The Honeymoon Testers Blog

24 Hours... in London

I really enjoyed the last 24 hours post we did, and a lot of people seemed interested in the day to day insight into our lives as Honeymoon Testers, so here is another - this time about our 24 hours in London, a quick visit to do some filming...

So... here we go:

5pm We arrive into London, really wrecked from the long journey from Bali. We had a fabulous time there, it was really lovely to be back after our own honeymoon. Reviews coming soon, I'm having major computer issues!

We both were pretty stinky, so we headed to Boots to pick up some supplies (and new deodorant). It was really weird to be back in London, my adopted home for the last eight and a half years. Of course, its raining. Way to go London!

Renewing our Love for London

Our London trip was a huge success, four renewals done and we got to see our friends and enjoy the absolute joyous time which is London in the summer. We missed out on a lot that we wanted to do (like Wimbledon), but a very fun week.

The renewals in London:

12th - InterContinental Park Lane
13th - Harrow School
14th - Trafalgar Square
15th - The London Eye

Runaway Bride and Groom can help you plan your wedding or honeymoon in London. It's one of the most exciting, vibrant and culturally diverse cities in the world and we loved our week here.

Eye Up Above London

The London Eye (or Millennium Wheel) is unmissable in the London skyline, a giant 135-metre (443 ft) tall Ferris wheel on the banks of the River Thames which overlooks some of the most famous London landmarks, including Big Ben and Parliament House.

Built in 1999, the wheel has 32 pods which can take up to 25 passengers each. It takes about 30 minutes to rotate completely and in that time you get to see the most unique and beautiful views over London. On a clear day (which we were lucky to have), you can see up to 40kms away all the way to Windsor Castle. I've lived in London for eight years and I've never seen this perspective before - absolutely amazing.

14th Renewal at Trafalgar Square, London

We completed our 14^th renewal at Trafalgar Square, one of the most famous landmarks in the world, visited by more than 15 million tourists every year. 

We enlisted the help of magician Jason Lee to conduct the ceremony and sprinkle some magic around to bypass any bad luck from number 13.

Trafalgar Square is a popular meeting place, always heaving with people taking photos or visiting the National Gallery, and no more so than on a hot summer's day when Nelson's column stands out clearly against the beautiful blue sky.

We found a spot next to the fourth plinth to perform the ceremony and enlisted two passers by to do our filming and be our witnesses. 

The four plinths is kept empty for contemporary sculptures and living art and on our visit there was a enormous ship in a glass bottle, perfect for a giant's mantelpiece. 

It was a lovely ceremony, and later Jason performed some magic tricks for us, which we filmed in front of another London landmark - Big Ben!

Jason Lee

Wedding magician Jason Lee has been fascinated with magic ever since he can recall. Since childhood he been hooked on the thrill of creating magical moments for spectators. In his teens Jason placed second in the South African National Magic Championships. From there he continued to live his life passion at events around the world travelling and performing in destinations from Thailand, Taiwan, Mexico, Greece, Egypt and through out Europe. Jason Lee's commitment to magical excellence ensures a unique experience for guests at wedding receptions, corporate events, street festivals, family days and after-dinner events.

www.JasonLeeMagic.com
0044 7986 130-392
jason@jasonleemagic.com

Panoramic photo is from Wikipedia Commons. Artist: Diliff

Wedding Magic at Historic Harrow

Posted by Mark

Steeped in tradition and uniquely English, Harrow School, based 10 miles outside of London is home to one of the city's most breathtaking but least well known wedding venues. 

From it's hill top location the magical kingdom of Harrow offers 360 degree views from Windsor Castle in the West, to Canary Wharf in the East and combines history, beauty and culture. The school was founded in 1572 by a local farmer and educates boys who are inspired by the great men that have gone before them. Harrovians dress in the famous grey and blue uniform and ex-pupils include politicians Winston Churchill and King Hussein of Jordan, poets Byron and Trollope and even Noble prize winners.

Surprisingly several areas within the impressive school grounds can be rented for weddings and wedding ceremonies. The immaculate gardens, historic and imposing architecture and the distinguished atmosphere offer a regal setting for an English country wedding. 

Yesterday we were fortunate enough to renew our vows in the grounds of the school church on a classic garden terrace. The ceremony was again lovely and the scent of roses and views of the city and Wembley stadium were very memorable. We were joined by our friends Guy and Phil who attended both our weddings in the UK and Australia last year as well as some lovely witnesses from the school. After the renewal we actually got to drink Harrow champagne - seriously - the school has branded bottles of champagne for special celebrations. 

The Chapel Terrace was used in the filming of Pride and Prejudice and is just one of the hundreds of idyllic photo opportunities around the school. This is a school like no other, there are no gates or fences, sitting on top of the hill surrounded by school buildings the school really feels like a private village. 

Every location and building has an enchanting story either of history or celebrity. We visited the Fourth Form room, which was the original classroom of the school in the 17th century. The wooden walls and desks of this room are etched with pupils' names including a pupil Warde who was suspended for carving 'Wa' on to the wall and then expelled meaning he had to sneak back to finish his name. This room was used in the filming of the first Harry Potter movie and like Hogwarts, Harrow even has it's own school sport - Harrow football (a combination of football and rugby). 

London is of course an incredible city to visit and in which to marry or spend your honeymoon. Our friends at Runaway Bride and Groom are of course experts in navigating this huge city so definitely contact them to find out more about London's wedding, honeymoon and hotel options. 

Thank you to everyone at Harrow School. For more information about holding your wedding at Harrow School please contact, citing The Honeymoon Testers:

Guy Collins
Harrow School Enterprises
5 High Street, Harrow HA1 3HP
Tel: 020 8426 4638

  

Denise's concord coloured Twist Dress was kindly donated by The Dessy Group, designers of beautiful and unique bridesmaid and wedding dresses.

Magical London in the Sunshine

I love London in the summer (when we get a summer that is). I mean, really love it. It becomes a completely different place - one where birds are singing, the sky is actually blue instead of grey and people are so happy. Conversely, I dislike London in the winter. Again, really dislike it. But today was beautiful, really hot with a gorgeous breeze. It's such a rare occurrence that almost everyone gets out to enjoy it. 

I spent the day in Greenwich, one of the most beautiful parts of London and home to the Greenwich Meridian (0° longitude) and Greenwich Mean Time. Although the England v Germany World Cup match was on, I opted to have a chill out day reading in the park by the Thames instead. I had a little browse around the Greenwich market and had a gorgeous vegan chocolate cupcake and juice.

The nearby park had a day of free entertainment to add to the holiday atmosphere. There was a Bollywood panto in one corner, and people were actually standing up and dancing along. Then there was Lo Monstre, a full sized mechanical dragon, which was probably one of the most amazing things I've ever seen. It was operated by two guys behind it on a kind of truck, and you could see them manipulate buttons and pulleys to make it work, but it was so beautiful with blinking eyes and a working tongue as well as making noises and spraying water at the crowd.

Afterwards there was an acrobatic show too, so it was just a beautiful day enjoying the rare sunshine and seeing Londoners in shorts and flip-flops (thongs), getting pink skin but enjoying themselves thoroughly. 

Marky Mark is back tomorrow and we've got a renewal in an absolutely beautiful place, so stay tuned!

This isn't my video of Lo Monstre but it gives you an idea of how gorgeous he is!

Shock Split: Honeymoon Testers Break Up

Due to the overwhelming pressures of the job, including champagne poisoning, hammock rope burns and romance overload, the Honeymoon Testers have decided to separate.

Don't worry though, it's only for the weekend! Mark's visiting his family and I've stayed in London to continue work. I can't believe he's trusting me with the cameras!

Today I hung out with friends Guy, Phil and Scott and visited a historic and well-loved British institution, Middlesex Cricket Club, otherwise known as Lords. It's the spiritual home of cricket and was was transformed from an old duck pond in 1814.

I was there to watch the oldest cricket fixture in history, between Harrow and Eton, two of the most famous schools in the world who have been battling it out annually for more than 160 years.

Now, cricket is not really my cup of tea but it's lovely spending time with friends in the sunshine with a picnic. No idea about the scores or anything, I didn't even wear my glasses most of the day. Harrow won however so the last five minutes was actually quite fun!

The Honeymoon Testers will be reunited in two days for another vow renewal. Oh joy!

Romance at 1 Park Lane, London

Posted by Denise

Today, the InterContinental opened it's doors to the The Honeymoon Testers. Located at one of the city's most prestigious addresses - Number One Park Lane, this was a perfect location to kick start our London vow renewals.

From a seventh floor suite we had a panoramic view of the city. Overlooking Wellington Arch and Hyde Park we could see all the way to Battersea power station and Big Ben. This was the perfect opportunity for me to debut my second Elizabeth and Claire dress - so glamorous.

Continuing our Sex and the City connection, we renewed our vows in the glamorous London Suite which recently housed Chris Noth after the London SATC2 press tour. Henry Winkler (AKA The Fonz) has also stayed in this room. Of course, I had to take a picture of Mr Big's room, a double story apartment with floor to ceiling windows overlooking Buckingham Palace Gardens. If only I had known when he was here, I probably would have taken some binoculars down to the arch and tried to catch him in the bath. 

The ceremony was conducted by the Hotel's Assistant Director of Sales and was really sweet.  The hotel surprised us with strawberry and cream tarts afterwards (in celebration of Wimbledon of course!). With the busy city below and on the horizon this is a classic central London location for a wedding night or unforgettable honeymoon. They even have a cinema suite here, which is obviously right up our alley, but I'm told that honeymooners sometimes use it to watch their wedding videos.  

Thank you to Steve and Esther at the London InterContinental for their help in our 12th renewal!

  
 
The InterContinental Park Lane 
One Hamilton Place, Park Lane
London W1J 7QY

Back to London with a bump

Posted by Mark

Landed at 6am, not the best time to arrive in any city, let alone London. That is a little harsh, we do love this city. We have been through a lot here, having lived here for 7 years and we would seriously think about settling down here if only the weather wasn't so crappy and cold for 10 and a half months of the year, sometimes 11.

Having said that, the weather today was actually pretty good, strangely too good. We caught the tube across the city and of course experience the normal hold ups and delays but the city was warm even in the morning. It actually got hot and very muggy as the day progressed. Balmy weather is designed for honeymoons not the underground. 

As we won't have much time in our 'home' town over the next five months we had to use our time wisely to do some admin. Firing in Denise's passport application was semi-painless. Renewing the passport itself was not difficult, but the process of changing Denise's surname to our married name (Duffield-Thomas) proved the beating of us. The Australian embassy insisted on having the original copy of Denise's birth certificate, which is of course, like everyone's birth certificate until you need them for some bureaucratic paperwork, with her mum at home in Australia. Therefore Denise's new ten year passport will not have Duffield in her name and she's jealous of my 14 letter surname - at least her signature is quicker!

So it was back to London with a sweaty bump, but hey, we know this city has so many cool things that we can experience while we are here and our 9-5 is free. We are excited about actually being able to do some tourist stuff like Wimbeldon and Buckingham Palace.

We will be back on the Honeymoon Testing tomorrow as we try to magic up a renewal or two with a friend who is a magician! 

Would love to hear your suggestions on how to spend a romantic day in London? 

Or where to renew our vows?