The theme for Georgie and Alex’s small South London wedding was ‘timeless elegance’ and I have to say: they absolutely nailed it.
Though it was technically a COVID postponement (and their third date change!) they didn’t sacrifice anything they wanted for the day; they just figured out a different way to focus on it in their small South London wedding. “Alex proposed in Autumn 2020 over a weekend trip in the Chilterns.” Georgie explains. “We were engaged for five months before getting married. We wanted to do something small and intimate and didn’t want to wait!”
Small South London wedding ceremony at Belair House
The setting for Georgie and Alex’s small South London wedding was Belair House, a beautiful two storey Georgian mansion situated in (no surprises here) Belair Park, in Dulwich Village. “We love Dulwich Village, as it is the scene for many moments together and with family,” Georgie says. Luckily, then, Belair House is a stunning building, and the light and airy Ballroom within was the perfect space for them to say I do.
When I say Alex and Georgie had a small South London wedding, I mean: there were six guests present at their ceremony, all close family members – though some were missing, namely Georgie’s dad, who sadly couldn’t attend due to illness. It was a super intimate, close, meaningful day, and one that will be treasured forever.
If you’re looking for a wedding day like this, I’d really recommend considering a small wedding – it’s an amazing way to celebrate your love.
A theme of timeless elegance
In keeping with the theme of timeless elegance, Georgie and Alex kept their decor super simple and elegant. They asked Floral Jems to create their floral features, which included a bough across the windows that formed the ceremony backdrop, a smaller bough across the foot of the signing table, and a circle of petals that helped demarcate the ceremony space and make it feel cosier and more intimate.
All of the flowers, including Georgie’s classic bouquet, were white, with greenery as the accent. “I had visions of white peonies, roses and ranunculus and Jem was able to organise this.” Georgie says. “We were very early in peony season and Jem went to such lengths to make sure that they opened in time; the flowers sat in a bath with lights on for a few days to encourage them along!”
Elegant city wedding chic
Georgie had to change her dress last minute, as her pregnancy bump was too big by the time they finally got a date in the diary for their small South London wedding! Four days before, she bought her buttoned Ghost midi dress online. She wore this with pearls, an elegant headband with a birdcage veil, and Manolo Blahnik heels (later changing into white trainers). She also wore Chanel No. 5 perfume, a gift from Alex that held special significance as it was the perfume her dad had bought her mum for four decades.
But perhaps the real knockout of Georgie’s amazing, Jackie O-esque outfit was her super chic tailored bridal coat, which had been designed bespoke by an old school friend of hers, Rosie Armitage. “I loved my outfit.” Georgie recalls. “I always loved the look of Town Hall wedding outfits being more of a suit than a big puffy dress. I wanted a simple but elegant dress and a coat I could wear again for special occasions (namely our son’s Christening!).”
Alex wore a Reiss suit, which they’d bought pre-pandemic but had never been used due to working from home.
Reception Drinks on the terrace
After the ceremony, Georgie and Alex had invited a couple more people to join them for a relaxed drinks reception on the terrace, where they tucked into nibbles from Belair House. They also cut their cake outside, a delicious two tier lemon and elderflower cake by Violet Cakes (who famously made the wedding cake for the Royal wedding of Harry and Megan).
Small South London wedding portraits
Georgie, Alex and I took a moment away from their guests to take some photos just the two of them (well, three, including the bump!) We made use of the beautiful interiors of Belair House – including the grand staircase and beautiful ballroom, which enabled a hilarious photo where Georgie’s sister and best friend photobombed in the background! We also went for a stroll through the lush surroundings of Belair Park. With the bright blue sky and the April sun shining down, it was a perfect time to have a breather and soak it all up, just the two of them.
We also did a confetti shot with the guests, using the cute personalised pouches that Georgie and Alex had provided them, as well as group shots with their families.
I was particularly happy as, according to Georgie: “My husband absolutely hates having his photo taken”, but their wedding portraits “are some of the very best that I have ever seen of him, Laura just manages to tap into what makes people feel at ease.” High praise indeed!
Cosy, comfortable, and classic beauty
All in all, I had the most glorious time photographing Georgie and Alex’s small South London wedding; they were so beautiful, so in love, and so beautifully in love, that it was a total pleasure to shoot. Luckily for me, they loved having me there too (how awkward would it be if they didn’t?!)
Here’s what they had to say, in fact: “Our experience with Laura was absolutely incredible and I would recommend her over and over again. She was excited and enthusiastic from day one, asked all the right questions and made us think about what we really wanted and what was really important. On the day, she was just perfection. She made us all feel totally at ease and was there to offer advice and a laugh when any wobbles looked like they were on the horizon. We were absolutely thrilled with the end results and how well she interacted with our guests on the day. Laura is kind, fun, full of energy and enthusiasm and exactly the kind of person you want taking pictures of the most special day of your life. Her photos managed to capture all of the intimacy and emotion of the day and we have had so many compliments. Thank you SO much Laura for a fantastic job.”
No, Georgie and Alex – thank YOU!
Small South London wedding dream team
Venue: Belair House https://belairhouse.co.uk/
Wedding outfit: Ghost London dress https://www.ghost.co.uk/ and Rosie Armitage coat https://www.rosiearmitage.co.uk/
Veil: Etsy https://www.etsy.com/
Accessories: Michael Jones Jeweller, Cartier https://www.michaeljonesjeweller.co.uk/ , https://www.cartier.com/
Florist: Floral Jems https://www.floraljems.co.uk/
Cake: Violet Cakes http://www.violetcakes.com/
Stationery: Papier https://www.papier.com/
Hair stylist: Tabs the Stylist https://tabsthestylist.com/
Makeup artist: Rosie Williams Make-Up https://www.rfwmakeup.com/
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