Charlotte & Tom, the Unhelpful Dress & the Unwelcome Pole (not a wedding-crasher person from Poland, but an actual pole…made of wood)

All you can do when a bride is stuck in her dress (designed by none other than herself and made by Danielle Taylor), surrounded by laughing girls trying to be helpful by tucking in her boobies, is laugh and continue to shoot. When Charlotte emerged (think Chilean miners after their 69 day ordeal) she was flustered but laughing. This is highly indicative of her character. I'm sure there is a ruthless business tycoon-type brainy-person underneath that killer smile, but I don't think I've ever seen it; just a loving, happy-go-lucky beautiful lady. And how wonderful then for her to meet someone of equal stature in Tom! I'm sure there is a ruthless tycoon-type person in him too, but alas it evades me. Maybe they sit in bed at night plotting to take over the world a la Pinky and The Brain (for anyone who remembers that little beauty), who knows? Maybe they will, but they'll make everyone love them first and I’m 100% positive they’ll be late for said take-over of earth ;-). 

Which reminds me, kudos for the entrance! Amazing! Points deducted for massive pole in my way and big bump on my head, but hey, it’s not the first time I’ve bashed myself running after a bride and groom backwards whilst listening to X-factor entrance music. 

Tom and Charlotte's big day was one heck of a success. There was an army of laughter emitting from an army of friends and family! They invited tonnes of people thinking there would be many 'no can do's' but, of course, everyone wanted to be there so it was literally an army! Without a doubt, there was LOTS of alcohol, exceedingly tasty fodder thanks to the caterers Cook and Buttle, some mighty fine music courtesy of Dave Nicholls, Kenee, Charlotte's sister Rosie - possibly the coolest Mummy and bridesmaid I have met and her hub Dave Atkinson - they had everyone up and dancing… like loons... I have serious photographic evidence.  

I think there was a dance-off, but I don’t know who won. Likewise, I’m not sure who won the Wooden Spoon. There were some real contenders this time, but I don’t think the reigning champion came close. There was a real babble of wonderful-crazy as* friends from both sides of the aisle and lest we forget, some very ornate/beautiful and outrageously ridiculous hats and some rather loud strides. It has to be said, it was an excellent idea for wedding attire and I think everyone embraced it fully. Especially the man who wore a headpiece made of a branch with a bird attached. Genius. 

I must thank Tato for helping as always, Ed, Els' Dave and Nick - who all assisted in some very difficult weather conditions. I salute you all! 

Charlotte and Tom, I think you are both the bee’s knees. Where on earth does that expression come from? I just Googled the 'best celebrity knees' but it appears no one has good knees so I'm sticking with...Charlotte and Tom, you are the bee's knees! Beautiful inside and out and not only that, you pulled an amazing wedding out of the bag and you recently did the Etape. I'm so impressed with you two scamps. One mountain closer to taking over the world hey!

My sincere congratulations to you both and you know that if it rains on your wedding day, it's super good luck, but I think you already know that you're pretty lucky. You met each other after all! 

My love and best wishes to you both. 

Loukie xxx

P.S. If you do take over the world, remember me yeah? ;-)

Small but perfectly formed...

Tim and Sherida, new friends and downright awesome people. I forgive Tim his cycling obsession and influencing my boyfriend and encouraging his cycling obsession, because... well... frankly bikes are cool! Just not when they live in your kitchen/hallway/bedroom/bed. Sherida will wholeheartedly agree with me!

But on this special day, there were no bikes. Well, a cheeky one snuck in and photo-bombed a pic of the couple at one point, but other than that, it was, 'Not about the Bike' but two wonderful people saying, ‘I do,’ in front of a small, but perfectly formed group of their loved ones. And what a fantastic group they were. As I arrived, they had already positioned themselves in a neat little formation ready for me to take a shot! The most obedient bunch I have come across it has to be said ;-).

Marylebone Town Hall is structurally incredible and really very beautiful. The registrars are pretty amazing too. When I asked one of them if they had any rules, he casually replied, ‘Do what you like… we’re not stuffy here!’ That is a first it has to be said. Their service was lovely, quite a few sniffles from the ladies in the back and lots of beaming smiles from everyone else. It was simply perfect, and to top it all off Tim and Sherida were given champagne glasses to commemorate the last year of the hall hosting weddings. This saddens me, everyone should get married here as it's ruleless! Mazing!  

Tim and Sherida’s only real photo stipulation was the ‘Sepia shot’. An age-old favourite of the couple and their friends so of course it was a must! Faces were plumped, heads were raised in aristocratic arrogance, legs crossed and stares distant and aloof (think Bullingdon Club) – and where could possibly be better to do it then on the iconic steps of Marylebone Town Hall!

Sherida looked every bit the 1920s beauty in a rather lovely Rag & Bone number and the most amazing Chie Mihara shoes and although she may not like me saying it, she rocks that look like nobodies biz! Of course, I secretly kind of hoped Tim would turn up in his cycling gear with maybe just a nod to wedding attire as a joke, but sadly for me, and thankfully for Sherida, he donned a rather sharp Martin Margiela suit and Prada shoes and looked terribly dashing to boot. 

Off then to Hardy's Wine Bar on Dorset Street for some post-ceremony celebrations and at this point I must thank Sherida’s brother Murray for assisting me. I’m really ridiculous at times as I kept asking him if my bags were too heavy for him. This is a man, who, one week previously did an Iron Man competition! Sometimes Loukia…sometimes!

I loved this wedding… simple, elegant, unfussy and fun. And that’s just for starters. There is a big party in September for everyone else they know and love and sadly I have to work so will be missing out, but I’m so very glad I got to see this part of their day. It makes me feel really very privileged! 

So to Tim and Sherida, my love and congratulations to you both! You were both such fun to work with and for people who were seriously thinking about not having a photographer... I hope you now realise what a crazy mental thought that was! You wouldn't have these bad boys... 

Much love you to you both.

Loukia xxx

P.S. Sorry for putting up the chin shot chaps!

 

 

Kenee, Soph, the Wooden Spoon and Pompom Politics

So it was the morning of Kenee and Soph’s wedding and there was nervous excitement brewing across the fields of Busses Farm and spreading into the yurts that dotted the land of East Grinstead. Everyone had got over Pomgate and the term 'Pom Pom Politics' was now brandished with jaunty laughter and knowing looks. 

The ushers emerged from the Yurts and started scrubbing up after what can only be described as an ill-advised (night before) get-together. Kenee on the other hand looked poised, polished, and excited. The resident doggy insisted on continual stick throwing… he, too, was clearly excited.

Soph and the girls were occupying the house and cracking open the champers. Operation ‘glam’ was in full swing.

It was time…

The weather was sketchy, but the forecast was promising. 

Kenee (Key – frantic hand gesticulation of a turning key and Knee – frantic pointing at knee) and Sophie (as in Soph) were getting married. And I couldn’t wait.

The day brought so many delights. Of course, the usual suspects were in tow, wellies were in abundance, the drink flowed (perhaps a little too freely in the case of a previous winner of the Wooden Spoon), the food was plentiful and utterly delicious (once again Raf from The Antelope in Tooting wowed me with his foodie delights), and then there were the cakes… oh the cakes! They were amazing and deserve a blog post all to themselves. There was a competition…lots entered, few disappointed (someone did bring a bag of £1.10p doughnuts which I thought was a stroke of genius in a ridiculously lazy ironic way) and one won; Bravo to Diane, Kenee’s mum.  She did produce a beautiful cake and was definitely the worthy winner.

Soph looked absolutely incredible thanks to some mighty fine genes and a little help from make-up artist and hair extraordinaire Sarah Green. And then there was that exquisite dress (from London Bride Couture) and the veil… oof, that veil was amazing in the wind, I loved it. Annoying as they can be for a bride, they do look amazing in photos! No pain no gain ladies. No pain no gain!

And in the case of the Wooden Spoon it is indeed, ‘No pain no gain’. The most shameful drunk wins…oh and it’s shameful and no doubt painful. Many have won, few have been ongoing champions (Jake) and at each wedding it gets handed down to the next loose canon. This year, congratulations go to Eloise for her antics and well done to all the runners up. You tried hard but alas, failed. There is always the next wedding and who knows, it might be me one day ;-) After all, there is a trophy at stake. 

So all in all, this was one super duper, mighty fine wedding. Kenee and Soph’s heart and soul went into every little detail and I think everyone present would agree, they did a spectacular job. Everyone had a wonderful time because it had everything, pretty things, pompoms, love, tears, a utterly hilarious best man speech (Kenee thought he was alien as a child…who knew?! Thanks for enlightening us Dave) and there was even a late night rave for good measure. It will be talked about for years to come, I guarantee. A nod of appreciation must also go to Mark Kingprawn for being a superb Master of Ceremonies!

Ooh I almost forgot… there was no first dance, just a very big massive loving circle of people singing with all the gusto of a merry rabble, ‘You give a little love and it all comes back to you…la la la laaa laa la la…’ Anyone who grew up with Bugsy Malone will know and understand… it was a big moment!

So to two of the loveliest, most gorgeous people I know… I am very honoured to call you both friends and I feel honoured to have been chosen to photograph your day. I wish you all the very best for future together and I hope the photos will be treasured and laughed at for many years to come. God knows, I’ve laughed a heck of a lot going through them.

Big love to you both…

Loukie xxx