A London Wedding at St. Paul’s Cathedral and Whitehall with Timeless Elegance and Modern Vibrancy
In San Francisco, California – a city that’s all about creation connections – Kathryn Beatrice met Justin Clay while working at Airbnb headquarters.
“It was love at first sight for me, and I later learned that Justin felt the same,” says Kathryn. “From the moment our paths crossed, we couldn’t stop finding excuses to collaborate, even on the most mundane projects. Those early days were filled with a mix of nervous energy and undeniable chemistry. I vividly remember thinking, ‘This man is going to change my life.’ I even sent a Snapchat to my best friend with a sneaky picture I took of him with the caption ‘I’m going to marry this guy’ on my first day. Justin had this calm confidence that immediately drew me in, but it was his kindness and sweet sense of humor that sealed the deal.”
“I vividly remember thinking, ‘This man is going to change my life.’”
Justin was immediately struck by how interesting and radiant he found Kathryn to be, and often jokes that he was smitten before she even finished her first sentence.
A Masterclass in Romance
Kathryn describes Justin’s proposal as “a masterclass in romance and thoughtfulness.” While house shopping in Coral Gables, Florida, the couple was staying at the historic Biltmore Hotel – one of Kathryn’s favorite places.
“I thought we were just there to explore,” she explains, “but Justin had planned every detail. While I was walking our dog, he led me to a fountain surrounded by red roses, where a violinist began playing tunes from the movie La La Land. Before I could fully process the moment, he got down on one knee and presented the most stunning Tiffany pear engagement ring. It was perfect in every way!”
Timeless Elegance and Modern Vibrancy
Working with a talented roster of wedding professionals, the bride-to-be headed the entire wedding planning process herself. It was a true labor of love, made even more special by an incredible support system and Justin, the perfect planning partner.
“My brother, who served as my man of honor,” Kathryn adds, “traveled with me across states to find the perfect gown. I’ll never forget the moment we found it – he cried in the shop, and I knew it was ‘the one.’ We wanted every detail of our day to reflect timeless elegance and a touch of modern vibrancy, with a clear transition in colors and ambiance as the day progressed.”
St. Paul’s Cathedral
When the wedding day arrived, the bride woke up in the Bridal Suite with her mother at The Ned in London. A sense of calm and excitement was in the air, and the following events were nothing short of magical. Dressed in a Netta BenShabu wedding gown, her walk down the aisle took place during a ceremony at London’s iconic St. Paul’s Cathedral – a surreal experience, with the venue being steeped in so much history and grandeur.
“I was overwhelmed with emotion seeing Justin waiting for me with tears in his eyes,” she describes, “and the ceremony was deeply moving. Our wedding day wasn’t without its lighthearted moments. At the altar, right after our vows, Justin kissed me with such passion that my tiara flew off backwards! For a brief moment, there was a mix of gasps, laughter, clapping, and pure joy from the crowd.
A Formal Reception in Whitehall
After the ceremony, guests enjoyed a two-hour cocktail reception in the Churchyard Gardens – a space rarely ever privatized in its history. The gardens were brought to life with live statues, ballerinas, a string quartet, signature cocktails, and an abundance of florals that created a romantic and vibrant atmosphere. Several kind and curious passersby couldn’t help but sneak a peek at the festivities.
As the St. Paul’s portion of the wedding day concluded, the newlyweds and their loved ones were whisked away down the River Thames, via traditional double-decker buses, to a formal reception in Whitehall. The reception took place at Banqueting Hall, which guests didn’t know about until they arrived.
“I kept it a secret from every guest so that they wouldn’t Google the venue and see the Rubens ceiling ahead of time,” says the bride. “Dinner was a true feast that celebrated both traditional British and modern American flavors. One of the highlights was our entertainment – performers in custom couture costumes, including a surprise flash mob singing ‘All You Need is Love’ by the Beatles. It had everyone in awe and on their feet.
Special moments were woven throughout the night, but another that stands out was having our two dogs with us from beginning to end. They were so snuggly and sweet to have by my side! Cutting into the cake towards the end of the night felt like the sweetest culmination of our vision coming to life.”
Honeymooning in the Maldives
Kathryn and Justin topped off their London wedding experience by honeymooning in the Maldives.
“It was the perfect juxtaposition to the buzz of our wedding day,” Kathryn shares. “Calm, serene, and endlessly romantic. Justin planned the whole thing himself, and I never knew where we were going! The most memorable moment was waking up so early the next morning that it was still dark outside. Sitting under the stars, with only the sound of waves around us, we reflected on our journey so far and dreamed about the future of having children.”
WEDDING TALENT
Location: Banqueting House, Whitehall; Ceremony Location: St. Paul’s Cathedral; Event Design: Storied Collection; Floral Design: Lavender Green; Rentals: Options Great Hire; Caterer: Blue Strawberry; Lighting: Wise Productions; Engagement Ring: Tiffany & Co.; Wedding Dresses: Netta BenShabu; Bridal Salons: Jaxon James Couture Bridal, Iconic Bride Dallas; Dress Alterations: Tala Daniel Bridal Couture; Hair: Willis Galbraith; MUA: Katie Daisy; Groom’s Attire: Custom Pepi Bertini, Alexander McQueen; Groom’s Watch: Tiffany & Co.; Entertainment: Black Rabbit Projects; Invitations: Laura Elizabeth Patrick; Cinematography: Denee Motion; Second Shooter: Inna Nova Photography; Photography: Andrew Bayda