Nobody does a wedding quite like the talented team at London’s Niemierko, so when our dear friend and Junebug member wedding planner Mark Niemierko sent over the photo and video footage of this spectacular wedding, I was simply speechless. In the ruins of London’s landmark Battersea Power Station, Mark and a seeming army of helpers, transformed a disused coal power plant into a rock and roll wedding wonderland for some very special VIP clients. Take a look at these behind the scenes videos showing the transformation of the ceremony and reception spaces, and read on to hear Mark’s approach to creating a wedding like no other!
Junebug: What were the couple’s main priorities for their wedding? What was most important to you to accomplish?
Mark Niemierko: When I first met the Bride, along with her Groom, Mother and Father in February last year, she already had a clear vision of what she wanted, with folders full of images and tear outs from magazines. Pastels and vibrant colours mixed with classic and traditional elements, and the flow to the day were key from the beginning. But what was most important was that I was meeting a couple who were confident, and established enough in their own tastes to not conform to the stereotypical white wedding. The total opposite if you like in some elements! Which meant I was totally spoilt in working on something so different and exciting. The proof that they chose such an original venue as Battersea Power Station, a disused power station since the 1980s, showed their confidence and originality when it came to their tastes.
Junebug: Tell us about the design of this wedding. What was the vision and how did that translate that into the ceremony, decor, flowers, stationery, menu, cake?
Mark: As I mentioned, the Bride was fully armed with, I think, 4 folders of ideas from the outset. It was amazing to have such creative input from a Bride.
But before getting creative I always start with the planning / flow stages to a wedding. How people would need to get from the ceremony to the reception, how the evening guests would arrive and be welcomed… Its really about operationally understanding the spaces within the chosen venue and breaking them up.
Once we had a starting point for the day, a mini schedule and floor plan, I came back to the bride’s images, what she liked what she DISLIKED… and then broke those themes up into parts of the wedding day. Stages or acts if you like. Act 1 being the ceremony, Act 2 the cocktail reception, and so forth.
Along with the Bride’s love of colours, other aspects that we included were LA, and in particular the exterior of the Beverley Hills Hotel, a retro influence through the 50s, Rock and Roll and the start of what became the couples Monogram – flamingos! You see the Flamingos throughout the whole wedding.
The ceremony took place within the Library Space in Battersea. Ornate bookshelves were filled with hydrangea heads and candles. We installed a ceremony stage, ivory carpet runner, and a vintage record player for the Groom to play a record for his Bride’s entrance – Bob Dylans She belongs to me. Florist Simon Lycett used summer foliage, combined with branches of birch and clusters of ferns and other greenery, giving an informal effect.
Mark: The drinks reception and entrance into the power station borrowed inspiration from LA, and the Beverly Hills Hotel. The outdoor open reception took place in the middle of the Station where we had laid lawn, topiary bars and fountains for an LA garden effect. Quite a clean and chic look! Pink flamingos were the back drop to the bar, to add that essential colour, and male model waiters were dressed in blue shirts, bow ties and chinos. “Kitsch meets Vanity Fair” is one way to sum up this part of the wedding day.
The dinner was inspired by Positano and the Italian menu wed chosen to honor the Bride’s father’s family. Mustard catering was given the task of creating a simple, authentic Italian menu, and they delivered. The dining room was full of trees, specially built with fairy lights, and a stone fountain within a matching staircase which led to a baby grand piano and Ed Bentley, the pianist, who was the dining entertainment.
Evening guests joined the wedding at this point, outside where there was a champagne fountain, and a wedding cake by Peggy Porschens – naturally with gold flamingos as cake toppers!
Once the couple had cut the cake, the Father of the Bride announced it was now time to party, and a kabuki drop behind him revealed an uber-cool 50s style Rock and Roll nightclub. Using gold and black as our palate the ceiling was draped in lush gold drape, whilst the stage front was made of glitter gold and black panels. Midnight munchies were given an American theme – fried chicken within monogrammed buckets, French fries and mini mac and cheese! All washed down by cocktails mixed by Agostino Perrone the world famous mixologist and his team.
The final surprise for the guest was the Brides family friend, renowned photographer Rankin, who had setup a Photobooth as his gift to the couple. Guests soon got in line for their photo to be taken which was then projected onto a large screen behind the DJ booth.
Junebug: After all that creative planning and hard work, what ended up being your favorite part of the day?
Mark: For me the ceremony was the most magical. It felt super special, intimate, romantic and personal to my couple, yet also with their taste throughout. I loved how it started so romantic as the Bride arrived, and ended with confetti cannons going off to celebrate their union as they walked up the aisle. I always think a wedding should get louder and more vibrant as the day progresses so why not start as soon as theyve said I Do!
All in all there are amazing weddings. But I think it will take a while until Im able to top this one!
The Wedding Team:
Wedding Planning & Design: Mark Niemierko
Ceremony Venue: The Library Space
Reception Venue: Boiler House at Battersea Power Station
Photography: Jeremy Enness
Video: FX Media
Wedding Dress Designer: Phillipa Lepley
Bridesmaids Dresses: Moschino
Florist: Simon Lycett
Catering: Mustard
Mixologoist: Agostino Perrone
Wedding Cake: Peggy Porschen
Bridal Suite: The Dorchester Hotel
Thank you so very much to Mark Niemierko and company for sharing your creative vision with us. What a wedding! It’s one we’ll never forget.
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