Latest news with #NorthernBelle
Scotsman
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Happy couple ‘can't wait to visit Edinburgh again' after ‘storybook wedding' in the capital
On May 15, Ben Miller and Lorenzo Garafolo travelled with 40 wedding guests from Liverpool to the capital on board a 1930s Pullman-style train before getting married at the Fingal Hotel. Speaking to the Evening News, Ben said: 'We didn't want to follow the usual formula for a wedding, we wanted something completely bespoke that truly resonated with our story as individuals and as a couple. It was a truly magical day—and I think we've created a unique experience that our guests will remember for a long time.' The Greater Manchester couple began planning their unique wedding after travelling to Edinburgh on the Northern Belle train last year. And after meticulous planning and finding the perfect venue for their ceremony, Ben and Lorenzo were ready to announce their special wedding plans – which included a 400-mile round trip in a single day for the wedding party. Lorenzo said: 'We knew it would be complex, we knew it would take a lot of planning, but seeing the reactions of our guests has made everything worth it. This wasn't just a wedding—it was a multi-sensory love story brought to life.' Ben added: 'We can't wait to visit Edinburgh for our anniversary and many more happy occasions.' Here are 11 pictures from the happy couple's magical day. 1 . The happy couple Ben Miller and Lorenzo Garafolo got married on the luxury floating hotel, the Fingal Hotel on Thursday, May 15 | Ben Miller Photo Sales 2 . All aboard The journey began with a spirited departure from Liverpool Lime Street Station, complete with a traditional bagpiper send-off, as guests boarded the Northern Belle—a vintage train inspired by the golden age of rail travel | Ben Miller Photo Sales 3 . Personal touches Ben said: 'Every detail was meticulously curated, blending luxury and nostalgia with deeply personal touches—including hidden 'Easter eggs' throughout the day, each a nod to our shared life and passions' | Ben Miller Photo Sales 4 . Love in motion The happy couple's first dance was performed on board the Northern Belle travelling at 75mph | Ben Miller Photo Sales Related topics: EdinburghWeddings
South Wales Argus
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Northern Belle luxury train to visit Newport station
The 1930s Pullman-style Northern Belle will arrive at the city's station on Friday, May 30, for a champagne lunch trip. On Saturday, it will take 200 passengers to the seaside resort of Llandudno, with an opportunity to visit the 13th-century Conwy Castle. A spokesman for the Northern Belle said: "As well as tickets selling fast, we do like people to dress up for the occasion. "Most men wear a suit and tie, while women choose an elegant dress. And why not? "For we like to think we are transporting them back to the golden days of rail travel, an era when nothing was too good for the pampered passenger." The train, once part of the iconic Orient Express set-up, was described by actor Bill Nighy as "the Grand Dame of luxury travel" on a Channel 5 TV programme last year. A newspaper critic also praised it as "Downton Abbey on wheels." A red carpet will be laid across the station platform before the train pulls in at 12.40pm on Friday. Passengers will be handed their first glass of champagne as they are shown to their seats by a liveried steward. A seven-course lunch with wine will be served during the journey, while passengers are serenaded by the train's onboard musicians. Saturday's train will set out from Cardiff Central at 7.40am before calling at Newport at 8.10am. The train will do another lunch trip from Newport on July 3 before taking passengers to the Hampton Court Garden Festival and Windsor Castle on July 4.
Wales Online
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Train that costs £365 and gives you a seven-course meal is coming to Wales
Train that costs £365 and gives you a seven-course meal is coming to Wales One of Britain's most luxurious train will pay two red carpet visits to Wales Enjoy a luxury train ride on the Northern Belle which is coming to Wales (Image: Liverpool Echo ) A luxury train where you can receive a five-star treatment and a seven-course meal is coming to Wales. The Northern Belle, which is a 1930s Pullman-style train, is coming to two Welsh cities. The train will pull into Cardiff and Newport for a champagne lunch trip and on a separate trip take passengers to Llandudno. Actor Bill Nighy described the train as the "grand dame of luxury travel" when it was featured on a Channel 5 programme last year. On Friday, May 30 the train will pull into Newport and a red carpet will be laid across the Newport station platform before the train, once part of the historic Orient Express set-up, leaves at 12.40pm on Friday before picking up passengers from Cardiff Central at 1.05pm. Then passengers will be handed their first glass of champagne as they are shown to their seat by a liveried steward. A sumptuous seven-course lunch with wine will be served during the journey while passengers are serenaded by the train's onboard musicians. And to add an extra touch of magic to the occasion, a conjuror will get up to his tricks as he wanders from table to table. Article continues below The luxury train is coming to Wales (Image: Handout ) On Saturday, May 31 the train will leave Cardiff Central at 7.40am, calling at Newport at 8.10am before heading to Llandudno. The day will begin with a red carpet welcome at the departure station where the attentive stewards will usher customers aboard the Northern Belle luxury train. Passengers will be served a three-course champagne brunch during the journey to Llandudno and then a six-course dinner on the way home in the evening. Each course boasts the finest seasonal ingredients from the British Isles and classic and innovative dishes are crafted in the recently refurbished kitchen carriage. On arrival in Llandudno customers can explore the sights and attractions. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here . Article continues below Highlights include the pier, Great Orme, cable cars and the narrow streets tightly packed with historic buildings. Fares start at £365. You can find out more about the Northern Belle here.
Scotsman
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Watch as newlyweds depart Edinburgh after unique wedding day celebrations
An English couple celebrated their Edinburgh wedding in style today, travelling from Liverpool to the capital in a vintage train with 42 wedding guests ahead of their ceremony at the Fingal Hotel. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Ben Miller and Lorenzo Garafolo, who got engaged in 2021, decided to tie the knot in the capital after falling in love with the city several years ago. Ben Miller and Lorenzo Garafolo shared a special moment at Edinburgh's Waverley Station | NW Following their ceremony, a piper welcomed the wedding party at Waverley Station ahead of their outbound train. The happy couple plan keep the celebrations going on their way back – cutting their cake on the Northern Belle train and having their first dance in the aisle. Watch the video to see the Ben and Lorenzo's special moment at Waverley Station.
Scotsman
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Couple travel to Edinburgh in 1930s vintage train to celebrate wedding in style
An English couple will celebrate their Edinburgh wedding in style today, travelling to the capital on board a 1930s Pullman-style train before getting married on a luxury cruise ship. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Ben Miller and Lorenzo Garafolo, who first met in 2018 and got engaged during the pandemic, will travel in a private carriage on the Northern Belle from Liverpool to Edinburgh with 42 wedding guests dressed in 1930s attire ahead of their ceremony at the Fingal Hotel - a luxury floating hotel berthed in Leith. The Greater Manchester couple first travelled to Edinburgh on the luxury train three years ago and after falling in love with the city, decided to tie the knot in the capital. But their plans to have a 1930s themed wedding were first put in motion after a 'throwaway comment'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Ben Miller and Lorenzo Garafolo will celebrate their wedding in style in Edinburgh | Ben Miller Speaking to the Evening News, Ben said: 'We wanted to do something that was completely unique to us and something that really meant something to us as people and as a couple. 'We were travelling on the Northern Bell to Edinburgh last year and Lorenzo made this throwaway comment, 'I wonder if we can get married on this'. But we ran with it and later found out we can't get married on the train because it crosses different regions. But we knew we wanted to find a wedding venue in Edinburgh where we could all take the train up, get married and then take the train back down. 'We looked at a lot of different venues that were walking distance from the station but didn't see anything that we really liked. And then we visited the Fingal Hotel and the minute that we stepped on board the boat, we realised, oh my god, this is it, this is the venue.' The wedding party will travel on the Northern Belle from Liverpool to Edinburgh on Thursday | Ben Miller The couple and wedding guests will make the 400-mile round trip dressed in elegant 1930s attire to celebrate the occasion, and after a unique ceremony at the Fingal Hotel, the wedding party will return to Waverley Station where a bag piper will welcome them on to their return train to Liverpool. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Ben said: 'We want to embrace this kind of 1920s / 1930s-esque vibe for the day - it's got that over romanticized vibe with a cinematic glamour lens on it. So we're really encouraging our guests to dress up in 1920s outfits and wear whatever sequins or bling they want. The overarching theme is to go as big and eccentric as you want and live out your golden age fantasy as part of our day. 'On the train back down to Liverpool we're going to try and have our first dance in the aisle of the carriage because they've got the live musicians on board the train. And we're also going to do the cutting of the cake and everything on the train as well. 'I think a lot of weddings follow a structure of what people feel obliged to do, but we wanted to do things that really meant something special to us. And everything we've planned has a meaning and a connection behind it, so I think we've managed to achieve that with our day.'
