Christina, Dean, the Choir and the Big Fat Faux Pas

What can I say? I’ve made a few clunkers in my time, but this one was a beauty.

‘Awww… is this your grand-daughter?’

‘No… it’s my daughter’

Wooooooooooooooops

I think he took it well…

Faux pas forgotten, this day was quite simply fabulous and a massive reminder that awesome weddings needn’t cost a small mortgage. There were so many special touches… 'Drum roll please Maestro…' the beautiful and hideously talented bride leading a choir!!!! Who does that? Christina that’s who! She runs a choir www.singitback.org so of course, it would’ve been rude not to! And after some clever stealth practice, the choir reciprocated their love and respect for her with their version of ‘Going to the Chapel’ – Oh there were tears! My eyes welled a little too (but that could’ve been a flashback to ‘Grandpa-gate’) …it certainly was an emotional and insanely heartwarming scene.

If that wasn’t enough there was a flash mob just after the first dance lead by Christina and Dean. It was brilliant. One minute it was a romantic first dance and then before I knew it, a full blown dancing troop, busting some shapes and working their way up the hall in unison to We Are Family. There were also some tip-top speeches… tear-jerking, funny, mildly taunting and as I’ve said before in past posts, any bride who does a speech gets my vote! There were sweetie bags aplenty, cute little name badges for everyone, kiddies galore, a dance teacher, acting agent royalty and probably the best bouquet I've seen to date! 

This was Christina and Dean’s big wedding. After nine years, one beautiful little girl and an array of ‘socks and pants on the floor’, a 'little bit of nagging' and a heck of a lot of love, they finally tied the knot in front of their nearest and dearest at The Holy Cross church in Catford and it was a beautifully relaxed and happy affair with some mighty fine hymns, a few giggles and a fantastic solo performance by Sandra Marvin (who appeared at the West End in Hairspray - only one of my faves!) And in the place of confetti, BUBBLES!!! Who doesn’t love bubbles?!

After the service, we all tottered off to shoot in a nearby park and I must thank the best man Ian (aka Chod) for his sterling efforts as an assistant and to all the guests for being super patient and lovely to work with and of course to the stars of the show, Christina and Dean for having to put up with my continual mutterings, ‘Just one more… ok, last one…ooh that’s lovely, have a kiss… that’s beautiful blah blah blah.’ If you’ve worked with me before, you know the drill, but thanks to this gorgeous couple, you made my job very easy and a real pleasure and you braved the chill like troopers ;-).

Then a short drive onto The Progress Hall which was decorated beautifully, and I must give a hearty shout-out to wedding planner extraordinaire Shola Adedayo (www.designerweddingplanner.com) and her lovely team who were so friendly and welcoming - nothing was too much bother for them – ladies I salute you! Tasty Affair laid on the spread and they speaketh the truth... it was a tasty affair! And crazy filling too… I practically rolled back out onto the dance floor because well... I’m greedy and I eat too much, but when the food is this good, greed is essential!

I could go on about this wedding for aaagggeeesss, but for fear of being too gushy (an occupational hazard unfortunately) I must round it up. I would therefore like to wish Christina and Dean my warmest congratulations! For not meeting me until that very day, you welcomed me in with open hearts and big smiles and I felt like I'd known you for years. It's clear to see you’re surrounded by some fabulous (and hopefully forgiving ;-) people who love you dearly and for that, you are truly blessed and clearly awesome! Well done ;-) *clap clap clap*

So venture forth on your journey together, sing loud, dance like loons, love deeply and hopefully you’ll look back on your photos and smile and then turn to your friend who I rudely insulted and laugh... just a little... and tell him I don't really think he looks like a grandad! I had a food hangover and was thinking all funny... blame the caterers ;-).

My love and best wishes to you all,

Loukie xx