Inside: A Chic And Intimate London Wedding in Bethnal Green The Wedding Edition

A chic and intimate London wedding in Bethnal Green — Holly and David Schofield celebrated their love with a stylish ceremony at Islington Town Hall, followed by an elegant evening at Bistrotheque.

The Story

I’d never been one for dating apps, but in 2020, with a little extra time on my hands (and a nudge from a friend), I decided to give Hinge a go. After weeks of messages and calls, David and I finally had our first date when the pubs reopened for outdoor dining. That pub is now one of our locals, having since bought in the area! Fast forward three years, and David proposed at sunset in a quiet corner of the gardens at Capelongue Hotel in Provence, with a simple yet stunning oval solitaire ring he designed with London-based jewellery designer Rachel Boston.

Venue

We married at Islington Town Hall, followed by an intimate yet lively dinner and dancing at Bistrotheque. With just 50 of our closest friends and family, it was a celebration full of love and joy. I got ready at our flat with my parents and brother—my Maid of Honour. As an Australian living abroad, that morning with my family was incredibly special. Before the ceremony, David and I met at our favourite local pub, The Draper’s Arms, for a glass of champagne and a quiet moment together, retracing the steps of our first date. The celebrations continued the next day with recovery drinks in the sunshine at Ganymede in Belgravia, owned by a dear friend of ours.

Fashion

I knew I wanted a design from an Australian label, drawn to their modern, fashion-forward approach. The Fall Bride introduced me to the Paola Gown from Lola Varma, and it was love at first try. Finding the perfect shoes proved trickier, but I finally tracked down the last pair of my dream style from Scanlan Theodore. My brother recommended Australian tailor P. Johnson to David, who had a brilliant experience designing his bespoke suit through their London atelier. Unintentionally, we ended up with a very Australian-heavy fashion lineup, which felt just right.

Jewellery

I kept my accessories minimal, opting for a striking pair of sculptural silver earrings from A.B. Ellie—timeless yet modern. Our wedding bands were custom-made by Rachel Boston, who also designed my engagement ring.

Transportation

A classic London Routemaster bus transported our guests from Islington Town Hall to Bistrotheque, complete with champagne and a perfectly curated playlist to set the mood.

Tablescape

Bistrotheque’s beautifully restored warehouse space needed little embellishment. We worked with Elle from Botanics Florist to create understated floral arrangements for the dining tables and a sculptural centrepiece that sat atop the restaurant’s grand piano, adding a refined yet organic touch.

Food & Drink

The Zhooshy Marg—a passionfruit margarita with a tajin rim—was, without doubt, the drink of the night, flowing from arrival through to last orders. We served sharing-style mains, including Bistrotheque’s famous garlic caramel roast chicken with gravy mayo and an array of colourful sides. Dessert was a decadent St. Émilion au chocolate torte, perfectly paired with espresso martinis.

Entertainment

Bistrotheque’s resident pianist, Xavior, set the tone during arrival drinks, while Floss from Wedding Smashers took over for the evening, keeping the dance floor alive. Our first dance was to Inner Smile by Texas—a moment of pure joy and energy.

Beauty Regime & Wellness

I wanted a modern, effortless approach to hair and makeup, and Sophie Higginson delivered exactly that. She was a dream to have around on the morning of the wedding, making me feel my most beautiful and relaxed.

Favourite wedding gifts

Our wedding gifts were a mix of carefully chosen keepsakes from on and off our registry at The Wedding Shop. Highlights included timeless Le Creuset cookware and unique marble homeware that will stay with us for years to come.

Honeymoon

We booked a week away immediately post-wedding to unwind and soak it all in. We chose Can Ferrereta in Santanyí, Mallorca, which was the most perfect retreat. Between relaxing at the hotel and exploring the beautiful local coves, it was the ideal start to married life.

Advice

Stick to your guns — everyone will have opinions, but yours are the only ones that matter.
Choose a photographer whose work you love and whose presence you’ll enjoy on the day. Nigel John was a dream to work with.
Carve out moments just for the two of you — step away for a moment and take it all in; it goes by in a flash!