It’s not only the couple-to-be that are investing themselves in their wedding day, it is often the input of family and friends that really bring it to life. We were we made to feel incredibly welcome at Brighton couple Emily and Simon’s stunning clash of Deco and punk, and Simon’s dad actually painted the panelling on his beach hut cream and blue, especially for their wedding day, just for the photos. Need we say more?!
The love story…
We asked Emily&Simon to describe each other in three words.
Emily said; Huggable, sensitive and hilarious
Simon said; SQUIGGLEY, caring and selfless
Simon and I went to school together… “I knew him through mutual friends and I also went out with one of his friends! We got together just before I went to university over a shared love of travelling, he had just visited the Amazon and I had spent a long time in India. Our friendship and relationship grew despite being miles apart for several years.”
Simon proposed over cheesecake… “We had chosen the ring together so I knew it was coming, he cooked us an amazing meal and homemade desert. Who wouldn’t say yes to cheesecake that good!”
I love Art Deco… “Art Deco. I love Art Deco architecture and 1920s and 30s style. I have always loved the way women dressed in really old movies, particularly the early ‘talkies’. Living in Brighton was a huge inspiration, I would wander the flea market and the lanes and charity shops my head buzzing with ideas! My Nan and late Auntie Vera influenced me a lot as they would always dress up for special occasions, looking really glamorous. I always loved looking at pictures of them when they were younger. My Nan kept a huge dressing up box of dresses, gloves, handbags, hats and fascinators which I would prance around in at every opportunity as a child! I wanted our families to be part of the decorations as they are so important. So many of our guests commented on the decorations and old photos, it was really special.”
The soundtrack… JUNO… “I walked down the aisle to Barry Louis Polisar’s song “All I Want Is You” from the film JUNO, it was magical. Our first dance was Anyone Else But You by The Moldy Peaches, also features in JUNO, love it. Adam, Lisa and John played it which made it extra special. Near the end everyone got up and joined in. I will never forget that feeling of having everyone around smiling and just enjoying being there with us.”
♥ Photography is obviously their passion and not just a job… “Originally we came across Penny and Martin (aka Tino&Pip) at a wedding fair… [and their] album really caught our eye. Having chatted to them briefly Simon and I were struck by how normal and easy to get on with they were. They seemed happy just to listen to our ramblings about what we liked and didn’t like. After looking at their website we were convinced that they could deliver the experience we wanted, a relaxed day capturing all the special moments without having to say ‘CHEESE’!
Penny and Martin are incredibly talented, photography is obviously their passion and not just a job, this comes across in every image they produce.
We are so happy to have captured such beautiful memories and are looking forward to sharing them again and again in years to come. I also cannot wait to get them printed supersize and put them all over the house!”
Venue: St Augustine’s, Westgate-on-sea, Kent. “The Chapel is just such a stunning room. Once the venue mentioned that we could sit down to eat and have the evening party all in that one space we were sold!”
Dress: Joanne Fleming Design, in Brighton. “I had always been convinced that i was born without the ‘bride gene’. Having not spent any of my childhood fantasising about this dress I found it very hard picturing what it might be like. I went to several traditional bridal wear shops to get some ideas but I found myself rushing to exit feeling really rather squeamish! I have always had a love of all things old fashioned, I guess because if someone else has created something classic and stylish why try and re-invent the wheel! Joanne was fantastic, I told her what sorts of things I liked and how I wanted the dress to fit my shape and gradually over several appointments the dress took shape. It felt wonderful knowing that this dress would be mine alone and that it would fit so perfectly. It surpassed my expectations, I felt truly amazing in it and I will treasure it forever.”
Shoes: Iron Fist. “My shoes were the second pair I got, the original ones were plain and safe and completely not me. I loved the idea of having a pop of colour under my dress.”
Accessories: “A couple of weeks before the big day I decided not to wear the lace headband I had bought and completed changed what I wanted to do with my hair. I was beginning to panic over what to have on my head! Two days before the wedding to kill some time in the evening I started to play around with some netting that my soon to be mother in law had brought for 25p! I added a brooch from Accessorize and voila! The earrings were my something borrowed from Simon’s mum, they were her 21st birthday present. My underwear was FAUV, my step mum Liz helped me get this, they really did finish the outfit off perfectly and felt amazing to wear.”
Wedding present from Simon to Emily: “The necklace that Simon got me (the skull one) is from the Jewel Thief in Brighton, the crown was my present on the day.”
Wedding present from Emily to Simon: A slideshow presentation of photographs of the two of them throughout their time together that reduced Simon and his entire family to tears on the morning of their wedding!
Hair & make up: “Dannique from Beauty Call was lovely, really easy to chat to and gave lots of great advice.”
Groom’s outfit: Suit from John Lewis, accessories from Kurt Geiger.
Bridesmaid’s dresses & accessories: “The bridesmaids dresses were from Monsoon. The same night that I was making my own veil I put some ideas together and out popped the girls hair accessories. I hadn’t wanted to ask the girls to wear anything in particular so I made them as keepsakes really, hoping that maybe one of them might wear it. I wanted to make sure the girls all had something to keep that said thank you for supporting me. I brought them a necklace each from Etsy.”
Flowers: “The Secret Garden in Cliftonville, Margate, did my bouquet, the button holes and bridesmaids flowers as well as some of the large glass bowls dotted around the venue. I wanted to keep it local and had had several bad experiences of other florists telling me what I should have and the quoting ridiculous amounts of money. Liz was able to make up examples as I gave her ideas so I could really see what it would look like. I chose succulents because as a child I used to grow them in my bedroom and I loved the idea of being able to keep them.”
Décor: “We used peacock feathers pretty much everywhere. In the lounge bar I used some fresh flowers and vases from Simon’s parents house as well as a few succulent plants potted into glass wear I picked up from various flea markets and charity shops. The typewriter and cameras were Ebay purchases and the picture frames were family heirlooms given to me by my Nan, I believe my great granddad made them! I wanted the tables to be a bit mix and match. The general idea was peacock feathers, Deco and black and white film noir glamour. I think it was more a collection of random things I liked the look of! Decorating the tables was one of my favourite parts of the wedding preparations.”
Cake: “A friend of the family made it. It was simply fantastic. The cup cakes went down a storm on the night!”
Entertainment: “Adam, Simon’s brother agreed at the last minute to step in and entertain us. John Perry sang us a sea shanty, which was a surprise for Simon. They played our first dance which was superb, such a perfect song for us to remember the day by. We will be eternally grateful for their performance it really made the perfect atmosphere.”
