Summer Weddings | Polly Alexandre Photography

Wedding in Tuscany, Castello Di Meleto {Part 2}

July 20, 2015

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Lauren and Ollie’s fairytale wedding at Castello Di Meleto in Tuscany, Italy, was blessed with perfect weather and beautiful grounds for the cocktail hour after the ceremony and a stunning outdoor evening reception dinner.

Drinks were served after the ceremony. It was a short walk down a spruce lined drive to a refreshing negroni and aperol spritzer, as the signature cocktails. Hors deourves, a charcuterie station and a mozzarella and tomato bar, made for a relaxed afternoon of finger foods and chatting before the wedding reception.

There were many unique touches showing Lauren and Ollie’s style and personality, with creative direction from the Talented Clara at Chic Weddings Italy…..from the tea towel invitations, to the Mad Lib inspired RSVP cards hung on the iron fence, an eclectic selection of frames listing all of the guests was used as a table plan, small peaches with each place card and the Italian almond confetti corner where guests could choose their own flavour of Italian candy as wedding favours.

The wedding cake, a traditional Italian Millefoglie cake, was a show in itself! Millefoglie is literally “a thousand layers” and is made up of fill pastry sheets layered with different fillings. The chefs came out in a long line with all the ingredients and built the cake in front of the guests. Lauren’s most memorable moment from the wedding reception was the creation and cutting of this amazing wedding cake!

Lauren and Ollie opened the dancing to Kings of Leon –Back Down South, which invites everyone in the opening lyrics to “Come on out and dance, if you get the chance” – the perfect end to a perfect day, dancing under the stars in Tuscany with family and friends for around the world.

This dream wedding carried over to a farewell lunch and pool party at the castle the next day with all the guests.

“We were so grateful for the long journey that everyone made that we didn’t want it to end”

Mr & Mrs M: it was such an absolute pleasure to travel to Italy and capture your amazing wedding and I am delighted to see two become three and to see your joy as a new family. Sending you all my love for a long and romantic love story together forever more…. xxx

Gown: Reem Acra Olivia Dress // Shoes: Jimmy Choo // Veil: Vera Wang // Earrings: J Crew // Rings: Laura Bezant // Groom tuxedo: Ozwald Boateng // Groom’s shoes: My Churches // Groom’s Bow tie: Lanvin // Bridesmaids dresses: TwoBirds Bridesmaids // Vintage MG: Drive In Style // Venue: Castello Di Meleto // Wedding planner: Clara Boatto from Chic Weddings Italy // Catering: Galateo // Florist: La Rosa Canina // Stationer: Wedding Tea Towels // Hair & Makeup: Silvia Gerzeli

Wedding in Tuscany, Castello Di Meleto {Part 1}

July 13, 2015

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This fairytale wedding in a Tuscan castle had all the ingredients for a fun and glamorous weekend of celebration at Castello Di Meleto in Italy. Lauren and Ollie’s destination wedding was a perfect part of their cosmopolitan love story which started in London, followed by a proposal in Paris, a wedding in Tuscany and finally a honeymoon in Greece.

To make the most of the long journey their 125 guests had undertaken, a full weekend of events was planned to celebrate and enjoy the time together with family and friends. A welcome dinner on the Friday night at a local family run pizzeria, La Loggia del Chianti, started the weekend on a casual note.

Saturday brought a beautiful sunny day with not a cloud in the sky, showcasing the stunning castle grounds and perfectly complementing the glamour of the black tie attire. Castello Di Meleto has so many beautiful areas that it was easy to flow from the ceremony to cocktails, then dinner and dancing.

One of Ollie’s most memorable moments was watching his bride drive up the tree lined road as she arrived for the ceremony in a 1954 white MG. Lauren’s father walked her down the aisle to a harp accompaniment and their family priest, Father Dow Sanderson officiated, travelling far from home to be a part of this memorable occasion.

The greens, gold, pinks and peaches of the wedding colour palette were chosen to complement the flowers in season and made the castle grounds perfect for a creative couple shoot which took place after the ceremony.

Look out for next week’s blog, showcasing the cocktail hour, dinner reception and the wonderfully intimate detailed decor that made this wedding uniquely Lauren and Ollie.

Gown: Reem Acra Olivia Dress // Shoes: Jimmy Choo // Veil: Vera Wang // Earrings: J Crew // Rings: Laura Bezant // Groom tuxedo: Ozwald Boateng // Groom’s shoes: My Churches // Groom’s Bow tie: Lanvin // Bridesmaids dresses: TwoBirds Bridesmaids // Vintage MG: Drive In Style // Venue: Castello Di Meleto // Wedding planner: Clara Boatto // Catering: Galateo // Florist: La Rosa Canina // Stationer: Wedding Tea Towels // Hair & Makeup: Silvia Gerzeli

Wedding Photography at Hedsor House

July 6, 2015

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A Gatsby-influenced country mansion wedding was just the ticket for a film-obsessed couple like Ching and Jamie. Chinese symbolism combined with Hollywood glamour made for a extravaganza filled with meaning and personality just so unique to this gorgeous couple.

The ceremony and reception were held at Hedsor House and their love of film extended to the decor, naming the tables after their favourite love stories: Love Actually, Jerry Maguire, The English Patient and of course, The Great Gatsby for the main table. The flowers and food were full of Chinese symbolism and heritage. The favours were Taiwanese pineapple cakes made by Ching’s mum, whom Ching clearly owes some of her culinary success to! (Ching is a well known TV chef in the US, with a number of series to her name: so talented!)

Ching wore a beautiful Jenny Packham gown and Jamie a tailor-made Valentino suit – styled to match the glamour and elegance of the Gatsby theme. A live band and cocktails at the reception got the party going full swing and made for a decadent and classic evening reception filled with fun and laughter.

The evening ended with an amazing fireworks display which marks any Chinese celebration as a symbol of happiness – and who could be more happy than Ching and Jamie as they start their married life together.

It was such a pleasure to capture the magical day you became husband and wife Mr & Mrs C; I wish you so much love and happiness as you continue your journey through life together. All my love!

Venue: Hedsor House // Dress: Jenny Packham // Wedding Planner and Catering: Mark Frogley at Caper and Berry // Videographer: Sugarfish // Florist: Seventh Heaven // Hair & Make-up: Armand Beaseley // Cake: Maisie Fantaisie // Band: Belissima

Lou & Rocco – An English Country Wedding

April 27, 2015

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When you are a cool, edgy couple working in the entertainment industry, you don’t throw a wedding that is like anyone else’s right? No….. you stamp your own very personal style and create a celebration at home that’s full of meaning and personality, and uniquely your own: both laid-back and lively and a ton of fun!

Lou and Rocco chose Lou’s family home to host their wedding, which her parents had very kindly held onto a little longer so the couple could complete the family tradition of marrying there, before her parents sold the house and moved on. The celebrations were hosted in different locations around the gardens – from a humanist ceremony is a marquee in the apple orchard – to a lively band in the driveway.

The stars of the show – after Lou & Rocco of course – were the amazing original Doritos band off the TV advert – the Mariarchi Band. Hilarious, fun and awesome musicians to boot, these guys got the party going at full swing right from the drinks reception.

As the sun set the family released gold balloons into the dusky skies, one to mark each dear family member who had moved on, in a meaningful and poignant acknowledgement to those loved and lost, but never forgotten.

And as the balloons flow off into the sky, so this couple were about to fly off to their own new life. Lou and Rocco’s wedding was a statement of their love and marriage, a coming together of 2 happy families, and also a send off to the newly married couple who shortly after emigrated to the US to begin a new life together.

To Lou and Rocco: America is a better place for your sense of fun and personality, and I hope your have a long and happy new life together and a marriage that is filled with just as much laughter and love as the day it started. All my love xxx

Venue: Clients Home // Bride’s Dress: Pronovias // Band: Mariarchi Band

Joanna & Adam – Jewish Wedding in London

April 13, 2015

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This August wedding on a beautiful summers day truly complimented a beautiful bride and her handsome groom as they tied the knot under a traditional Jewish Chuppah in the orchard at Fenton House. After a wonderfully romantic Parisian pre-wedding shoot with Joanna and Adam, it was very special to shoot their London wedding.

Joanna, elegant in a Jenny Packham creation with her hair in an intricate up style was relaxed and clearly enjoyed every moment of her wedding day. A couple like this, so obviously in love, allows for wonderful natural photography, capturing those special moments that will evoke the same feelings all over again when looking back on their wedding album.

The wedding ceremony was followed by a drinks reception for the guests and then onto the formal reception where the traditional Jewish wedding dancing took place – before the formalities of speeches and eating! No Jewish wedding is complete without the chair dance, the Hora, in which strong guests hoist the bride and groom on chairs high above the crowd. The expressions on Joanna and Adam’s face really told a story of joy and celebration.

Joanna and Adam wanted me to capture their wedding day in way that would create a true story when looking back, showing the little details that made the day special and capturing the spirit of the celebration in all its tradition and elegance.

If you are planning your Jewish Wedding in the London area, please drop me a line..

Videographer : Bloomsbury Films // Florist : Mary-Jane Vaughan // Hair/Make Up : Michael Van Clarke // Dress Designer : Jenny Packham (both dresses) // Band : The Beat Union // Catering : Rhubarb // Venue : Fenton House Stationary: Signore del Mare