Tell us a little about yourselves!
Kieran had just been offered a job outside of the UK and very romantically said “we’re going to have to get married” and that was that! He did actually propose a few weeks later at Forza Wine at the National Theatre, much to my surprise.
We met at a bar in London and lived in Battersea next to the Power Station for years. Kieran was a key part of the team who have developed it into what it is today and our Bernese Mountain dog Bear was definitely a local celebrity while we were living there. We have a beautiful daughter Daphne who ate an entire plate of parmesan pasta for our wedding lunch and then promptly fell asleep after running up and down on my veil.
Why did you decide to get married where you did?
We wanted to be close to places that were meaningful to us and having lived there for so many years and Kieran being so involved in the rebuild of Battersea Power Station, it had to be Chelsea Old Town Hall! We were really lucky that some of Kieran’s colleagues were still at the Power Station as they were kind enough to let us into the control rooms so that Jessica our photographer could take photos in there. Kieran had really wanted the whole day to be in the event space there but it was wildly out of budget so our guests didn’t get to see the space but we were lucky enough to have some time in there for pictures, which was actually really special to have some time, just us two in the mania of a busy wedding day!
We didn’t have many guests for the ceremony and the lunch and we did quite a bit of hopping throughout London on the day, as our venues changed – but that’s part of the fun of a city wedding and everyone was very accommodating in black cabs and tubes - and finally our limo to the party venue which was so much fun. We didn’t realise we were parked for 45 minutes, because we didn’t want to stop dancing.
How many guests did you have?
20 for the ceremony and lunch and 60 for the evening party.
What was your budget?
We started off saying how relaxed we would be. But in the spirit of only doing this day once we ended up around £25k.
Tell us about your outfits.
As soon as I knew we were getting married, I finally found my excuse to buy the Paris Texas heels that I have been wanting forever. I just love them and Genna our florist from Hyperfloral was able to work diamantés into the flowers too, so that was reflected in there.
Because we were having a more last minute, smaller city wedding I wasn’t sure if I should do a mini dress but then I did feel like I would miss out on the big white dress moment. My outfit from The Own Studio I think was a perfect mix of the two things. I had a really long cathedral lace veil, which basically took up the entire length of the ceremony venue. It brought the drama! My dress was in beautiful Mikado silk. I love the colour and the fabric – it just felt really timeless and sexy and the perfect amount of everything I was looking for.
Tanya the amazing head seamstress had sewn little buttons into the straps so my bra didn’t show but I was in such a rush on the day that you can see the leopard print of my underwear peeking through, but I actually love it.
Kieran is in head to toe Hugo Boss and was living his full James Bond fantasy.
What was the most important aspect for you, in terms of planning your wedding?
We really wanted our family and friends to just have an amazing day. We wanted everyone to enjoy delicious food and wine and cake. We wanted to surprise them with the party bus and had crates of champagne waiting chilled ready for that. We wanted the children that were there to feel special and involved, because weddings can be such a long day!
We had a smaller number for the lunch and ceremony. However, in a day that is just so full on, it was amazing to actually be able to talk to and have time for everybody, who had made such a special effort to be there for us.
Were there any elements that were important for you to incorporate?
Amazing food ! Because we had a small number of guests for our lunch we were able to have the intimate downstairs space at Trullo in Islington for a long relaxed Italian lunch. We both really love food and go to Lake Garda most years with Kierans’ family.
When we knew we were getting married we knew there had to be pasta. Kieran actually hadn’t been to Trullo before but he went for lunch one day, while our daughter slept next to him in the pram and agreed it would be perfect for the day. Just simple, seasonal food cooked to perfection. All of our guests loved it – it was a really special lunch.
Any tips for couples getting married?
Do it the way that makes sense for you both and try to avoid outside pressures. I think that we were lucky that we only had three months to get our wedding together, so we had no time to procrastinate. (We are both terrible decision makers). But the time pressure made decisions fun and it felt great to just say yes if we both loved something, instead of shopping around too much.
Are there any vendors that you would like to tell us a little more about?
Our photographer Jessica Gwyneth just honestly made the whole day look like a film. Completely, totally everything we had in mind for our pictures but weren’t able to articulate. It was an amazing day but Jessica made it look like a film set – it’s hard not to want to hang every picture up on the wall!
And the girls at The Own Studio who made my dress and veil. We only had three months notice for our wedding and I knew that really you need so much longer than that to get a bespoke wedding dress made, so I am really grateful for them rushing the order through for us.
And Genna at Hyperfloral for just getting it!
Photographer: Jessica Gwyneth Photography @jessicagwynethphotog | Flora:
Hyperfloral @hyperfloral | Ceremony Location: Chelsea Old Town Hall @marrymeinchelsea | Reception Location: Trullo Cecconi’s @trullo_restaurant @cecconisrestaurants | Makeup Artist:
Mary-Jane Gotidoc @maryjanegotidocbridal | Hair Stylist: Paul Edmonds @pauledmonds217 | Catering & Beverages: Trullo @trullo_restaurant | Dress: Style 111 The Own Studio @theownstudio |Suit: Hugo Boss @hugoboss | Veil: Style 009 The Own Studio @theownstudio | Coat: Charlotte Simone @charlottesimone | Engagement Ring: Jessie Thomas @jessiethomasjewellery | Wedding Rings: Cartier @cartier | Shoes: Paris Texas @paristexas_it | Earrings: Georgina Boyce @georgina_boyce