Weddings and Honeymoons
Your Wedding Day Planning and Honeymoon Excitement Starts Here!
+44 (0) 20 3720 6320

Weddings Without Compromise at RSA House

Weddings & Honeymoons Media joined industry professionals at RSA House London to celebrate the launch of their new sustainability package.

Weddings & Honeymoons Media were delighted to attend the launch of RSA House London's new sustainability package, aimed at the modern-day couple who care about creating a wedding without compromise. At the Georgian townhouse wedding venue in central London, wedding industry professionals gathered to mark this forward-thinking initiative and partake in an open panel discussion about how we can work together to make the wedding industry greener and kinder to the planet.

alexdimos.com_RSA House London

The Benjamin Franklin Room, an elegant ground floor space that holds up to 100 for licensed wedding ceremonies, 80 for a seated dinner and 150 for a standing drinks reception. Image by Alex Dimos Photography

The afternoon commenced with a drinks reception in the Benjamin Franklin Room, a light and airy event space overlooking the Strand with two picturesque fireplaces and a dazzling contemporary chandelier. The room was elevated with chic poseur tables, velvet chairs and a gold round bar at the centre, all provided by Velvet Living. As a carbon-neutral furniture hire company, the team works hard to offset every element of their supply chain to create showstopping events that leave no trace other than the memories that live on in the minds of their guests.

alexdimos.com_RSA House London

The sounds of live jazz by Black Tie Jazz from Blank Canvas in the Benjamin Franklin Room. Image by Alex Dimos Photography

On top of the bar were pails of trailing florals by Hayford & Rhodes, featuring bespoke seasonal blooms that added height, texture and visual interest to the venue. The creative team behind this heritage London-based florist are also proud to use as little waste as possible, by creating natural, whimsical installations using eco-friendly methods and minimising the use of single-use floral foam wherever possible.

alexdimos.com_RSA House London

Local sparkling labels from Ellis Wines for the drinks reception. Image by Alex Dimos Photography

Ellis Wines provided sustainably sourced sparkling wines at the reception with a local Surrey Hills Cuvée NV from the Albury Wine Estate, which is one of 12 producers to be certified by the Sustainable Wines of Great Britain. The crisp bubbles were testament to the fantastic quality of wine producers and vineyards in the UK. Opting for a local tipple to welcome guests at any wedding reception would be a great way for couples to cut down on air miles while toasting to a happy future ahead.

alexdimos.com_RSA House London

The Great Room, a striking upper floor space for large celebrations, accommodating 150 for licensed wedding ceremonies, 120 for a seated banquet and 200 for a standing drinks reception. The beautiful linens and tableware presented here are from Well Dressed Tables. Image by Alex Dimos Photography

We ascended the historic mosaic staircase at RSA House to the Great Room, a grand event space with a mesmerising wraparound 18th-century painting that took artist, James Barry, 23 years to complete. Throughout time, it’s been used to present awards for the world’s legendary inventors, and Alexander Bell himself demonstrated one of the very first telephone demonstrations here in 1877. The stunning eco-friendly signage and placenames by Laura Likes guided us to our seats, where each menu was printed on 100% tree-free paper embedded with bee-friendly flower seeds that grow into a bouquet of wildflowers when planted. What a fitting touch to help wedding guests look back on the fond memories of your special day!

RSA House London

A delectable plant-based lunch served by Company of Cooks. Image by Alex Dimos Photography

After a warm welcome from RSA House’s Wedding Coordinator, Amanda Azarian, and Darren Archer, Head Chef from the award-winning Company of Cooks, we were served a plant-based menu comprised of a Roast Isle of Wight Tomato and Fennel tart with summer herbs and tomato puree, horseradish and crispy capers. The delicious, sustainably sourced meal was created in the RSA House Kitchens, which also run on 100% green energy.

alexdimos.com_RSA House London

Sustainability panel discussion in the Great Room. Image by Alex Dimos Photography

As the meal came to an end, we had the pleasure of joining an insightful open panel discussion on how beautiful weddings can come to life without compromising the planet. Among the experts were Clare Clark (Head of Sustainability at CH&CO), Michelle Miles (Founder of The Sustainable Wedding Alliance), Simon Powys Maurice (Business Development Manager at Ellis Wines) and Zeleka Nadine Hall (Planner at The Wedding Day Coordinators)

Collectively, the panel discussed how businesses and couples can work together to make ripples in the industry and drive a tsunami of change. From a wedding business perspective, it’s important to evaluate all areas of the supply chain, find ways to reduce or offset emissions, and to be mindful of your digital footprint too. As for couples, it’s all about making conscious decisions at every step of the planning, from controlling orders to reduce waste, to introducing biodegradable or multi-purpose decorations, and incorporating plant-based food and local wines into your menu. The main goal is progress, not perfection, as every sustainable swap makes an impact.

alexdimos.com_RSA House London

A theatrical live dessert station by Company of Cooks in the Vaults at RSA House. Image by Alex Dimos Photography

To conclude the occasion, we descended into the subterranean Vaults at RSA House, where Velvet Living lounge furniture, neon signs by Marvellous Glow, tropical jungle foliage and DJ Lindy Layton created a vibrant atmosphere. Cocktails by Edmunds were paired with a showstopping dessert station that was conjured before our eyes by the talented team at Company of Cooks. The smorgasbord of meringue, Yorkshire rhubarb and blood orange revealed a springtime twist on the classic Eton Mess...a sweet finish to a spectacular sustainable celebration.

As a registered charity, every wedding booked at The Royal Society of Arts gives back to creating a greener and brighter future for generations to come. To enquire about hosting a sustainable wedding at RSA House, visit thersa.org/rsa-house. 

 

Share this article

   

Register or Login to post a comment.

Subscribe to our newsletter

For the latest news, magazine releases, trends, inspiration, wedding planning tips and exciting launches delivered straight to your inbox!

Leave this empty:

Love W&H xoxo

It's Here'