A&T’s Wedding at Islington Town Hall and the Mildmay Club
With winter dragging its heels through to the official start of summer, I’ve been weather watching for A&T’s impending wedding at the end of June. As the day has approached, BBC Weather which has been a portal of bad news for months, has finally promised a week of good weather.
The Mildmay Club in Newington Green, is one of London’s few remaining genuine working men’s clubs. The upstairs hall has its own bar and stage area. It has long been a popular choice for discerning film, television, music videos and photo shoots due to the original 1960s and 70s décor. Recent TV, film and music credits include: “Back to Black” the Amy Winehouse movie; Killing Eve, The Little Drummer Girl and Calvin Harris ft Florence Welch, Sweet Nothing – Columbia Records.
The Wedding Society team, Ben and Samuel, begin shifting some of the tables and chairs as per the Bride’s details set-up notes. Iona, the Mildmay’s event manager has her team setting up the welcome drinks and catering tables in readiness for the guests. Brinda of BBakes London arrives at the Mildmay Club with two spectacularly detailed cakes, in the shape of a Roland and Mini Moog synthesisers.
I speed off to Islington Town Hall for the wedding ceremony with Samuel in tow. The neoclassical 1930s Town Hall is in full bustle with brides, grooms and guests arriving and departing in a cloud of confetti. A&T arrive in an open top Triumph Stag, looking perfectly splendid in complementary blues with a nod to 70s styling.
They climb the marble imperial staircase to the octagonal Council Chamber where their guests are seated, the couple walk into the music of the Star Trek Voyager. After the ceremony and the obligatory photos, the wedding party depart on a double decker red Routemaster bus.
On route back to the reception, I receive a call advising Jeremy Corbyn, the former leader of the Labour party, is holding a pre-election rally in Newington Green where the couple are due to hold a photo shoot in around 15 minutes. After my initial panic, I realise this is what makes great wedding memories. Who knows, maybe Jeremy will generously allow some photos to be taken with the newlywed couple?!
A&T make it back unscathed to start their wedding reception, with the Mildmay Club is bathed in a multitude of colours from the big mirrored disco ball. With Terra Trattoria providing a feast of Italian vegetarian and vegan delights, and the couple’s select line up of DJs ready to drop the First Dance music, it is time for The Wedding Society to make their way home.
It’s been a fabulous day, and we hope A&T enjoyed their wedding day even more. Thank you to the wonderful couple on their first steps into married life; wishing a long and happy union.
