“Jonny is such fun to be around! The style and vibrant colours of his images capturing those otherwise forgotten moments is priceless.”
QUIRKY ALTERNATIVE EAST LONDON WEDDING
Jazmin & Mike were childhood sweethearts! Meeting way back in school, but both in different years with different partners at the time. Mike left for University and they soon realised they were more than friends! A long distance relationship between Bristol and Norwich, then London and Norwich lasted for about 6 years. Eventually moving in together in Bow, London. Two years later Mike proposed whilst in New York City!
Mike had planned everything perfectly, he knew Central Park was her favourite place in the city. Research done he decided to propose on Bow Bridge. Somewhere they could revisit in years to come and a nice link back to where they were living together in London! Riding through Central Park by horse and cart on a very snowy December night, Mike did a beautiful speech on the bridge. Just like in the movies! Jazmin, of course, said yes! Same night in a Jazz bar Mike had arranged for the pianist to play ” When I fall in love” by Nat King Cole, a loving tribute to their Grandparents.
What a wonderful, thoughtful, sentimental day that must have been! I should add that Jazmin twigged the proposal was happening earlier in the day. Mike nervously began to down several pints of beer whilst repeatedly stating how nice she looked. She soon grew suspicious!
WEDDING CEREMONY | ST. LUKE’S CHURCH | RUSCOE ROAD
We planned everything ourselves! We didn’t even consider hiring a wedding planner as we knew we wanted a fun, intimate and local wedding. The plans just happened organically over the 18 months we were engaged. Our wedding was to reflect both of our characters. Ultimately representing a typical “Mike and Jaz” day in East London with our closest friends and family.
Living on the canal in Bow, and wanted to hire somewhere we knew. We often went for breakfast at a venue in Hackney, and thought it would be a perfect blank canvas to decorate for our wedding reception. Sadly, costs spiralled and about 8 months before our wedding we couldn’t afford to proceed! Whilst reflecting about what to do next, we walked down the canal to Limehouse and sat in The Yurt Cafe. A local community project in our area that do fabulous tea and cake. Suddenly, we looked at each other and thought that a Yurt would be quite cool. Asking there and then if we could hire the Yurt, they said yes!
Our church, was my Dad’s church which Mike & I had attended on and off for a number of years, next to my childhood home. My Dad conducted the service! I walked down the aisle to the traditional bridal march, played by a trio of piano, violin and cello.
WEDDING DAY FASHION
The whole experience of finding a dress was really stressful! I had absolutely no idea what style of dress I wanted. There was quite a few unsuccessful shopping trips. About 6 months before the wedding, I found a local seamstress, Pearl, who had a very cool wagon studio next to our reception venue, The Yurt Cafe. We went through lots of photos of wedding dresses and she asked me to explain what I did or didn’t like about each dress. Pearl then sat in front of me and drew a sketch of a dress that she thought met all my requirements. It was perfect! I felt so lucky to have a completely bespoke dress and veil made for me. I picked everything; the silk satin material, the lace design on the sleeves and the buttons. I felt great in it all through the wedding day!
As a groom, I wanted to wear a colour that suited me that my wife-to-be liked, so I went for a dark blue. The suit was something special and completely bespoke. I looked about for a tailors in London that could do something to my liking and found Dress 2 Kill in Waterloo, London. I’d heard of them before as they sponsor the rugby team I support (Harlequins) and it turns out they’ve kitted a few Quins players out with their wedding attire too, so I was in good hands. They fashioned up an awesome suit and I got to choose everything, from the hot pink detailing and lining to the wedding date stitched in to the inside as well. I paired it with some solid, British-made dark brown shoes and voila, my outfit was sorted.
The bridesmaids dresses were from Coast. It was a very last minute purchase as one of my bridesmaids was heavily pregnant and due the week of the wedding! Baby girl decided to make an early appearance however, as my Maid of Honour went into labour on my hen do!! All three bridesmaids managed to wear the same blush pink dress and they all looked stunning!
ADVICE TO THOSE PLANNING A WEDDING
Drink lots of champagne! Listen to your fiance and no-one else. Enjoy planning your wedding day. We made it clear that it would be a small day (with only about 30 guests), that was quite casual and all about celebrating our love and our life in East London.
We did a LOT of research of photographers, and sat with a vast spreadsheet of possible photographers. Vibrant colours and his unique style jumped out at us and we agreed that remembering the day, capturing those otherwise forgotten moments was priceless. Absolutely no regrets! We both felt so at ease with Jonny, bizarrely the first time we met face to face was on the wedding morning and yet it felt like an old friend had popped by! He was completely unobtrusive, and such fun to be around! He actually helped give our, quite casual day, some well-needed structure and fitted in with our friends and family seamlessly. If we were to recommend him to anyone we would simply say: Do. It. Now.
SHOUT OUT TO THE LONDON WEDDING SUPPLIERS
Make up artists: Laura Pye, Charlotte Tilbury // Florists: Lara Sanjar, Wild Renata Flowers // Rings: Blue Nile, Mike designed my engagement ring with them, so we wanted to get our wedding bands from them too. // Cake: Me – I made it myself! // Catering Company: The Yurt Cafe // Entertainment: Alba & Leo (we heard them play in our local pub and booked them the same night!) // Transport: Red Route Master and of course Alfred Le Roy boat!
LOOKING FOR A LONDON WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER?
If you’re looking for wedding photography in London (or anywhere else for that matter) and you feel that my style doth butter your parsnips, please do check my availability and request an eBrochure.
I limit my diary to around 30 weddings per year, so don’t drag your feet.
