Alanna and Leo had a stylish city wedding in the heart of Brixton, South London. Their chic town hall ceremony followed by a beautiful reception at Lambeth Assembly Hall was a day to remember, featuring bright decor, colourful wedding flowers, support for local businesses and plenty of personal touches. If you're wanting a town hall wedding, then this is the perfect inspiration!
Alanna and Leo's wedding day was beautifully captured by Marni V Photography.
The Proposal
In November 2021, Alanna took Leo on the most romantic day out: they followed poems that Alanna wrote, which led them on a tour through the places Leo and Alanna went on previous dates. Alanna proposed over a Hot Paklava Meltdown in Persepolis in Peckham (which was the venue for their fifth date) and, after a few moments of joyous tears, Leo said yes!
The Perfect City Wedding Venue
Alanna and Leo had a beautiful civil ceremony inside the Lambeth Town Hall and then enjoyed their wedding reception and celebrations in the Lambeth Assembly Hall. They chose this stunning city venue for a number of reasons, but one of the most important was that it matched their joint values really well, notably being openly LGBTQ+ friendly and located just across from the Black Cultural Archives.
The venue was local to them, which allowed them to get ready in the comfort of their own home and return to their flat after the celebrations (which had been lovingly decorated by Alanna's sister, Jo!). The art deco style of the spaces at Lambeth Assembly Hall alongside their responsive team made the venue both visually appealing and easy to work with.
The venue was also a practical choice. The couple loved the idea of hosting both the ceremony and reception celebration in one place. The option for outdoor space in the courtyard, and the ability to customise their day completely thanks to the dry hire nature of the venue fit their needs perfectly. Additionally, the fact that the money spent on the venue supported the local community added to the appeal, making it a meaningful and accessible space for their special day.
The Fashion
The Bride and Groom's Outfits
The bride wore a chic Stella McCartney backless dress which she found Vestiare Collective. For the bridal accessories, she paired this with a second-hand, elegant tiara from Wolf & Moon, a brand Alanna had admired for years! Complementing her attire, she chose cruelty-free footwear from Nae Vegan Shoes.
Leo opted for a tailored two-piece burgundy suit crafted from bamboo, paired with a white herringbone shirt, a Liberty print tie from Van Buck England, and Fairma Henry brown derby shoes. Leo's suit and shirt were from King & Allen, known for their vegan-friendly suits, with the tie from Van Buck England and shoes from Avesu.
The Wedding Party
The wedding party included four Best People, two from the groom and two from the bride. The best people played key roles in coordinating pre-wedding events, providing emotional support, and adding creative touches to the celebrations. For their outfits, the bride's best people wore elegant shades of pink with modern lines, while the groom's best people sported bold red and burgundy outfits.
Truly Personal Wedding Ceremony
Alanna and Leo's wedding ceremony was a heartfelt experience, filled with meaningful and cultural elements. Held in the grand Council Chamber at Lambeth Town Hall, the setting was both grand and intimate. To honour Alanna's Irish heritage, the couple read a poem in Irish, "Is Bronntanas na Maidine Thú/You are Morning's Gift" by Rita Kelly. Another poignant moment came with the reading of Seamus Heaney's "Scaffolding" by their friend Ciara. The ceremony also featured a reflective support reading for life in all its forms, shared by their aunts and cousin, along with lifetime wishes for the married couple.
As a Alanna is a Gaeilgeoir (Irish Speaker), it was really important for the couple to incorporate the Irish language into their special day. Alanna's mother walked her around the aisles rather than down, adding a unique twist to the traditional entrance. The legal proceedings were handled by Lambeth Town Hall's registrars and then Alanna's aunt Teresa took over. Teresa infused the ceremony with personal and moving moments that brought tears (and cheers!) to all the wedding guests.
Music played a significant role, with a beautiful arrangement of The Knife's "Heartbeats" for the entrance performed by the couple's friend Nathan, a soulful rendition of Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Alanna's godfather (accompanied by Nathan), and The Cranberries' "Dreams" as the exit song, rounding out a ceremony that was a true reflection of the couple's love and personalities.
A Meaningful Wedding Menu
The food served for Alanna and Leo's wedding day was a culinary delight, celebrating their individual heritages with a scrumptious vegan menu crafted by Cashew Catering. First, they served a delightful array of canapés, featuring wheat meat dumplings with jerk barbecue sauce, 'smoked salmon' on Irish soda bread, marinated tofu mini skewers with satay sauce, gem jumbles stuffed with a mix of veg, fruit, nuts, and tahini sauce, and plantain chips with Jamaican salsa & chilli vinaigrette.
The starters, served with soda bread and spread, included red pea soup and spinners, as well as farmhouse Irish soup. The mains continued to wow the guests with Irish stew accompanied by colcannon, slaw, and parsley, and a mouth-watering chickpea and pumpkin curry with rice and peas and callaloo. The dessert station offered a delightful selection of petit fours, featuring dark chocolate and vanilla truffles, tahini caramel, ginger and coconut shortbread, and almond and chocolate marzipan thins. Despite initial worries about serving a fully vegan menu, the delicious food won over the hearts of every guest, even the most devoted meat eaters!
The evening menu featured lots of comforting food like sausage rolls, mixed vegetable patties, tofish and chips, and barnbrack (tea bread). The show-stopper was the wedding cake, made by Alice Katie Studio, with Carbon black cocoa, vanilla and Guinness, Jamaican spiced carrot cake, and Earl Grey and Peach cake.
Entertainment
The entertainment at Alanna and Leo's wedding reception was a vibrant blend of cultural festivities and music that kept the celebration alive. The evening kicked off with a lively Bhangra Ceilà from Céilà Max and dhol drummer Jo Kalsi, to celebrate both Irish and South Asian cultures. The caller made the traditional Irish dance enjoyable for all the guests, including about half who hadn't experienced a céilà before.
The festivities continued with a DJ set from Video Blue. Inspired by the couple's favourite songs, the DJ curated a playlist that included soul, great Irish tunes, and hits across the decades. The dance floor remained full until the small hours of the morning, a joyous ending to their perfect day.
Infusing Personalities Into Every Aspect
Alanna and Leo's wedding was filled with unique touches that beautifully reflected their individual heritages and backgrounds. From incorporating readings in Irish during the ceremony to infusing their menu with flavours inspired by Ireland and Jamaica, every aspect was a testament to their identities. The choice of a bhangra céilà to celebrate both Ireland and South Asia added a vibrant dimension to their festivities. The art pieces and décor they selected highlights their personalities, creating an atmosphere of warmth and belonging which really ensured everyone who attended felt welcome, loved and valued.
The decision to break from tradition by hosting the wedding in London rather than in the bride's homeland of Ireland was a deliberate choice that prioritised their wedding vision. Although it was initially a challenge for Alanna's large Irish family to travel to London, Brixton proved to be a hit with all guests. By having the ceremony and reception in one venue, they reduced the travel stress for their loved ones, ensuring a seamless and memorable experience for all. Alanna and Leo's wedding was a testament to their unwavering commitment to their values and their ability to create a day that was deeply personalised and inclusive for themselves and their guests.
Favourite Moments
When asked what their favourite part of the wedding day was, Alanna and Leo said: "We can honestly say we loved it all and wish we could re-live the day (without the planning)! We were basked in the love of family and friends, everyone was relaxed, mingling, and having fun. Highlights included: getting ready at home; the ceremony; the food; the insightful, moving, and hilarious speeches (we all adhered to a five-minute rule, which we thoroughly recommend); the céilà (great way to get everyone mixing); the craic in the foyer; the dancing; looking around and seeing everyone smiling and enjoying themselves."
SPOTLIGHT
33 reviews
A beautiful Grade II listed building in the heart of Brixton.
South London, Brixton
£150 - £12,000
Venues
Stylish - Affordable - Stree Free Wedding Planning
South London, Forest Hill, London
£175 - £1,000
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