Andrew and Pui-Lai celebrate their marriage pixcellence.co.uk

Prev

• 
• 

Next

View gallery

Alex and David

SOMETIMES it pays to have a checklist, as Alex Lazarus ­discovered when she realised en route to her wedding that she’d forgotten to buy a ­bouquet. Already running late for Islington Town Hall, Alex, 31, a strategic partnership ­manager, had to make a dash to nearby Dansk Flowers.

She says: “I hate running late so I got really flustered when I realised I was 20 minutes ­behind for my own wedding.”

Based in Isleworth, Alex and David Priestley, 31, a senior CAD technician, met in the ­summer of 2006 at a ­mutual friend’s house. But it wasn’t until the ­following year that they had a chance to properly chat, when the same mutual friends ­organised a ­comedy night at Clapham Grand.

Taking the initiative, Alex asked David for his number.

“He was flabbergasted,” she says. “And I took that as a no. But as I started to walk away, he called me back and we swapped numbers.

“We then met a few times at ‘engineered’ meetings and had our first proper date a month later.”

David initially ­intended to propose in Thailand, but after a friend proposed to his partner there, the idea was “outlawed”.

Alex adds: “He then meant to ask me at Borough Market but couldn’t find a suitable spot, so he eventually asked me while we were walking on the South Bank.

“Afterwards, we were meant to have a fancy dinner at the Oxo Tower but ended up going to The Easton pub in ­Exmouth market with my mate. That was much better!”

After scrapping their plans to elope, the two decided on a traditional London wedding, with 60 guests attending the ceremony and a further 25 joining later at The Larder restaurant, Clerkenwell.

At the ceremony, David cried during the vows, while Alex giggled.

“Apparently nervousness manifests in laughter or ­crying,” she says.

Afterwards, the pair left for photos and sneaked in a pint at a local pub, before joining their guests at the reception.

Food, dancing, speeches and a presentation by the couple’s parents took the party through to midnight.

Alex says: “If I have one piece of advice it’s that you don’t let your mum loose – there was an entire album of our baby photos, including nude ones!”

Wedding Essentials

FIRST DATE: Lunch at The Prince’s Head, Richmond

GET THE LOOK: Dress by David Fielden; suit made in Thailand

FLOWERS: Orchids, Columbia Road Market

SWEET TREAT: Homemade cupcakes

FIRST DANCE: You’re All I Need To Get By, Aretha Franklin

MUSIC: DJ Disco Juice

HONEYMOON: Thailand, three weeks

Andrew and Pui-Lai

Meeting the love of your life during the usually messy freshers’ week seems unlikely, but then again, it helps if you’re not an actual fresher. Masters student Andrew Tsai and BA student Pui-Lai Law met at the freshers’ fair in Warwick University three years ago, when Pui-Lai, 24, an admissions officer, handed Andy, 24, a librarian, a leaflet.

“I was helping a friend run the philosophy stand,” Pui-Lai says. “And we got chatting.”

Mirroring their first date, when Andy cooked Pui-Lai dinner, he set up a romantic meal at home and popped the question in March 2008.

“It felt a lot more private and intimate,” says Andy.

The Tufnell Park-based couple decided on a dove-themed wedding at Kensington Roof Gardens.

But things didn’t exactly go to plan – on the day, the man bringing the doves was ­running late.

“He wasn’t answering his phone, either,” says Pui-Lai.

“So we started the ceremony­ without him. Luckily he turned up at the right moment and it was beautiful!”

After the ceremony – attended by 150 guests – canapes and a sit-down meal were served, including salmon and fillet of beef.

Pui-Lai says: “It rained slightly but it didn’t dampen the mood one bit. We had the most ­perfect day.”

Wedding Essentials

FIRST DATE: Andy cooked dinner for Pui-Lai

GET THE LOOK: Outfits from Taiwan

FLOWERS: Orchids, peonies and roses

SWEET TREAT: Three-tier fruit and sponge cake from Marks and Spencer

FIRST DANCE: Instrumental waltz

MUSIC: DJ Leo Baker

HONEYMOON: Two-week cruise to St Petersburg