Strictly ballroom

03 Mar 2014

Strictly ballroom

Andrew and Philippa were married in a glamorous Knightsbridge setting and then danced the night away

Image gallery

Andrew Lee and Philippa Wulwik

Where: Ceremony and reception at The Mandarin Oriental, Knightsbridge

Photography: Mark Seymour Photography

The style of our wedding was romantic and elegant. I wore a beautiful gown by Stephanie Allin. Being a make-up artist, I love to make mood boards. The colour scheme and the style of the wedding was so important.

Our original plan was for a countryside wedding. However, it was proving difficult accommodating our 200 guests without using a marquee. What’s the point of going to a stunning location to be put in a marquee and have to spend thousands dressing it? So we decided that interior was key and the Mandarin Oriental was the perfect answer. We had the best of both worlds, a beautiful ballroom with Hyde Park literally on our doorstep.

We had a Jewish ceremony and so we had a beautifully decorated chuppah to stand under. It’s traditional to decorate the chuppah with beautiful flowers and so we had a cascading twig and floral design as the main feature on the two front panels.

Walking down the aisle to my favourite song, Some where over The rainbow, played on the saxophone, was surreal.

Purple was the dominant colour with greys, golds and pastels to complement it. The ballroom was dripping in gold and had lots of huge mirrors and so the romantic mood was enhanced with soft purple and pink lighting. Candelabras were placed on every other table with a small floral display with pastel-coloured petals scattered on a mirrored base. The alternate tables had a low, flower display with tealights and petals. We made 165 Polaroid place names and the table plan and each table name represented each country we have been to. On one table there were pictures of our parents and grandparents when they got married and a ‘P & A’ wooden sign by the cupcake table.

Instead of a top table, we had a table of two so we could enjoy the evening together and take in every moment. The cake was a pastel, floral cupcake tower, topped by pictures of us as children.

In the evening we had a 12-piece band called Creation who created the most electric atmosphere. We did not stop dancing all night.

WHO DID WHAT

Photography: Mark Seymour Photography, 07786 377197, www.markseymourphotography.co.uk

Venue: The Mandarin Oriental, Knightsbridge, 020 7235 2000, www.mandarinoriental.com/london

Dress: The Bride, St Albans, 01727 848900, www.the-bride.co.uk

Accessories: Pretty Perfect, 01908 614198, www.prettyperfect.net; The Bridal Rogue Gallery, 0207 224 7414, www.bridalroguegallery.co.uk; bag, www.luluguiness.com

Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Bodice & Bustle, Bishops Stortford, 01279 755507, www.bodiceandbustle.co.uk; Coast, www.coast-dresses.co.uk

Flower girls’ Dresses: Ted Baker, www.tedbaker.com

Make-up: The bride, 07769 903517, www.philippalouisemakeup.co.uk

Hair: Dayna Grey, 07960 613978

Groom’s outfit: Suitsupply, London, 020 7851 2961

Stationery: Eldarbee Designs, www.eldarbeedesigns.co.uk

Flowers: Funky Flowers, 020 8440 8167, www.funkyflowersevents.com

Cake: Batya Basin, 07551 777425, www.edibleartlondon.co.uk

Catering: Carole Sobell, 020 8200 8111, www.carolesobell.com

Transport: White Doves Wedding Cars, Hertfordshire, 01707 267200, www.whitedovesweddingcars.co.uk

Toastmaster: Stephen Warwick, 07768 074193, www.stevenwarwicktoastmaster.webs.com

Entertainment: Creation, 020 8953 0850, www.creationmusicalservices.co.uk