Megan and Sarah’s St Barts Brewery Wedding with a trip on The London Eye
When you head off to photograph a wedding around Christmas you certainly don’t expect the light we were treated to at Megan and Sarah’s very London wedding. From the Asylum in Peckham to St Bart’s Brewery in Smithfield via the London eye, Megan and Sarah had a magical day in the Capital featuring Christmas crackers, mulled wine, pie and mash and a sunset of epic proportions.
Colourful wedding photography with a relaxed style
Here’s what Megan and Sarah had to say about working with me as their photographer: Working with Laura and Pete was impressively easy, never intrusive and the results are gorgeous. We love them. Initially we were drawn to the colour in Laura’s work and after an initial chat we knew Laura and Pete’s relaxed style was definitely right up our alley. We really couldn’t be happier!
Keep scrolling to check out Megan and Sarah’s St Barts Brewery Wedding and to read about the day in their own words below.
Check out more of my London wedding photography over on the blog or pop over to my contact page and let’s have a chat about your wedding!
Here’s more about Megan and Sarah’s day:
We first met in Las Vegas
We met in Vegas! (Although not as sensationally as one’s imagination could paint.) We both work for the same company and met at a project Christmas Party nearly 5 years ago. Needless to say, we hit it off immediately. Unfortunately, it would be another 2 years before we found ourselves working together again and our friendship and eventual relationship blossomed from there.
A destination wedding planned from the US
Being based in the US, our venue searches were very limited to what we could find through internet searches over beers at our local pub on the weekends. We very quickly realized help was a must and even more fortunate to find availability with Always Andri Wedding Design. We shared with Andri what the two of us envisioned for our family affair, and she knocked it out of the park with her recommendations.
Five hours in hair and make up, five minutes to get dressed
We knew big white dresses were not our style nor did we think they would suit our particular taste. On one of our trips to the UK, Sarah’s best friend and matron of honor, Kate, arranged for a personal shopper to assist in helping us find dresses that were different yet complimentary.
After a few hideous but hilarious initial choices, we found our dresses on the first try in a Cardiff, Wales House of Frazier. Our white coats were purchased in the US after a friendly reminder from our wedding planner we might not want to show up in our regular winter coats. We found what we were looking for from Massimo Dutti and BCBG Max Azria.
What did we love? It took 5 hours in hair and makeup…it took 5 minutes to get dressed.
A buttonhole for each guest
Most of the style and look of the day was completely orchestrated through our wedding planner, Always Andri and Simon Nickell Floral designs. We gave very loose instructions of what we didn’t want and let the professionals do what they do best and handle the rest.
We chose not to have the traditional bridal bouquets as we’re both based in the US and wouldn’t be able to dry or save any of the arrangements. Instead, Simon and his team crafted beautiful buttonholes for all of the guests. Initially we joked these would act as a ticket for the bus ride to the London Eye – little did we know they were actually supremely helpful in identifying the wedding party through throngs of tourists navigating through London!
The wedding Ceremony at The Asylum, Peckham
On our invitation reply cards, we asked for those who couldn’t attend to reply with a little marriage advice for us. The responses back were a complete mix of heartfelt advice, funny anecdotes and one-liners that probably shouldn’t be shared! At some point we had an epiphany to edit some of these responses together into a unique wedding reading. Our way of including those who couldn’t share the day with us.
Also, for fear of Megan blubbering through the entire ceremony, we didn’t tailor our vows. Happy to report no tears were shed during the actual ceremony (although the same story is not the case for the pre-ceremony meeting with the Registrar…waterfall may be an accurate description.
A First Dance to Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons
Surprisingly one of our hardest decisions (and the cause of a micro-argument or two)! In the end, we had a list we tossed to the musicians about two hours before the actual dance and let them choose – “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons
Duelling Pianos to entertain guests
We wanted to bring a little American style entertainment and hired duelling pianos from Piano Factor. The guys were excellent and we certainly caught a few guests singing along to their choices.
Favourite parts of the day
The ceremony. The thought of declaring our absolute love for each other standing front and centre before all our friends and family was nerve-racking to say the least. Last minute elopement may have been discussed on the way to the ceremony…In actuality, it turned out to be the easiest, calmest, most comfortingly perfect part of the day.
Advice for other wedding planning couples
For day of advice – recently married friends told us to make sure we carved out some alone time to ensure we savoured the moment. We took the advice and so very glad we did. Having those extra little moments in between the hustle was definitely worth it and is turning out to be what we use as anchors in our memories for the full day’s events.
For planning advice – if you can, hire a planner!
The awesome wedding suppliers
Planning, styling and design: http://alwaysandri.co.uk/
Florist Simon Nickel Design http://www.simonnickelldesign.com/
Ceremony Venue The Asylum http://maverickprojects.co.uk/asylum/weddings/
Reception Venue St Bart’s Brewery http://www.stbartsbrewery.com/
Decor/styling: Copper Cutlery Hire Bo Boutique http://boboutique.co.uk/
Glassware hire Classic Crockery
Linen hire 88 Events http://www.88events.com/
Cake Maker Butter Beautiful http://www.butterbeautifullondon.com/
Ceremony Caterer The Humble Pie Company http://www.thehumblepie.co.uk/
Wedding Planner Always Andri Wedding Design http://alwaysandri.co.uk/
Invitations: Paperless Post https://www.paperlesspost.com/
On the day Stationery Emily & Jo http://emilyandjo.co.uk/
Entertainment (day & evening) Guitarist Thom via liquid Strings https://www.liquidstrings.com/act/thom/
Evening entertainments: Piano Factor https://www.pianofactor.co.uk/
Transport London Retro Bus Company http://www.londonretrobushire.co.uk/
Makeup Ausra via Kristina Gasperas http://kristinagasperas.com/meet-ausra/
Hair Agata Julia http://www.agatajuliamakeup.com/
Crackers http://thehandmadecrackercompany.co.uk/
Getting ready hotel: The Zetter http://www.thezetter.com/
Blackboard messages Calligraphy Oh Wonder Calligraphy http://www.ohwondercalligraphy.com/
Babb Photo is a creative, award winning London wedding photographer providing documentary wedding photography awesomeness across the UK and Europe. For St Bart’s Brewery Wedding Photography please get in touch!
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