Now this was an awesome wedding. I’ve never photographed an alternative rock venue wedding before and I loved every minute of it.
Lucy and Ade took over their local music venue, The Forum in Tunbridge Wells for a day of vegetarian BBQ, bands and hanging out with all of their favourite people. After marrying on stage their friends and family drank beer, listened to live music and danced to the best indie disco I’ve heard at a wedding in a long time.
Here’s what they had to say about working with me:
“When I looked at your work it was the informal, documentary style that we loved. We didn’t want lots of arranged photos or contrived shots. Given the style of our wedding we knew your style would work really well. We LOVE THE PICTURES! I loved the idea that people wouldn’t be posed- it don’t like that. I love that people were pictured as they are, natural and unaffected. I also have taken a lot of time to get over my own insecurities about having my photo taken – and you got that”
Scroll down to the bottom to read more about Lucy and Ady’s alternative rock venue wedding in their own words.
The beginning
I asked Ady to marry me! It was Feb 2016 and we had been together for 4 years at the time we got engaged. We decided pretty much straight away we wanted the wedding at The Forum, and they agreed! We had been there many times for gigs in the past, so it was a place with great memories. We knew it would be an alternative wedding and so gave ourselves over a year to plan. We waited to meet the right person so we knew we wanted a wedding that truly reflected us!
The Venue
Ady and I love live music. We’d been to the Forum many times and knew the place well. The idea of turning a gig space into our wedding venue really appealed, plus Isobel and Jason who run the Forum were awesome and supportive. It had just the right atmosphere and energy.
The Outfits
I bought a dress on sale. It didn’t really fit. I was determined not to spend silly money on a dress for one day… My mum saw me in it and asked me if it was the best I’d felt in an outfit.. I had to admit- no. Mum wanted to buy me a dress, but I wasn’t sure about a regular bridal dresses. I tried on a few coloured, tea length. As I wear that style a lot I just didn’t feel super special. The consultant brought me in a pure white, tulle long gown. She suggested white & sleeveless to show off my tattoos! She was right and I felt amazing! Plus it was not what anyone would have expected! Apparently all bets were on me in red. People always joke Ady is in jeans and band t-shirts so he wanted to wear something special too. Hence his burgundy velvet jacket, braces and bow tie! We felt old school glam!
The Styling
We wanted a mix of everything we love: rock and roll, rockabilly, kitsch glam, Americana and old school vintage. My mum and I crafted for the months before the wedding making pink pineapples, flamingos and glittery tea light jars. We really wanted that juxtaposition of industrial, grungy music space and kitsch glam. Mum spent a good few hours getting all of the gold, pink and black pom poms up! The flowers had to have 2 of my favourites- peonies and sweet peas. Fairly loose arrangements that worked with the hot pink bridesmaids dresses. Men’s button holes were all different.
The Ceremony
Katie Keen at True Blue Ceremonies worked with us to make a really personal ceremony. She was amazing and really ‘got’ us. We had a ring warming as part of the ceremony. She included lyrics from Biffy Clyro’s ‘Rearrange’ as Adys ring vow and I had ‘Pathways’ by Rainer Maria Rilke. Lucy‘s mum Caroline Slater, read an extract from “The Gift of the Sea” by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. We both wrote individual wedding vows that were sincere in our promises to each other, yet had a little humour too, based on our quirks. Both vows ended with ‘you are my best friend and I love you – as you are.’ This is really important to us and central to our values in our relationship. We have ‘as you are’ engraved in our rings.
The First Dance
Biffy Clyro – Different People
The Entertainment
We had Rudy Warman and the Heavy Weather in the day whilst we had the veggie BBQ. Then The Pillows from 9. Live music was really important to us. We also spent a good few hours on our playlists. We wanted a mix of pur tastes and yet everyone could still enjoy and have a dance!
The Words of Wisdom
I’m glad I read somewhere to take it in, it goes so fast. Also take sometime with your new husband. Our time having portraits away from the noise was lovely. Also – you can’t control it all. Don’t worry! It will be awesome! Realise what isn’t done, won’t matter really. Enjoy your time having all of your favourite people around you, celebrating.
The Credits
Ady- Moss Bross
Lucy– Venus Woman dress from Perfection Bridal, Lincoln.
Lucys shoes- Betsey Johnson
Lucy‘s necklace- Vivien of Holloway
Florist- The Flowersmiths
Venue-The Forum
Decor- Lucy and Mum!
Caterer- Fat Carrot
Cake- family friend
Bridesmaids dresses- Vivien of Holloway
Invites and banners outside- Ady
Day band- Rudy Warman and the Heavy Weather
Evening band- The Pillows
Car to venue- Lucy‘s stepdad Tony put ribbons on his car because he wouldn’t let Lucy walk over the road from the hotel!
If you’re planning an alternative rock venue wedding or looking for an alternative wedding photographer please get in touch. You can also check out more recent work on the blog.
Share this story
