Sydney & Nathanial's Wedding
Back in September 2024, I received a call from a potential client to discuss her wedding. Sydney and Nathanial were planning on holding an ‘Engagement’ party for their family and friends.
Guests were to be invited to a black tie do Callooh Callay Chelsea, a cocktail bar on the King’s Road. Once their guests were settled in with a couple of Proseccos, a pre-planned video will be played with the couple taking in the sights of London, and at the end the ‘Reveal’ will let their guests know that this isn’t an Engagement party, but their actual wedding! I was then to take the guests on the short walk to Chelsea Old Town Hall for the civil service.
This wasn’t an idea I just liked – I LOVED IT! I couldn’t wait to see the guests faces when the real reason was revealed.
With the logistics of the wedding being put together, and a Bride trying to prep for a wedding even her mother didn’t know was happening, keeping it secret added a little excitement in the run up to the wedding.
The theme was black and gold, and Florals of Splendour had been commissioned to transform the bar into a 1930s theme. The bar was buzzing as The Wedding Society team helped with the décor and the Star Moments Photobooths arrived.
By 2:00pm family and guests, looking very dapper and graceful, started arriving for the event. With Sydney arriving directly at the Registry Office with her Mum and Nan, whom she had planned to break the news to as she got dressed, and Nathanial excitedly greeting guests at the cocktail bar, it was time for the Big Reveal.
With the video playing and the guests watching intently, I started to film their reactions, just before the titles came up. There was a collective gasp around the room as friends and family took in the shocking news; then the laughter and joy spread around the room. Mission completed.
Che, the Bride’s brother, had been tasked to be the MC for the day – he just didn’t know it when he arrived. With his help, Angel, my assistant for the day and I rounded up the selected ‘wedding party’ for the short, and excitable, walk to the Registry Office.
The Bride was dazzling in an ivory fitted dress was ready to meet her Groom. Her mum, nan, besties and sisters as her bridesmaids, and her father at her side, Sydney entered the Brydon Room.
With the wedding party appearing on the steps of Chelsea Old Town Hall for the official photos, I returned to the cocktail bar for the second part of the wedding. If Che was little nervous at the ‘Reveal’, by the time we were ready to welcome the new Mr & Mrs Smith to their wedding reception, he had taken to the spotlight like the proverbial duck to water.
Their parents, Best Man, and MC were crossing out details in their prepared speeches to fit the new status of the ‘engaged’ couple – partner and fiancé were now upgraded to Husband and Wife. The guests were treated to a Ghanian feast by Akos Catering and with a lineup of singers, Tim Sky, singer; Leah, saxophonist and DJ Alex, this party would be on fire.
I cannot deny that I had been truly excited to work on this wedding, and on the day, it was just beautiful. I usually spend the evening and the next day beating myself up about any little mistake, this wedding was so exceptionally special if there were any errors it didn’t matter. To Sydney and Nathanial, thank you so much for the privilege of helping to create and be a part of such a remarkable day. Wishing you both a beautiful future.
