We’re thrilled to share the charming London wedding of Hannah and Sheila, captured by the talented Pen and Cam of McKinley Rodgers Film & Photography. The couple’s special day was filled with personalized details and quirky touches that make their story truly unforgettable. Starting with an intimate ceremony at Islington Town Hall, followed by a lively reception at The Prince Albert in Camden, every aspect of their celebration was infused with their unique personalities and love for each other. One of the standout features of their big day was their beautifully contrasting tea-length wedding dresses from House of Mooshki – a perfect blend of chic and vintage flair. Their bouquets were equally lovely, featuring posies that added a touch of whimsy to their overall aesthetic. The couple’s footwear choice also deserves mention, with their retro bow shoes adding a playful pop of color to their ensembles. But what truly makes Hannah and Sheila’s wedding story special is the thoughtful attention they brought to every detail, from the old-school teacakes served at the reception to the DIY paper goods that added a personal touch to each guest’s experience. And let’s not forget the individual Lego favors – a creative and fun idea that we’re sure will inspire many couples to follow in their footsteps. Through Hannah’s meticulous planning and Sheila’s crafting talents, this pair proved that with love, creativity, and a willingness to put thought into every aspect of your celebration, you can create a truly ‘happiful’ big day that will be remembered for years to come.
Wedding Day Snapshot
Our Wedding In Three Words
Our Wedding
We stumbled upon The Prince Albert while searching for the perfect venue, and it was love at first sight. We wanted a relaxed atmosphere where we could hang out with friends, and this charming pub fit the bill perfectly. The upstairs dining room can seat 80 people, and the downstairs space has a built-in dance floor – plus, the decor is already taken care of since the pub has its own unique charm. Meanwhile, Sheila emphasized how lovely it was to have the freedom to create our own schedule and do things our way, without adhering to traditional wedding norms. For us, that meant booking Islington Town Hall’s stunning Council Chamber just 20 minutes away from the pub. To get everyone there, we hired a vintage Routemaster bus, which added to the excitement. To make the day truly our own, Sheila took charge of designing and crafting the invites, order of service, name cards, table plan, and save-the-date, incorporating the same beautiful flower motif throughout for continuity.
The Ceremony
After exchanging our vows, Sheila’s brother recited ‘The Apache Wedding Prayer’, a poignant reminder of the significance of our commitment. Meanwhile, our registrar was an absolute delight, having had the pleasure of meeting us a couple of weeks prior to the ceremony. This familiarity allowed us to feel at ease as we embarked on this new chapter in our lives. While we did craft some personal vows, we opted for a more contemporary approach, incorporating the standard legal language required by law. As we sealed our love with a kiss, it was an incredible feeling to be officially recognized as wife and wife.
The Attire
As we strolled along the iconic Empire State Building in New York, Sheila popped the question and I was swept up in wedding planning fever! Within 24 hours of our return, I began scouring for the perfect tea-length dress with a vintage flair. My search led me to House of Mooshki, where I fell head over heels for their exquisite designs.Armed with a glowing recommendation from my friend who’d worn one of their creations, we paid a visit to Olivia’s design studio. We asked her to craft our dresses in harmony, without being too matchy-matchy. As the big day loomed closer, we found ourselves torn between secrecy and sharing our excitement. In the end, we decided to reveal our dresses to each other.The first fitting was an emotional experience for all of us – myself, my mom, and our maid of honour Sophie. We cried together, releasing pent-up emotions before the actual wedding day. My ‘Sarah’ dress underwent a few tweaks to accommodate longer sleeves and a scooped neckline. I knew I wanted to wear bold red shoes, so we coordinated the waist sash accordingly.I already owned a stunning red cashmere cardigan that I wore for our outdoor photoshoot in February. The inspiration for my shoes came from Pinterest; after Irregular Choice’s stock sold out, I set up an eBay alert and finally found an unworn pair at a steal – £30! You can’t beat the charm of red polka dot shoes with knitted bows.Sheila’s ‘Elle’ dress was a beautiful light blue number with an ivory overlay. We adjusted the neckline to her liking, and she wore an ivory jacket from Coast that she already owned. Her shoes came from Red or Dead, matching mine with its own bow.Sophie, our maid of honour, opted for a stunning sapphire blue strapless tea-length dress from John Lewis. We encouraged her to choose a dress she could wear again.
The Flowers
At the Chosen Wedding Fair, we were thrilled to meet Pip, whose stunning displays left us in awe. As we navigated the event, Pip’s expertise guided us through the seasonal offerings in February, which just so happened to feature ranunculus perfectly. Our bouquet showcased a beautiful blend of white and pink hues, while Sheila’s opted for a crisp all-white look with subtle greenery and delicate daffodil-like accents. The buttonholes featured tiny ranunculus blooms paired with lush foliage. To add an extra touch of whimsy to the tables at the pub, we placed three jam jars each containing baby’s-breath and additional white flowers, creating a charming and romantic ambiance.
The Decor & Details
With minimal decorating required, Sheila and her partner decided to get creative with what they already had. They borrowed bunting from a friend who had recently gotten married and strung it up around the pub’s banisters. The addition of fairy lights gave the space a warm and cozy ambiance. To capture memories of the special day, the couple set up an instant camera next to the guest book, encouraging everyone to take a photo and leave a heartfelt message. A vintage suitcase filled with cards from loved ones added a touch of elegance to the decor. The tables were named after significant places in their relationship, each one featuring a frame with a map of that location inside. This personal touch allowed guests to feel connected to the couple’s story. As a unique party favor, each guest received a fortune telling fish, a delicious Tunnocks teacake, and a one-of-a-kind Lego person that had been painstakingly put together by the couple themselves – some even bore an uncanny resemblance to their favorite guests.
The Photography
We stumbled upon McKinley-Rodgers through The Prince Albert’s website, where their names kept popping up on beautifully curated blog posts featuring breathtaking photos that perfectly captured the essence of each wedding. Their visuals told a story and conveyed the love and joy in a way that left us breathless. After spending an afternoon basking in the magic of their videos, we knew we had to have them at our special day. They were the first vendors we booked after securing the venue!
The Music
As Hannah and I entered the Council Chamber, The Flamingos’ ‘I Only Have Eyes For You’ filled the room – a song that has been stuck in my head since the iconic movie American Graffiti. The nostalgic tune set the tone for an unforgettable night. During the registration process, we were treated to an acoustic rendition of Kylie’s ‘All The Lovers’, which had everyone swaying along. As we exited the ceremony area, Jackie Wilson’s ‘(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher’ got everyone dancing and clapping along. We never had any intention of having a slow, sentimental first dance – that just wasn’t us. Instead, we opted for a cheesy song that always leaves us in stitches: Lionel Richie’s ‘All Night Long’! With the help of our friend AJ, who runs a company specializing in wedding choreography, we created a simple routine that everyone could join in on. And to make things even more special, we asked our guests to request their favorite songs for our playlist, which our DJ incorporated into the evening’s mix. This unique approach ensured that we had a diverse selection of tunes to keep the party going all night long.
Advice for Other Couples
When it came to planning my wedding, I found that being organized was key to making the process a smooth one. One of the most helpful tools I used was a spreadsheet with separate tabs for tracking guest information, budgets, and important deadlines. This allowed me to stay on top of all the little details and make sure everything ran smoothly on the big day.In addition to the spreadsheet, I also created a word document where I mapped out the flow of the wedding day. This included notes on who needed to be where and when, what we would need to have with us, and other important logistical details. Having this plan in place really helped me feel prepared for any eventuality that might arise.Of course, even with the best planning, things can still go awry on the actual wedding day. But my advice is to take a step back and enjoy the moment. Remember that the day will fly by quickly, so make sure to savor every second – even if it’s just to share a joyful scream of excitement with your new spouse!My partner Sheila also had some valuable insights to share on the topic. She emphasized the importance of not skimping out on the photography and videography services. To get an idea of what you’re both looking for, create a secret Pinterest board (or two) where you can pin all your favorite ideas and share it with each other.One final tip I’d like to pass along is to leave the table plan until just a day or two before the wedding. You never know when last-minute changes might come up, and having some flexibility built in can be a lifesaver. And finally, don’t be afraid to ask for help from your friends – after all, that’s what they’re there for. Having a partner who is also super organized doesn’t hurt either!
Watch Hannah & Sheila’s Tear-Jerking Wedding Film
The stunning visual harmony between Hannah & Sheila’s outfits is truly breathtaking! I often wonder how same-sex couples navigate the challenge of dressing in sync while still showcasing their individual flair, and House of Mooshki’s exquisite dresses beautifully capture this balance. A huge thank you to Pen & Cam at McKinley Rodgers Film & Photography for capturing the magic of this London wedding, as well as to Hannah & Sheila themselves for sharing their special day with us. For more inspiration from unique and stylish real weddings, explore our collection.