Inside: A Spectacular Civil Ceremony In London -

Paul and I met five years ago in a recording studio: Paul was producing a cast album and I was singing on it. We hit it off immediately and it really did feel like it was meant to be, as I initially turned down this job (thank goodness I didn’t). We got engaged last year, 2022, when Paul completely surprised me by getting down on one knee in the beautiful gardens of Beaverbrook. We were celebrating our 4 year anniversary and it felt like a dream.

The best part of our day was…

There were so many amazing moments to our day, it was all so magical, from the moment we woke up in Claridge’s Hotel, there was a feeling of excitement in the air. We started the day with opening our beautiful cards from our family and friends and then went and had the most delicious breakfast ever (what didn’t we order). Buttermilk pancakes with blueberries, maple syrup and streaky bacon, bircher muesli, eggs Benedict, bakery basket and more; Paul and I were in our element.

We then went back to our room to where the glam squad were ready and raring to go. The bubbles were flowing, the music was on and the excitement was brewing. One thing I would recommend when choosing your glam team and photographer, make sure to choose people who not only you love their work but have the same energy as you and the energy you want surrounding you on your wedding day. You spend so much time with hair and makeup and your photographer that you want to feel relaxed, and as Paul and I got ready together we had so much fun.

After spending the morning together, we were then reunited with our immediate family at The Old Marylebone Town Hall and it was so magical. We were body giddy with excitement, the energy was electric. Having our families there, just meant the world to us (I am actually smiling so much as I write this). We then went to Langan’s Brasserie to continue the celebrations. My sister/maid of honour Aimee, had the table beautifully decorated with handmade white bows, confetti, beautiful hand written name cards and the most deliciously stunning white heart chocolate cake!

So in answer to the question what was the best part… it was all the best part!

We chose to get married in…

The Old Marylebone Town Hall for our civil ceremony on Sunday 23rd April. We chose this venue because Paul and I had always loved it, as it is such an iconic venue. We did also consider Chelsea Town Hall, however we didn’t feel the venue was as beautiful. I mean just entering The Old Marylebone Town Hall through the magnificent pillars and up the remarkable steps. The 23rd of April 2023 was a special date for us to choose, as it was our 5 year anniversary and also a year on from the date Paul proposed to me.

I knew I found ‘The One’ when…

I definitely knew I had found ‘The Dress’ when I fell in love seeing it online and then when I tried it on. It just felt so me. I loved the detail of the dress and also I loved that I would wear it again and again for years to come, as it is the perfect summer dress. I felt like a princess.

The hardest part of planning was…

We were actually very organised with planning our legal ceremony. The hardest part was choosing when, and then we had a lightbulb moment of choosing our anniversary date as the special day and it was all very easy from then.

The most unexpected part of the day was…

When the FA Cup semi final was on the same day, Brighton Hove and Albion VS Man City. Paul being a Seagulls supporter, we found ourselves all very invested at the dinner table watching the game go to penalties. Did I plan to watch football on my wedding day? Definitely not, but it added to the fun of the day!

The best accounts to follow on Instagram for big-day inspo are…

For me there wasn’t one account that I used for inspiration. I found the biggest inspiration was from looking at images that have bene taken at your venue before, looking at different wedding designers and brides in their pieces and also wedding photographers. Also really thinking about weddings you have been to as well and drawing inspirations from them and what suit you.

My top three tips for any couple would be…

1) Enjoy every single moment of it, because it’s so magical and time flies by.

2) Don’t worry about things you can’t control. It rained on our legal wedding day and on the lead up to the day I kept checking the weather forecast hoping that it was miraculously going to change to sunny. However, it didn’t, it definitely rained, but it added to the magic of the whole day. A favourite quote of mine is ‘rain is like confetti falling from the sky’, so I channelled this energy.

3) Do your wedding the way you want to, it’s your big day, don’t worry about the opinions of others. Do it your special way.

If I was able to do it all over again, the one thing I would change is…

I wouldn’t actually change a thing about our special day/weekend. It felt like we were in a movie and we enjoyed every single moment of it. It was a day full of so much love and joy and a day we will remember forever.