Your London Wedding - January/February 2024 (Issue 93)

supply our cake, we hopefully did a small part to help the company’s community of women as well.” LOOKING THE PART The bride looked stunning in an Alexandra Grecco gown called Sabine, which she purchased as a sample dress from Lovely Bride London. She comments, “I knew I wanted a dress with a deep V neckline, an open back, a semi-dramatic train and buttons while still easily being able to dance. This dress was up against others but was another easy choice once I had tried it on for a second time.” The bride accessorised her look with a small diamond necklace, gold bar earrings and low nude heels. The most special parts of her outfit were borrowed, like her auntie’s veil, who brought the piece to Laura’s follow-up dress appointment. The satin trim perfectly matched her dress and was short, just the style Laura preferred. She says, “I felt so chic and happy with how everything had come together. I hadn’t tried on everything all at once yet until the day, and I felt so pretty!” Danny looked dapper in a navy and gold patterned suit with a neutral gold tie. Laura says, “I remember thinking ‘I’m so happy to see him finally’ during the ceremony as he steadied me immediately. I was so grateful to be standing beside him, holding his hand as I was so nervous! Danny remembers feeling incredibly happy and lucky when he first saw me.” The pair didn’t have a wedding party, but their sisters were witnesses, and both chose to wear the same colour independently and matched in the end! MEMORABLE MOMENTS The couple hired a live band to entertain guests, which was one of their main goals. The team were incredible, and the dancefloor was packed as they played a fantastic variety of genres with plenty of classics that had everyone moving. “I didn’t want anything too modern, as I always feel it can be a bit too polarising for guests, so we stuck with the classics”, says the bride. Laura remembers being seated during the wedding breakfast, looking out and seeing her loved ones laughing and enjoying what turned out to be a glorious, sunny day along the River Thames. It was heartwarming to see so many people from their lives in one space together. Since the couple planned their wedding so quickly, many of the bride’s friends and family from the US couldn’t join them, so the pair planned to livestream the wedding via Zoom. Laura found out later that evening that Danny had forgotten the laptop at home when he left, and he only realised when he arrived at the venue. Luckily, the property isn’t far from the flat, and his sister could return to get it quickly! Another classic moment was with Danny’s mum, known for being a bit clumsy. Laura comments, “Midway through the meal, she leaned over to speak to me, but we couldn’t hear each other because it was so loud. She tried to scoot her chair towards me, but it got caught on a piece of the wooden floor, sending her chair backwards and her with it. Everyone panicked to ensure she was okay; thankfully, she was, but both of us were dying of laughter – it wouldn’t have been our wedding if she hadn’t fallen over at some point!” The couple’s venue coordinator, Tara, was incredible! Leading up to the wedding, she offered the couple so much advice they were grateful for – her experience was invaluable to their planning. She was attentive on the day, and nothing was too much trouble. The lovebirds felt so special and taken care of like celebrities! The mother-of-the-groom’s speech was a bit of a tear-jerker and had everyone laughing/crying. The groom also gave a speech to thank everyone. He managed to individually recognise each of their family and friends around the room – most notably, referring to his mum’s boyfriend of more than ten years as the closest thing he’s had to a father, which sent everyone into tears. There’s a photo of them hugging afterwards; it’s such a sweet reminder of this moment! 31 REAL WEDDINGS

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