The late afternoon sun shone brightly as John steered his bicycle down the final hill. He had cycled across the city that morning, passing many of its famous landmarks and allowing himself some quality London time before he made his vows. I’m with him on that: an epic cycle is good for the soul.
The best weddings are often sweet, intimate affairs.
John and Gretchen chose to have a simple celebration with their family and closest friends in the beautiful setting of Burgh House, in Hampstead, London.
With understated style, he dismounted the tandem along with his brother and best man, and awaited his bride.
Gretchen met John in a nightclub a few years previously. An unlikely spot, as neither of them are really clubbers. She was with her friend Sam, he was with his friend Sam. While Sam and Sam chatted, John asked if she was American; she thought he was only interested because he’d been there himself recently. I think she may have been wrong about that one.
They fell in love.
A few years later, John got down on one knee in their favourite restaurant in Little Venice, to the strains of Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic and At Last played softly by the harpist next to them.
That’s pretty romantic in my book.
After their civil ceremony at Burgh House, their guests enjoyed a champagne reception in the Peggy Jay Gallery and soaked up the sun on the terrace outside, before enjoying their wedding breakfast.
Life really doesn’t have to be complicated sometimes.
(see below for wedding suppliers)
Wedding Dress: Monsoon
Wedding Shoes: Jenny Packham
Groomsmen Attire: William Hunt
Florist: Aphrodite at Queen’s Park Flowers
Ceremony & reception venue: Burgh House, Hampstead
Hair & Makeup: Kate Arnold (make-up)
Pianist: Mark Reeves
Band: The Jazz Dynamos
Cake: Patisserie Valerie
Catering: Leafi Catering
Bridesmaid Dresses: Debenhams
Looking for a Hampstead wedding photographer? Please get in touch via my contact form or email siobhan@siobhanhphotography.com. I would love to hear from you!