Asylum Chapel wedding // PoTS awareness
Emily and Ryan’s personal Asylum Chapel wedding had everyone in tears one minute and roaring with laughter the next. It was a coming together of two tribes: South London & LA. This meant there were many guests who had travelled many, many miles to attend. As per usual, The Asylum Chapel did not disappoint. I will never grow tired of capturing the look on peoples’ faces when they first enter the room. You would never guess from the outside what lies within those walls.
Emily and Ryan’s ceremony was completely unique to them. They had a friend conduct their ceremony, another tell a story about love whilst a third read a poem she had written about the couple.
Two young creatives, Emily and Ryan had very much wanted to do things their own way. Added to this Emily suffers from a condition called PoTS which means she needs to carefully maintain her body temperature. Quite a difficult feat in this summer’s heat.
Emily’s story in her own words.
How we met
Ryan and I met in Paris in 2017. I had just graduated from Cambridge, and Ryan was over from California writing a screenplay. We met at a bar one evening, and a short conversation about the cocktail menu turned into a 7 hour walk around Paris. We parted ways at around 2am, thinking we wouldn’t see each other again. Two days later, in the queue for the Musee D’Orsay, an American accent called my name.
PoTS
I have suffered with the symptoms of PoTS since I was about 16, but have struggled more chronically with the condition for the past 3 years. Having PoTS means that your heart rate can change very quickly from standing to sitting (or sometimes just of its own accord…). Many people who suffer with PoTS experience high levels of pain, fatigue and dizziness, meaning that it truly is a life altering condition, and definitely not the greatest for a wedding day in the middle of July in what felt like a billion degree heat.
It was important in our little home made wedding to keep it as close to our hearts as possible, so we gave people a list of charities to choose from that we would donate to for our wedding favours. Overwhelmingly people chose PoTS UK, so we were blown away to be able to donate to the charity for our special day.
The wedding dress.
My dress – where do I start with my dress?! I had to have my wedding dress almost entirely remade so that it was “PoTS-friendly”, light and cool. It’s all a testament to the wonderful Ginny and Ginny’s Tailors in Sidcup. When I walked into Ginny’s shop with my dress, it took up most of the shop. He came up with new ideas, he did experiments on how to make the dress as light as possible, and never hesitated to go the extra mile. Although it’s really just something to wear, seeing what he did to the dress was so much more. It was the first time that I could be like everyone else, without having to compromise because of my disability. There’s really nothing that Ginny can’t do – he is nothing short of amazing.
I also added my own touch of wearing Adidas trainers (because PoTS and that amount of dizziness are asking for trouble), which so many people commented on being their favourite part of my outfit!
Keeping it real.
October 25th is PoTS awareness day.
Emily and I have worked together to get this blog launched today as it is PoTS Awareness Day.
For more information about PoTS or to make a donation to the charity please follow the link.
Emily and Ryan’s Asylum Chapel wedding was one of my most alternative and creative of the year.
I’m so glad to have been a part of it. Here are some frames to show you how it rolled. Enjoy.
The UK /USA squad shot that we pulled together so that we could ditch the group formals last minute.
The Wedding Reception.
The reception was to be held at AMP Studios, just around the corner. So, Adidas trainers a-ready (for the bride at least), we all walked over to Old Kent Rd.
Emily and Ryan really wanted to celebrate Emily’s London roots, so served up pie, mash and peas at the wedding breakfast. Big up to The Humble Pie company for the most delicious pie I’ve ever tasted. We really showed the Americans the pie standard!
Thinking about having an Asylum Chapel wedding?
I just love Asylum Chapel weddings so if you’re thinking about getting hitched there, or for using the venue as a place to exchange vows, get in touch! I’d love to hear more about your plans.
Or are you getting married and are looking for a fun and flexible, chilled out photographer? You’re in luck!
Click through to my blog for more examples of Asylum Chapel weddings or other London wedding venues too.
Leave a reply