Imagine celebrating Christmas and New Year’s Eve in the midst of a joyful family gathering, rather than indulging in lazy days or feasting on buffet food at your aunt’s house. That’s exactly what Danny and Susi, from our wonderful community of readers, chose to do. They tied the knot on December 28th, 2019, amidst the magical winter atmosphere. The ceremony took place at the enchanting Asylum Chapel in London, followed by an unforgettable celebration at St. Barts Brewery. What stands out about their special day? The stunning sequin dresses, the delicate dried flowers scattered throughout, and the delectable vegan cuisine that complemented their winter wonderland setting. To create a cozy ambiance, they incorporated warm lighting with candles and fairy lights, accompanied by live music from Tailored Entertainment, a trusted wedding supplier directory member. Their adorable pup even made a special appearance! I’m deeply grateful to Joseph Kinerman for sharing these breathtaking images with us today.
St Bart’s Brewery Wedding
The Proposal
As we celebrated our 8-year milestone together, Danny surprised me with an unforgettable proposal in New York’s bustling streets. December’s festive atmosphere, Christmas decorations, and a visit to the iconic Rockefeller Centre had been on my bucket list for ages. Although we were jet-lagged from the time difference, Danny’s thoughtful suggestion to watch the sunrise from our hotel rooftop proved to be a masterstroke. The morning light danced across the cityscape as he got down on one knee, asking me to spend forever with him. It was a moment that perfectly captured our love story and made our trip even more enchanting.
The Vision
Our goal wasn’t to craft a specific vision, but rather ensure that every guest left with unforgettable memories. After all, we’d spent so much time planning and investing in our special day – it was crucial that everyone had an amazing experience. We focused on selecting those small yet significant details that would keep the party going, like the talented musicians, roaming gin company, photo booth, and shuttle bus, to guarantee a fun-filled atmosphere throughout the entire celebration.
The Planning Process
We embarked on a two-year journey of wedding planning, taking our time to find the perfect fit. Initially, I didn’t have a clear vision in mind, and we explored numerous options – from different seasons to countries and even eloping in Vegas. However, as we delved deeper into the process, we realized that having our closest friends and family by our side was crucial for us (and we weren’t sure they’d forgive us if we had done it without them!).
The Christmas season held a special charm for us – the joy of celebration, the warmth of togetherness, and the magic of the holiday atmosphere. As such, it naturally became our chosen date. Throughout the planning process, we drew inspiration from beautiful weddings showcased on blogs like WWW and blended them with our personal preferences to create a unique and meaningful celebration that reflected our love story.
The Venue
As we set out to plan our winter wonderland wedding, we sought venues that could be transformed into cozy havens with the help of candles, flowers, and fairy lights. Two stunning locations stood out from the rest, and we knew instantly that they were meant to be our perfect settings. The Asylum Chapel in Peckham played host to our intimate ceremony, its unique beauty and character proving an ideal backdrop for our special moment. With only a few subtle touches – a sprinkling of flowers down the aisle, a generous scattering of candles at the altar, and some twinkling fairy lights – we created an atmosphere that was both warm and inviting.Following the ceremony, we made our way to St. Barts Brewery, a charming pub-restaurant nestled near Smithfield market. The team’s warmth and enthusiasm were infectious, and they proved invaluable in coordinating every aspect of our big day. Their culinary expertise also shone through, as they crafted a bespoke three-course vegan menu that perfectly captured the flavors we love.
Your Outfits & Accessories
I had a great experience shopping for my wedding party attire with ASOS, as I managed to find not only the perfect dress for myself but also matching outfits for my bridesmaids. The winter wonderland theme of our special day led me to opt for dresses featuring abundant sequins, which I discovered on ASOS and knew would be a hit. Additionally, I was thrilled to have found similar pink sequined dresses for my two flower girls at Matalan – they looked absolutely stunning as they walked down the aisle alongside their mothers. My groom, Danny, had his heart set on a green suit, and I was delighted that Moss Bros. had just the right one in terms of style and color for him, which he wore along with the rest of our dashing groomsmen.
Beauty
With meticulous attention to detail, I dedicated a significant amount of time scouring social media platforms for the ideal artists to transform my look – and that of my bridesmaids – on the most momentous day of all. After an exhaustive search, I finally discovered Katy Angelidi and Kate Morris, respectively experts in makeup and hair styling. Both were remarkably accommodating and cooperative, working closely with me to craft a personalized look that perfectly captured our unique styles. Needless to say, my bridesmaids and I were absolutely thrilled with the results, testifying to the exceptional talent of these gifted professionals.
The Readings & Music
We opted for a laid-back approach to our ceremony, with only one reading chosen by two close friends. The atmosphere was relaxed, setting the tone for the rest of the day. We were also fortunate to have Louis Coupe’s talented musicianship at the Asylum, where he provided live music throughout our guests’ arrival, photo opportunities, and cocktail hour. His rendition of ‘The Wonder of You’ was particularly memorable, as I walked down the aisle. In the evening, we wanted a band that would get everyone on their feet dancing, and Sega and the Boombox delivered just that. As a 90’s/00’s cover band, they brought infectious energy and a fun-loving vibe to our celebration. We highly recommend checking out our wedding readings and music pages for inspiration for your special day.
The Flowers
We opted for Maples Flowers to design our wedding blooms, and it was a decision we didn’t regret. We were adamant that our arrangements would feature a mix of fresh and dried flowers in neutral tones, perfectly complementing the DIY dried flower centrepieces on our tables. Shane grasped our vision immediately and presented us with an impressive selection of flowers he thought would work beautifully. Moreover, he was well-versed in sourcing the best blooms during the challenging Christmas period, which we had chosen for our special day. He offered invaluable suggestions on how to create a lush arrangement that would allow us to easily relocate it between both venues throughout the day. Maples Flowers truly delivered, as their creations were stunningly beautiful and remarkably durable – we’ve even preserved some of my bouquet’s dried flowers in vases around our home.
The Cake
As a vegan couple, we made sure that every aspect of our special day reflected our lifestyle. This included the food, which we wanted to be entirely plant-based. We placed great emphasis on ensuring that all the dishes were not only vegan but also scrumptious, so that our friends and family could indulge just as much as we did. It was through Hitched that Danny discovered La Sweet Galerie, and we were thrilled with our decision to work with them. The cake was truly exceptional.
Your Photographer
After a thorough search online, my partner and I finally found a photographer who truly fit our needs. As camera-shy individuals, we wanted someone who could work with us to capture the essence of our special day without resorting to cheesy poses. Our initial Skype meeting with Joe left us convinced that he was the perfect match. He demonstrated an immediate understanding of what we were looking for and his friendly demeanor put us at ease. On the big day, Joe brought along Rhys, who were both incredibly lovely and made sure we felt comfortable throughout. They seamlessly blended in with our friends and family while capturing stunning photos that exceeded our expectations. We were thrilled to receive all the edited photos just as quickly, even while still on honeymoon. I genuinely believe they’re a matchless pair, and I’d wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone seeking a photographer who truly gets it.
The Honeymoon
Our serendipity was rewarded with a month-long stay in Bali, mere weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic forced global shutdowns. This fortunate timing allowed us to indulge in the island’s tropical splendor, exploring its scenic landscapes and creating an abundance of cherished moments as we reveled in the warmth of the Balinese sun.
Memorable Moments
The highlight of our special day was filled with unforgettable moments, but a few really stole my heart. One such moment was when I walked into the chapel and was surprised to see Woody, our adorable Cockapoo, standing by Danny’s side at the end of the aisle. Seeing Danny after an entire day of wanting nothing more than to give him a big hug was all the more special. And to make it even sweeter, our dog walkers had kept it a secret, knowing how much we adore Woody. He looked dashing in his suit and top hat – too cute for words! The joy he brought to everyone present was palpable.Our transportation for the day was a charming vintage cream bus that whisked our guests between venues. My little sister curated an amazing playlist that featured everything from The Dixie Cups to the Spice Girls, getting everyone on board singing and dancing along. It made the journey through London even more enjoyable.I must give credit where it’s due: Joseph Kinerman was behind the lens capturing every precious moment; Asylum Chapel served as our ceremony venue; St. Barts Brewery hosted our reception; Travelling Gin Company kept our thirst quenched; Louis Coupe and Sega and the Boombox via Tailored Entertainment entertained us with their music; Kate Morris styled my hair, while Katy Angelidi perfected my makeup; Maple Flowers created stunning arrangements; I chose ASOS for my dress and those of my bridesmaids; London Retro Bus Hire provided our transportation; lasweetgalerieLDN crafted a breathtaking cake; and Mighty Booth kept the photobooth fun going. A huge thank you to Danny and Susi for sharing their joyous wedding day with us – it was truly unforgettable, and Danny and Susi looked absolutely stunning!