In normal circumstances when we recieve a submission email from a photographer we’ve never had the pleasure of dealing with before we do the whole “Hi! so lovely to hear from you! We really love the wedding you sent! ….etc etc etc”
This however was definitely not what happened to the lovely Joanna Brown, who caught me so by surprise with her edgy and alternative use of W-day image backdrop that I completely lost all sense of professional business etiquette.
In fact Joanna didn’t even get a “Hi”…. she just got this:
You know the film Jerry McGuire and Renee Zellwegers character says “You had me at Hello” ?
Well…. you had me at Laundrette 
Along with orange formica filled greasy spoons Laundrettes are one of my favourite places – that image is genius.
So in a word Joanna….YES!!!
We would LOVE this wedding for the blog!
I guess I’m lucky she didn’t think I was a complete and utter goon. And still wanted to have the gorgeous Shepherd’s Bush Big Day of Rebecca and Paddy on Rock My Wedding.
Because the thing is folks, just like everything in this blue-polka-dot world, we don’t pretend to make the rules, or necessarily break them even. We just like to give you a little bit of what-you-might-fancy and hope it makes W-day planning a more enjoyable experience.
A big day can be anything and everything you want it to be. And this particular soiree for me is a sweet, unique and urban-esque fairytale.
Who said you had to have fields, trees and sunsets to make pretty pretty anyhow?
Joanna was assisted by Debs Ivelja as a second shooter.
Minus The Frilly Bits
My dress was by Delpine Manivet. I wanted something simple, properly ‘white’ (it suits me better than ivory etc), and something I could feel comfortable in as I can usually spend a maximum of about 30 minutes walking/sitting/standing properly and fussing around with frilly bits, before the shoes come off and I’m perched on a wall/the floor somewhere. True to form, the shoes lasted about 45 minutes.
My shoes were medium heels, art-deco style in just off-white by Rachel Simpson, from Fur Coat No Knickers.
Lace Love
My veil was Delphine Manivet – it was a rectangular piece of silk tulle with a lace-edge, which was able to be pinned into the hair for the ceremony and subsequently used as a wrap/shoulder-covering thing. Because my dress was so simple, the lace added a bit of detail.
My necklace – and those of the bridesmaids – were vintage marcasite from Fur Coat No Knickers.
All Change
Michael at Aveda on Westbourne Grove did my hair and he was wonderful about the fact that I changed my mind 3 times. I also adored the fact that, when I asked for a glass of water at the salon on the morning of the wedding, he turned round and shouted to the whole salon ‘a glass of water for my Bride please’. Fabulously over-dramatic – love it!
I did my own makeup, albeit with some advice before hand from Bobbi Brown, which was worth taking. It mainly reinforced things that I did already know, in the recesses of my mind, but failed to put into practice on a regular basis having only limited time and tolerance for face-painting in the average day.
Simple And Elegant Blooms
I had different shades of pink roses for my bouquet, and aqua pink roses for the bridesmaids. White roses for the button holes, and white hydrangea for the table centres. We wanted something simple but elegant – Chantal Frances-Flores was our brilliant florist who lives just around the corner from us and didn’t bat an eyelid about the fact that I didn’t contact her until 3 weeks before the day and didn’t confirm the order until 8 days before!
Polka Dot Prom
The Bridesmaids’ dresses were 50s style prom dresses, black with white polka dots. We found them totally by surprise in John Lewis, when we’d just about exhausted all other options. Finding something that suited everyone was a real problem, particular when one lives in the Cayman Islands so couldn’t try the dress on until she flew in 2 days before the wedding! Also, sizes ranged from a 6 to a 14. So, I had to get something that could be altered easily.
I knew it was ‘the dress’ because, when I took the other 2 shopping, it wasn’t going very well until, in the middle of a packed shop, I turned round to find both of them with this dress in their hands and eager grins on their faces! They were right, of course, it was perfect.
Beautiful Bunting
I spent the weekend before the wedding making 45 metres of bunting, with help from my mum and my sister. We put it up between the church and the church-hall, which is where the drinks reception was held. We used some black and white spotty fabric to match the bridesmaids’ dresses, then a second-hand bed sheet and an old table cloth!
It was a last minute idea but, looking at the photos, it seems to have worked well and was worth the effort (even though I’ve only just got the feeling back in my right thumb after 4 hours with my grandmother’s ancient pinking shears!). The restaurant – La Trompette – is a really nice, simple space, so didn’t need anything doing to it.
Looking Good
Paddy and the best men wore simple morning suits with slivery-grey waistcoats – hired from Austen Reed. What can I say….. I think the man looks good in a suit. He was wearing one the first time I met him!
All That Jazz
We had a jazz trio in the church and playing during the champagne reception afterwards. I walked down the aisle to ‘have you met Miss Jones’ and then we went out to ‘That’s amore’. It was perfect for what we were after, i.e not taking things too seriously!
Urban Creative
Shepherd’s Bush isn’t exactly your classic wedding venue – no stately home, no grass, trees, flowers, rivers, chirping birds etc etc – more Lebanese restaurants, Polish supermarkets, laundrettes, mosques and sari fabric shops. So we needed someone creative, with a sense of fun and a good imagination – Joanna Brown fit that bill perfectly and did us proud.
From the photos, you’d get the impression that we just giggled our way through the whole day – which is exactly how it happened!
Low-Key Style
We didn’t have a first dance (much to my mother’s disappointment). We took everyone for lunch at our favourite restaurant, and then went to a nice nearby pub for the afternoon/evening. We’ve both been to so many weddings where the music/disco situation is so tricky because you can’t please everyone – the parents/grandparents sit in a corner, complaining because it’s too loud, and there’s some very drunk guy break-dancing in the middle of the floor. So, because we were both looking for a relaxed, low-maintenance day, we decided to give it a miss!
We didn’t have favours fit with ‘relaxed and low-maintenance’ day either so we didn’t even consider it! Same goes for receiving lines, chair covers, wedding cars etc etc. We upped the quality of the wine and bought a few extra bottles of champagne instead 
Sweet Treats
My mum made my cake and we designed it together. It was 3 tiers – 1 of fruit and 2 of sponge and butter cream, with white icing in a ‘birdcage’ style, and then pink roses on top to match the bouquet. It was simple but elegant. She did a wonderful job.
Staying True To Yourself
We were determined to have a fun, easy-going day which was true to who we both are and our priorities in life. As a result, we don’t feel we spent a disproportionate amount of time and stress on planning etc, and were able to relax and enjoy the day, which was something that was really important to both of us – you hear so many stories of the day itself being an anti-climax after often years of planning.
We got married at the end of our street, then went to our favourite restaurant a couple of miles away, followed by a nice pub that we know! If you’re not, by nature, a ‘planner’ then make sure that the planning doesn’t get out of hand otherwise it can overshadow what’s important.
My advice would be that people are coming to see you get married and to celebrate with you, not with some mythical ethereal creature that exists only in the imagination and is so other-worldly that she is either occupying an entirely different planet on the day or just totally forgets to have a good time. For example, I had planned to have a wavy sort of hairstyle. I had a ‘trial’ 2 days before, and spent the rest of that afternoon fussing about whether it had lost its curl and constantly hunting for mirrors in order to check! I realised that evening – I have straight hair. It’s very straight indeed! Wouldn’t it be weird in the future looking back at photos of someone with curly hair marrying my husband?
Consequently, my poor hairdresser had to deal with a complete change of plan 2 hours before I walked down the aisle. But, I’m happy with how it looked – I look like me only a bit more shiny and perky than on an average Saturday morning – and I can’t remember once running to find a mirror during the whole day, which meant I had more time and energy to enjoy myself!
Finally, I spent the 48 hours after the wedding ‘discovering’ in my memory another person who I wish I’d spent more time with on the day. And we only had 54 guests! If you have more than that, don’t kid yourself that you will be able to spend more than a fleeting moment with each of them during the day.
We always say how important it is to research for your W-day photographer and make it one of ( if not THE) biggest investment of your day. Like Paddy and Rebecca, they chose Joanna Brown not only for her ability to generally take great shots but also as a talented creative, being able to work within the confines and constraints of any environment and come out with some real wall-worthy images.
So no matter what your kind of fairytale is, make sure the story book you are left with is one you will treasure forever.
Big One-Day-I-Want-To-Own-My-Own-Laundrette Love
Charlotte xxx
Sorry Charlotte. They had ME at the supermarket one. That’s BRILLIANT. I’ve often thought after w-day I’ll wear the dress ALL the time (including at the supermarket).
I also love love LOVE the dress. And the relaxed vibe of the day. So effective.
That dress is also one of my favourites-simple and elegant and uber classy.
Totally ‘do you think this would work in Tesco’ love
Great job Joanna, the images are all beautiful! I love this couple and their attitude.
Their wedding ethos really puts things into perspective!
I love the fact that they were so determined to have relaxed day and that’s exactly what comes across in those brilliant photos.
I totally love the neckline of those dresses too. And I feel the pain about the bunting. Litterally.
Oh, I want this wedding! Perfectly unfussy and SO stylish. Love it.
THAT supermarket pic is genius!! I really hope I see a bride walking round Tesco while I’m doing my shopping someday. And the bridesmaids in the red bus – brilliant. If I lived in England I’d be emailing Joanna now instead of writing this.
Great choice!
x
What a lovely lovely wedding. And it’s not just because I lived in She Bu for many very happy years. Loving the variety of Fairy Tale Fortnight. Big West London Love .
Wow, gorgeous photos. LOVE city weddings, but then having had one myself I’m biased.
And I love Rebecca’s dress – gorgeous.
I don’t kow what to say….
I LOVE this.
Amaze.
x
I’m with Aisling
different but brilliant
r.now x x x
I love this! Looks like so much fun.
And completely different. Different is good!
Top marks! x
Love the laundrette pics too, they’re gorgeous. We had some shop pics on our wedding day too!
xx
Adelle
Peonies & Pearls
I love this wedding!!!!
I love the dress, it’s amazing!!!!
What beautiful photographs, perfect! xxxx
Um….today I am loving:
- wedding snaps next to the freezer section
- that pic of the bridesmaid laughing
- last-minute flowers and bunting
- the bride. Full stop. What a great attitude, ethos, everything
- the YES moment in John Lewis!
- being true to the ‘Bush and not trying to ponce it up
- the pictures that tell a story of a day that was irreverent and filled with laughter and love.
I am, literally, weak at the knees for this one.
What a totally cool chick!
I’m blown away by how sensible and relaxed her planning was (erm, total opposite of yours truly…!)
Bit weird of me to pick up on such a small point but I just LOVE her attitude towards her hairstyle. I haven’t had my trial yet and have been fretting about what to have done, but she’s totally right about looking like yourself. I am now going to steer my hairdresser away from poodle-Lexi and go for something more me.
x
PS Bridesmaids dresses totally gorg too!
This is so ‘cool’ Yes, I know ‘cool’ is usually only used by 12 year olds….but I just love the bride and grooms attitudes and everyone looks like they are having so much fun xxx
Thanks so much for the feature, charlotte, it looks so beautiful. This couple were that cool, were that laid back and an absolute pleasure to work for, especially when I said fancy just popping in that laundrette?…..
LOVE this! I have to say that the bridesmaid (is she on the phone in a lift) laughing and giving the thumbs up is one of my all time favourite photos on RWM.
I also now want my photo taken in the coke aisle while totally rocking my wedding dress.
x
The photos are soo relaxed, just gorgeous and entirely elegant!! I love it…
So glad you like it ladies and Joanna it was a pleasure Pet – knew they would love the supermarket shots
Charlotte xxx
Oh.My.Word. This wedding is a.mazing. The photos, the bm dresses, the ethos…..so rocking it the urban wedding way. Thanks Charlotte!
Wonder if I could convince the man to have the engagement shoot in Morrisons…xoxo
Loved the ethos for the day, loved the photos, had me in tears.
Beautiful, thank you. x
Wowee!
If ever you’ve shown a ‘cool’ wedding, this has to be it
Kind of brings you back to reality in regards to stressing about the planning doesn’t it?
I feel like taking a leaf out of Rebecca and Paddy’s book!
Not many lauderettes or supermarkets in the Cheshire countryside though……local farmers market maybe?
mmmm……
That’s a wicked suggestion Joey! When I got married there was a European Market visiting St Annes square outside the church. I was really worried there would be so much noise it would filter into the church and drown out our vows! On the day it was fine but I did consider having normal shots of us sampling the wares… Forgot on the day but I love shots of people onwedding clothes doing normal stuff
Great job Joanna, thanks for choosing RMW for this one
Xoxo
I love this post mainly because it has just introduced me to Delpine Manivet wedding dresses, spent my lunch hour gazing at the collection. It so looks just the right level of quirky but comfortable with a touch of vintage that I’ve been after!
Amazing pictures and amazing words from the bride! Totally in awe of the relaxed day they created.
Inspiring stuff all round!
xXx
I heart delphine manivet and have actually just put the finishes touches to a blog post for next week, very cool and very understated. Very much like this wedding in fact!
Xx
One wise bride! I love understated weddings, the feeling of being surrounded by familiar surroundings just shines through these images. I would have loved to have been a guest at this one x
Stunning but i also have a soft spot as i used to live in “She bu” (shepherds bush) too and know that launderette well – its the coolest one in town…
Beautiful dress and again love the whole ethos and all the advice
Fab!
Rachie xo
Just brilliant! This only fuels our “wear our dresses shopping/night out” fantasies. We’ve seen it with our eyes now. It looks NORMAL. And fabulous! Amazing photography, can’t quite get over this one.
What lovely pictures and a wonderful wedding, I love the lingering in the shops you both look so chilled!
Just wonderful!
V xoxo
I love this!!!! I went to school not too far away from Shepherds Bush,and never thought it could look soo cool. X x
Bride has balls- doing it her own way and not giving a damn about anything but being happy!
I LOVE the bus shot, the pic by the washine machine drum and the cute way the groom kisses her head like she’s his precious. This one is gonna take some beating! x
I love this! Who needs a country manor? This is just perfect x
Love the bridesmaids dresses! The bridal veil looks gorgeous! Congratulations on a beautiful wedding!
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