Getting ready at the Lodge Hotel in Putney, with a stunning yet simple white lace dress by Charlie Brear and silver Chanel shoes, Steph looked beautiful while still in her dressing gown. But even on the hanger, you could see she had chosen well.
Details are important—a long row of teensy pearl buttons and a well-placed ruffle or two can mean the difference between a good wedding dress and a great one. But before you start nitpicking the details, the main thing must be to first figure out the silhouette that works best for you, rather than getting caught up in the trend of the moment. Steph had sensibly focussed on her personal style and what flatters her the most.
A long, gorgeous wedding dress with a fancy hem is to die for. Just remember that the top of your dress is what people will notice most—and what will show up in most wedding pictures. The majority of wedding photos that guests take of you are from the waist up
When you feel sexy and glamorous in a gown that has both modern and traditional elements, and you feel like a better version of yourself when you’re wearing it, you’ve found your timeless gown. It’s something that will never go out of style
After all, the secret of a great wedding is in the timing.
With all the organization that a wedding requires it’s easy for a bride and indeed her driver, to lose track in time.
But being a little late is a bride’s prerogative, and when this Cinderella finally did arrive in her carriage, a vintage, classic white Rolls Royce, no one could say it wasn’t worth the wait.
The traditional Anglican ceremony and service at St Mary’s Church in Barnes, was a perfect mixture of heritage and understated, sophisticated style, with readings from family and friends, a couple of well-chosen hymns and some affectionate wisdom from the vicar
And of course, no white wedding is complete without a shower of confetti!
The ceremony was followed by a romantic reception in the London Wetlands Centre, a wonderful and generous space for a Wedding Reception
The speeches fell to the men, as is traditional, and to a man, they kept them short, sweet, touching and funny. While excited brides are finalising seating arrangements and dreaming of their floral designs, for grooms, best men and maids of honour, however, it is the thought of their impending speeches that keeps many of them awake at night.
And that is every speaker's anxiety: What if they’re not funny? What if they’re boring? What if they get too nervous? The pressure to get it right seems unbearable to most. Every speaker has a unique set of obstacles to overcome but there are a few key rules that if followed can lead to resounding success and an evening spent fending off admirers.
First and foremost is to remember that giving a good speech is all about engaging the audience in a story. Telling a story requires colour and personality in the voice and most importantly, remember: Less is more. It's much better leaving the guests craving more of your charisma and charm than sending them to the bar in desperation.
Also don't try and memorise the speech - chances are you're not a actor so every iota of energy spent remembering the next line is energy wasted. You should be concentrating on what you are actually saying. But perhaps the most obvious piece of advice is the hardest to digest. Have fun! Like these guys did. Giving a speech about someone you love is like giving them a present you know they'll adore. It's a celebration, not a punishment.
While obviously time spent with the photographer is time spent away from your loved ones, it’s always nice to take a couple off for a stroll for some posed and relaxed portraits. A chance to unwind from the bustle of the day and get some one to one time, to catch your breath, and to catch up with what has just happened – the most dramatic day of your relationship to date! You got married!
While the first dance can be something a lot of people want to invest time and effort into, even hiring choreographers and rehearsing sophisticated dance routines, for others it can be a very nerve-wracking experience, almost as scary as that moment in front of everyone where you exchange rings and vows at the altar.
For many, those few minutes can seem to stretch into hours and it is too tempting to beckon your friends to jump up and fill the dance floor and help take the attention off you. For a photographer, grabbing those precious, precarious few moments can be daunting, but at the same time, for the couple, as with Pete and Steph, the most important thing is to be surrounded by loved ones enjoying themselves.
Because surely the secret to a great wedding should be that everyone has a good time, and that the happiness and love is shared and felt by all