TO REMEMBER Embracing culture, heritage and lifelong bonds, Lucy and Amir celebrated love in style Images courtesy of Claire Penn Photography Lucy and Amir are clearly best friends as well as husband and wife. Their first date might never have happened if she hadn’t called her now-husband’s bluff about a motorbike ride. They’re not only a formidable couple in the good work they do for others, with Amir as a cleft lip and palate surgeon at Great Ormond Street Hospital and Lucy in raising awareness about heart transplantation, as she herself is on the active waiting list for a new heart, but also in life together. Beyond their professional achievements, these two headstrong and determined individuals are building a brand together, and that brand is Mr Amir Sadri. Amir chose the perfect spot for their engagement, snorkelling in the Maldives, though he was worried about dropping the ring in the ocean! From that standout moment, the pair planned the perfect wedding. The lovebirds chose to get married at Lucy’s mother’s home, which was their first choice, as they had spent many happy weekends, half terms and holidays in the garden with Amir’s two children, Edward and Leila, creating fond memories. As Amir is Iranian, it was important for the couple to incorporate his heritage into the celebrations. The wedding itself was a weekend affair. The evening before the big day, an Iranian caterer from London prepared a feast for the two families to enjoy together, joined by Amir’s best man and Lucy’s three best friends, fondly known as Ducky, Weezer, and Bimmy. On their special day, they married in the local church, followed by an Iranian Sofreh Aghd ceremony in the marquee, led by Amir’s sister. It was a celebration of two families coming together, embracing one another’s cultures, which was something both Lucy and Amir felt strongly about. As guests arrived at the church, family friend Christine Perkin accompanied Lucy’s stepfather, Andrew, on the piano, creating a serene atmosphere. Andrew then played the organ throughout the service. Ben Hardy, another family friend, played Disney classics during the signing-of-the-register. Sunday marked party number three, when Lucy’s parents’ friends joined to celebrate the happy couple. Champagne and nibbles were served while guests caught up on the news from the day before, toasting the newlyweds. Lucy wore a stunning Alice Temperley dress with intricate beading, a high-necked and a sheer, patterned back. She says, “As soon as I tried this dress on, I knew it was the one! The Temperley team was amazing and made the experience so much fun!” A small baby-blue flower had been sewn into the lining of the dress as Lucy’s something blue. Her veil was borrowed from her best friend Ducky, and her shoes were her favourite high-heeled boots, painstakingly decorated with individual crystals. For the dancing, Lucy slipped into a Nadine Merabi sequin jumpsuit, kept secret from Amir, so she could boogie without worrying about ruining her stunning gown. Lucy’s jewellery was carefully chosen. An heirloom tiara and her grandmother’s diamond and pearl earrings were her statement pieces. She kept the stud star and moon earrings from her second piercing, gifts from her nephews, as a reminder of the phrase they had shared since childhood, “Love you to the moon and back.” Amir’s daughter Leila, Lucy’s four goddaughters and Lucy’s youngest niece Lexi all wore Rachel Riley ivory dresses with lightblue flowers. The page boys, Lucy’s nephews Josiah, Natty and Milo and Amir’s son Ted were dressed in navy blue chinos and collarless shirts from Trotters, with navy and light-blue braces to match the girls’ flowers. Lucy’s eldest niece, Thea, wore a simple long navy-blue dress she had chosen from Monsoon. Lucy Crosthwaite Studio oversaw the decorations, invitations, menus and name places. “I just knew Lucy would make it stunning; everything she designs is spectacular,” says the bride. “The blue-patterned tablecloths with blue water glasses, handwritten menus in Lucy’s stunning calligraphy and her incredible flowers just made the tables look magical.” The team also arranged stunning floral displays for the bar, complemented by flowers brought back from the church, lovingly prepared by the flower ladies at the church. Alastair Carey from Doggart & Squash served canapés while guests sipped Gosset Champagne and gin and tonics. For the seated meal, guests enjoyed a mix of Iranian dips, Mast-O-Khiyar and Mirza Ghasemi, with flatbreads followed by cannon of lamb with rich Madeira sauce, crushed new potatoes, roasted cauliflower with tahini and broccoli with flaked almonds. During the speeches, guests toasted the couple with English sparkling wine, Chappel Down, in honour of Lucy’s Kent heritage. Dessert featured Amir’s favourite, Eton Mess with autumn berries, and baklava was served with tea and coffee for those who skipped cocktails. Espresso martinis, mojitos and cosmopolitans lined the bar for dancing guests. At the reception, a live saxophonist performed Ibiza classics and after supper, the band Miami Coast got everyone dancing. A weekend REAL WEDDINGS 15
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTA0NTE=