence of the Bulgari Hotel. This is a wedding venue for those who appreciate subtleties and signature style, and who don’t want their magical night to end…

Set the scene:

A minute’s walk from Harrods, Bulgari Hotel London presents a discreet façade – only the gilded lettering above the entrance gives a subtle hint to the glamour inside. All the fanfare of Knightsbridge dies down as you enter the calm and generous reception space, and stroll through to the adjoining Bulgari Lounge. Styled like an opulent Italian living room – all plush sofas and tan leather chairs – its menu of Italian classics is curated by Executive Chef Adriano Cavagnini while resident pastry chef and chocolatier Gianluca Fusto contributes to luxe afternoon teas. Winter wedding? A warm fireplace blazes in cooler months next to an L-shaped sofa that’s perfect for spreading out on with your morning coffee. As for the main body of the hotel, we all know that London can feel a little congested at times, but one distinguishing feature of the Bulgari is the generosity of space throughout. Even the smallest rooms are said to be the largest in London; the 2,000 metre spa (crafted from oak, onyx and Vicenza stone) is spread out over two floors, and, for the carefully curated 85 rooms and suites, there is an abundance of areas to explore at leisure. Wander through to Italian restaurant Sette by Scarpetta, follow your nose to the Cigar Lounge (which specialises in rare Havanas), imbibe crafted cocktails at New-York style speakeasy Nolita Social (available for exclusive hire, should you wish), enjoy the spa itself, the 25-metre pool and vitality pool with gold-leaf tiles, plus the Workshop gymnasium and the private cinema.

Event space:

With its Knightsbridge location and world-renowned heritage, Bulgari Hotel London bathes any wedding event here with prestige – whether that’s your ceremony, dining event or uber-chic party. The stunning Ballroom occupies an entire floor of the hotel and features two spectacular handcrafted chandeliers in solid silver, designed and made exclusively for Bulgari by Padgham and Putland silversmiths. Cutting-edge lighting and audio technology (we’d expect nothing less from this ultra-modern hotel) lets you create a sleek and cosmopolitan ambience for your jet-setting international guests. Should you wish to make your vows in the Ballroom, it’s licenced for wedding ceremonies and seats up to 140 guests for lunch and dinner, and up to 280 guests for a reception.

The private dining rooms are suave and intimate spaces that make the perfect setting for small and select dinner parties or festive celebrations. So you could arrange a wonderful rehearsal dinner for family and friends the night before, and then see the space transformed for your wedding day feast.

As a pre- or post-wedding mini-event, you could also hire the private cinema. The 47-seat private screening room has a curated library of over 300 new and classic films and cinema-quality HD sound and vision. Why not invite overseas friends for speakeasy cocktails and cinema the day after the wedding?

Food and drink:

The Bulgari Hotel is home to Sette by Scarpetta, the first London location of New York’s Scarpetta Restaurants. This modern dining experience delivers authentic Italian food via the heart of Manhattan for its own inimitable flair. With a focus on seasonal and local ingredients, the kitchen makes fresh breads and homemade pastas every day. We recommend you try the infamous Spaghetti al Pomodoro (we don’t recommend you try sharing a string Lady and the Tramp-style in a white wedding gown), followed by the Espresso Budino, luscious hazelnut gelato topped with a chocolate biscotto and salted caramel. You’ll also find luxury touches like Lobster Benedict – poached eggs, lobster, English muffin and hollandaise sauce – and tins of imperial caviar on the menu for breakfast next day.

The restaurant itself combines natural and industrial materials, paired together in chic, modern simplicity – think glass, steel, leather and matte woods. It makes a fitting backdrop for any Bulgari jewellery you happen to have been gifted.

Downstairs, you’ll find underground bar Nolita Social – it brings the energy of the New York night to London with a mix of crafted cocktails, live music, and DJ’s playing an eclectic mix of 60’s rock, 70’s soul and 90’s hip hop that’s ideal for a wedding vibe. Fun cocktails include Mo’ Jitos, Mo’ Problems (Belvedere vodka, passion fruit, mint and citruses) and Champagne Supernova with No.3 gin, Champagne and Aperol.

Stop by The Bulgari Lounge for all-day dining and a comforting atmosphere. Afternoon Tea is also a showstopper here with its Italian ingredients reconfiguring the British classic by way of rich tortes and signature, handcrafted chocolate gems.

Photo credit: Rebecca Searle Photography

Accommodation:

The seven Bulgari Suites are both stunning and spacious – you and your beloved can easily waltz around the largest option at 221 square metres – and even the ‘smallest’ suite encompasses 170 metres. In central London, that is truly unheard of. These secluded suites are perfect for an intimate getaway from the buzz of the city, and feel more like an opulent residential apartment than a hotel. Even with all the excitement of the wedding, the king-size beds and pillow menu that lets you pick the perfect one for sweet dreams make a good night’s sleep a breeze. And the design detail here is peerless. Headboards are decorated using a motif taken from a brooch made by Sotirio Bulgari in the 19^th century, while the kitchen features unique Bulgari silver. Contemporary furnishings are minimal yet plush, and the mini bar hidden within a sumptuous leather-covered travel trunk (crafted exclusively for the hotel) is a delight.

The story:

Situated in the heart of Knightsbridge, central London’s most prestigious area, the Bulgari Hotel London opened in May 2012. It pays tribute to Bulgari’s silversmith origins with an elegant design concept, silver being the underlying theme. The refined interiors are designed by Antonio Citterio and Patricia Viel, and combine Bulgari’s glamour and heritage with sustainable design features for truly modern luxury. The elegant haven offers a rare sense of calm in the capital, underpinned by first-class service and enviable facilities.

Spa:

The 2,000 metre-square Bulgari Hotel Spa is among the largest in central London, and was legendary from the outset. Its 25-metre swimming pool, lined with mosaic tiles in green and gold, makes a morning dip a luxurious treat, while the vitality pool is tiled completely with gold leaf mosaic for the ultimate indulgence. There are 12 treatment rooms here, including a special double suite with steam shower and private relaxation room that’s ideal for a couple’s massage. If wedding stress has had an impact, the focus here is holistic and on overall wellness. So you’ll be back to harmony in no time with treatments like the Cleanse and Clarify Body Ritual – specifically designed to provide the best emotional and physical therapeutic benefits via a deeply detoxifying exfoliation, clay wrap and massage. If you’re looking for beauty, the Spa hosts pop-ups with global wellness and beauty experts – think facialists to the A-list and international nail artists, alongside Neville Hair and Beauty (in-room appointments are available). There’s also a Gentlemen’s Grooming experience offering everything from barbering to body treatments.

Eco-friendly:

If you’re aiming to create a more sustainable wedding, you’ll be pleased to know that Bulgari Hotel London is committed to being environmentally friendly and ethical. The first new luxury hotel-build in the city of London for 40 years, its structure was designed to blend seamlessly with the local environment, replacing a rundown building and breathing life back into the location. The building was developed according to sustainable design practices and is one of the first buildings in the UK to use geothermal heat pumps, which saves carbon.

The hotel recycles paper, plastic, glass and cardboard, all of which are collected daily. It also recycles all kitchen oils, which are then purified for use as biofuel. Rainwater is diverted through the building from the roof as ‘grey water’ – this is then recycled into the hotel system and used for public-area WCs. The roof is also an ecologically designed ‘green roof’ and has support boxes for bats, birds and Peregrine falcons. Plus, it will loan guests bicycles if you fancy a ride around Hyde Park.