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Make it Special: The Wedding Edition
4 May 2021We love a good celebration at Searcys, and with a proud heritage of over 174 years of catering for parties and weddings, we’ve got all the expertise to make your special day an unforgettable one. Our collection of venues means there’s something for everyone – from stunning stately homes and historic gardens to landmark skyscrapers and unique dining rooms.
Over the past few months, Searcys has been delighted to be curating bespoke weddings for couples once again. Customising every element from menus to music, we’re here to ensure it’s all done in a secure way for our guests. Interesting food and drink themes, from miniature Champagne bottles to toast the happy couple to touch-free menus delivered in stylish boxes, let your personality shine and make your special day your own.
We are now taking enquiries for weddings of all sizes – from intimate wedding parties to larger celebrations for 2021 and 2022.
Searcys is pleased to offer all those who have their wedding in one of our iconic venues by the end of December 2021 a choice of:
A case of Searcys cuvée Brut or Rose Champagne. The Brut white is an elegant and fruity pour, encompassing peach and plum aroma with notes of citrus, while the rosé has notes of red berries and summer fruits.*
OR
A magnificent tiered wedding cake for up to 100 guests, compliments of one of the UK’s best-loved artisan bakers Lily Vanilli. Choose from an elegant two-tiered cake with gold splatters and fresh seasonal flowers, a rich chocolate number, or a classic showstopper.
Searcys participating venues are 10-11 Carlton House Terrace, 30 Euston Square, Searcys at the Gherkin, The HAC, St Pancras Brasserie and Champagne Bar, The Barbican and The View at the Royal College of Surgeons of England (from August 2021).
*Minimum wedding catering spend of £8,000 plus VAT applies. A wedding should be confirmed and take place by the end of December 2021. Participating venues only.
Let Them Eat Cake!
“Queen of Cakes” and one of Britain’s best-loved artisan bakers Lily Vanilli (Lily Jones) has teamed up with Searcys to create a number of show-stopping wedding cakes for our guests this season. Lily is the author of three best-selling recipe books, the co-founder of the industry-leading Young British Foodies Awards, and the founder of the viral fundraising campaign #BakeForSyria. What’s more, she has been dubbed by Stylist as ‘One of the most sought-after artisan bakers of her generation.’
In partnership with Searcys, couples can now commission Lily to create one of her signature cakes - Gold Splatter, Showstopper or Chocolate – or create their own design for the special day. In keeping with Searcys’ ethos, she uses seasonal organic produce, including Guittard artisanal chocolate, delicious fruit from Natoora and flowers from local growers and florists. Lily Vanilli counts celebrities such as Elton John, Madonna, FKA Twigs, Kate Moss, Tilda Swinton, Nigel Slater, and Jamie Oliver among her loyal fans.
Raise A Toast To The Happy Couple!
If you’d rather say it with bubbles, Searcys will treat all guests who confirm before the end of December 2021 to a case of our very own Searcys Cuvée Brut or Rosé Champagne instead. Depending on your preference, we’re delighted to start the party off with a gift of six bottles of our very own Cuvée or Rosé Champagne – expertly developed by Champagne specialists and chef de cave just for us, to ensure a crisp and smooth taste in every sip. After this, we have a wide array of Champagne and English sparkling wine to suit every palate and menu.
Micro Weddings with Searcys
Although not new, micro weddings offer a perfect way to create your big day, where every detail can be tailored to meet any want or need. Our team is here to make your event special and memorable. Whatever the size, Searcys and our venue team are ready to host your special day, with tailored event spaces, bespoke menus focused on the best seasonal and British produce and expertly paired wines and Champagnes to celebrate.
What Makes a Searcys Wedding Memorable?
A Stunning Setting
Parties, receptions and weddings. Smaller numbers can be accommodated in Searcys private dining rooms across London.
Peace of Mind
We are here to support you during these uncertain times. Our team of event planners will provide you with expert advice on venue choice and guide you through the wedding preparations from start to finish. While venue show rounds may not be possible at the moment, we are happy to arrange individual virtual tours of our beautiful spaces.
Heritage
Did you know that Searcys has been hosting wedding celebrations for over 170 years? Established in 1847 by the Victorian entrepreneur and the Duke of Northumberland’s confectioner John Searcy, our company has been at the heart of this most special of occasions since Victorian times.
Delicious Food
Our in-house chefs have created – and tested – a variety of menus, including a ‘touch-free’ bento box offer and a traditional wedding breakfast. Let your personality shine and co-create your menu theme and presentation with us, accompanied by plenty of sparkling choices including the most popular Searcys Cuvee, English sparkling, and Grandes Marques. Some brands are available in miniature bottles.
Book with Confidence
If you need to postpone your wedding due to COVID-19 restrictions, our team will be on hand to find an alternative suitable date for your special day, and we will transfer your deposit to your new date. If your wedding is cancelled due to COVID-19 7 days before the event or less, we will do our best to move it to a new date within the next 12 months or provide a refund.
Wedding Highlights: Top Venues To Explore This Year
With over 15 stunning venues and events spaces across the British Isles, Searcys locations range from the elegant Georgian Pump Room in Bath to the spectacular City of London views on top of the Gherkin and everything in between. Searcys exclusive events team has seen a surge in wedding enquires in recent months, and has rounded up some of our most popular venues below. Here, the team work closely with each couple to create a unique proposal for their special occasion, crafting the packages in one of its beautiful venues.
Check out the tradition of the Honourable Artillery Company (The HAC) in the City, the exquisite décor of Carlton House Terrace in Pall Mall, and the iconic arches of St Pancras Station, and see what’s for you.
The Honourable Artillery Company: the HAC is a five-acre estate in the heart of London, a rare historic building established by Henry VIII with acres of private lawns and four different wedding rooms.
10-11 Carlton House Terrace: This venue on Pall Mall is home to The British Academy, a spectacular Grade I listed Georgian townhouse located in the heart of Westminster that has ten unique rooms for private hire.
The Gherkin: Modern and iconic, the city skyscraper offers five private dining rooms on Level 38 with incredible London views for contemporary weddings.
St Pancras Brasserie: The art-deco brasserie and Champagne bar in St Pancras’ iconic concourse has private dining rooms for small occasions, and the longest Champagne bar in Europe, located under the grand Victorian arches, for larger wedding parties up to 400.
Vintners’ Hall: a truly historic livery hall in the heart of the City of London, Vintners Hall has a stunning will seat 120 seated wedding guests. Wood-panelled banqueting halls and rooftop gardens offer spaces for all sorts of weddings .
30 Euston Square: The Princes Gate Heritage Room at 30 Euston Square offers the ideal setting for smaller, more intimate ceremonies and is licensed for weddings and civil partnerships for up to 50 guests.
Recently refurbished, Princes Gate offers the best in British hospitality with locally sourced catering, exquisite personalised service and a beautifully historic and grand room featuring original oak panelling and fireplace.
The high-class first-floor private lounge is great for receptions after the ceremony with beautiful furniture to match. Located just outside of Princes Gate, it is the perfect place for your family and friends to mingle and celebrate your special day.
The Barbican: One of London’s most iconic buildings in the heart of the City, the Barbican is an incredible backdrop for your wedding. Its Conservatory is a botanical oasis famous for its cascading plants, a high glass roof and tranquil fish pools. Licensed to host wedding and civil partnership ceremonies, it is a magical space in which to entertain your friends and family.
Blenheim Palace: a UNESCO heritage site and the birthplace of Winston Churchill, this magnificent 18th Century palace is set within 2,000 acres of countryside and is one of the finest examples of baroque architecture.
EXPLORE SEARCYS EVENT VENUES →
A Q&A with Searcys Wedding Planner Amy Hyde
What is trending in wedding menus?
With a proud heritage in event hospitality dating back to 1847, for us at Searcys, the ongoing focus is modern yet signature British dishes, which take the focus. There has been more of a drive towards quality and sustainably sourced produce; there is no going wrong when you’re using the best ingredients for fresh, simple dishes, presented beautifully. Our menus also offer a great range of choice and can be catered easily to dietary requirements. Some of our perennial favourites include our own Smoked Salmon and seasonal highlights like Crab with candied fennel and apple. As weddings boom this year, we are also seeing more requests for specific cuisines such as Caribbean and Japanese.
Unusual food trends for 2021
In light of the past year, catering is steering away from buffets for now and moving towards seated and plated food for a reception for the foreseeable future. Touch-free catering has become a trend for weddings and events – for example, ‘bento’ boxes from individual cuisines. Searcys has been implementing touch-free catering for meetings and small events over the past year and will continue to do so as a catering option moving forward.
This year also sees growth in outdoor dining on terraces and rooftops. There is a surprising amount of green spaces in the heart of London and plenty of venues that offer outdoor catering. With lots of uncertainty on numbers and sizes, outdoor wedding receptions can be a great solution (fingers crossed for good weather this summer!), and gardens can be easily adapted to fit any theme or party requirement. Searcys caters at The HAC, for example, which has 5 acres of gardens and terraces for couples to enjoy and can be adapted to match any theme – from bean bags and deck chairs to outdoor marquees and BBQs, and at 30 Euston Square.
Plant-based menus:
Plant-based menus are booming! As with restaurants, there is a bigger appetite for meat-free dishes and catering, allowing companies such as Searcys to become more inventive in their menus to deliver the same quality and tasty food to match any taste or dietary requirement. We have also noticed a desire for healthier menus, with couples wanting to make conscious swaps in menu items for lighter and healthier alternatives.
Advice for couples having intimate weddings – how should they choose their wedding breakfast?
There is something beautiful and intimate about a micro wedding, and it offers each couple the chance to plan every detail and share their special day with their loved ones. With fewer guests, there is less stress and pressure on the wedding couple to keep everyone happy, which allows them to personalise their meal on a granular level and actually really enjoy their special day. Don’t forget about your virtual friends too; Searcys venues all offer AV to get everyone to join the toast to the happy couple.
Will couples still go for canapés, starters, main course and dessert?
Couples still tend to go for tradition, though dessert can be an excellent opportunity to play around. Dessert tables or food stations for the end of the meal get people socialising and interacting, which is something we think will continue once restrictions allow.
Do you think things will be more formal or more laid-back as we move forward?
Weddings will become more bespoke – there is a lot of demand and many couples whose plans have been on hold for a long time, so they know exactly what they are looking for. From our side, this will include a wider variety of options on menus – from dietary to cuisines and styles (touch-free, sit-down meal), as well as flexible event spaces which can adapt to various party sizes.
Also, we predict a desire for more experience-led venues and packages for a unique day. This can range from themed weddings or inventive venue options, such as a wedding in the sky at Searcys at The Gherkin, to statement features, for example, Champagne poured from magnums or a Champagne Fountain for that shareable moment.