Kate and James’s August wedding was bold, joyful, and built on momentum. Nothing felt overly staged. From the raw beauty of their Peckham ceremony to a reception soundtracked by a live mariachi band, the day unfolded naturally, fuelled by the people in the room and a shared sense of excitement that built as the hours passed.
The ceremony
Kate and James were married at The Asylum Chapel in Peckham, a space celebrated for its raw beauty, historic character, and unforgettable atmosphere. The midday ceremony was emotive and full of presence, set against the chapel’s weathered walls and soft natural light.
Arrival at The Hackney
Guests crossed London and converged on Hackney Road, anticipation building as the party pulled together. The atmosphere lifted the moment people arrived. Margaritas, Aperol Spritzes, Dark ‘n Stormys, and Espresso Martinis were pouring freely, while a live mariachi band filled the space with energy. Phantom Brewery beer cans waited as favours, a nod to friends who run the local brewery.
Bold food, bold choices
The in-house kitchen delivered a three-course meal with confident flavours. Starters arrived as beef tacos with all the trimmings (vegan taco for plant-based guests) - the choice set an immediate tone: relaxed, shareable, and far from traditional. Mains brought crispy pork belly with braised fennel and sesame, with sweet potato rostis, romesco, and charred scallions for vegetarian guests. Hibiscus pannacotta closed the meal - floral, silky, satisfying. Zibibbo ‘Vitese’ from Sicily flowed for the white drinkers, a bold Malbec from Argentina’s Uco Valley for red.
Speeches were woven through the meal. Kate’s father spoke after starters, best man and James after mains. The room stayed fully engaged throughout.
Style notes
The styling was confident and personal. Chalk runners and napkins on a clean foundation, layered with eucalyptus runners and rattan placemats. Green goblets caught the light against tapered candles. Pampas grass and eucalyptus softened the fireplace and the cake table, a pampas hanging display added height and movement overhead, and a neon sign glowed against the industrial grid at the back of the room. The cake table held a selection of brownies and smaller cakes rather than a single showpiece.
The evening
As daylight faded, the party took over. The mariachi band had set the tone earlier, and the DJ carried that energy forward as the dancefloor filled. Evening guests arrived to welcome drinks as the room shifted. Kate and James’s first dance opened proceedings, and from there the celebration rarely paused.
Pizza arrived in waves, keeping hungry dancers fuelled. Outside, guests drifted between Giant Jenga, beer pong, and ring toss on the patio. Last calls at 10:50pm, bar closing at 11, music wrapping by 11:30. The kind of evening where nothing needed prompting and the room carried itself right to the end.