Jacqueline + Simone | June 2023
“Sarah is amazing at what she does - the perfect blend of warm, witty and conversational in her approach to conducting our ceremony”
Every wedding is different, as I’m experiencing. That’s what makes this job such a delight. If I was going to capture Jacqueline and Simone’s wedding in a sentence it would be: Peckham cool meets Baz Luhrmann romance. Think candles, think a deserted chapel, picture guests in tailored pops of colour, the bride resplendent in layers of tulle, sun streaming through stained glass windows and dozens and dozens of candles, flickering. Then add a gospel choir dotted through the congregation, their velvety voices emerging up in a flash mob.
It was electric, eclectic and drop-dead-gorgeous.
Exquisite photography by husband and wife team The Smiths & Co
Stood at the front of Asylum Chapel with the happy couple, we surprised their friends and family by bringing their daughter up and making the day extra special by including a naming ceremony for adorable one-year-old Ruby into the wedding celebrations. Before declaring their marriage vows the bride and groom first made vows as parents to their (beautifully behaved!) little girl. Two guide parents joined us at the front and we had a candle ceremony, before adding the pillar candle - symbolising Ruby’s life and lit by all four grown ups - to the display of candles at the altar.
We had a naming ceremony within the wedding ceremony
I chose two readings that I felt represented Jacqueline and Simone’s relationship, read by one of Simone’s childhood friends and one of Jacqueline’s sisters. One reading - which I felt was fitting given the couple’s shared love of music, and with BIG Gospel Choir performing throughout the ceremony - were lyrics from Reach Out I’ll Be There by Motown favourites The Four Tops.
Now if you feel that you can't go on
Because all of your hope is gone
And your life is filled with much confusion
Until happiness is just an illusion
And your world around is crumbling down
Darling, reach out, reach on out for me
Reach out, reach out for me
I'll be there, with a love that will shelter you
I'll be there, with a love that will see you through
Armed with champagne and paper cups, and with Ain’t No Mountain High Enough ringing happily in our ears, guests travelled on to the reception in a vintage London double-decker bus. At the NoMad hotel (in the grade II-listed Bow Street Magistrates’ Court) we were treated to cocktails, tacos and live music. And my favourite part? Jacqueline’s stunning dress went from day to night, transforming into a mini dress, complete with off-the-shoulder tulle sleeves.
It feels so special to befriend and really get to know the people I marry
It was an oh-so-cool wedding, absolutely brimming with warmth.
“She has an amazing air of calm which is hugely appreciated on the big day”