Image © westlondonphotography : Aniela and Matt's wedding day as featured in London Weddings Magazine
Aniela and Matt's Wedding at Soho House in Soho central London , sister to Babington House in Somerset - as Featured in London Weddings Magazine
When Aniela first approached us to photograph her wedding, she knew exactly what she wanted. Top priority was for her guests to enjoy themselves and not spend ages having their photographs taken, although there were a few important group shots that she thought both sets of parents would like.
She was also concerned about Matt, her fiance, who really wasn't keen on having his photos taken at all, and she wanted her final album presented in a specific style.
The more we talked about her big day, the more we realised we were on exactly the same wavelength. She told us about her dress, her shoes and described what the bridesmaids would be wearing. Admitting to being 'a bit of a control freak', Aniela has an eye for detail and knew exactly what she wanted.
The pre-wedding shoot in the streets of Soho broke the ice and was great fun for us all.
Aniela told us that unfortunately she had suffered a stroke and though she felt stronger now, she had concerns about being photographed. We explained that most people are rather self-conscious about having their picture taken and assured her that she would look fantastic in her wedding pictures. And she did!
Aniela and Matt had a fairytale wedding. We were as friends at the ceremony, and it was a privilege to be able to share some amazing photographs with them afterwards.
Aniela wrote,
'Your fabulous photographs surpassed all our expectations. Thank you for your part in making our day so special and enjoyable. You were so professional and unobtrusive - and you didn't miss a thing! We love the exquisite album you created for us and can't thank you enough.'
This is a true story. Here is the full account of Aniela and Matt's wedding day as featured in London Weddings.
LIFELONG LOVE
Aniela Sadowski and Matt Gray exchanged vows at Chelsea Register Office and celebrated their marriage at Soho House, London. Wedding photography by West London Photography, Susan and Godfrey Johnson westlondonphotgraphy.com
When Matt Gray caught the bouquet at the marriage of his best friend Neil it was more symbolic than those waiting might have thought. The very next morning he proposed to Aniela Sadowski, the girl who had stolen his heart at the age of fourteen when they went on their first date. 'After a late night at the wedding I was trying to get back to sleep, laughs Aniela, 'but he was most insistent and I eventually turned around'. With tears in his eyes Matt asked her to marry him and Aniela said yes, before going into shock.
The teenage sweethearts had been reunited about four years ago when Neil organised a school reunion. When they got together Matt was living in Chelsea and the area holds lots of happy memories from those early, heady days of romance. 'We used to wander down the Kings Road on a Saturday,' says Aniela, 'and see couples coming out onto the steps of the register office'. So, after their own engagement this was the couple's first choice for the civil ceremony they favoured.
A family friend was originally lined up to take photographs at the wedding but had to pull out at short notice for personal reasons. 'We had a good look through our wedding magazines', says Aniela, 'and liked the style of West London Photography.' A meeting with company photographers Susan and Godfrey Johnson confirmed Matt and Aniela's first impressions and they knew straight away that they wanted these professionals to record the memories of their day. 'Because Susan and Godfrey both take photographs they don't miss anything.' says Matt, 'while as people they are easy to get along with, which is really important on the day'.
After a beautiful ceremony, guests travelled by double decker bus to their Reception venue, Soho House. 'We all had Champagne on board and nobody got lost en route to the reception, where more Champagne was waiting'.
The couple loved the short period they had alone with their photographers having pictures taken around Soho and these wonderfully spontaneous images - where passers by are offering congratulations and very ' London' scenes provide superb atmosphere - would turn out to be amongst their favourites.
Soho House proved perfect for the Reception. 'The Manager Lisa Richards was absolutely brilliant, 'says Aniela, 'and in general I can't praise the staff highly enough.'
Throughout the day the Johnsons were busy with their cameras and Matt comments that the photographers felt part of the family on the day, so unobtrusive and efficient were they. 'We love the exquisite album they created for us and can't thank them enough' says Aniela.
After the wedding this couple chose not to rush off on honeymoon, allowing time to recount the day's events with family and friends. A week later Babington House in Somerset (which is under the same ownership as Soho House) provided a wonderful escape. The big honeymoon was spent in the USA, and after a spectacular New Year celebration in New York, Aniela and Matt admit to being truly gutted that it's all over. But from teenage romance to forever after, they're nevertheless excited about the shared future that lies ahead.
- Visit their album to view Aniela and Matt's full choice of photographs, or telephone 020 8932 6309 to book an appointment
- Click here to download a PDF (1MB) of the full text of London Weddings 'Real Life Wedding'
- Click here to download their album (2MB)
- Return to featured weddings page