Real Weddings: Rob and Alex’s joyful celebration straight out of a Jane Austen novel
Robert and Alexandra crossed cities from Dublin to London to Milan to build a life together. Their wedding, which the bride said felt like stepping into a Jane Austen novel or a Richard Curtis film, unfolded against the leafy elegance of Clissold Park, a place filled with special memories for them both.
THE COUPLE
Alexandra Richards, communications consultant, and Robert Graystone, investment banker.
THEY LIVE
In Milan.
THE VENUE
Clissold House in Stoke Newington, then Salut! Restaurant and The Island Queen in Islington.
PHOTOGRAPHY
THEY MET
In London at Gordon’s Wine Bar.
THE PROPOSAL
Rob had planned a trip to Lecco, a town on Lake Como, where he had discovered a secluded beach on a run in the previous months. It was just after Christmas, but it was a sunny, crisp January day. After a walk along the lake, we arrived at the beach. Rob was very nervous, so I tried to alleviate his nerves by suggesting we walk along the beach for a bit, but he was insistent that we sit down on a rock, so my suspicions rose.
The next thing I knew, Rob had dropped down onto one knee and proposed! It is very surreal to see your partner on one knee in front of you, so I immediately told him to get up, and of course, I said yes! I was doing Dry January at the time, so I was worried Rob would have taken that seriously and gotten non-alcoholic prosecco, but he quickly pulled a bottle of champagne from his bag and said he thought I might make an exception given the circumstances (much to my delight)!
He designed the ring himself and got it made by a jeweller in Milan, incorporating the diamond from his grandma’s engagement ring, and I love it!
THE DRESS AND THE SUIT
I got my wedding outfit from Sandro in Covent Garden. My sister, Kate, actually found the heels on Zara, and I ordered my pearl necklace from Etsy. My mum gave me the earrings that she wore on her wedding day, which I think really completed the look! Rob’s suit was from Suit Supply in Milan. His tie was from E. Marinella in Naples. He wore cufflinks passed down from his great-grandfather. His loafers were from a shop called Velasca in Milan.
THE CEREMONY
We got married in Clissold House in Stoke Newington. It is a 200-year-old building that looks like something out of a Jane Austen novel. It was originally called Paradise House, which we thought was fitting! Rob and I lived in Stoke Newington before we moved to Milan and spent many afternoons walking around Clissold Park, so it holds a special place in our hearts. During the ceremony, Rob’s sister, Laura, read a reading I had written, which was a very special moment.
After the ceremony, we came out into the park, and our bridesmaids and groomsmen had used our flowers to create a beautiful little spot for us to have champagne and a chat. It was a really sunny day, and a children’s party was happening nearby, so there were bubbles in the air. It was like something out of a Richard Curtis movie. A real highlight for us!
THE RECEPTION
We held the reception at Salut! Restaurant in Islington. The staff were amazing and let us take over the whole restaurant. As it was so sunny, everyone hung out on their little tables outside before we went in for the food. The food was excellent, and we had speeches in between courses, which worked well. I asked the restaurant in advance if we could have a pavlova, and they agreed; they even made it a permanent addition to their summer menu!
THE ENTERTAINMENT
We went to a pub in Islington called Island Queen after the meal. It was fun walking there along the canal together. They let us have their upstairs room, and we organised karaoke, which was made use of as the night wore on. Highlight performances were I Believe in a Thing Called Love by The Darkness, covered by one of our guests, Ant; She’s Electric by Oasis, performed by my cousins and me from Dublin; and, of course, Angels by Robbie Williams, performed by the bride and groom.
THE DECOR
We ordered our flowers from Gloria in East London; they were delivered in the morning and were just gorgeous! I asked for spring blooms and sent them some examples, but what they delivered truly exceeded my expectations! We had flowerpots at the ceremony, which we brought with us throughout the day to tie the whole thing together.
Our friend Hanya, who runs Hand Crafted by Hanya, did our wedding invites, and she did a beautiful job. For the champagne in the park, we ordered a wicker basket online, which they customised with our initials. I ordered some bunting, which I thought we would use in the pub, but our creative guests strung it up in the park to make it feel more celebratory, a lovely touch!
For favours in the restaurant, Rob and I went to a confetti (sugared almond) shop in Milan, where they make them on site. We then spent the week before the wedding putting them into little bags and added name tags made of wildflower seed paper that our guests could plant when they got home. The almonds weighed a ton, and we had to take them through customs on the flight over to London, which was funny.
THEIR TOP TIPS
Give your guest a Polaroid camera to take candid pics. We loved flicking through them the next day.
THEY WISH THEY HAD
More time on the wedding day! It goes so fast, so try to make sure you enjoy every minute.
THEIR BEST MOMENTS
Champagne in the park and the beautiful speeches! My mum and one of my bridesmaids, Sarah, both gave me a handkerchief that they had embroidered themselves, which was really lovely.
Another bridesmaid, Ella, gave us a picture of Clissold House she had drawn herself. Very talented friends!
THE FIRST DANCE SONG
I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You by Elvis, sung by one of our guests, Matt, in an impromptu first dance moment. Thanks, Matt!
THE CREW
Bridal outfit: Sandro. Groom’s suit: Suit Supply. Florist: Gloria. Food/Cake: Salut!. Wedding invites: Handcrafted by Hanya. Photographer: KMGS Photography. Make-up: Make-up by Juancy.
See more photographs from Rob and Alex’s wedding in the gallery below.
Photography by: KMGS Photography.
Want to see your Real Wedding on IMAGE.ie? Email shayna.healy@image.ie with the subject line ‘Real Wedding’.
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