Today’s featured wedding is most certainly a fairy tale brought to life. Eunice and Art’s spring nuptials in west London were absolutely beautiful and fit for royalty. I love the century old church and the lavish décor of their Dorchester Hotel reception. And the showstopper: Eunice as the perfect princess bride wearing Eliza from Vera Wang. I can’t get enough of those fine layers of tulle, floating chantilly & alencon lace, not to mention Eunice’s tasteful sleeveless fur wrap.
Eunice + Art | March, 2011 |St. James Church Paddington, West London, England
The Ceremony
We were married in the morning by Father Miller at St James’s, a lovely 166-year old parish church in West London, which my father and I used to attend every Sunday before moving to New York. It is cozy compared to all the cathedrals in London but a perfect setting for our small and intimate wedding. Although we only had 50 guests, they ranged in age from 2 to 60+, and traveled from as near as “down the street” to as far as Taiwan. It was the most emotional experience to walk down the aisle with my father, and it took me two tries to get to the other side of the aisle safely without suffocating from such an overwhelming little walk. And I would really like to thank my mother-in-law for her reassurance before the wedding that they’ll wait for me at the other side of the church.
Our two mothers gave the scripture reading together in both English and Mandarin, and the church choir provided the musical backdrop. We adjourned to a small park in front of the church for pictures immediately following the ceremony.
The Reception
Our evening reception at the Dorchester Hotel began with canapés and drinks in the Holford Room with keyboard and double bass serenading the arriving guests with jazz and bossa nova. We proceeded to dinner in the Orchid Room, an exquisite Wedgwood room sparkling with chandeliers, mirrors and cabinets of white and blue china. We had a private promenade to the Orchid room, making our grand entrance to the Black Eyed Peas’ “I Gotta Feeling”. I guess this is the sensation a royal princess feels! After several toasts and speeches we had a simplified tea ceremony for the couple to greet the newlyweds’ parents, followed by cutting a four-tiered cake. The details of the cake were customized to correspond to our Spring-themed wedding.
Our first dance for the bride and groom had a twist from Frank Sinatra’s ‘Dancing Cheek to Cheek’, to Will I.am’s ‘Big And Chunky’. The evening ended with guests dancing the night away to live swing and funk provided by a 5-piece band. It was truly a memorable once-in-a-lifetime experience.
How Eunice Felt in Her Wedding Dress
Surreal, beautiful and belonging.
Why Eunice Decided To Sell Her Wedding Dress
Such a beautiful piece of handcraft should be seen and worn more than once!
