Welcome to “London Week”, on What Junebug Loves! We’ve gone mad for London and all things British, and are celebrating the Olympic Games in our own Junebug way. We’ll be featuring weddings this week that took place in London and the surrounding English countryside, with stunning photography by our Junebug members from the U.K. We’ll also be talking with one of the biggest names in wedding planning across the pond, and looking at some great British-inspired fashion and decor.
We’re starting off with Jenny and Elia’s London wedding at St George’s, Hanover and the reception that followed at the historic, luxurious, quintessential London hotel, Claridge’s. I love the parade down Bond Street that led from the ceremony to the reception – such a wonderful glimpse of a celebration through London’s streets, all beautifully captured by Crash Taylor of Nottingham, England.
The Couple: Jenny and Elia
The Wedding: 3.05.11 – St. George’s, Hanover; and Claridge’s – London, England
What three adjectives best describe your wedding? Classic, understated, slightly eccentric
What was your wedding color palette? Black, white, petrol grey and deep plum
What inspired your personal wedding style, and how did you incorporate your style and personalities into your big day? Our aim was for classic British understated glamour with a Greek twist, so we had Greek music and said prayers in Greek, in an otherwise very English service. We had a city wedding but didnt want anything too slick. we used traditional flowers like roses and stephanotis which my Godmother had at her own wedding – 65 years ago!
Did you incorporate any traditions or styles that are unique to the UK? I arrived in a London black taxi; my Dad is Scottish so he was in his full dress kilt; we had photos with ou British Bulldog; and we planned for a rainy day (although, in the end we were lucky!)
Tell us about your wedding location – how you chose it, what its history is. St Georges is a beautiful building and has a strong musical pedigree – Handel worshiped here while he composed some of his greatest works, including “Messiah”. Also, St George’s has long figured in fact and fiction as a centre for fashionable weddings, and was referred to by a Victorian writer as “the London Temple of Hymen”. We chose Claridges because it was only a short 300m walk from the Church, although it has also been the setting for numerous society weddings and balls so it was always somewhere I dreamed I might get married one day.
Looking back, what are the moments, decisions or memories that you love the most about your wedding? Our tag-line from the start from the happiest of days and it genuinely felt that way. It was every cliche in the book – the best day or our lives. Getting ready (all 5 hours!) felt like 5 minutes. My Dads wet eyes when he (finally) saw me all dressed up, telling me how proud he was, just before we made our entrance to the Church. My sister died when I was younger so giving away his only daughter was quite emotional. Elia and I both loved saying I will and meaning it. Walking out of the Church in a confetti storm (I’d recommend those confetti throwers rather than a few petals any day!), the walk from Church to Claridges with the whole wedding party of 180 people. The cheesy classic British wedding tunes all came out – the proclaimers and the conga lines later in the night. I didnt drink much as I couldnt leave the dance floor to get to the bar, but I felt drunk I was so happy (how corny is that!).
Afterwards, looking back at our photos there were a number where we were pictured behind daffodils outside Claridges. Crash, the photographer, could never have known but they are my brothers flowers – he lived in Wales, and its their national flower. He passed away suddenly, 10 months before our wedding, and it felt like he was making us aware he was there with us in spirit. Of course, his two gorgeous children more than did him proud on that front too!
The Wedding Team
Photographer: Crash Taylor
Ceremony Venue: St Georges, Hanover
Reception Venue: Claridge’s
Officiant: The Rev. Roderick Leece
Invitation Designer: Imaj Design
Catering: Claridges
Florist: William Clarke Flowers
Cake: An 11 tier collection of our favourite things – Krispy Kreme donuts, passion fruit meringue from Ottolenghi, cheeses, baklava and many others
Wedding Dress: Couture dress from Bea Das
Bridal Accessories: Family heirlooms and Andrew Prince
Bridesmaids Dresses: Amanda Wakeley
Groom and Groomsmen Apparel and Accessories: Savile Row – Ozwald Boateng
Hair: Daniel Galvin
Make-up: Hannah Mallatratt
DJ: Diskojuice
Live music: At the church we had trumpeters and a choir. My husband is Greek, so as we left the church and walked to the reception down Bond Street, the Plastic Chairs, a Greek band, played. Reception – Jazz Canons
Jenny and Elia, thank you for so generously sharing your stunning wedding in beautiful London! And readers, stay tuned all week for all thing British and several more weddings that are decidedly English!
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