NEARLYWED NEWS

The UK’s oldest British caterer, in residence at historical venues across the UK including in Oxfordshire, is celebrating its 175th anniversary with the recreation of a royal wedding cake created by its founder, John Searcy, 126 years ago. The caterer has taken a trip back through its archives to the 1896 royal wedding of Princess Maud, then the future Queen of Norway, to Prince Carl of Denmark. The breathtaking multitiered cake was adorned with confectionary and decorated with fine sugar work flowers, roses and angels, along with the Royal Arms of England and Denmark.

In tribute to its founder, Searcys has recreated the same cake, in partnership with baker Elizabeth Solaru of Elizabeth’s Cake Emporium. Working alongside Searcy’s pastry chef, Yvonne Graham, the confectioners spent three weeks completing the cake to reflect its original design. Five tiers of Dundee fruit cake are covered with delicate marzipan and white and gold latticework icing and topped with carefully crafted sugar work of flowers, fruits, cherubs and lions.

The Princess Maud Wedding cake can be made to order for any wedding celebrations booked across its iconic venues. To find out more, visit https://searcys.co.uk

NEWS The latest news from around both counties EDITOR LOVES

The new four-star plus Hotel La Tour has opened its doors in Milton Keynes, combining modern sophistication with timeless elegance following a multimillion-pound development. Home to the county’s highest bar and fine-dining restaurant, Fourteen, there’s also a honeymoon suite situated on the top floor, home to a super king-size bed, luxury bathtub with a TV and a secluded lounge enjoying skyline vistas across Buckinghamshire. There’s a stylish events space located on the first floor that’s licensed for ceremonies and can host between 60 and 200 guests. It’s home to a dancefloor, fully functioning bar and features mood lighting at twilight. Connected to it is a sun-soaked private terrace available for outdoor ceremonies of up to 120 guests set against views stretching across Campbell Park. Alexandra Rumble, Hotel La Tour’s weddings and special events manager will be on hand at every stage of the planning and couples can work alongside executive chef Olivier Bertho to create a bespoke wedding breakfast menu serving seasonal British dishes as well as an evening barbecue or buffet on the terrace. Available to book from £78 per guest, Hotel La Tour’s wedding package includes exclusive use of the events space, private terrace and bar; a reception welcome drink for all guests; a three-course wedding breakfast; half a bottle of wine per person; use of Campbell Park for photography; a dedicated wedding co-ordinator to assist on the day and an overnight stay in the honeymoon suite. Guests are offered preferential rates offered on the Skyview Executive and Skyview Standard rooms on the wedding night. To book, call 01908 732 400 or visit https://hotel-latour.co.ukNearlywed CONGRATULATIONS!

Award-winning J23 Events, who recently won Regional Highly Commended at The Wedding Industry Awards 2022 were also nominated by one of their wedding couples for the Special Touches category. The company turn a great wedding reception into an unforgettable one with their discos, dancefloors, light-up letters and numbers, and photo booths. Covering weddings in Berkshire (and Surrey and Hampshire), their latest wow-factor offering is the dancing on the clouds dry ice that sets the scene for the first dance. To find out more and to book, call 07515 422 360 or visit www.j23events.co.uk It’s a hat-trick for Berkshire-based wedding celebrant Colette Ashby! She was recently awarded the prestigious Wedding Celebrant of the Year 2022 South East England in the LuxeLife Global Wedding Awards, became a winner in the Weddings Inc, Wedding Industry Awards 2022 and was the 2022 Local Round Winner in the International Wedding Awards. Colette tells us “The pandemic hit the wedding industry hard and now as the wedding season is busier than ever, I am thrilled to be recognised by my clients and fellow wedding industry professionals for the job I love doing. Helping couples celebrate their special day is a real privilege and I love getting to know them, creating their bespoke ceremony script and delivering a truly unique ceremony for them. There is always lots of laughter and happy tears!” To book Colette, call 07774 780 072 or visit https://coletteashby.com

HENLEY FESTIVAL LAUNCHES NEW CHARITY INITIATIVE RISE

To coincide with its 40th anniversary, Henley Festival has launched a new charitable initiative called RISE designed to nurture the next generation of talent to take their first steps into the world of performance and creativity, both in front and behind the spotlight. RISE provides opportunities for young musicians, comedians and visual artists to perform or show their work, as well as helping them before and after with marketing and production. This sits alongside a work experience programme to support aspiring talent working behind the scenes, including sound engineers, lighting designers and stage managers. Watch out for RISE performers across the festival week that takes place from 6th to 10th July 2022. To find out more, visit https://henley-festival.co.uk

CROWNE PLAZA HOTELS ANNOUNCE UPDATES

Crowne Plaza Marlow in Buckinghamshire has recently enjoyed a complete refurbishment. The luxurious AA Rosette-awarded hotel and spa is set in five acres of landscaped gardens with a private lake where couples can host a wedding fireworks display.

There’s a choice of elegant and spacious banqueting suites, including the Winterlake Suite, which accommodates up to 460 guests allowing couples to host their celebration in a single location.

The talented chefs have earned an AA Rosette in recognition of their exceptional culinary skills, and are pleased to offer a variety of different options for the wedding breakfast. In addition to traditional British dining, there’s a speciality Indian kitchen on-site for those preferring authentic Indian cuisine.

To find out more and to book, call 01628 496 819 or visit www.cpmarlow.co.uk

Crowne Plaza Reading East is the sister property, a luxurious new 4 Silver Star 2AA Rosette hotel set in landscaped grounds in Berkshire.

Ceremonies and receptions take place in a choice of stylish function suites, including the Buckingham Suite, accommodating up to 220 guests, and the Frogmore Suite, hosting up to 110 loved ones.

The hotel has been awarded 2AA Rosettes for outstanding culinary talent, and provides a selection of wedding breakfast options.

Guests will be able to enjoy the hotel’s exceptional wellness and spa facilities, as well as complimentary secure parking.

To find out more and to book, call 01189 444 231 or visit www.cpreading.co.uk

CELEBRATE WITH PATISSERIE VALERIE’S NEW SIGNATURE COLLECTION

Patisserie Valerie has launched its new luxury Signature Collection of cakes, beautifully iced and exquisitely flavoured, available for nationwide delivery. With seven impressive handmade designs, from modern ombre effect to showstopping two-tier rosette cakes, there’s something for every special occasion.

Each cake within the Signature Collection can be ordered with a vanilla sponge with a strawberry compote filling, or a chocolate sponge with a chocolate cream filling. For a complete celebration in a box, include a free personalised inscription, or add glitter cake toppers, candles or balloons.

The Floral Waterfall Cake, pictured, serves 22-24 people and is priced at £85. A striking design featuring five layers of sponge coated in beautiful shades of lavender and lilac, the Swiss meringue buttercream is decorated with intricate rosettes and sugar pearls cascading down the cake.

The blue (or pink) Ombre Rosette Cake, also pictured, serves 16-20 people and is priced at £75. Two tiers combine in vibrant shades of blue buttercream with delicate hand-piped roses and ombre stripes – perfect for weddings.

To shop, visit www.patisserie-valerie.co.uk/collections/signature-collection