Small wonder

Rupert and Nicola’s London wedding was a simple, affair with one happy couple and their four guests

Rupert Porter and Nicola Duncan

Where: Ceremony at Chelsea Register Office followed by reception at The Savoy Hotel, Embankment, London

Photography: iGroover Weddings

When we decided to get married it was important to both of us to have a small and intimate wedding with minimal fuss. After almost 12 years together it was more about the act of the wedding as opposed to having a big, blowsy firework of an event to mark the occasion.

We both love London – we live in London and met here too – so decided that this was where we should get married. We opted for the Rossetti Room in Chelsea Register Office for the ceremony and then The Savoy Grill for a celebratory lunch afterwards.

We woke up in our flat on the morning and were both just really excited. I went off to the hairdresser with my maid of honour, Natasha Brant and Rupert headed to The Blue Bird with his parents, Alan and Pat and Natasha’s husband, Jon for breakfast.

We both wore outfits available on the high street, our hairstyles were created by Melissa Mocellin from the award-winning Bob Hair Salon, the flowers and stunning bouquet came from a very talented florist in Bedford who I met during a networking event and we used local taxis to transport us.

We’d ordered some white brollies to keep us dry during the photographs and we had a videographer who captured the day perfectly, along with our photographer. We’d originally discounted having a photographer on the day, thinking that one of our four guests would be able to take some shots with their cameras. Luckily though we’d discussed this with a few friends who strongly advised against it and we chose Edwin Gregory from iGroover to capture our special day. He even pre-arranged to have photos taken in the exceptional reception rooms at The Savoy and they couldn’t have been more obliging.

We’re very pleased that we chose to do our wedding in such a simple fashion and the whole day was stress-free and went according to plan.

Unfortunately my parents, Jim and Gill, were unable to join us due to the huge expense to travel to the UK and poor timing, so we’re looking forward to celebrating with them early next year in South Africa and once again, we’re keeping the whole process very simple.

WHO DID WHAT

Photography: Edwin Gregory, iGroover Weddings, www.igrooverweddings.co.uk

Venue: Chelsea Register Office, 020 7361 4100, www.rbkc.gov.uk; The Savoy Hotel, 0800 0441 1414, www.fairmont.com/savoy-london/dining

Dress: Katharine Bird, London, 020 7228 2235, www.katharinebird.co.uk

Accessories: My late grandmother’s pearl earrings

Bridesmaid’s Dress: Her own

Hair: Bob Hair Salons, London, 020 7736 6974, www.bobhair.co.uk

Make-up: The bride

Groom’s outfit: Roderick Charles, London, 020 7278 2119, www.roderickcharles.com

Flowers: Fleurette, Bedford, 01234 266662, www.fleurette.co.uk

Catering: The Savoy Hotel, as above