A Capital day

19 Mar 2014

A Capital day

Michael and Sarah had a London-themed celebration at an unusual wedding venue on the outskirts of the city

Image gallery

Michael Norton and Sarah Restarick

Where: Ceremony at Holy Trinity Rotherhithe followed by reception at London Wetland Centre

Photography: Stephen Brown Images

We met in London and live in Rotherhithe, so never considered anything but a London wedding. We wanted an interesting or unusual venue and fell for the beautiful surroundings of the London Wetland

Centre. We married in our local church, Holy Trinity, where I sing in the choir.

Although we are both pretty laid back and took planning in our stride, we couldn’t have been so calm without the support of friends, family and some fantastic professionals.

I had few preconceptions for what I wanted in a wedding dress beyond something white and nothing strapless. Thankfully, I was persuaded to keep an open mind by my maid of honour, Kim Ong, and chose a wonderful oyster fishtail gown – and no straps!

I have never been great at timekeeping and was half an hour late. I walked down the aisle to Calon Lân, a Welsh anthem which the choir had learned specially.

Our shared love of London was echoed throughout the day, from the River Thames on the orders of service which Michael designed, the tables named after local historic docks, to the vintage routemaster which took our guests through south London to the reception venue (complete with retro sweetie bags).

We spent the night before the wedding doing some urgent last-minute practise for our first dance, which thankfully paid off as the London-based swing and soul band, Down For The Count, played a beautiful version of I Won’t Give Up by Jason Mraz and we twirled around the floor. The rest of the evening went by in a blur of music, laughter and outrageous dance moves.

WHO DID WHAT

Photography: Steve Brown, Stephen Brown Images, 07722 220790, www.stephenbrownimages.tk

Venue: London Wetland Centre, 020 8409 4400, www.wwt.org.uk/visit/london

Dress: Angelica Bridal, Islington, 0207 226 7823, www.angelicabridal.co.uk

Accessories: Angelica Bridal, as above

Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Monsoon, www.uk.monsoon.co.uk

Hair & make-up: The Beauty Collective, 07879 895722/07775 865557,

www.thebeautycollective.co.uk

Groom’s outfit: Austin Reed, www.austinreed.co.uk

Stationery: (invitations) Artcadia, Shrewsbury, 01939 210393, www.artcadia.co.uk; order of service printed by Copy Centre, www.copycentre.com

Flowers: Blue Lavender, 0208 748 9659, www.blue-lavender.com

Cake: Rachelle’s, South London, 0208 764 3327, www.rachelles.co.uk