Your London Wedding - January/February 2021 (Issue 75)

REAL WEDDINGS 31  F abienne and Tony both work in the classical music business – Fabienne as a marketing professional and Tony as a percussionist. It was while they were both working for the world-famous London Symphony Orchestra that they met. And yes, it was at the work Christmas party! Fabienne tells us, “I remember looking across the room and thinking, ‘Who is that?’ I was so drawn to his good looks and magnetism. Tony says he was taken by my big smile, flirtatious nature and intelligence.” A few years later, Tony was planning to pop the question, although it would seem he’s not the best at keeping secrets. “We went on a short getaway to Bavaria,” Fabienne says. “I’d seen it coming a mile off; I even warned my girlfriends that I might return engaged!” That didn’t spoil Tony’s wonderful proposal though. On a hot afternoon, they climbed to a ruined hilltop castle where Tony got down on one knee. “One sweet detail I hadn’t seen coming was that he’d arranged to have champagne put on ice back at the hotel,” Fabienne smiles. “When we walked into the reception, the staff cheered and fetched the bottle!” The couple set the date for 21 st September, 2019, and there was never any doubt that they would tie the knot in their home city. We caught up with Fabienne to find out more… THE PERFECT SETTING Proud to call the Blackheath and Greenwich area home, Fabienne and Tony were keen to get married as local as possible. “When researching London registry offices, I happened upon Woolwich Town Hall,” Fabienne tells us. “It was simply magnificent and only a ten-minute bus ride from our home. It was very important to us that the ceremony space had gravitas to reflect the seriousness of our commitment; its massive domed interior, stained-glass windows, marble floor and sweeping staircase exuded class, grandeur and history.” When it came to their reception, the venue couldn’t have been more different. “Craft London is a contemporary restaurant,” Fabienne explains. “It has floor-to-ceiling windows, a hip cocktail bar and a London view to die for, with the iconic O2 next door and the lights of Canary Wharf glittering in the distance. We got a real kick out of juxtaposing tradition and modernity.” PUTTING THEIR STAMP ON The day was a love letter to London, not just in location, but in touches throughout. “We decided it would be fun to pay tribute to our home city,” the bride says. “I got ready at InterContinental London - The O2, which had glorious views over the Thames. I arrived at the Town Hall in a black cab – a white one, no less – and our order-of-service featured specially commissioned illustrations of the London skyline.” The twelve tables were named after places the pair had lived in London, from Archway and Maida Vale to Brixton and Lewisham. When it came to decor, Fabienne and Tony felt that less was more, letting the venues speak for themselves. “The settings were stunning as they were,” Fabienne explains. “We basically just added some balloons and bubbles! Our favours were wildflower seeds, reflecting our love of nature, and we put hundreds of blank romance-themed postcards on the tables so guests could write us messages.” They also had the great idea of asking their guests to contribute date ideas into a jar. “We now have a list of more than 100 things to do – as soon as restrictions are lifted!” Fabienne says. FABIENNE’S WORDS OF WEDDED WISDOM: “MAKE SURE SOMEONE FILMS YOUR CEREMONY, EVEN IF IT’S JUST DISCREETLY ON THEIR PHONE. YOU’LL BE SO GLAD YOU HAVE IT TO WATCH BACK.”