Pete and Marianne’s wedding celebrations were a true reflection of their fun-loving personalities. The couple tied the knot on June 10th, 2018, at Trinity Buoy Wharf in London, where they transformed the warehouse venue into an unforgettable party space. With good music, delicious food, and refreshing drinks, they created a memorable experience for their guests. The duo’s creative spirit shone through in their DIY projects, including the ‘best day ever’ banner, signage, tassels, and cake toppers, which added to the whimsical atmosphere of the reception. Marianne stunned in her sequin wedding dress by Abigail of Gardenia, while Pete looked dashing in his navy suit, floral tie, and tan shoes – a perfect match for his groomsmen. The bridesmaids’ tulle grey dresses completed the stylish ensemble. We’re grateful to Miss Gen Photography for sharing these stunning images with us, which truly capture the essence of this joyous celebration.
The Proposal
We’ve been blessed with a love that spans decades, our paths crossing during childhood days at school. As we navigated the ups and downs of adolescence together, our bond only strengthened, culminating in us attending the same university. The natural progression of our relationship led to an unforgettable proposal – as we exchanged vows while watching 24 hours in police custody on a hotel room television, a peculiar yet memorable moment. Two years later, we sealed our love with a sacred marriage ceremony.
The Vision
From the get-go, we aimed to infuse every moment of the day with a lighthearted, joyful atmosphere. We didn’t want anything to feel forced or obligatory; instead, we wanted our loved ones to feel free to enjoy good food, great music, and refreshing drinks without any pressure. Of course, this meant carefully curating every detail – from the color scheme to the decorations – to create a warm, inviting ambiance. I spent hours poring over Pinterest boards to settle on a palette that felt uniquely us: a harmonious blend of green, pink, cream, and gold tones that would add depth and visual interest to the space. We took an incredibly hands-on approach to creating each element, from the cake toppers and cake itself to the on-table decor, hand-painted signs, paper tassels, and show-stopping centerpiece – a true labor of love that paid off in spades. As we looked around at the finished product, our hard work and dedication were palpable, and it was exhilarating to see our loved ones reveling in every aspect of the celebration. It was a day that will be etched in my memory forever.
The Readings & Music
Our wedding day ceremony was a more intimate and relaxed affair, following an official registry office marriage just days prior. A dear family friend served as celebrant, bringing warmth and familiarity to the proceedings. My sister beautifully read aloud John Cooper Clarke’s poignant poem ‘I wanna be yours’ – made famous by The Arctic Monkeys in their cover version. The ceremony was peppered with laughter, and we kept our vows simple yet heartfelt, mindful of not overextending the celebration. To mark the occasion, we emerged to a soundtrack of New Found Glory’s energetic anthem ‘Kiss Me’, a nod to our shared emo roots.
Your Outfits & Accessories
As fate would have it, my dream dress was discovered at a trunk show held by Heart Aflutter Bridal. The moment I laid eyes on those dazzling sequins, I knew I had found ‘the one’. Given our unconventional approach to the traditional wedding, this dress was an absolute perfect fit! To complement the dress’s splendor, I opted for bold, bright red shoes that mirrored the vibrant hue of my initial choice for a wedding car – my father’s impressive orange eagle kit car, which he had been building since I was just a little girl. Beyond that, I kept things remarkably simple, allowing the dress to be the true showstopper on its own.
Your Photographer
We embarked on an exhaustive search for the perfect photographer, driven by our passion for creativity. After scouring various blogs and reviews, we stumbled upon Miss Gen Photography, whose unique style and understanding of the venue’s nuances left us in awe. We were particularly drawn to her ability to capture genuine moments without forcing artificial poses or contrived scenarios. Given our introverted nature, we sought a photographer who would seamlessly blend into the wedding atmosphere, capturing candid moments without disrupting the flow of the day. Miss Gen exceeded our expectations, effortlessly capturing both lighthearted and poignant moments – including the memorable instance when a friend ripped her dress from dancing too enthusiastically. During our couple shots, she proved to be a consummate professional, putting us at ease and yielding stunning photographs that exuded natural charm. Her expertise and efficiency allowed us to focus on enjoying the day, rather than worrying about capturing perfect poses or moments. To top it off, she even lent her assistance when the groomsmen struggled with their button holes, ensuring everyone’s attire was immaculate.
Favourite Photos
One of our most cherished memories as a couple is from the top of the lighthouse. It was a moment of peace and relaxation away from everyone else, allowing us to recharge and unwind together. The scenery around TBW also proved to be a great backdrop for some fantastic shots, particularly those of us individually and as a pair. As someone who rarely takes a photo they’re happy with, it’s wonderful to have ones that capture my personality. Of course, there are also the amazing photos of our guests having the time of their lives. One standout moment was captured by Miss Gen – her friend dancing and ripping her dress. The resulting laughter and reactions were priceless! Even the group shots turned out well, capturing the essence of those moments without feeling forced or artificial.
The Flowers
To make our special day even more personal and budget-friendly, we opted to create our own bouquets and buttonholes using artificial flowers. This allowed us to infuse our unique personalities into every detail. We took it a step further by crafting flower arrangements for the tables, cleverly repurposing painted tin cans as vases. What mattered most to us was adding that personal touch everywhere we could. While we did incorporate some real flowers – on the wedding cake, specifically – Marianne had purchased them from Tesco Express just hours before the ceremony, grabbing them en route to the venue where she’d be delivering the cake, which she’d spent the previous night preparing.
Memorable Moments
It’s difficult to put into words just how incredible that day was from start to finish. The memory that always stands out is the car keys, which I had somehow misplaced towards the end of the night. My friend eventually found them on the floor and only remembered to tell me the next day! For me, walking down the aisle and seeing all the smiling faces of loved ones looking back at me was an overwhelmingly emotional experience. And to top it all off, there was Pete waiting for me at the altar, with the stunning view of the O2 Arena serving as a breathtaking backdrop.
First Dance
The memories from our wedding day are still etched vividly in my mind, but one moment that stands out is our first dance. We chose ‘Time Of Your Life’ by Green Day as the perfect soundtrack to mark the occasion. To make it even more special, we hired a band to learn and perform their own unique cover of the song on the day of the wedding. The result was an electric atmosphere that made our first dance truly unforgettable.
Advice For Other Couples
As the big day approaches, remember that it’s all about celebrating your love and commitment with your partner. On your wedding day, let go of the pressure to impress others and do what makes you happy! It’s a unique opportunity to be completely yourself and enjoy every moment with the person you’re meant to spend forever with. So, take a deep breath, relax, and soak up every second of this special day – after all, it’s your chance to truly be yourself!
Credit Where Credit Is Due
Pete and Marianne’s special day was filled with love, laughter, and stunning visuals, courtesy of Miss Gen Photography. The bride’s elegance was elevated by her Eliora gown from Heart Aflutter Bridal, perfectly complemented by her Asos shoes. The bridesmaids shone in their own Asos attire, while the groom cut a dashing figure in his Debenhams suit, accompanied by his stylishly attired groomsmen also from Debenhams. The bride’s beauty was enhanced by her hair styled at Rabbit Hole Vegan Hair Salon and makeup artistry by Katie Adamson. Meanwhile, the groomsmen were well-groomed in their Debenhams ensembles. Sweet treats came courtesy of the vegan cake crafted by the bride herself, while the flowers were lovingly arranged by the bride’s skilled hands. The evening was filled with the sounds of The Soundouts and the tantalizing aromas of Tasting Plates’ culinary creations. Surrounded by the picturesque Trinity Bufer Wharf venue, this London wedding was truly unforgettable.