Cult icons, edible plants & retro dress for cool Trinity Buoy Wharf wedding photography

Kat + Phil

Cool Trinity Buoy Wharf wedding photography

Cat in a Hat, Lennon, Wes Anderson lead characters, Marilyn Monroe, Frida Kahlo tables – how cool is this table plan? Add enamel colanders filled with growing edible herbs as centrepieces, hand stamped place cards and you get quite a unique table styling for Kat and Phil’s wedding at Trinity Buoy Wharf. No wonder as Phil is a film producer and Kat is an art teacher and are passionate about culture. It is pretty smart what they did with their table plans including their favourite movies, music and cult icons. Family and friends play a great role in their life and their wedding was all about celebrating the relationships and having fun. And there was so much fun!

When I met with Kat and Phil last year to talk about their Trinity Buoy Wharf wedding plans I knew straight away this wedding would be super awesome. We clicked instantly and chatted about films, music and photography.  I love working with creative couples who appreciate photography – for me it is not only my work, it is my passion. So chuffed to hear what Kat and Phil said about working with us on their TBW wedding:

What was it like working with JOASIS Photo as Trinity Buoy Wharf wedding photography team? Why did you decide to book us?

An absolute pleasure. We consider Jo to be a friend, not just a photographer, and the closeness she generates is what allows her to penetrate the relationship dynamic. Her “look” and eye for the natural and unstaged led us to her – and a great choice she is/was.

Read more about Kat and Phil’s love story, their wedding planning below the photos.

Our love story

I was lost. Phil, that is. Three years chasing the underwater dream as a diving instructor and underwater cameraman had me both fulfilled and relatively directionless and I knew an MA in cinematography would eventually kick start my career – but at 32 and watching my closest friends careers blossom I felt well behind the curve. I took a job in my local pub in the ‘Stow to help pay for my MA fees and met a gaggle of 20-23 year olds also manning the bar. One of which was an opinionated, hot-headed, quick to rile 21 year old with a wise head on her shoulders. We bantered, we debated, I stole glances at her elfin face and round bum.

Courage was struck, dates were had, months were passed, we became much closer and before we knew it had moved in together. We headed to Edinburgh in ‘15 where I knelt on the battlements of a small castle in Craigmillar and popped the question. Years ago, Craigmillar was a bastion of Scottish fiefdom. Nowadays it’s more kebab. But the castle still looks good. We were already six years in by that point.

I became a film producer via many a twist, turn and stroke of luck whilst Kat just bided her time post-university and waited to start what’s (for now at least) her true calling. And here we are. 39 year old foolish warrior, 29 year old wise elf. Now husband and wife.

What made you choose Trinity Buoy Wharf as your wedding venue?

We’re such a London couple. We both hail from Walthamstow, our school’s are London, our friends in the most part are from and still reside here……yet between us we’ve yet to set foot in a London wedding. It just felt right to exchange vows in a location that felt connected to London’s past, to travel beyond the city, to old lady Thames. Kat found it, I loved it, we saw nowhere else, and knew straight away. How right we were.

The venue is cool – with white brick walls, golden disco ball and with a lighthouse! Yep – the only lighthouse in London, and we could climb up for some portraits too. The lighthouse has it is own story and houses Longplayer, a continuous 1,000 year long piece of music. The surroundings feature metal sculptures, ship container offices and creative hubs, and American 1940’s Fat Boys Diner. All in bright colours making what it used to be a grey dock a centre for arts and culture.

The outfits:

Suits wise – the cut, and the style. Vintage, woollen, Straight lines and three pieces. Phil loves straight lines, low profiles and slimmed down numbers – hence the suits. Kat’s dress – as her Mum is such an incredibly talented textiles, seaming, design and fitting expert, she wanted her to make the dress – period. 50’s in look – tea length as Kat isn’t rangy in height and can be a little clumsy, so no full lengths here, please. Not that it detracted from what was and is a thing of beauty. Polka dots – Penny’s (Kat’s Mum) influence – fun, fresh and inspired.  Accessories (hairpiece, belt and necklace) were influenced by Kat’s engagement ring.

Kat’s Mother made pastel cute skirts for the bridesmaids too!

Trinity Buoy Wharf wedding decor and styling? 

Our flowers tied in with the bridesmaids outfits. Each bouquet had flowers that matched the colours of the bridesmaids skirts. Then each flower was then put into the bride’s bouquet. We requested for the bouquets to be slightly wild/ relaxed  and fun which is how we wanted the wedding to be.

The centre pieces were made by Penny and Andrew (Katharine’s parents). The were made in enamel colanders. Each featured an edible herb. This reflected our passion for good food. It also meant we could give them away to guests.

Ceremony:

Readings – amazing ideas for modern wedding readings!

“Duvet Dancing” by Keaton henson –

“He’s not perfect” by Bob Marley –

“When you are Old” by Yeats

Special moments:

Phone ringing through the wireless speakers! The groom’s……..

High fiving before we kissed

Three wonderful musicians. All friends, one a groomsman who’s been a friend to Phil for 37 years.  Just brilliant.

What was your first dance song and why?

“I found you” by Alabama Shakes. To be honest we don’t really have a song. if anything, it’s “Us” by Regina Spektor but what with it being the aisle entrance song that was never going to work. It’s always been a concern! But we both love good music, and Katharine introduced me to this earlier this year – and it quickly became clear that it’s our first dance, for sure.

Tell me more about any entertainment you had for your wedding?

In between the ceremony and wedding dinner we got on a Boat for a river cruise while the rooms were turned around: By The Thames – rude not to.

Creme De Chevre: Long term friends – London living band – banjos and hollering. What’s not to like?

What was your favourite part of the day and why?

Katharine: Probably when Phil’s phone went off in the middle of the ceremony. Even though he was mortified, it made the seriousness of getting married a lot more light hearted and fun. Just like our relationship. Our love is intense and incredibly important but we laugh so much together.

Philip: Turning round and seeing Kat. Corny, but true – along with this, giving my speech. I absolutely loved it – I got to tell Kat exactly what she means to me, and I got to talk about my Dad as well as other things that are at the very fabric of me, and now us. Brilliant.

What wedding planning advice could you give to other couples-to-wed?  Is there anything you would do differently?

P: Nothing we’d do differently. Genuinely. How good is that?

K: Write out every cost, from the very beginning. Everything. not just the “big ticket” items. Factor everything in from the very outset. Laugh, even when you’d rather throttle each other. Don’t cry because you’ve realised you want to throttle your chosen life partner. Chill.

You can also see this wedding featured on Love My Dress blog!

A 50’s Inspired Polka Dot Gown for a Fun, Industrial Inspired London Wedding

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Suppliers and details inspiration sources:

Venue : The Chainstore, Trinity Buoy Wharf

Wedding Dress: Made by the bride’s mother, Penelope Jane Ines Barrett.  50’s inspired.

Headpiece: Sophia Beau Bridal

Jewellery: Brides Grandma’s pearl necklace, wedding band made and designed by flowerie88, bridal belt – Sharon Tasker.

Florist: Edn Kim,  Petals in bloom, Walthamstow

Wedding Planner: Bride and groom, guided by Tasting plates, Martin and Sara Saxon

Styling and decor: Bride and groom.

Hair & Makeup: Goshka Topolska , Lipstick and Curls

DJ and/or Band: Creme de Chevre, ukulele band, www.cremedechevre.bandcamp.com

Cake: Emma Alexandra cakes,

Catering: Tasting plates

Bridesmaid Dresses: Brides Mother: Penelope Jane Ines Barrett

Groom’s suit: The vintage suit hire company,

Groom’s shoes: ox-blood brogues from Loak

Groomsmen Attire The vintage suit hire company

Invitations/Stationery: RSVP designed and made by bride and groom, Invitations – Falmari paper co, order of service – bride and groom, table quotes by bride and groom.

Photography: Joasis Photography and my associate Aggie as my second shooter

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To enquiry or book me for Trinity Buoy Wharf wedding photography, or London wedding photography get in touch.