Despite going to school together and growing up in the same town, it wasn't until Lucia and Kilian finished university that they became friends. "I was on a gap year and Kilian was on a placement year," Lucia explains. "We spent a lot of time together and we ended up going out. I don't think anyone would have put us together in our school days!"
When it came to popping the question, Kilian managed to keep it a total surprise, despite there being a few clues. “It was Kilian’s birthday and both our families had gathered together to celebrate,” Lucia remembers. “His sister had flown in from Germany, which was a little odd as it wasn’t a big birthday! Kilian began giving a speech – which was also a bit odd in retrospect – but it soon turned into a proposal!” When Lucia could pick her jaw up from the floor, she of course said “Yes”. The super-organised couple had most things ticked of the to-do list within a couple of months, starting with setting the date at Town Hall Hotel for 10th August, 2019. We caught up with Lucia to get the lowdown…
Choosing the elegant Town Hall Hotel for their venue was a great starting block for their planning. "The mix of Edwardian and Art Deco architecture alongside beautiful styling helped guide us with our aesthetic choices," Lucia explains. "We wanted a really sophisticated wedding, without being boring or overdone." The couple's vision for abundant green foliage, white flowers and gold accents was brought to life by florist Hazel Gardiner Design. "I can't tell you how brilliant Hazel was," Lucia says. "We knew what we wanted and she just got it. Her floral design is exquisite and she is brilliant to work with. The foliage went perfectly with the venue – the ideal partner to all the dark wood panelling and moody interiors."
The centrepieces comprised flowing greenery around brass candlesticks, with elegant stationery nestled among it, topped off with homemade favours. "I made my own votive candles," Lucia says. "I designed labels to match our stationery and bought all the equipment. It was a real labour of love, and Kilian took over when I gave up – which was quite early on!" The stationery followed the pared-back elegant theme.
Hand-painted signage from All Frills Studiohung around the venue. "There was a statement welcome sign, table plan and our favourite quotes," Lucia says. "The signs were beautiful and turned out to be a great investment as they now hang in our flat." A fun element was brought to the traditional venue with neon lights, giant white balloons, huge disco balls and a tree adorned with hanging lights.
As luck would have it, one of the couple's bestfriends, Julia Robinson, is a talented cake designer. "She immediately understood our request for a simple but impactful cake,"
Lucia says. "It was a lemon cake with a different accompanying flavour in each tier – it was the best wedding cake we'd evertasted!" The couple both have a real sweet tooth, so they also treated guests to personalised meringue kisses by Meringue Girls, bespoke candyfloss from Flosse and gold sweet trolleys crammed with their favourite treats.
The Serrano dress by Suzanne Neville couldn't have been more perfect for Lucia. "It was simple and elegant; a silk dress with a beautiful flowy skirt and plunging neckline," she tells us. "It felt a little risqué, but I think I pulled it off! The main thing is I felt amazing in it." Kilian wore a blue DKNY suit, for a smart, polished look. The groomsmen rocked pale grey summer suits and Kilian's waistcoat matched them, coordinating the whole party. When it came to bridesmaids dresses, Lucia simply chose a theme and asked her best girls to pick their own style of darkblue, floor-length gown. "They all looked great and the combination was brilliant," she says.
Lucia has some very talented relatives, including her aunt Catharine whose string quartet, Rosemount Quartet, accompanied the ceremony and set the scene for the drinks reception. The pair chose a mix of traditional and modern music, and some wonderful pieces that the quartet arranged just for them. "In the evening, our DJ was the super-cool Anna from Wedding Smashers," Lucia says. "I can't recommend them enough – definitely not your average wedding DJs."
Lucia was cool and calm all morning, and it wasn't until just before she walked down the aisle that the nerves set in.
"It was also one of my favourite moments," she recalls. "I was with my mum just before she walked me down the aisle. I'm so lucky to have her and it was really special."
Another highlight for the bride was the transition from the meal to the party. "We were hidden behind a wall that lifted up to reveal us, and the party room, complete with giant tree, neon lights, disco balls and DJ," she smiles.
They couldn't have done it without the hardwork of some talented people. "We were so lucky to have close friends and family as suppliers for our day," Lucia says.
"We also have to thank our photographer, Kristian Leven. He captured all of our favourite moments, and found so many more that we didn't even see! He blended into our day so well, meaning that we have many natural and real moments to cherish."
Lucia's words of wedded wisdom: "Don't have animpromptu night out the day before the wedding;although the excitement melted the hangover awayquite quickly, it was a bit touch and go!"
