Rachel and Steve’s runaway wedding escalated from just a few group photos of their elopement outside Brighton Town Hall, to powder paint fights, BMX racing, smoke bombs and steel wool spinning (you’ll see). We’re all a bit nuts, so as soon as the three of us started talking photography ideas, it snowballed! It was epic of the most epic-est proportions. “I had never dreamed I’d get away with letting off smoke-bombs on Brighton seafront and riding a BMX through the smoke. It felt like a scene from an 80s film and I loved every single second of it,” says Rachel.
The whole of Brighton was woken at 5.30am on the morning of the wedding by the scariest thunderstorm I’ve ever witnessed. It was terrifying, and made me worry that all the plans we had for awesome photos would be out the window. But somehow we totally escaped the rain and instead were treated to awesome dramatic skies!
Rachel and Steve were inspired by the 70s and one of the biggest influences on their wedding was their joint love of Hunter S Thompson. A line from Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas ‘Buy the ticket, take the ride’ became a mantra of how they want to live their lives, and they had the full quote printed onto ribbon which became the wrapping for the bridal bouquet and the cake. The paper roses themselves and the leaves of the guests pin-holes are made from Rachel’s battered copy of the same book.
Rachel and Steve didn’t have an aisle to walk down as Brighton Town Hall’s smallest room is what an estate agent would call ‘cosy’, but they began proceedings by piping (Don’t Fear) The Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult into the room. It was awesome.
Talking about awesome, Steve the groom has one piece of advice for anyone getting married, and it’s probably the best wedding advice you’ll ever get: “It may seem obvious but make sure you have fun. It might be your wedding but don’t forget it’s just a day and if it’s not fun then it’s pointless.”
Ceremony Venue: Brighton & Hove Register Office
Reception Venue: OhSo Social
Bride’s Dress: Zara; Bride’s Shoes: Converse
Bride’s Headpiece: By Bride; Bride’s Jewellery: Necklace from a little stall in the North Laine; Belt from Beyond Retro; Make Up: Sarah Jane Ellis www.sjemakeup.co.uk
Groom’s Attire: Waistcoat – Ebay; Jeans – Gap; Shoes – Converse; Shirt – H&M; Bowtie – Beyond Retro http://www.beyondretro.com/en/
Rachel writes a wedding blog called Rebel Rebel Bride.
