And the Rest is History
By Avery Khuan
"This place Is under new management, by order of the Peaky Blinders." - Arthur Shelby
If you walked into the Botanica & Co. that night, you would have found the normally greenery-adorned and almost minimalist restaurant taken back in time to the era of mobsters and gangsters. A speakeasy of sorts, it was decked to the nines in rich jewel tones, deep blood reds, an abundance of pearls, faux liquor bottles that fooled even the restaurant staff and dreamy fairylights while a lush crescent moon arch took centerstage with warm lights that lent to the old world charm. With the guests dressed to impress, you could almost imagine that you were at a gathering of the town’s most notorious criminals, all in attendance to celebrate their fellow mob members: Justin and Cwen.
From the very first moment we met, Justin and Cwen were adamant that this was to be a party for the ages; a day to celebrate the both of them and filled with their unique personalities and without the typical conventions of weddings. Justin, a Cancer, is the romantic water sign of the duo and a stark contrast to the spicy, fiery Leo that is Cwen. This cataclysmic clashing of elements results in their plans, ideas and finally, execution exuding a gritty elegance, icy coolness and subtle sexiness. It was a day that checked all their boxes of glam, individuality and intimacy.
But, of course, even mobsters have a soft side! The day’s festivities began with a dreamy vow ceremony; Justin was suave in his suit and red boutonniere while Cwen was resplendent in white. It almost felt ethereal and surreal as Cwen walked down the aisle with her father, the only one in white in a sea of black. And as they spoke their vows and shed some romantic tears, you knew that this was a love that was pre-destined and written in the stars, having known each other for close to ten years. They share an almost innate instinct for each other; they may be far apart but always close at heart.
As the sun went down and with the tables arranged in a scattered setting that encouraged closeness and conversation, Justin and Cwen’s wedding felt almost cut off from the world. Day turned into night and in turn, the vow ceremony turned into an intimate yet roaring party with good food and even better company. As the live band turned it up to eleven and the open bar kept things flowing, gone was the romanticism of the evening’s ceremony and here, we step into the essence of the glamorous mobsters with its sultry hedonism and devil-may-care zeal. Justin and Cwen even reappeared with a dress change to kick off the second half of the dinner reception, looking every inch the man and woman about town much to the enjoyment of their guests.
With heads thrown back and glasses lifted high, heels off and the lights turned down low, Justin and Cwen’s wedding was definitely one for the books. And ladies and gentlemen, as they say, the rest is history.
