All that jazz

From the costumes to the music, the wedding of Kieran and Michelle was a vintage occasion

Kieran Dickson and Michelle Karavias

Where: Ceremony at All Saints Church, Brenchley followed by reception ay Hotel du Vin, Tunbridge Wells

Photography: Samuel Docker

From the start, we wanted a wedding that reflected our personalities. We love the vintage style, and so I was set on a dress with lace detailing, while Kieran had a tweed suit in mind. After trying on a number of dresses I finally found the perfect dress at Abigail’s Bridal Boutique. Kieran found the English wool suit he was after at Club Monaco in New York. As for venue, we had always loved the Hotel du Vin, the natural charm of the hotel perfectly matched our vision of a unique, character filled venue. When we found out the hotel could accommodate our 136 guests, by spreading the wedding breakfast across their function rooms, it was an easy decision.

On the morning of the wedding, with the sun shining, things were eerily calm at the Karavias house in Brenchley, while over at the hotel Kieran was practising his speech and lacing up his shoes. On a beautiful summer day in a picturesque Kent village, we arrived at the church, packed to the rafters with all our friends and family. Then on to the reception, after a short detour with our photographer Sam, to take some pictures at my family home.

We wanted our guests to remember the personal touches. With the help of some very talented bridesmaids and a wonderful florist, we created a vintage-themed décor, with lots of pastel tones. We also set up our very own photo studio with props in one of the hotel’s function rooms.

We arrived at the reception for drinks, served on the lawn, with a 1920s jazz band playing. Following the wedding breakfast, we pulled everyone together again for the cutting of a delicious cake, followed by the speeches, which were funny and

heartwarming in equal measure.

We kicked off the evening’s party with our first dance, Louis Armstrong’s Wonderful World, followed by a mixture of disco and Motown to get the dance floor buzzing, with an interlude for some traditional Greek dancing to honour my family heritage.

WHO DID WHAT

Photography: Samuel Docker, Derbyshire, 07543 696992, www.samueldocker.co.uk

Venue: Hotel du Vin, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, 01892 526455, www.hotelduvin.com

Dress: Abigail’s, Headcorn, 01622 892225, www.abigailbrides.co.uk

Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Coast, www.coast-stores.com

Stationery: Paper Source (invitations), www.paper-source.com

Flowers: Florist in the Forest, Tunbridge Wells, 07984 540893, www.floristintheforest.co.uk

Cake: Juliet’s, Tunbridge Wells, 01892 522931, www.julietsandmore.com

Venue Dresser: The bridal party

Entertainment: Old Hat Jazz (band), www.oldhatjazz.co.uk; Luke Wolfman (DJ)