Feature Image by Andrew Billington Photography.
RSA was one of my first venue loves; it’s a location that’s been on these pages since the very beginning and therefore it’s rather close to my heart.
So when the opportunity arose to visit this special townhouse once again, I of course jumped at the chance! Plus, ya know there was scrummy food and cocktails promised!
Here’s what we got up to at #RSALunchLessOrdinary…
The Report
Coco:
It always feels pretty special wandering the streets around Covent Garden and when you stumble across John Adam Street you’re presented with the wondrous RSA House – a beautiful Georgian House designed by Robert Adam in the early 1770’s. Considered the home of enlightened thinking, the building has been the intellectual and social home for some of the greatest thinkers and social activists for the past 200 years.
But, this traditional townhouse facade, albeit beautiful, actually doesn’t necessarily tell the tale of what’s inside. A grand central staircase and a warren of corridors take you through to many event spaces that all feel quite different – from blank canvas spaces with period features, high-drama splendour to the bare-brick vaults below.
When we arrived, I had Katrina in tow (our Resident Wedding Planner), we were ushered into The Benjamin Franklin Room where delicious cocktails were being served. In the corner a jazz band was playing softly and around me guests (planners, creators and fellow bloggers) were nibbling deliciously intricate canapés.
Pretty nice stuff for a Thursday afternoon!
After saying hello to lots of lovelies we made our way upstairs to The Great Room. When I walked through the beautiful dark double doors I think I may have gasped. Not only are you confronted by the sheer beauty of this room (think is the high-drama bit folks!) but the space had been beautifully styled with a long banquet table and canopy of spring flowers, all lit by candlelight.
We took our seats; I was sat next to the one and only Mary Jane Vaughan (mastermind behind the floral creations in front of us) and Nikki, the face of RSA Weddings!
Harbour & Jones, the in-house Caterers for RSA House had created a truly wonderful lunch for us, I’ve popped the menu below – I would say to inspire but mostly to make you jealous. Oh and the dessert…? Certainly a showstopper! Can you imagine wowing your guests with THIS…?
The Menu
Starter
Gin & tonic cured organic sea trout, heritage beetroots, Seville orange, fennel
Overgrown garden pickles, whipped English feta, flax seed cracker
Main
Roast hogget, breast pie, laver bread, cockles, Jerusalem artichoke, tarragon
Wild mushroom, iron bark pumpkin quinoa risotto, lemon, smoked garlic, parsley
Dessert
Yorkshire rhubarb & Blood orange live dessert table (orange & star anise dry ice)
Hiring RSA House
The House provides a unique setting for your special day, offering Georgian grandeur, contemporary style and surprising spaces under one roof. A short walk from the River Thames, Covent Garden and Trafalgar Square, it is an unrivalled location in the heart of London.
The House is licensed to hold civil ceremonies, with a wide range of rooms available from intimate gatherings to ceremonies for up to 150 guests. From the grandeur and impact of The Great Room to the unexpected delights of the candle lit Vaults, this venue provides a truly welcoming atmosphere for your guests.
The lovely Nikki and her team offer personalised packages to hire the full House, the newly refurbished John Adam Street entrance, or the Vaults (the converted Georgian wine cellars). Couples looking for a unique venue, garden reception and traditional features in an iconic location can find it all here at the RSA House.
To contact the team directly please call 020 7451 6809 or drop them a note on weddings@rsa.org.uk.
Thank you so very much to Nikki, RSA House and Harbour & Jones for a truly yummy afternoon and Andrew Billington Photography & Paul Rogers Photography for their images.
Lots of love…
