With its Dickensian black doors, Georgian good looks and artisanal rhythms, leafy Marylebone evokes scenes of old London. But while its roots feel deep, its history strong, the neighbourhood lacks the pomp or pretensions of more central stretches, making it a fresh and friendly warren for brides to hunt for treasure. It truly is a one-stop shop, from hand-made hats and organic-first beauty dens to bridal couture and jewellers, where rings are still crafted in workshops behind the counter. So with men and women’s style as well as beauty wedding finds in mind, three editors from The Wedding Edition give their insider tips for, not only brides-to-be, but the whole wedding party on where to shop in Portman Marylebone.
On bridal and women’s fashion: Rosalyn Wikeley, Travel Editor-At-Large
Marylebone’s potent mix of heritage brands and forward-thinking independents make it a refreshingly varied neighbourhood for the whole bridal party to shop in. Boutiques can offer the personal touch that larger bridal stores may lack. What’s more, they often have their atelier and workshops integrated into the space, giving brides, their mothers, their friends and family a privileged window into the craftsmanship behind their chosen pieces, and bespoke tweaks galore.
Bridal Rogue Gallery
This is a stellar example of a one-stop-shop for brides: a treasure trove of wedding gowns, veils, jewellery, shoes, and everything in between. The 25-year old gallery is unique in appealing to a wide variety of tastes, from Vera Wang to La Sposa Di Gio, embellished maximalism to pared down minimalism. Gowns range from £1,000 to £4,000 and their bespoke tailoring service is one of the best in the business. From the deco-style print on the heritage shop front to the friendly team inside, this Marylebone wedding gem is completely charming and deserves a visit from brides-to-be.
20-22 Chiltern St, London W1U 7QD
Cox & Power
If the idea of watching your engagement ring being made by artisans in a Marylebone jewellers’s workshop is appealing, head to Cox and Power. Mixing fresh, sustainable designs with craftsmanship almost as old as the city itself, this is where to go for showstopping (and seriously bespoke) engagement rings with unusual diamonds and vibrant coloured gemstones. The jeweller even created the world’s first Fairtrade and Fairmined Platinum – the ultimate engagement ring for the ethically-minded bride. As well commissions, Cox and Power also has its own collection of designs – from Elizabethan deco ruby rings to an architectural-style taper rings – which can be bought as they are. The ready-to-wear collection is teeming with beautiful bridal accessory options, all handmade and all refreshingly contemporary.
10-12 Chiltern St, London W1U 7PX
John Boyd Hats
This is British millinery at its finest. John Boys Hats is where to go for Royal Ascot and bridal wear, for impeccably crafted elaborate (or often exquisitely simple) hats that never fail to make an outfit pop. Sarah Marshall now heads up the team here, passing on skills and knowledge learned from the late John Boyd himself. Insiders know that the New Quebec Street atelier is also a safe bet for mothers-of-the-bride – for that sophisticated hat that communicates perfectly with a dress or a suit and all the various accessories. John Boyd Hats’ bespoke service for brides, ensuring headpieces and veils fit seamlessly with the dress, is also a good ‘extra’ to know about – better to trust the experts than a bridesmaid on this one.
16A New Quebec St, London W1H 7RU
Suzannah London
Inspired by Parisian and American vintage couture, Suzannah London is an occasion wear favourite with royals and celebrities. It is also a Marylebone magnet for understated brides looking for a less-is-more outfit for intimate ceremonies, where the tailoring does the talking and bespoke adaptations or tweaks are the team’s bread and butter. Over the years, I’ve learned that this is also a goldmine for wedding guests and mothers-of-the-bride, particularly if timeless, quality designs are preferred to more zeitgeisty, trendy looks. And it’s a fool-proof investment, with proven event mileage when cleverly accessorised. The fresh-modern-take-on-classic sartorial brief is duly reflected in the character of the store – clearly a smart spot but refreshingly accessible and friendly.
3 New Quebec St, London W1H 7RE
On men’s style: Lee Osborne, Contributing Men’s Style Editor
While the bride-to-be’s dreams are already fully catered, Marylebone’s Chiltern Street has equally developed into one of the most stylish menswear hubs in the Capital, its distinctive red brick Victorian gothic facades house a goldmine of sartorial treasure.
Velasca
The brand may be called Velasca Milano but its heart lies in Italy’s shoemaking epicentre, the Adriatic Coast-facing region of Le Marche, specifically the hilltop town of Montegranaro. Launched initially as an ecommerce business in 2012 with the aim of delivering handmade shoes directly to the consumer, bypassing the middleman to reduce costs, the company has since opened bottegas throughout Italy which means you avoid the pitfalls of online sizing and nail the fit spot on in-store. Their first venture onto London’s hallowed sartorial playground sees a floorspace fringed by bowling paraphernalia: shoes ranging from Oxfords and Derbies to Loafers and Chelsea Boots, are smartly curated around faded tenpins and bowling ball props – a throwback to 1960s England. The brand relies exclusively on the very finest French calf leather, from the natural suppleness of full grain through to suede and nubuck. The devil is always in the detail of course, and while I like a leather sole as much as the next man, I wholeheartedly endorse a rubber Vibram version to prevent any embarrassing slip-ups from the groom while walking down the oft-slippery aisle.
5 Chiltern Street, Marylebone, W1U 7PD
Grey Flannel
As customer service goes it’s hard to rival indie brands like Grey Flannel – the personalised welcome you receive here is one of the main reasons I choose to shop in smaller boutiques. It’s a one-stop shop that’s reigned supreme on Chiltern Street long before it became the menswear mecca it is today – where you can buy off-the-rack items and have them altered to your exact specification or if your budget allows, MbE, its in-store bespoke and MTM service overseen by the legendary Timothy Everest, will have you looking sartorially resplendent in readiness for your big day. If Tim’s around don’t be afraid to say hi – he’ll happily brew you a specialty coffee while escorting you on a grand tour of the premises – he’ll even offer up advice for accompanying honeymoon wardrobe staples from the likes of L’Impermeabile, Fly3, Inis Meáin and Marcus De.
7-9 Chiltern Street, Marylebone, W1U 7PD
Taliare
With its elegant petrol blue interior, Taliare – from the Latin term ‘to cut’, founded by ex-Stephen Haroutinian shirtmaker Erlend Norby, brings a touch of Savile Rowe flair to Marylebone’s über smart Seymour Place: patinated leather Chesterfield sofas, Ron Arad chairs and tailor’s shears encased in black frames, effortlessly blend the traditional with the contemporary. The Norwegian, who trained in Paris offers up a post-pandemic friendly bespoke and made-to-measure offering that combines flair and originality with the finest tailoring tradition. I defy any impending Groom not to be impressed with bespoke suits from £2,000 and MTM from £900. Have a shirt made while you’re there, and even better still, take advantage of Taliare’s 3D shoe-building configurator which allows you to design a pair of Bespoke Wedding Day shoes in real time – from the choice of upper materials and soles right down to the laces and buckles from millions of combinations, just shy of £300.
2 Seymour Place, London W1H 7NA
On beauty: Yasmin Salmon, Contributing Beauty Writer
Portman Marylebone has benefitted from the global retreat to artisanal shopping, mainly as its independent boutiques are the very embodiment. This is particularly true of beauty, where salons and boutiques keep a loyal (and glitzy) clientele, courtesy of their profound knowledge, experience and often, pedigree having trained in Europe’s top schools. Not only is this a comfort for brides setting out on their beauty adventures, its also a relief as many of these places are one-stop-shops – avoiding the endless tour of salons to pull together a beauty look.
Bharti Vyas
Bharti Vyas is a beauty salon located in the heart of Chiltern Street with a more holistic approach to beauty treatments. Bharti, the owner, opened her salon in 1988 building a loyal clientele over the years, including royalty to celebrity clients. The beauty aficionado released her Ultimate Therapy range in 1997, and uses these products in her treatments to this day. BVM Harmonising is one of Bharti’s most iconic treatments which concentrates on lymphatic drainage and whole-body therapy. It’s perfect for de stressing and boosting energy, especially on the run up to a wedding.
24 Chiltern St, London W1U 7QE
London Grace
Looking for a fun pamper session with the girls? London Grace has it all from nails to catch ups with cocktails – the dreams bridal parties are made of. While a variety of options are available (starting from two people), the go-to for bridal parties is the sparkling cream tea package which includes an appealing mix of Prosecco, scones and tea – a big step up from your usual trip to the nail salon. Brides can also get creative and design their own bespoke nail art to show off a bit more of their personality on their wedding day. This ranges from subtle words to floral designs and geometric patterns – all completely exclusive to London Grace.
7 Seymour Pl, London W1H 5BA
Mathew Alexander Hairdressing & Make Up
Mathew Alexander is renowned for its top-drawer make up and hair services (an appealing prospect for brides wanting to amalgamate their beauty needs in one place). Mathew himself has an impressive celebrity clientele. His prices for makeup services start from £170 for weddings and special occasions, and for hair, from £75 – £368 for blow dry or colour. What’s more, Mathew Alexander prides itself on being a sustainable and ethically-minded salon that’s intent on giving back. A portion of every fee from clients and brides goes to charity, a boon for those wishing to leverage their nuptial preparations to help others.
21 New Quebec St, London W1H 7SA
NICOLAÏ Parfumeur-Créateur
Discover your new scent at NICOLAÏ, a French perfumery with roots in Marylebone (and Paris). Nicolai is owned by Patricia de Nicolaï, a perfumer descending from the Guerlain family. She opened her Marylebone branch in 2019 selling gorgeous home fragrances, body and hair care as well as her famous perfumes. The bottles range from £61- £320, and with many scents to choose from as well as the encyclopaedic knowledge and attuned nose of the assistants, brides can be sure they’ll find a beguiling scent to for their special day.
9 New Quebec St, London W1H 7RL
Related Article: The Best Wedding Venues In Marylebone
