A Day at St Paul's

Once in a while, 

Right in the middle of an ordinary life, 

Love gives us a fairy tale.

The above quote perfectly sums up my latest bride, her amazing her wedding and a wonderful marriage which has just begun.  

I met Karly at The Bride Magazine wedding show at Knebworth House back in January of 2015. The event was buzzing and full of couples in love and mothers and family eagerly looking for ideas to ensure their loved ones had the best day possible.

Karly was no exception, she filled my booth with laughter and joy as she told me about her dream wedding in August this year. My daughter and I were enthralled by the ideas and the amazing venue…St Paul’s Cathedral! What an honour to be married in such a patriotic, historic landmark. I always seem to know what brides you will work with and I knew that I just had to work with Karly, to ensure that her flowers lived up to the magnificent St Paul’s Cathedral and her bubbly, down to earth personality.

Karly and Sam met at school, when they were 15 and 16. Although they had been at the same school for many years, they hadn’t met until their GCSE's where they shared Drama and PE class together. Complete high school sweethearts.

Karly and Sam's engagement is one to remember forever and Sam really did do a spectacular job.

Sam’s parents renewed their wedding vows after 25 years of marriage, in the gorgeous Caribbean island Antigua. Karly and Sam were fortunate enough to share this special occasion with them, which created so many wonderful memories. They arrived in the Monday and on the Tuesday Sam told Karly they had won a photo shoot on the beach for that evening, after getting herself ready (not impressed with the minimal tanning time) they went down to the beach for the 'photoshoot'.

Sam made out the photographer was meeting them under this beautiful iron arch that was on the beach. It was completely covered in flowers and candles and rose petals leading up to it. Sam then proposed to his childhood sweetheart with the sand beneath their toes and the waves crashing on the shore.

St Paul’s cathedral is one of the most famous and most recognisable sights in London. Its dome, framed by the spires of Wren's City churches, dominated the skyline for 300 years.

Karly and Sam’s wedding ceremony was on the church floor at St Paul's Cathedral, London. The ceremony was amazing, the tall done ceiling and incredible architecture was breath-taking. The cathedral is extremely close to Sam and Karly and Sam’s family as Sam was christened there and also works at the cathedral. Sam’s dad also works there and so did his grandfather before them. The wedding reception was held in the beautiful Crypt of St Paul's.

Karly’s dress was absolutely stunning and looked at if it was made for the beautiful bride, it was an Alfred Sung wedding dress purchased from The White Wardrobe in Hitchin. Adding a personal touch to the dress the neck line was completely redesigned and reworked by the lovely seamstress Irene Isaacs based in Hitchin.

The stunning veil was a couture, two-tiered, double cathedral length veil that was designed by Karly and the seamstress. Her shoes were absolutely gorgeous ivory stain court shoes from Rainbow Couture, accompanied by a circular broach.

The Adult Bridesmaid dresses were elegant floor length dresses in blush and were purchased from Debenhams.

The adorable little bridesmaid dresses were Ivory, Rocha John Rocha by Debenhams.

The groomsmen wore a French blue, 3 pieced suit hired from Anthony Exclusive Formalwear based in Billericay. They sourced the navy blue, cable knit bow ties and braces from the internet.

Sam had a personalised pocket square that had a personal message embroidered on it from Karly, as well as a pocket watch with his initials and the wedding date engraved on. The groomsman had pocket watches and squares too.

The mother of the bride wore a waterfall shawl and bouquet Guipure dress in Almond by Gina Bacconi.

The mother of the groom wore a blush pink dress and jacket by John Charles and hat by Barcelona which she bought from a boutique in Bromley.

Karly accompanied her stunning dress with earrings and a necklace which were white gold with princess cut solitaire diamonds. These were also her something borrowed from her lovely mother in-law.

Sam's parents had the most stunning diamond bracelet made for Karly as a wedding gift, it consists of diamonds which separated white gold hearts and then two baguette sapphire stones were placed by the clasp. Sapphire is also her birthstone and represented her something blue.

Karly’s rings are platinum with princess cut diamonds from Fraser Hart and Sam's ring is palladium.

 The bridesmaids were given little gifts to wear on the day that consisted of earrings, bracelets and necklaces. Karly also made them personalised hangers that had their names, the wedding date and their role on them.

Wooden jewellery boxes were made for Karly’s mum and mother in-law with personalised messages on them. As well as handmade cards by Yummiest Envelope.

The flowers I knew had to be spectacular to complement the fantastic venue and gorgeous couple. Karly had a clear vision of what she wanted so it was amazing to work with her and I was able to create exactly what she wanted, with a few additional touches of my own.

The groomsmen, the parents and grandparents had gorgeous large blush and Ivory roses.

For Karly’s bouquet, she wanted peonies as they're her favourite flower, along with roses. Being August it's difficult to get peonies but I was sure to give the perfect bouquet and sourced the very best I could. The bouquet was soft and elegant, made up of whites, ivories, blush pinks and antiqued lilacs, exactly what Karly had hoped for. I was delighted she loved it.

The bridesmaids had gorgeous large ivory, blush and antiqued lilac roses which kept within the colour theme. I tied the bouquets with an ivory ribbon and placed Karly’s lovely Nanny Betty's broach in the middle of the bow.

Her sisters’ bouquet also had a small gold angel pin badge which was their Nan's, a gift her sister had bought for her when she was little. This was such a special touch and meant so much to Karly. After the wedding she placed bouquet at her Nan's grave, Karly said “I wanted to save it for the most beautiful lady”.

The venue flowers were simple candelabras which replicated the bouquet but with an additional pop of colour. I used pink gerberas and green foliage that spiralled the candelabras and trailed along the top table. It looked beautiful and the candelabras were a perfect addition to the regal room.

Karly’s hair was done by Tina who Karly met through an old school friend. She had a soft elegant up-do, with an additional pearl and diamond comb.

Her younger sisters had their hair done by Tina also. They had soft plaits and some had soft curls with ivory roses cascading down.

The younger bridesmaids had French plaits that gathered at the back similar to the bride. They also had little ivory flowers cascading around them.

Karly’s makeup was by Jazmin Commins an old school friend, who is a MAC makeup artist. She wanted her makeup to be soft and natural. Wanting to feel like herself but slightly more glamorous. With soft blush/nude bio sculpture gels for her nails done by my lovely friend Jessica Driver- Jessy Gels, this was a perfect addition to her bridal look.

Karly purchased the candelabras through a friend and hand sprayed 100 tea light holders with Sam’s Aunt one afternoon. They had an oak sweet cart, she sourced vintage glass dishes from vintage fayres, charity shops to sit inside filled with delicious goodies. They also had a cast iron, ivory post box that sat alongside the stunning bouquet of flowers and a hessian guest book purchased by Sam's aunties as a gift.

All wedding signs, invitations and stationary was created and done by Karly’s talented cousin, Lucy. These were all done on brown kraft card with the same font continuing throughout and then finished with lace.

The favours were British Heart Foundation & Cancer Research UK pin badges, to recognise their loved ones here and gone; two charities very close to our hearts. There were also made by Lucy.

The cake was made by Keeley Dixon from Keeley Cakes. She was recommended to the couple through a friend.

Pinterest is loved by brides and suppliers alike, it’s full of ideas for everyone’s tastes. Karly said it became her best friend when looking at cakes. Together, Karly and Keeley then came up with a simple but classy, elegant design that brought all of the colours and floristry in together.

Karly told me her and Sam love music and they spent a lot of time researching different bands and agencies for the perfect entertainment for the wedding.

At the wedding service they were privileged to have members of the St Paul's Cathedral Choir sing the hymns with their guests and the most stunning version of Ave Maria which was sung by a work friend of Sam's.

They fell in love with Amelia who is an acoustic artist. They sourced her from the agency: Alive Network, before Karly had even bought her dress. Amelia exceeded expectations and created the most idyllic, suave atmosphere for The Saint bar in Paternoster Square, where they held their drinks in between the ceremony and the reception. The band was also booked through Alive Network, they were called A Team and they were amazing. Karly and Sam said “The female lead vocalist held her own and we did not stop dancing from the second the last spoonful of dessert went in, until the music stopped. Even to the point where we actually forgot to cut the cake!”

The first dance was to Sam Smiths acoustic version of Latch.

In keeping with the London location the bridal party got two black taxis over to St Paul's from the Grange Hotel where they were staying. Karly wasn’t too fussed about having a traditional wedding car and thought black taxis would be quite cool and quirky to have, they worked so well!

Photography was by Spence Frederick Photography. Karly met Spencer at a wedding fair at Down Hall and fell in love with his work straight away. He shoots so naturally and captures moments that not everyone gets to see. Spence and Mark were excellent on the day. They worked continuously and we're not at all intrusive.

The gorgeous couple finished their celebrations with their honeymoon in the stunning National Park of Alghero, Sardinia.

Karly and Sam make the most gorgeous happy couple, who, with their families created the most spectacular day imaginable. I was truly honoured to be part of it and will love following their love story over the years to come. I am sure your life will be filled with many more beautiful memories together.

Anne x

Thank you to all the suppliers of the day:

Photography - Spence Frederick Photography - https://spencefrederick.squarespace.com/

Flowers - Betty & Bear Flowers – www.bettyandbearflowers.co.uk

Dress - Alfred Sung - The White Wardrobe

Venue – St Paul’s Cathedral

Shoes – Rainbow Couture
Bridesmaid dresses - Debenhams
Flower girl dresses - Rocha John Rocha by Debenhams
Grooms wear - Anthony Exclusive Formalwear
Mother of the Bride - Gina Bacconi

Mother of the Groom - John Charles

Rings - Fraser Hart
Jewellery – From family
Hair – Tina, family friend
Make up - Jazmin Commins
Cake - Keeley Dixon, Keeley Cakes
Entertainment - Alive Network
Transport – Black Cabs!
Wedding Stationary – Designed by Lucy

Seamstress - Irene Isaacs