Charlie and Simon’s love story began with a Hinge match and three whirlwind dates before lockdown separated them in different cities. “We dated via Zoom for about three months, and then I basically moved all of my stuff into Simon’s flat when I returned to London and never moved out!” laughs Charlie.
The proposal was just as memorable. Keeping with their annual birthday picnic tradition in Greenwich Park, Simon led Charlie to a quiet spot beneath a tree before getting down on one knee with a stunning sapphire and diamond ring. “It was a huge yes, yes, yes!” says Charlie. “We headed to dinner, which I thought was going to be a nice romantic meal for two – then I turned the corner to a room full of our family and friends! It was probably the biggest surprise of my life!”
Inspired by Wilderness Festival, which they attend every year, the couple envisioned a vibrant, festival-style wedding with all the essential infrastructure and on-site accommodation for their 170 guests. Kingston Estate ticked all the boxes. “I knew it was perfect the second we saw it!” says Charlie. Opting for a bold red and pink palette with playful festival-inspired stationery – think wristbands and lanyards – the three-day celebration kicked off with an Ibiza-style party featuring a saxophonist, tacos and tequila, setting the mood for an unforgettable weekend.
The next day, guests enjoyed pre-ceremony drinks of Aperol and beer before gathering in the walled garden, where the pagoda was bedecked in red and pink blooms. Simon’s ‘beer boys’ danced down the aisle to Escape (The Piña Colada Song) before he followed with his groomsmen, performing a full routine to Fireboy DML. Charlie walked the aisle with her mum to a Bridgerton-inspired version of Still Falling For You by Ellie Goulding. “I still cry every time I hear it,” she says. Personal vows and a self-penned poem by Charlie’s Bridesman, Peter, made for a heartfelt ceremony, while Simon’s opera-singing friend Dom rounded it off with “an amazing, theatrical, hilarious rendition of Shakespeare.”
The newlyweds shook up the schedule with singing, dancing and musical chairs between each course of an Italian-inspired feast featuring tomato and burrata starters, sharing-style pasta, porchetta, limoncello tart and tiramisu.
As the evening unfolded, a roaming band, City Life, kept the party going while guests tucked into chicken and falafel shawarma. But the real showstopper? Simon’s surprise performance of Coldplay’s A Sky Full of Stars as Charlie re-entered in her party dress, stepping into a marquee filled with confetti and a smoke machine. “We gave all the guests light-up wristbands. It was epic!” she says. The underground nightclub was the perfect after-party spot, with espresso martinis and margaritas fuelling a high energy ‘power hour’ set by DJ Aldo, keeping guests dancing into the early hours.
The celebrations continued the next day with a sun-soaked Greek barbecue, a bouncy castle, an alcoholic slushie machine, a slip-and-slide and a fancy dress cricket match. A fish and chip truck kept guests sated for another night of dancing, games and beer pong. Exhausted but elated, Charlie and Simon soaked in every magical moment. “Try and hold hands with your partner as much as possible on the wedding day,” says Charlie, reflecting on their dream wedding. “That way, you experience as much of it together as possible.”
Photography Freckle Photography frecklephotography.co.uk
Venue Kingston Estate kingston-estate.co.uk
Dress Pronovias pronovias.com
Groom’s suit Casely-Hayford London casely-hayford.com
Bridesmaids’ dresses Marchesa marchesa.com Shona Joy shonajoy.com Coast coastfashion.com
Bridesman’s jacket Twisted Tailor twistedtailor.com
Groomsmen’s jackets Reiss reiss.com
Hair & make-up Siobhan McBride instagram.com/siobhanmcbridemakeup
Flowers The Flower Sessions theflowersessions.com
Stationery WEDFEST wedfest.co
Entertainment Lloyd Cotterell Music lloydcottrellmusic.co.uk
Bakermat bakermatmusic.com
City Life entertainment-nation.co.uk/city-life
DJ Aldo instagram.com/aldodeejay
Videography John Taylor Films johntaylorfilms.com
