Getting to know the couple:

Name of the couple:
Carl & Alix Town  
 
Wedding Venue:
Saint Augustine’s Church 
http://www.staugustines-grovepark.com
 
Reception Venue:
Saint Augustine’s Church Halls 
 
Tell us how you met and got engaged…
 
We met in a pub in April of this year and were living together by the end of May. There wasn’t a proposal as such, we just kept talking about it and then one day we went to The Great Frog to buy each other rings, when we came out Carl said, "Are these our engagement rings then?" and that was that! We have been so completely in sync, right from the start it’s felt like we’ve known each other our entire lives. We haven’t spent a night apart yet - truth be told we’re both dreading it! We didn’t even spend the night before the wedding apart - we got ready together on the day and we walked down the aisle together. For us, that was the perfect way to do it. 
 
How would you describe your wedding theme (in under 5 words)…
 
Gothic, Autumnal, Magical Bonfire Night 
 
What was your main hopes and plan for the day…
 
To enjoy every second. We knew it would go by in a flash. The main thing we hoped for was that everyone enjoyed themselves and had a good time. We also made a pact to pace ourselves so that we remembered everything about it! 
 
Was your favourite part of the day…
 
All of it! But the ceremony was really special. Once the nerves had passed, exchanging our vows was magical. It was important to us to share it with our families and friends, yet in those few minutes it felt like it was just the two of us standing there exchanging promises and rings. 
 
How was your day unique…
 
We waited until after dark to get married so that the church could be candlelit. Apparently we were the first candlelit wedding ceremony the church has had. For us, it really wouldn’t have been the same in the daylight. We also had a bonfire going for when people arrived at the church. 
 
What was your budget…
 
We wanted to keep costs as low as possible because we are planning to get a mortgage soon and, for us, we didn’t feel we could justify spending a huge amount of money on the wedding - nor did we want to. Apparently the standard wedding costs £25k, our wedding cost around £6k in total and it was perfect.  
 
What was your biggest expense…
 
The food. With a bonfire theme and 150 people to feed we had a hog roast and jacket potatoes. 

The venue dressing, without which nothing would have been the same. Jeremy from The Complete Chill Out Company is a dear friend and when we told him what we wanted he got it immediately. He took all the stress out of that part of the planning. We felt so relaxed about it; we knew it would be perfect and it was - it was beyond perfect. He transformed a tired sports hall into a magical world for us. 
 
How did you save money…
 
We are incredibly lucky to have wonderful family and friends who all helped and we did a great deal of stuff ourselves. It made the whole thing feel intimate and a real team effort! From stocking our own bar, making our own cocktails, borrowing  a makeshift photo booth off friends, using Carl’s dad’s brilliant band The Buddy Cleverly Band which consists of mostly family members, his aunt did the venue flowers and table dressing, friends DJ'd... everyone chipped in. We also made our own favours, table numbers, place names, seating plan board etc. It meant we were up until 3am on a number of occasions spray painting things gold and filling up 150 little jars with garnet stones, rose petals and sparkles, but we really enjoyed it. Carl also made and engraved our wedding rings himself, which technically saved us money, but that wasn’t why he did it, it was a very special thing to do and has made our rings unique to us.   
 
How was your experience of working with your suppliers…
 
Jeremy and Liam from The Complete Chill Out Company were excellent. 
 
Unfortunately the caterers arrived two hours late, which meant they served the food 2 hours late. It really messed up our running times. Luckily, as we’ve already said, we have wonderful friends and family who just got on with it and had a brilliant time regardless. It was a shame because the food was really good when it was finally served.  
 
Advice to any couples about to get married…
 
It’s the same advice that everyone gives but it’s so true - ENJOY IT!! Also, make sure you have the wedding that YOU want, after all it’s your day, no one else’s. Society seems to place certain expectations or apply rules to weddings when there shouldn’t be any. It can be whatever you want it to be! Ours was a real reflection of us a couple. 
 
Please list any suppliers that took part (please add links):
 
Wedding Venue: Saint Augustine’s Church, Grove Park, London.  
 
Wedding Reception: Saint Augustine’s Church Halls
 
Wedding Dress: 
Needle & Thread - Black Shadow Lace Gown - http://www.needleandthread.com/uk/all-womenswear/dress/shadow-lace-gown-black 
However, I had it altered so much it really didn’t look much like this on the day! I had the nude lining removed and I wore a black Bordelle Girdle Dress underneath it instead - https://shop.bordelle.co.uk/collections/angela-dresses-girdles/products/angela_black
I also had the neck taken up to make it look more Victorian, and I had the sleeves shortened so that they came to just above my elbows. 
 
Accessories:
I wore a feather ear cuff - https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/480814511/feather-ear-cuff-halloween-ear-cuff?ref=hp_rv
I also wore a black feather cape that I borrowed off a friend, it was very similar to this one - https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/400423249/black-feather-cape-feather-jacket?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=feather%20cape&ref=sr_gallery_15
Anchor ear studs - http://metalcrumble.com
 
Shoes: Louboutin - http://eu.christianlouboutin.com/uk_en/shop/women/pigalle-plato-patent.html
 
Hair & Make Up: My wonderful friend Amy Brandon - http://www.amybrandon.com
 
Grooms Attire:
Vivienne Westwood jacket - Found on Ebay
All Saints black Cigarette jeans - https://www.allsaints.com/men/jeans/allsaints-crow-cigarette-me030g/?colour=451&category=7
White T M Lewin shirt - https://www.tmlewin.co.uk/shirts/non-iron-white-oxford-slim-fit-shirt-53777.html?cgid=Mens-Shirts
British Army assault boots - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BRITISH-ARMY-BLACK-ASSAULT-COMBAT-BOOTS-GRADE-1-CADETS-VARIOUS-SIZES/272924333260?hash=item3f8b8ed4cc:m:muxZiuP5_4qf9NgbqhoeRQg
Cream Moss Bros. cravat - https://www.mossbroshire.co.uk/occasion/royal-ascot/ivory-self-tie-cravat-1810
Skull tie pins - Carl’s own from Kooples 
Anchor cuff links - http://www.cooksongold.com/Finished-Jewellery/Anchor-Cuff-Link-Rhodium-Plated----Brass-prcode-X2A-109
 
Transport:
Aubergine Mark 2 Cortina
 
Flowers: Sweet Pea Flowers did the bouquet and buttonholes - http://www.sweetpeaflowers.co.uk
 
Stationery: Zazzle - https://www.zazzle.co.uk/antique_parchment_print_wedding_invitations-256599999758515432
We used an Emily Bronte quote - "Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.” 
 
Cake: 
Marks and Spencer Milk Chocolate Ribbons cake - http://www.marksandspencer.com/milk-chocolate-ribbons-wedding-cake/p/p60008655
Waitrose Florence Cheesecake - https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/florence-5-tier-cheese-cake/525459-506102-506102
 
Décor: 
The Complete Chill Out Company - http://completechillout.com
Sue Smith did the venue flowers and table arrangements.