Your London Wedding - Jul/Aug 2019 (Issue 66)

58 H aving met on the first day of a graduate scheme, Catriona and Katie quickly became close friends. “We were both dating men and didn’t think anything of our friendship until about four months after we met. We’d been spending a lot of time with each other and had a joint passion for good food and one night, after a few glasses of wine, shared our first kiss. It was really about the person and not the gender and from then on we fell head over heels with each other,” says Katie. Almost five years later the couple tied the knot, with Catriona surprising Katie with a romantic proposal at home in their Putney flat. “I’d asked one of Katie’s friends to take her out to brunch and to get her nails done (important on proposal day),” Catriona explains. “I filled the apartment with all sorts of flowers, hung lots of pictures of us on the wall and put the champagne on ice. When Katie came home, I told her I had a surprise so she walked into the room with her eyes closed and opened them to find me on one knee with a ring in hand.” The couple knew they wanted to tie the knot in London and started to plan an intimate ceremony at Marylebone Town Hall followed by dinner at Coq d’Argent. “We wanted to get married somewhere in London that suited our style. As soon as we saw Old Marylebone Town Hall, we knew it was perfect. Katie has always wanted to go to the winter terrace at Coq d’Argent, so when they said we could hire the whole terrace for our reception, it was a no- brainer. Having such an intimate ceremony and reception meant we were able to spend meaningful time with all our guests – the meal was definitely a highlight for everyone that was there, the food was fantastic and the atmosphere was just perfect for the size of our party,” says Catriona. With only 30 guests, nine of whom were bridesmaids, the couple spread their party across three large tables with Coq d’Argent creating named menus for each loved one. OOTD On the day, Katie wore a dress by Charlie Brear, accessorised by a top and sash by the same designer. “I loved the fact that Charlie Brear had different skirts and tops you could add to make your own look. It means for our wedding celebration, which will take place in May next year at Trinity Buoy Wharf, I can add something else to create a completely new look,” she explains. Catriona, meanwhile, chose a Justin Alexander design, teamed with a Monica Vinader bracelet, pearl and diamond earrings – a gift from her parents – nude heals and a faux fur stole. The couple carried matching bouquets of blush pink roses and thistles, which hinted at Catriona’s Scottish roots, from JamJar Flowers. “It was an extremely emotional day full of tears, laughter and joy,” remembers Catriona. “We both felt extremely lucky to have our closest family and friends there to help us celebrate such a big day in our lives. The whole day passed in a blur and I think we both just felt so loved and happy.”