April & Dennis

As many of my close friends know, it is not often that I agree to photograph a friend’s wedding. Mean as this might sound, experiencing a wedding as a guest and a photographer are two very different things. April and Dennis invited my husband and I to their wedding as guests many months ago and it never crossed my mind to discuss photography with them. Until late last week that is, when we sat on her beautiful roof terrace discussing plans. I always knew she and Dennis would not have wanted a ‘traditional’ wedding but the more she told me the more amazing it sounded and I began to realize attending without a camera would almost certainly result in kicking myself.

The wedding was indeed one of the most natural, relaxed and truly warm and heart-felt events I have had the good fortune to be invited to. Having dealt with the legal particulars some weeks previously, this day was all about celebrating their love for one another with friends and family from all over the world – literally. April was born and raised in California, Dennis in New Zealand – they met in Amsterdam where they lived for a number of years before traveling the world and somehow landing in the same North London town as myself.

With Native American Indian roots on April’s side the service was conducted by their mutual friend Yuri and involved drinking from the same vase and a few brief words of committal to one another. April wore a 70s style halter-neck jumpsuit by Issa and Dennis a vintage 70s suit purchased online and tailored to fit. The event was held at Rockwell House rooftop and included some of my all-time favourite wedding favours – metal mugs with personalized Polaroid’s attached to each – which guests could fill with a range of drinks available on tap. Another popular inclusion was the Polaroid wall where guests were invited to pin photographs of themselves as an alternate to a guest book. With acoustic sets from friends and delicious food on hand all night (April is also a remarkable cook who has published recipe books previously) it was an absolute joy and honour to be invited in sharing such a wonderful day with two such lovely people.