Your London Wedding - Sep/Oct 2019 (Issue 67)

REAL WEDDINGS 45  A lthough Kat and Colin had worked together for three years, it wasn’t until a chance meeting in Bethnal Green when they realised theirs was more than a working relationship. “Kat was escaping a rubbish house party and I was recovering from a post-birthday hangover,” explains Colin. “After years of passively witnessing the other wade through failed relationships, we knew the real deal had been staring us in the face the whole time.” The couple decided to get engaged one night while on holiday in Mexico, eschewing the traditional proposal in favour of ‘mutual agreement’. “Immediately afterwards, we went to Zipolite’s street market and purchased handmade matching rings,” says Kat. “We kept the engagement secret until it was announced in The Times a month later, at which point Colin presented me with an engraved ring that he’d designed himself.” After visiting a number of venues, Kat and Colin’s wedding planning started in earnest when they stepped through the doors of The Round Chapel. “We had ‘the feeling’ and knew it was for us,” says Kat. “Despite the challenges of taking on a dry hire venue, we knew it would allow us the creative freedom to make the day truly reflective of our relationship and our friends and family.” And go for it they did, choosing a bright and colourful Mexican theme for the day, realised through abundant flower arrangements composed of blooms native to Mexico designed by florist Eliza Honey, a veritable carnival of colourful pom pom strings, beads and garlands, an incredible cake with décor inspired by traditional Mexican embroidery, and signage by Emmy Designs. “We tried to ensure that as much of our décor was recyclable or reusable as possible and, instead of favours, we made a donation to a charity working with street children in Oaxaca,” notes Colin. For entertainment, the couple hired a mariachi band. “They exploded into Kat and Colin’s Mexican-inspired day was a riot of spice and colour Images courtesy of Chloe Lee Kat Hodgkinson, 33, married Colin Kinloch, 35, at The Round Chapel on 26 th August, 2018. FIESTA FABULOUS