Today’s couple, Chelsie, co-founder of Blondies Kitchen, and Rob, founder and owner of Brown Butter Dining, had visions of tying the knot on the beach in Marbella in July 2020, feasting on paella and sangria to their hearts’ content. As you can probably guess, though, COVID got in the way. At first the couple opted to postpone, hoping things would go back to normal in time for a July 2021 wedding… but as we all know, that’s not quite how things went.
Eventually, the pair shifted gears and started planning a local wedding in London – and somehow they managed to put something together that combines the best of their home city with the laid-back Mediterranean vibes of their Plan A wedding. With a ceremony at New West End Synagogue followed by a reception at Wild by Tart in Belgravia (which is not only an event space but also a restaurant – hence incredible food that met the duo’s tough standards), Chelsie and Rob pulled off the most perfect day -even if it looked different from what they’d first envisioned. They even finished off the night with a cookie cart from Chelsie’s cookie business, Blondies Kitchen, so that everyone could take home a special treat at the end.
We’re obsessed with the natural photos by Alex Wysocki and stunning cinematic video from Smashing The Glass Recommended Vendor Denee Motion – watching the trailer really makes us feel as if we were right there with Chelsie and Rob!
We’ll leave it to Chelsie, who looked so glam in Essense of Australia, to take it from here…
How we Met
Chelsie, the bride: We actually met through a friend because I went to train to be a chef and Rob was one. Our passion for food connected us.
Change of Plans
We were supposed to get married on July 29th 2020 in Marbella. Half of Rob’s family live there and we go on holiday there every year to stay with his Grandma and catch up with his aunties/uncles and cousins. It seemed fitting to get married by the sea, eating Paella and drinking Sangria. We’re massive foodies and very informal people generally. We didn’t want a traditional formal Jewish wedding, so for us, this was the perfect way to celebrate.
HOWEVER, a global pandemic got in the way of this. We still had our civil ceremony in July 2020 with our immediate family, which was so special. We rescheduled the wedding for July 29th 2021, assuming all would be well a year later…
Sadly we were wrong. It was time to think of Plan B. We ended up finding our venue Wild by Tart through the same friend that introduced Rob and I! Fate or what? It’s the most gorgeous event space, restaurant, bar and small shop all in one in the heart of Belgravia. It had Mediterranean vibes as soon as we walked in, with an informal but elegant feel, and we knew this was the venue for us. Not only that, but the food was incredible and for us, it’s all about the food.
I never imagined have a ceremony in Synagogue and thought I would be getting married by the beach, but actually, the ceremony was so beautiful at New West End Synagogue and we loved it.
Ivory Vibes
We didn’t have a theme as such, but we kept everything simple, in ivory/white. My bridesmaids all wore ivory gowns and we looked like a girl band. I had this vision that I wanted us to look like an incredible collective. I’ve never loved being centre of attention, so to have all my best friends look WOW too was exactly what I wanted. As myself and Rob have been in events/hospitality for years, I generally planned most of the wedding myself! HOWEVER, we had an incredible planner Hannah Routledge, who assisted in the lead up with site visits, supplier management and finally on the day itself.
She ran it seamlessly and I don’t think I could have done it without her. Her calm energy and ‘get sh*t done’ attitude was a dream. Not only that, she’s a creative little lady. She did all the calligraphy for my place cards too. It felt extra special that Hannah had done this for me as I’ve worked with her a long time at Blondies Kitchen (she’s been our freelance event manager for a couple of years).
Invitations / stationery
We actually just sent out e-invites following the cancellation of our Spanish wedding. Hannah Routledge did our gorgeous stationery for our place cards and Lily Stodel did our table numbers and signs.
Hair + Make-up
I wanted to look the best version of myself so I had my hair down as I never wear it up. I had a little clipped up for my veil and then it all got taken down after the ceremony. Kym Mullem did my hair, she’s an incredible bridal hair specialist. Hob Salons also completed looks for all my bride tribe including my Mum and mother in law. They are a great London based salon group who put so much time into my hair in the lead up to my wedding. Being a blonde, highlights are a real thing to me!
The incredible Dani Alexander did my makeup. She made me look and feel like the best version of me too.
An Essense of Australia Dress
My dress was from Angelica Bridal in Islington and is designed by Essense of Australia. I had never heard of the brand and actually didn’t even pick the dress up! However after trying on what I thought I wanted, the shop assistant recommended I try this dress. I would never have picked it up otherwise. Turns out she was so right and it looked the best on me! I went for a lace/embellished fitted dress, which flared out and had a long train with lace detailing. It was so comfortable and I felt really special on the day.
Accessories
I kept it simple and went for a long plain veil. My dress was quite detailed and I didn’t want to look too OTT. In my usual day to day, I am very casual and don’t wear dresses/skirts often so this was a big deal for me!
Shoes
I went for a barely there block 4 inch heel by Gianvito Rossi. I have the tiniest feet (size 2) so its not the easiest to find shoes! They were perfect and they didn’t cripple me.
The handsome groom
Rob wore a navy suit from Impeccable suits. He looked gorgeous!
Bridesmaids
I had 8 bridesmaids and a flower girl. They all wore an ASOS Bridal dress actually haha but we had them altered to remove the trains and they looked INCREDIBLE.
Ceremony
Our ceremony was at New West End Synagogue and I loved it. Our rabbi made it so personal to us and it felt so special.
Ketubah
Our ketubah was chosen by our Rabbi.
Chuppah
I decided to go for the Chuppah provided by the Synagogue to fit in with the ornate nature of the Shul. I kept the style really simple, with minimalist cream roses across the whole top panel and nothing coming down the sides. I think the Shul really speaks for itself.
Our Music Choice
I walked down the aisle to a cover of ‘Always Be My Baby’ by Tim Halperin. Rob proposed to this song by the original Mariah and I love it. I know no-one likes Mariah but I’m a fan and have been for years soz. Creation Events did all the music for the wedding at Wild By Tart. We had DJ live with musicians and it was so much fun. Our first dance was to ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’.
Flowers
We went for all white roses! The Flower Shop in Bushey, Hertfordshire did the flowers for us. They’ve been my local florist for years, they know what I love and they’re so talented and creative. All our bouquets were long stem roses, loved them.
Photographer and videographer
Our videographer and photographer were actually originally booked in Spain. We sadly lost deposits on everything for our Spanish wedding and we were so upset. We ended up choosing Denee Motion as we absolutely loved his cinematic style. We also chose Alex Wysocki to be our photographer. Her photography was more natural in style, vs posed like the usual photographers I’d seen. I love her tones and lighting too. I’ve seen sneak previews of both photos and videos and I’m absolutely OBSESSED with both.
Food and Cake
Wild by Tart restaurant did a fantastic job at catering for our wedding. We had a sharing style menu, with 3 sharing starters, a sharing main and sides and 2 big sharing desserts. The sharing strawberry and peach pavlovas for dessert were KNOCK OUT. Blondies Kitchen provided a cookie cart for the end of the evening so everyone could take cookies home before they left! Midnight cookies are a must in our opinion.
Entertainment
We had Creation Events with DJ Live and it was fab.
Favours
We actually didn’t have favours. Like I mentioned, we lost a lot of money in Spain and we’re quite informal people. We created more of a informal dinner setting in a restaurant with a party for those that wanted to join us on the dance floor!
Extra details
Our Blondies Kitchen cookie cart made the night end in an extra special way. We also had a shot table of mojito shots as our table plan. A big wooden sign said ‘Take a shot, we tied the knot, find your seat and lets party!’ We feel this really set the tone for the type of evening we were hosting. I actually planned the entire wedding. My parents let me have free reign as they know I’m in the industry and can be very particular. I love them for allowing me to have this freedom. Rob obviously vetted the tasting, once I had his approval we were good to go!
Honeymoon
Sadly we haven’t planned anything yet. Potentially we’re going to go to LA & Vegas in June 2022. Rob has never been and I have family in LA so it’s a 2 in 1 trip really!
Advice to couples currently planning their wedding
One thing Covid taught us was to live for the moment and seize each day. Big bold weddings are absolutely fabulous but if you can’t do it because its financially not viable, or you have anxiety about hosting a party with such a large number of guests, go SMALL. We had 99 guests, it was an absolute dream. Only the people that mattered were there and each and every person in the room was so close to us, we didn’t feel on edge as everyone knows us so well.
Pure love filled the room and it was intimate and perfect. I believe everything happens for a reason, and our wedding in Spain was never meant to be. Our wedding was exactly as it should be. In a restaurant. With good food, great people and my new husband.
Also, all the little details you worry about in the lead up do NOT matter on the day, so don’t panic! The day will be the best day of your life.
CHELSIE & ROB’S LITTLE WHITE BOOK
Photography – Alex Wysocki
Videography – Denee Motion {offers 10% discount to all members of Smashing The Glass’sBrides Club}
Wedding planner – Hannah Routledge
Venue – Wild by Tart
Bride’s dress – Essence of Australia found at Angelica Bridal
Bride’s shoes – Gianvito Rossi
Groom’s attire – Impeccable suits
Bridesmaids – ASOS
Hair + Makeup – Kym Mullem, Dani Alexander
Flowers – The Flower Shop
DJ – Creation Events
Catering – Wild by Tart
Cake – Blondies Kitchen
Stationery/Invitation – Lily Stodel, Hannah Routledge
Rabbi – Rabbi Feldman Bushey United
If you’re a Jewish or Jew-ish bride-to-be, you’ll want to join Smashing The Glass’ Brides Club. Guided by the world’s number 1 Jewish wedding expert, Karen Cinnamon, Brides Club is the private community for Jewish and Jew-ish brides that removes wedstress and indecision and gives you what you need to plan with confidence during these uncertain times. Join our Brides Club here.
Awww thank you for featuring us again. Amazing memories! Denis x
Love everything about this wedding, and beautifully captured for all time by Alex. So many happy moments to remind the couple of their special day.