A burst of colour on the blog today, super cute, modern and smiles a plenty with this wedding! Jennie and James had a beautiful Roman Catholic ceremony at St Peter’s Italian Church in Clerkenwell followed by a fabulous reception at Delfina in Bermondsey, London. The day was documented by Catherine Mead who not only captures the beauty of a wedding day but the true personalities and love between this couple and all the lovely moments and touches throughout, “I think Catherine was the best decision I made! Apart from saying yes of course.”
Jennie and James had a unique fusion of Italian traditions with vintage fun “My theme was sort of 1950’s London meets Italy. My dad’s side of the family are Italian hence the Italian church and the Italian theme. A mix on vintage and Italy – a white wedding but with an informal air. We just wanted people to have fun but to really come away thinking how ‘Jen and James’ that day was.”
The dress! Isn’t this the sweetest prettiest 50s tulle design? Jennie chose this fun and oh so girly dress from one of the best vintage dress suppliers in London, Elizabeth Avey “My dress was an original 1950’s vintage dress. My mum and I spent a day out trying on dresses in three different dress shops all vintage as I knew that is what I wanted. Elizabeth’s was the last dress shop we went to. I had found a dress in each of the previous two shops, which I loved and thought, might be the one. My appointment at Elizabeth’s was at 6pm so I was quite tired by this time. Trying on even more dresses began to confuse me. However, when I put on my dress and came out to show my mum, mum said there was a renewed energy about me and I came out prancing around like a show horse. I didn’t want to take it off. I just knew I had found the one, a mix of tulle and Chantilly lace. It was perfect!
My headdress was a 1950’s inspired headdress made from original 1950’s broaches from Vintage Headdresses . I wore pearl earrings, which I borrowed from my mum. My bracelet was from Butler and Wilson. James’ mum gave my necklace to me – James’ dad bought it for her many years ago. It was very sentimental as James’ dad passed away when James was young.”
“I didn’t really have a colour scheme apart from a LOTS of colour. My florist described the colour scheme as a riot of Technicolor! Like when films were first in colour and the sky was so blue compared to a girls overly red lips.” 
“The whole day was the best day of my life! Particular moments included my dad actually giving me away. I couldn’t stop shaking but he was as nervous as me! First seeing James at the alter. He says my bottom lip was trembling but he was pleased I kept it together otherwise he said he would have broken down. James’ mum and brother welcomed me formally into the family by giving me a signet ring with the family crest on during the best mans speech. That was very moving. James telling me I looked beautiful when he first saw me!”
The events space venue was the perfect blank canvas for Jennie and James, who wanted to transform the space into their own style, “Delfina is a very contemporary venue in a very quirky part of town. It is a restaurant but with a large white room which can almost be treated like a blank canvas. James and I wanted somewhere we could make our own and really show off who we are as a couple. The team there have great experience in putting on all sorts of events so are a great help and inspiration. There was a great black and white checker board dance floor which I loved and you could do all sorts with the lighting there which really made the room. There was also a really cool outside space, which is sometimes hard to find in the heart of London. Also with me being from London living in London it was important for us to have it in this city”.
Both Jennie and James put lots of thought and effort into their stationery and made all the items themselves! “I made my table plan, menus, place cards and table name cards. My table plan was actually an old garden gate, which I painted white. In front of the gate I had two old tea crate that had been planted up by the florist. One crate had our names and wedding date and the second one said please take your seats. We decorated menus and placecards with paper roses but we also and I bought vintage looking typewriter stamps and stamped out each of the place names with these stamps. Our table name signs were photos of James and I holding up signs with the table names on, we named the table’s places that meant things to us, so the street we first lived on. As well names of our parents house, towns they live or business they own – this linked back to our invites. I also placed individual bags of sweets for every guest in pink and white striped paper bags.
This last photo caught my eye as it just sums up such a happy day, and it also happens to be one of the bride’s favourite moments too “One of my favourite photos is a black and white one of our first dance. James is spinning me round and I am really laughing.”
Just when you think the night could be over as your guests are leaving, and the evening comes to a close…not for this couple! Jennie and James finished the night at a nearby Salsa club with close friends and family “There was an old couple in the club who were regulars. The man took hold of me and the women took James and the whole club made space for us on the dance floor and they taught us a dance. They then told us their secret to a long lasting marriage, which was never forget to laugh.”
What a perfect end to a perfect day! Congratulations to Jennie and James and huge thanks to photographer Catherine Mead for sharing this beautiful day.
Photography: Catherine Mead / Ceremony: St Peter’s Italian Church / Reception Venue: Delfina / Brides Dress: Elizabeth Avey / Shoes: Aruna Seth / Grooms Suit: Gresham Blake /Florist: Cave London / Cinematography: Jame’s Uncle
London Bride is a modern blog all about stylish & unique city weddings. Author Charley Beard is a London based creative wedding planner and stylist who aims to inspire and assist couples tying the knot in London! Check out the Services page for more info!
