A royal wedding street party took a romantic twist on Saturday as a Tooting couple renewed their vows in front of their friends and neighbours.
After watching Meghan and Harry exchange vows in Windsor, guests of the Bushnell Road party witnessed the hosts say ‘I do’ after 13 years of marriage.
It was chef Sam Chapman, 37, who floated the romantic proposal to his wife Adel, 44, a support worker for adults.
At first, she was apprehensive about the prospect of a public ceremony, but there was a special reason she came around to the idea.
“We got married in Guyana, South America, and it was a beautiful day,” she said.
“But unfortunately my family couldn’t be there, so that’s why we are doing it here today.”
Romantic Mr Chapman said: “It’s really amazing to see Harry and his princess putting on the rings, and I think it’s time for me to do the same.”
Beside a face painting stall and cupcake tent, spectators stood to watch the moving ceremony led by Pastor Emmanuel from the nearby Methodist church.
Mrs Chapman’s suit-clad nephew, Kyran Kalixtee, six, fulfilled the crucial role of ring bearer.
Posters advertising the street party were put up across Tooting, with an open invite for anyone to attend.
While family and friends were in on the plan, many party goers didn’t realise they’d be witnessing a real-life ceremony until the DJ made an announcement.
Ian Williamson, 33, went to the party with his family.
“From the posters I thought it looked like a fun event so we brought the kids down so they could go on the bouncy castle,” he said.
“I was really surprised when the announcement was made – what a great thing to be a part of!”
The happy couple met when Adel went on holiday to Guyana and got chatting to Sam in a club.
She has lived in south west London for decades, but said it was important to have community events to bring people together.
“Even some people on the street, to be honest I hadn’t seen before, and once we started setting up, they came to us and we actually realised they’re our neighbours.
“People usually just go to work, come home and don’t realise who’s living next to them.”
She and her family are fans of the royals so she was keen to organise an event to mark Harry and Meghan’s nuptials.
Mother-of-the-bride Denise Solomon, 67, from Oval, manned a cake stall at the event.
“Harry’s my favourite – he’s dishy!” she said.
“I think the royal marriage is going to work, a lot of people have been doubtful but I feel they really do care for each other.”
Due to the distance, Ms Solomon couldn’t attend Adel and Sam’s original wedding, so she and daughter Dawn Spencer, 31, were thrilled be part of Saturday’s service.
Ms Spencer, an assistant manager from East Dulwich said: “I’m so happy for my sister.
“She proper deserves it. It’s really nice the family will get to see her renew her vows.”
Attendees of the Bushnell Road bash tucked into curried goat, jerk chicken and rice cooked by Mr Chapman, while a DJ duo provided music throughout the afternoon.
Meanwhile, others were celebrating across the borough, with Wandsworth hosting 68 street parties — the highest number in London.
According to the council’s website, the record number is down to its decision to waive all the usual costs involved in organising neighbourhood get-togethers.
