When US based Kate and Cale approached me to talk about their London elopements plans, my heart jumped with joy. Elopements are special in itself, but an elopement in London is one of the coolest things you can do.
Why choose London for your elopement?
London is a city full of hidden corners and romantic hide-aways. It offers a fascinating and vibrant blend of history and modern art, iconic buildings, contemporary quirky neighbourhoods, fabulous food and a unique diversity of cultures and people.
The great Samuel Johnson once said: "When someone is tired of London, they're tired of life. For there is in London all that life can afford"
Kate and Cale were all but tired when I met them on their special day. They had only arrived the day before, but showed no signs of a jetlag. Full of anticipation and energy, they could not wait to celebrate their love whilst exploring some of London's most famous landmark sites. They were accompanied by wedding photographer Micaela Karina, who beautifully captured their happy vibes whilst taking breathtaking photos of the bride and groom.
A romantic hidden spot
We met not far from St Paul's Cathedral, in Postman's Park. I could not wait to meet Kate and Cale in real life after all the Zoom meetings and emails we had had. I checked if I had all my gear in place: box to present the rings, laptop with special surprise video messages of their parents, and a bottle of champagne with four glasses to cheer to their love.
Kate and Cale arrived with huge smiles on their faces, full of anticipation of what was about to happen, and perhaps a little nervous too. The moment they had dreamed of was imminent, and it was real!
Elopement ceremony
Cale and I gathered at the spot we had chosen for the ceremony whilst Katie waited around a corner. Although Cale had already seen Kate in her wedding dress, her formal entrance to the ceremony space was an emotional moment.
I welcomed them and read out the words we had crafted together for this moment, touching upon this unique moment of their lives and, by getting married in London, become part if its diverse and vibrant history.
Inspired by the many hidden places London has to offer we read the following reading by Hillary T Smith:
“People are like cities: We all have alleys and gardens and secret rooftops and places where daisies sprout between the sidewalk cracks, but most of the time all we let each other see is a postcard glimpse of a skyline or a polished square. Love lets you find those hidden places in another person, even the ones they didn't know were there, even the ones they wouldn't have thought to call beautiful themselves.”
Kate and Cate shared their vows and sealed their bond with rings. They had written letters to one another which they exchanged as a first gift to each other.
A special message from overseas
Their parents had recorded video messages which I had brought together in a video. I had also added a photo of Cale's mum, who died when he was young. She was smiling to them from a world where time and place don't exist, forever proud of her boy and his beautiful bride.
We ended the ceremony with a cheeky toast after which Kate and Cale continued their strolls through London, ending the day with a first dance accompanied by a busker!
Want to elope in London? Read on
If you're interested in an elopement in London, do get in touch!
The possibilities are endless. You can opt for a legal wedding, or a bespoke celebrant-led ceremony. There are venues you can hire, or you can roam in the many outdoor spaces London has to offer.
Call me for a no-obligation chat on 0044 (0)7543 063 286 or contact me here.