Location: London, UK
Setting: Ballroom
The number of guests: 130
How long did the couple plan the event: 2 years
Wedding theme/style: Romantic, elegant, dramatic, classical, fun.
Kurt & Abbie met at university – Providence College in Rhode Island. A mutual friend (Alexa, one of the bridesmaids) introduced them to each other as she thought they could be a perfect fit. They instantly hit it off at a university formal dance – the following few months off getting to know each other, they had to depart to their separate study abroad programs. Kurt was in Vienna, Austria, Abbie was in Florence, Italy. They couldn’t keep apart during this time so the couple ended up traveling to 9 countries and 16 cities together in 6 months, meeting up each weekend in a new location. The lovebirds ended up moving to London after graduating as they felt they belonged in Europe…the rest is history.
The couple chose the wedding venue first off, deciding to get married in London, so that they could share their favourite city with all of the family and friends. Abbie’s dad is British, so the couple thought there was nothing better than “Historic Royal Palaces Events” as the location is right in the heart of central London, surrounded by the historical monuments of Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, the Horse Guard etc. A special historical building with British history booming around it! They got to show their family and friends the classic, elegant beauty of London.
Abbie had yet to decide which dress she had in mind. The bride wanted some sleeve, whether that was long or not. But she definitely wanted something sexy but elegant.
Abbie worked with a fabulous Halfpenny London stylist and immediately fell in love with the Mayfair dress! She had never actually seen this dress before, but when she tried it on, the fact that it had a tight underneath but an elegant, lush ‘ballroom’ overlay, she knew it was the one!
“I would’ve NEVER guessed this about myself, but I found my dress on the first day of wedding dress shopping. I honestly thought it was going to take me months. I went to a few boutiques around London and no places seemed to be fitting the vibe I really wanted. Ironically enough I was on a waitlist for Halfpenny because there weren’t any appointments available the day I was dress shopping. I got a call as I was heading to another dress shop saying there was a last minute cancellation, so my mom and I headed right to Halfpenny!” – Abbie.
Kurt and Abbie knew they needed someone exceptional to film their special day’s essence. After careful consideration, they decided to entrust the British wedding filmmaker Arran Kenny with the task, confident in his exquisite talent and remarkable ability to document every fleeting moment with unmatched artistry.
Arran specializes in crafting cinematic, emotive wedding films that capture the essence of the couples he works. With a discreet and natural approach, the filmmaker focused on Abbie and Kurt’s uniqueness and personalities, weaving together a narrative that told the emotional story of their special day.
The couple was drawn to Arran Kenny (AK Films) not only for his technical expertise but also for his ability to connect with them on a personal level. They wanted someone who could understand their vision and translate it into a visual masterpiece. In Arran, they found a professional who exceeded their expectations and turned their wedding day into a work of art. These still frames are just as beautiful as the entire video.
The couple wanted to recreate the feeling of The Ned in an elegant venue, so had roaming jazz musicians during cocktail hour.
Over a hundred guests were specially flown in from America, making the occasion all the more memorable and extraordinary. To add a unique twist, instead of a traditional sit-down dinner, the couple decided to create a vibrant ambiance reminiscent of bustling food markets. They set up enticing food stations, allowing guests to indulge in a diverse array of delectable treats. The setting exuded an urban, opulent vibe with a touch of sophistication. It boasted a lavish cityscape backdrop, complete with an elegant Catholic church and a magnificent ballroom radiating glitz and glamour.
Advice from the couple
• Give yourself more time to plan if you don’t want to feel rushed! We had a long engagement, 2 years to be exact, and it made the planning process much less stressful. Going into wedding planning, you often times don’t realise what goes into it, and the decisions that have to be made throughout, so it is better to have more time on your side, than not!
PLANNER Katrina Otter Weddings | VIDEOGRAPHY AK Films | PHOTOGRAPHY Pierra G Photography | FLOWERS Wild About Flower | MUSIC All The Feels Collective, Sternberg Clark – Leon Garner | CATERING The Recipe | CAKE Little Cake Garden | HAIR Thomas Tatam | MUA Rebekah Eller | BRIDAL DRESS Halfpenny London | BRIDESMAID’S OUTFIT Club L London | GROOM’S ATTIRE Cameron Khan Menswear | STATIONARY Polina Perri | DECOR AND HIRE Event Concept Productions | TRANSPORT Surrey Limos | VENUE Historic Royal Palaces Events
