THE LOVE OF MY LIFE

REAL WEDDINGS THE love OF MY lifeWilliam and Jonathan had an intimate celebration at Hampton Court Palace

Images courtesy of Roger Brown Photography

William and Jonathan met on a dating app. “We had our first date in a bar and hit it off immediately,” shares William. “I was attracted to his passion for family, tennis and his handsome good looks.”

Jonathan proposed to William on his birthday at the Skygarden in London. “It was a complete surprise,” explains William. “He asked the question after dinner while we were sitting at the table overlooking the London skyline.”

Here William shares some of his favourite moments from their big day...

After getting engaged, we wanted to begin venue hunting, but it took a while to get going. We decided to start with Hampton Court Palace, and after our tour, we turned to each other and agreed we both wanted to get married there. We looked at four or five other venues, but they just didn’t compare. Our original wedding was scheduled for September 2020, however, as we got to May, we were still locked down, and it became clear that we would not be able to have the wedding we planned, so we postponed it to May 2021. As time went by, things were still not back to normal, so we decided to postpone the large party until 2022 but still get married this year. We planned a small ceremony for 20 people and then at the very last moment the rules relaxed slightly and we were allowed 24 guests!

Given the uncertainty surrounding the wedding, we were both very relaxed about things. The Little Banqueting House at Hampton Court Palace is such a stunning room that you could probably put a sack over a table, and it would still look stunning.

Our cake was made by Jonathan’s mother, which was lovely. We only met Stacey, our catering lead from CH&CO, a few days before the wedding at our food tasting. There was very little stress because it was a small and low key affair and we were working with true professionals who made the day everything we could have wished for.

We wore suits from Hawes & Curtis. We bought them during lockdown, and while we had to send back one or two pieces, they fitted brilliantly. Once we were able, we went into the store where they pinned and hemmed the trousers, and we also bought shirts and matching ties. We had buttonholes from Violets and Velvet for us and our three best people. We had the best day. We stayed with each other in the morning to get ready, which made us more excited and was such a fun thing to do.

One of the highlights was walking down the aisle with our mums. We also got to make our own vows which made it super personal and special.

The speeches were brilliant, and the feeling of love and acceptance in the room was overwhelming. While the weather was truly British and a bit challenging for group photos, we made the most of the opportunity to have an amazing COVID wedding. Our registrar was a hoot with a dry wit which helped make the service feel fun and informal. We’ve got friends trying to book him for their wedding next year!

For our honeymoon, we went to Portugal before it went back on to the amber list.

WILLIAM AND JONATHAN’S CONTACTS

Venue, Hampton Court Palace, www.hrp.org.uk/weddings | Photographer, Roger Brown Photography, www.rogerbrownphotography.com | Suits, Hawes & Curtis, www.hawesandcurtis.co.uk | Flowers, Violets and Velvet, www.violetsandvelvet.co.uk | Catering, CH&CO, www.chandcogroup.com