Emma + Jack | Asia House + Balham Bowls club London Wedding

Emma and Jack booked me last year just before Christmas - fortunately I was available and especially after Emma told me about her wedding I was really excited and pleased I was free for her day! Emma use to be my daughters school teacher when she lived in Kent. Emma's friend who also taught my daughter recommended me to Emma, I am so glad she did! The wedding was pretty cool arriving in style on a vintage green bus, whilst the groom arrived in style on a red double decker bus. We had prosecco, amazing old school tunes which filled the bus with laughter and cheer as we attempted to sing in tune ha! Heres what Emma and Jack have to say about their awesome day!!

How did you both meet? We met at a party hosted by Chris, Jack's brother and one of my best friends. Our paths had never crossed until then.

Jack can you tell me how you proposed to Emma? Emma has always said that she never wanted to be proposed to as she felt that it was important for a couple to decide together whether they were ready to get married or not, not just the man. So we both woke up one Saturday morning and decided that it was something we wanted to do, then we went from there. Not particularly romantic, but suited us both perfectly.

What made you guys choose your wedding venue? We chose Asia House in the heart of Westminster as it is in the heart of our favourite city and Emma's birthplace. We loved the idea of getting married in the centre of London and then giving our family and friends a little tour of our favourite landmarks (whilst drinking bubbly) on some vintage London buses. For the reception we chose The Balham Bowls Club in Balham, just up the road from Emma's parents home in Clapham. It is a really laid back, quirky venue where the staff were so friendly, flexible and helpful. We wanted our wedding to be relaxed and fun for everyone above anything else and we felt that The Balham Bowls Club ticked all of the boxes for us.

What was your inspiration behind your wedding theme? We had quite a mish-mash of themes. We wanted to include some of our favourite things but in a way that meant the wedding was enjoyable for all of our family and friends. Music is very important to us and we carefully selected music from a range of decades (with the help of our friend Jan) which provoked a feeling of nostalgia. We decorated the room at The Balham Bowls Club with plenty of candles, but for us, the room really had it's own unique character which we didn't want to change.

Our seating plan was a 1939 version of the London Underground map which was a nod to our beloved London, as well as the buses. The tables were named after some of our favourite bands and singers so we used our 45'' records of the artists to mark the tables. The menus were printed on the back of Ladybird book front cover post cards, which we carefully matched to our guests, to much delight (and dismay!). Gin bottles acted as vases for the flowers and the favours were a mixed cd which included some of the tunes played at the wedding.

So all in all, a real eclectic mix!

What was your first song and why? Our first song was a medley. We started off with a slow dance to La Mer by Charles Trenet as we really love it. Then it cut into The Twist by Chubby Checker (a nod to the sixties). At this point the best men/women and bridesmaids came on and joined in the routine. The medley included:

Misirlou by Dick Dale ( a great tune, a great dance move)

Wuthering Heights by Kate Bush (Emma's favourite song of all time)

Riverdance ( a nod to our Irish family)

Twist and Shout by The Beatles (one of Jack's favourites)

If you could give any couples getting married one tip what would it be? Don't worry or stress about the little things-they really, really don't matter. Above all, enjoy every minute!

Wedding Suppliers

Photographer: Carla Guest Photography

Hair stylist: Lipstick and Curls, Goshka Topolska

Website: www.lipstickandcurls.net

Make up artist: Lipstick and Curls, Goshka Topolska

Website: www.lipstickandcurls.net

Brides Dress: Candy Anthony

Website: candyanthony.com

Bridesmaids dresses: Coast

Website: www.coast-stores.com

Brides Shoes: Vivienne Westwood and Melissa

Website: www.nonnon.co.uk