Soon after the long overdue change to the law to recognise same-sex marriage, Iain and Andrew set the date for their wedding at Asia House and The House of St Barnabas in Soho, London. Cracking it was, too.
I met up with them at The Langham Court Hotel where they were joined by their parents and siblings. I knew that they weren’t after the traditional wedding photos. They had decided not to be photographed getting ready. They weren’t fussed about lots of group photos, a first dance or a romantic shoot around Soho Square. That wasn’t important. They simply wanted the day documented and most importantly, they wanted their photos to show how much fun their family and friends were to have. And there were plenty of opportunities for me to fulfil that wish.
Iain & Andrew and their families walked through the streets of central London to Asia House for their ceremony, held in the Georgian splendour of the ‘Fine Room’ with its ornate ceiling and marbled fireplace. It was simple, elegant and filled with excitable faces.
Everyone then jumped on an old Routemaster bus to take the journey through the sights of London while sipping on champagne to art-laden The House of St Barnabas in Soho Square for an evening of fun.
And fun it was. After a beautiful meal, family and friends enjoyed a go on their ‘wedding cake’ – a Jägermeister-shot-producing ice sculpture. Extra head attire was provided by the fabulous Miss Ballooniverse. Renditions of some of Iain & Andrew’s favourite songs were belted out in the candle-lit chapel courtesy of London Contemporary Voices choir, some of whom are their close friends. And then they danced the night away to some funky beats while a piñata stuffed with goodies took some funky beating in the garden.
As their wedding photographer, I knew from our initial meeting that it wouldn’t be the usual gig. Every now and then, a wedding takes place that changes the rules by playing by its own. A big red bus stood in for a small white car. Tiers of ice replaced iced tiers. Guests waited for Jäger shots instead of group shots. And friends gave loud songs rather than quiet readings. This is how Iain & Andrew roll.
