Daniel & Zindzi by Tynegate Films

Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love, what is unique about you and your relationship…
Dan is a TV producer/director, Zindzi works in finance and is also an artist. We are both lovers of travel, nature, food, the arts and music so throughout our relationship have tried to combine them all as much as possible.

We have been together for 8 years and live in South London where we first met. We have been through a lot in that time, graduating university, developing our careers, Dan losing his father and trying to find our direction in life … amongst it all we have always been each others constant and supported each other through it all.

Tell us about your special day, was there a specific theme or style? Tell us a little about the setting, the styling and some of your favourite details…

We tried to create a relaxed and intimate, music filled, foodie, modern, urban wedding shared with our favourite humans. We didn’t have a theme per se but wanted the overall style to encompass a mixture of organic and modern textures in neutral palettes which would complement the concrete jungle that is the Barbican Conservatory.

Every detail of the day was chosen because it was meaningful to us as a couple. The string quartet played an eclectic mix of Cinematic Orchestra, Bowie, Oasis and Bob Marley as our guests settled in (and even the Star Wars theme tune as we walked back down the aisle- as a surpsrise to Dan who is a big fan!). During the ceremony we asked everyone to sing ‘It Must be Love’ by the Madness which was super fun and helped break the ice amongst our guests.

During the drinks reception, our guests mingled amongst the flora and fauna before being seated for dinner on two long banquet tables on the terrace overlooking the luscious greenery. It felt a million miles away from December in central London. We entered to a instrumental rendition of Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good’ as our guests spun their napkins in the air and welcomed us as the new Mr and Mrs. The jazz trio continued serenade us whilst we ate. This which was an homage to my father who was a jazz musician and also sadly passed away. We included other little personal touches such as giving away minature gin bottles as favours – as it is our favourite drink and I had arranged with our florist Carla to include some hydrangeas which my mum had carefully dried from her garden into the wild Japanese Ikebana styled arrangements (Japan is one of our favourite places we have travelled together). Dan and I gave a joint speech followed by my stepfather and the best man who both blew everyone away with their moving speeches about us as a couple.

We then danced the night away to Discoshed in true festival style as we love a party! It was honestly the best day and we wouldn’t have changed a single thing.

Tell us about your main outfits:

We were both looking for something simple, minimalistic, modern and comfortable. Dan’s suit was an unplanned purchase from a little Acne Studios outlet in Copenhagen which was styled with a grey wool tie and black Russell and Bromley shoes. I found my dress in a sample sale online and hadn’t even tried it on beforehand but it was exactly what I wanted. I wore simple diamond stud earrings and a Sapphire necklace which was a surprise gift from Dan on the morning of the wedding. It was accompanied with the words, ‘Something new and blue from me to you.’The Nicholas Kirkwood shoes were chosen as they had a giant pearl underneath to complement the hair clips; looking at them still brings me so much joy. The veil was a last minute decision and which dramatically almost flew away whilst we were having our ‘first look’!

What were some of the most memorable/unique moments from the day?

We walked down the aisle together after meeting beforehand in the Barbican Estate. Being alone together before the ceremony was such a special and emotional time. As soon as we saw each other we were able to relax and really take in the day – everyone said how calm and happy we were throughout the day which in turn rubbed off on all our guests. The day was filled with so many smiles and much laughter; having a room full of all the people who mean the most to us was a humbling experience which we wil never forget.

Any advice for other couples planning to spend the rest of their lives together?

I am not sure I can think of anything wise enough to give advice to others, but instead would like to share one of the readings we chose for our wedding day by the prophet Khalil Gibran ‘On Marriage’ :

Love one another, but make not a bond of love:

Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.

Fill each other’s cup but drink not from one cup.

Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf

Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone,

Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.

Give your hearts, but not into each other’s keeping.

For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.

And stand together yet not too near together:

For the pillars of the temple stand apart,

And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other’s shadow.

Note: Imagery in this post are screen grabs from the Tyngate Films production.

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