They Were Joined in Matrimony. Then They (Sometimes) Joined the Club.
Ms. Flaxman, 32, a gym owner and personal trainer, and Mr. Flaxman, 34, who owns a building service company, had their wedding at the Savile Club, a private literary club in London's Mayfair neighborhood. The space is full of wood paneling, grand chandeliers and leather upholstery. 'They have this grand staircase that pretty much sold me,' Ms. Flaxman said.
Another selling point for the couple was the fact that they and their guests would never be able to go inside again. 'I don't know anybody who has ever been there, so I think that feels quite cool,' Ms. Flaxman said. Savile Club only accepts male members; their female guests can visit but cannot join the club.
One loophole: The club, along with a growing number of other clubs that are normally members-only, allows nonmembers to rent and invite other nonmembers as guests, starting at a cost of £12,000, or around $16,000.
Many country clubs have long been allowing nonmembers to host weddings. Now, other member clubs, looking to bring in more income and recruit members, are allowing couples and their guests to access places that are usually barred to the public — and the top-notch food and service that they offer members.
Many clubs say requests to get married at their establishments have grown in recent years. They are juggling how to allow events in their spaces while also keeping their spaces private and accessible for members who pay to be there.
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