You accumulate a long list of suppliers when planning a wedding and I found it really useful to read the hit lists of friends. Here's mine, just the tip of the iceberg...
The Dress
The Venice Carrie by Phillipa Lepley with a sample sale shrug, also by Lepley, and my sisters veil.
Read more about the dress, and visit Phillipa Lepley.
Shoes
I really surprised myself by buying a cheap and perfectly pretty pair of wedding shoes. They were by Badgley Mischka, from Amazons US cut-price site Endless.com at a very acceptable £65. Comfortable? Not so much, but a little bit of adrenalin goes a long way and I didnt feel them at all. Even when they cut me to ribbons.
But then a fortnight before the wedding, with that brilliant saving ringing in my head, these diamante butterfly pumps from Aruna Seth kept winking at me until I managed to inexplicably justify the purchase of them as higher, evening shoes. As it happened I only remembered to change in to them with two hours left of the dancing and nobody saw them. Theyre beautiful shoes so Ill dye them and extraordinarily comfortable but really, that was unnecessary purchase.
Visit Aruna Seth here
Make-up
I was lucky enough to have the wonderful Daniel Sandler make me up who, alongside a brilliantly calm and witty bedside manner, performed nothing short of miracles on my skin. Daniel mostly used his own eponymous product range and I didnt need to touch up my skin once from 3pm until midnight. Best of all, it was exactly how I would wish to do my own make-up. Daniel and I had such a blast, I forgot all about the magnitude of what was coming next.
Visit Daniel Sandler here
Hair
Carly Landau at Daniel Hersheson, who has a mean way with the modern up-do, wove my hair in to a knotted chignon and was another relaxing, lovely presence on the day. She speaks veil too - as we were glaring at the thing wondering how to do it, she stepped in and took charge.
Visit Daniel Hersheson here
Flowergirl and page boys outfits
Pimlicos Little Bevan make the most beautiful creations for little ones. I chose the ivory smooth Amelia dress with navy sash for my 14 month old niece. My two three year old nephews wore ivory slub Peter Pan collar shirts with navy velvet knickerbockers and white Vans.
Visit Little Bevan here
The Venue
Our brief was central London, 100 guests and somewhere that felt like a grand home. For that, I think there is nowhere better than the Savile club on Brook street. Elegant, a little worn around the edges and entirely yours at weekends. Its ballroom looks like its part of a French chateau and that staircase... The Savile club have a brilliant chef and hire in any extras you may need (we had heated lamps, new chairs etc) on your behalf.
Read about more London venues and visit the Savile club here
Flowers
My mother-in-law made the bouquets, buttonholes, door wreath and windowsills at the club. If youre around the Colchester area you should definitely look her florist up, no-one will put more care and thought in to your order and she is full of great ideas.
Visit Tyler Lilley flowers 07966 790680/ 07882 692565
For the mantelpieces and tables, I chose Scarlet & Violet (Kate Mosss wedding florist) who I would thoroughly recommend. Lovely to work with, full of great ideas and coming in at around half what other big London florists charge. We chose a festive and aromatic grouping of white roses, Ranunculus, Anemones, white Hydrangea, Waxflower, white Astrantia, Thistle, grey Mimosa, flowering Eucalyptus, baby blue Eucalyptus, Mistletoe, berried Ivy and Ligustrum berries.
Visit Scarlet & Violet here
Photographer
Sim Canetty-Clarke was recommended to me by a PR friend and she was a triumph (as evidenced by all these pics). She claims we were her last wedding but you can try...
Visit Sim Canetty-Clarke here
Videographer
As previously noted, I had a bit of trouble finding the right videographer. But California-based husband and wife team Jessica and Lewis Ringor from Lovespun Films flew over to save the day (they were coming anyway!). The lovely duo were so discreet we barely knew they were there, filming with tiny SLRs, and judging by the brilliant films theyve already created, I have high hopes for ours. Coming soon.
Visit Lovespun Films here
Wedding Singer
Another transatlantic booking, rat pack singer Paul Elia is based in Palm Springs but luck of all luck hes also a close friend of my husbands mother and stepfather. My god, hes good! Paul sang Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra classics by the Christmas tree during the drinks reception, and then we dragged him on twice during the post-dinner dancing finishing us off with New York, New York and an impromptu group can-can. Book him!
View Pauls showreel here
Confetti Cones
After planning to make our own, we ran out of time and got the Confetti Cone Company to make them for us just submitting pictures and words. Corner cutting at its best.
Visit the Confetti Cone Company
Facials
Debbie Thomas at Haris - an absolute marvel. Totally transformed my skin and it was perfect on the day.
Book her at Hari's Brompton Cross
Groom's Suit
Ben splashed out on a new morning suit at Hackett, accessoried with a Ralph Lauren tie and pocket square. Very dashing. For hire, the best place in London is Buckleigh of London.
Visit Hackett
