Revered as “Britain’s most sought-after wedding planner and an authority on multimillion-dollar weddings” by Time magazine, Sarah Haywood counts celebrities, leading public figures and nobility among her exclusive clientele.
Through her core company, Sarah Haywood Design, Sarah commandeers some of the world’s most glamorous weddings, creating bespoke experiences from start to finish with no expense spared. She is also the author of the best-selling book, The Wedding Bible, and was chosen last year by CNN to be the international commentator for the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton.
Sarah travels all over the world scouting venues and working with the world’s leading hotels, couturiers, Michelin-starred chefs, award-winning stylists and photographers, and is rarely in one continent for longer than a week at a time.
South Africa
‘Safari’ is the Swahili word for journey: to begin the journey as husband and wife with a backdrop of panoramic views, exotic sounds and wild perfumes of the South African bush is out of this world. The untamed beauty of South Africa’s Jamala Madikwe Royal Safari Lodge and Game Reserve is a slice of paradise, set amid wild terrain and a tapestry of vast open plains, dense bush and towering peaks. The Lodge has private villas with expansive views, rim-flow pools, wooden decks and private outdoor showers.
Utah, USA
If you dream of exchanging your wedding vows on a snow-covered mountain, the savvy choice would be the award-winning Deer Valley. This resort revolutionised the ski industry three decades ago by being the first to provide the service one would find at a five-star hotel. With luxurious amenities such as ski valets, groomed-to-perfection slopes, gourmet dining and world-renowned hotels with ski-in/ski-out access to the 100 ski runs and seven bowls, this is the only place you will spot me in salopettes!
Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany, with its rolling countryside of olive groves and vineyards, fields of sunflowers and beautiful medieval villages, is a world-class wedding destination. One of my favourites is Villa Mangiacane: a magnificent 15th Century villa built by the Machiavelli family and set high in Chianti Classico country in 600 acres of vineyards and olive groves. It has uber-luxurious facilities, a sculpture garden and is set atop a beautiful cypress shaded hill with breathtaking views of the Duomo 12 miles away.
Alentejo, Portugal
It’s definitely worth a visit to the bucolic landscape of the central Alentejo plain in Portugal before the masses discover it. I happened to stumble upon Herdade Da Malhadinha Nova Country House and Spa by chance – it is nestled among the vineyards – when visiting to sample the region’s excellent wines. It’s completely magical for an outdoor, boutique wedding experience in the olive groves, set in a lovingly restored, luxuriously appointed, blissful hideaway hotel.
Doha, Qatar
I was one of the first guests at the St Regis Doha, and hosted my first Middle East wedding soiree there. St Regis resorts throughout the world have been offering an elite clientele of connoisseurs an experience beyond expectation for more than 100 years. The 1,850 sq m Grand Ballroom, adorned with crystal chandeliers and terrace overlooking the Arabian Sea, together with state-of-the-art amenities makes the St Regis Doha the new must-have luxury wedding venue in the region.
Sussex Downs, England
The Regency home of the Dukes of Richmond for over 300 years, Goodwood House is set in mature parkland against the backdrop of the Sussex downs on England’s south coast. Your guests will dine amidst paintings by van Dyck, Canaletto, Stubbs and Reynolds, Sèvres porcelain, Gobelins tapestries and 18th century French and English furniture. Goodwood House impresses with a world-class team and distinguished English butlers who will ensure a wedding executed to perfection.
