YOU’VE GOT THE LOVE

the love YOU’VE GOT

Gemma and Andrew’s wedding proved that white isn’t the only option for a breathtaking bride

Images courtesy of Matt Heath Photography

Gemma met Andrew on a night out at a bar in Hertfordshire. “Andrew was with his mates, and I was with mine, but I was too shy to go over myself,” says the bride. “After telling my friends that I liked ‘that guy with the tattoos’ they went over for me and asked if he’d take me out on a date! He instantly agreed, and we went for dinner and drinks a couple of days later.”

The couple had already discussed getting married, so it wasn’t a total shock for Gemma when Andrew proposed at the top of The Shard in London. “Having said that, I was still over the moon that he’d asked, and couldn’t wait to start planning our big day.”

The wedding was set for the 1st October, 2021, with Down Hall Hotel & Spa as the chosen venue. Here, Gemma tells us more about their day…

We decided on a long top table, with eight round tables of 10 placed around the outer edge of the dancefloor. They were decorated with a mix of candelabras with black candles and tall flower centrepieces.

It was stressful not knowing whether our big day would happen due to Covid and the ever-changing rules surrounding weddings. Luckily it went ahead with no restrictions! Andrew looked incredible in his black tailored evening suit, which he teamed with a white shirt, belt, cufflinks and bowtie. I didn’t want to wear a white wedding dress – instead I chose Ian Stuart’s Mardi Gras gown in rose pink. I also opted for a birdcagestyle fascinator, rather than a veil.

My bouquet is my own creation, as I run my own floristry business, Swanky Stems. It was a mix of foliage, Westminster Abbey VIP roses, spray rose porcelina, Kaaps Brunia and silverdust.

We didn’t want a conventional-looking cake, so went for an all-black, three-tiered design.

Our first dance was to the Celine Dion version of Beauty and the Beast – everyone chuckled!

Our photographer excelled our expectations, as we wanted artistic and dramatic photos rather than anything too ‘lovey dovey’.

The day goes by so quickly, so try and grab 15 minutes alone as a married couple to enjoy your day and relax a little bit.

GEMMA AND ANDREW’S CONTACTS

Venue, Down Hall Hotel & Spa, www.downhall.co.uk | Photography, Matt Heath Photography, https://mattheathphotography.com Videographer, Terri & Lori, http://terriandlori.com | Gemma’s dress and fascinator, The Wedding Centre, www.wedding-centre.com | Gemma’s hair and make-up, Belles Beauty, https://bellesbeautymua.co.uk | Andrew’s suit, Ermenegildo Zegna, www.zegna.com/uk-en/ | Flowers, Swanky Stems, www.swankystems.co.uk | Cake, Mums Cakes, www.instagram.com/_mumscakes_mc | Pianist, Paul Arnold, www.pianopaul.com DJ and Percussionist, Lovelight Entertainment, http://lovelightentertainment.co.uk | Saxophonist, Slav on Sax, www.facebook.com/slavonsax