0:00:00 > 0:00:04# I'm glad, I'm glad
0:00:04 > 0:00:06# I will get married today. #
0:00:08 > 0:00:09I am excited!
0:00:13 > 0:00:16There are 62 million people living in Britain today -
0:00:16 > 0:00:20of those over seven million were born outside of the country.
0:00:22 > 0:00:26As the number of immigrants increases, so does the assortment of weddings.
0:00:26 > 0:00:30I would say of my customers, 60% would be foreign.
0:00:32 > 0:00:34You look beautiful, amazing.
0:00:35 > 0:00:38To come from different nations, to come to this country and be able to
0:00:38 > 0:00:41achieve the marriages, the unity, that's the achievement,
0:00:41 > 0:00:44that's a great achievement for life.
0:00:44 > 0:00:47In this film, we meet some of Britain's recent arrivals
0:00:47 > 0:00:51as they prepare for their most important of days.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53Empty!
0:00:53 > 0:00:55Last night I had like three hours of sleeping.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00It's easy to come, but it's hard to stay.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02What makes it hard to stay?
0:01:02 > 0:01:04Oh, the rent!
0:01:07 > 0:01:10You cannot get something for free.
0:01:10 > 0:01:11You have to work.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14CHEERING
0:01:17 > 0:01:21We Africans, we don't really forget our traditions.
0:01:21 > 0:01:26We feel like if the tradition is not part of it, there's no wedding.
0:01:29 > 0:01:31It is home for me now.
0:01:34 > 0:01:39You cannot imagine how happy am I to get married here.
0:01:52 > 0:01:56Britain plays host to weddings for over 180 nationalities,
0:01:56 > 0:02:00and supporting them is an army of businesses.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03What we do, we do photography, videography,
0:02:03 > 0:02:04wedding invitation cards.
0:02:06 > 0:02:10I do hair, I do nails, I do beauty.
0:02:10 > 0:02:15Spain, Tunisia, Ghana, you name it, they come here.
0:02:15 > 0:02:17PHOTOGRAPHER SPEAKS TURKISH
0:02:28 > 0:02:30Banqueting halls up and down the country
0:02:30 > 0:02:32cater for the multitude of cultures.
0:02:32 > 0:02:39We have the Somalian community, the Congolese community, the Nigerian,
0:02:39 > 0:02:43Ghanaian, Turkish...erm...
0:02:43 > 0:02:46we don't have British!
0:02:46 > 0:02:49So how many weddings do you have each week all year?
0:02:49 > 0:02:52Oh, gosh, we are pretty much booked up for this year,
0:02:52 > 0:02:54all our weekends have been gone.
0:02:54 > 0:02:58And starting from October 1st to the end of December
0:02:58 > 0:02:59we are booked nearly seven days a week.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02Everyone goes for a different style or theme, so you need to
0:03:02 > 0:03:06order all their colour schemes
0:03:06 > 0:03:10and all their centrepieces just on time for their wedding.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13It's quite chaotic actually because you need to get
0:03:13 > 0:03:15all the details right for each client.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17And it can get a bit stressful.
0:03:35 > 0:03:4232-year-old Fernanda left her home country of Brazil to start a new life in Britain.
0:03:42 > 0:03:47Today she is preparing for her wedding in five weeks' time.
0:03:47 > 0:03:51I'm really excited, I cannot wait to see it ready, you know.
0:03:51 > 0:03:52Oh, my God!
0:03:54 > 0:03:58And I want to see my beautiful tiara, as well,
0:03:58 > 0:04:01let me get here, my beautiful tiara...on my hair.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05It's more English, this style, I think,
0:04:05 > 0:04:11than Brazilian. I'm going to try this one, I've never wear the hair like this before.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16So how come you've adopted a slightly more English hairstyle, do you think?
0:04:16 > 0:04:19Oh, because I think it's so beautiful, you know.
0:04:19 > 0:04:24And today we are part of England...
0:04:24 > 0:04:28you know, like a lot of things we adopted from England
0:04:28 > 0:04:36and so I want my wedding to be Brazilian but with English thoughts.
0:04:40 > 0:04:44Fernanda moved to Britain 10 years ago with her partner, Clovis.
0:04:46 > 0:04:47PHONE RINGS
0:04:47 > 0:04:48'Hello, 1 3?'
0:04:48 > 0:04:50Charlie, 1 3, good morning.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52'Good morning, sir.'
0:04:52 > 0:04:53There is a change of our destination,
0:04:53 > 0:04:57I'd like a new quotation for our next drop at Liverpool Street Station, then coming
0:04:57 > 0:05:00back to SE 28, please.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02MUFFLED RADIO MESSAGE
0:05:02 > 0:05:08I've been many places, London is absolutely fantastic.
0:05:08 > 0:05:12This is, I'm going to say it for the Londoners who complain about London.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15Don't complain about London, London is a wonderful town,
0:05:15 > 0:05:19very organised, very good, very good at all.
0:05:21 > 0:05:29I know more about the world after I've been living in London than before,
0:05:29 > 0:05:34because here you get to see a lot of people from Europe,
0:05:34 > 0:05:39from South Africa, from America, everywhere.
0:05:39 > 0:05:41You see people from everywhere here.
0:05:42 > 0:05:47Oh, so beautiful! Oh, my God, I cannot believe it.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52I chose Britain because I want to learn English, I want to learn
0:05:52 > 0:05:58the culture and the most important, the opportunities of work.
0:05:58 > 0:06:03I have no doubt, no doubt at all, that people choose this country
0:06:03 > 0:06:04because of the pound.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09They don't choose because of the weather!
0:06:09 > 0:06:11As the wage-earner in the family,
0:06:11 > 0:06:15Clovis has set a firm limit on the wedding budget.
0:06:15 > 0:06:19It's a princess dress and I loved it when I saw it,
0:06:19 > 0:06:21and it's so beautiful and delicate.
0:06:21 > 0:06:26It's not too much, you know, it's something that I wanted.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29I paid £154 for my dress, I bought it through the internet.
0:06:29 > 0:06:35I love the colour of the sash, you know, and it's quite a long dress, as well.
0:06:35 > 0:06:40And my shoes, I've got also my shoes -
0:06:40 > 0:06:43£14.99, my shoes.
0:06:44 > 0:06:48I want to spend only £1,000 for this wedding.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50It sounds ridiculous.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54She's understanding, she's understanding but I have to keep
0:06:54 > 0:06:55telling her...
0:06:56 > 0:06:59.."Everything you want to do, ask me first."
0:07:01 > 0:07:04So what got left off the list because of the budget?
0:07:04 > 0:07:10If I had lots more money, I could have bring my mum and my mother-in-law,
0:07:10 > 0:07:12at least, for the wedding.
0:07:12 > 0:07:13Your mother's not coming to the wedding?
0:07:13 > 0:07:17No, not my mum because it's too expensive to fly,
0:07:17 > 0:07:22and I've just recently lost a brother in Brazil,
0:07:22 > 0:07:24so my mum is recovering of that.
0:07:24 > 0:07:29She doesn't want to be away of my dad and so, yeah.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31How do you feel about that?
0:07:31 > 0:07:34It's really sad, you know, because...
0:07:36 > 0:07:40..I couldn't be there when he died, you know.
0:07:45 > 0:07:49We miss a lot of things, living away, you know.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52But it's OK.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54It's OK.
0:07:54 > 0:07:55Sorry.
0:08:10 > 0:08:15At the start, it was difficult to adjust myself because I have no relatives here,
0:08:15 > 0:08:17I wasn't know anyone here.
0:08:19 > 0:08:23I was excited you know, different buildings here,
0:08:23 > 0:08:26beautiful, you know, roads,
0:08:26 > 0:08:31you know, motorways, nice ones - really, really perfect.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35British people are a bit posh and I think they're known for that all
0:08:35 > 0:08:39over the world, you know, to be a bit snobby.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42But actually that's part of it and you have to just blend in,
0:08:42 > 0:08:44maybe even become like a posh yourself.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47LAUGHTER
0:08:51 > 0:08:55When I came to London, I didn't speak English, almost at all,
0:08:55 > 0:09:01I didn't understand the people, even I was scared to go in a shop.
0:09:04 > 0:09:08For the first six months, if I'm not wrong, I didn't get out the house,
0:09:08 > 0:09:14because I was scared of not getting lost with the buses, to be honest.
0:09:21 > 0:09:2717-year-old student Marian moved over from Romania with his family three years ago.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33Do you prefer living in England than in Romania?
0:09:34 > 0:09:36Oh, yes, you're lucky I'm not allowed to swear
0:09:36 > 0:09:39because I'd say, "Hell, yes!"
0:09:39 > 0:09:41What is it you don't like about Romania?
0:09:43 > 0:09:45What I don't like about Romania?
0:09:45 > 0:09:46Everything.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50If you don't have money, people don't care about you.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52You can be dying on the road,
0:09:52 > 0:09:55they would just turn their back to you and walk away,
0:09:55 > 0:09:58but England, yes, England is a very nice country
0:09:58 > 0:10:03where people, if you need help, will come, will help you.
0:10:03 > 0:10:07Marian is currently a member of the Army Cadets.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11In two years' time, he will receive his British passport
0:10:11 > 0:10:14and will be allowed to join the British Army.
0:10:14 > 0:10:18I want to join the British Army because Britain welcomed me here.
0:10:18 > 0:10:22I want to join the British Army, not the Romanian Army.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26Er, and it's not all about money - because people will understand it
0:10:26 > 0:10:29the other way, yeah? People will be, like,
0:10:29 > 0:10:32"OK, he wants to join the British Army because they pay more." No.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37I've been welcomed in England any time, so that's why I want
0:10:37 > 0:10:40- to join the British Army.- So you'd be willing to lay down your life
0:10:40 > 0:10:43- for the sake of...Britain? - Yes. Yeah.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52When Marian's family left Romania three years ago,
0:10:52 > 0:10:56some of them split up, looking for work elsewhere in Europe.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00Now, eight members of the family live together in Hertfordshire.
0:11:01 > 0:11:05This includes his older brother Catalin, who arrived a year ago
0:11:05 > 0:11:08and is getting married in three days' time.
0:11:08 > 0:11:12In the house tonight is all my family - our families...
0:11:12 > 0:11:16Yeah? The family of my wife... So, this is my mother-in-law, yeah?
0:11:16 > 0:11:19This is my brother-in-law.
0:11:20 > 0:11:22My father-in-law - his name is Mucha.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25Yeah? He say hello.
0:11:25 > 0:11:26Hello!
0:11:26 > 0:11:30Here is my mum - cooking, baking.
0:11:30 > 0:11:32Here we have Cassandra.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35Er...she can't speak proper English.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37And my little boy!
0:11:45 > 0:11:46The number of immigrant parents
0:11:46 > 0:11:49giving birth within Britain is increasing.
0:11:49 > 0:11:54One in four births are now from parents born outside of the country.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57All this...happened very quick, you know,
0:11:57 > 0:12:02for me. Now have family, child, house, pay rent,
0:12:02 > 0:12:06work... Of course it's like a shock, yeah?
0:12:06 > 0:12:10But it's a good one. I'm happy. I think it's a good shock for me.
0:12:12 > 0:12:17Cassandra is also Romanian. The couple met whilst working in Spain.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20I never dreamed to be here - to come here, to work here,
0:12:20 > 0:12:23to make, you know, my life here, I never dreamed.
0:12:23 > 0:12:27It was the most biggest dream that I had in all my life.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30And the dream come true, you know.
0:12:30 > 0:12:34- Why is it such a dream?- I don't know. I think because of the...
0:12:34 > 0:12:37of the people, you know, the British people, the...
0:12:37 > 0:12:39You know, they are...
0:12:39 > 0:12:43quite different about European people, you know.
0:12:43 > 0:12:47I hope make enough money to can buy a house here.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50This is the most important.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53- At this moment, I want to buy a house.- What about Cassandra,
0:12:53 > 0:12:57- what does she want? - THEY SPEAK ROMANIAN
0:13:03 > 0:13:08The same, to do the... To have a happy family here in UK...
0:13:09 > 0:13:11..is the same, quite, you know.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20I came to Britain,
0:13:20 > 0:13:22I set a challenge to myself
0:13:22 > 0:13:25that I want to make it where no-one in my family have ever made it.
0:13:28 > 0:13:32I came to England, really, after finish my study in...
0:13:32 > 0:13:35back home, Iran, to see the Beatles.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38Peace and love! That's everything!
0:13:40 > 0:13:44Freedom of speech. In my house, I speak my mind,
0:13:44 > 0:13:47and they say to me, "Mum..." I say, "Listen,
0:13:47 > 0:13:51"I come all the way to Britain to have freedom of speech,
0:13:51 > 0:13:56"which I was denied of in Syria, in Damascus."
0:13:58 > 0:14:00In Afghanistan, it's a tough life -
0:14:00 > 0:14:03no work, you know, too much problems for the people.
0:14:03 > 0:14:07People bomb the schools, they destroy the buildings, they...
0:14:07 > 0:14:10kill the people. I am happy, my brother's here.
0:14:10 > 0:14:14When I come here, my wife, my family, everyone is here - and I'm happy.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23There are many reasons why people
0:14:23 > 0:14:25choose to make Britain their new home.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28For 40-year-old Clovis, it was a dramatic change
0:14:28 > 0:14:31in his financial fortunes that prompted the move.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36Having run a successful chain of clothes shops in Brazil,
0:14:36 > 0:14:39an unexpected downturn in the market meant he lost everything.
0:14:41 > 0:14:4410 years of work, hard work,
0:14:44 > 0:14:46and, like, in two years, it's all gone - all gone.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51Clovis now works up to 60 hours a week as a minicab driver.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55To get to this position, he had to take a path familiar
0:14:55 > 0:14:57to many new arrivals.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00When I first got here, erm...
0:15:01 > 0:15:05..after a hard search, I found a job cleaning...
0:15:05 > 0:15:10cleaning offices in early mornings and in evenings.
0:15:11 > 0:15:16Then I went to work in a coffee shop, washing...washing plates.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21Like, six months later, I was delivering pizzas.
0:15:21 > 0:15:23Ha-ha-ha!
0:15:23 > 0:15:26SHE SPEAKS BRAZILIAN
0:15:29 > 0:15:32Making a new start in Britain did not come easy
0:15:32 > 0:15:35for Clovis or his partner, Fernanda.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43When we decided to come to England, it was because my cousin,
0:15:43 > 0:15:46she...she came with a friend to study here.
0:15:46 > 0:15:50So she said, "Oh, it's an amazing place, you're going to love it.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53"You should come." So, we decided to come.
0:15:53 > 0:15:57I came, I said, "Oh, my God. I cried for six months."
0:15:57 > 0:16:01Everything is different, you know? Everything is completely different.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04- You cried for six months? - For six months.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07I couldn't speak with my mum and dad - that I cried, you know?
0:16:07 > 0:16:11Like, "Mum, I want to go home! Why am I here?" You know,
0:16:11 > 0:16:15because I didn't speak English, I couldn't talk to anyone,
0:16:15 > 0:16:17so it was a nightmare for me.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22When I was in Brazil, I had everything. I had my business,
0:16:22 > 0:16:26I had money, I had cars. And... then I start dating Fernanda.
0:16:26 > 0:16:31She saw me losing my...my life.
0:16:32 > 0:16:33And...
0:16:34 > 0:16:36..she stayed by my side.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41So, when did things change? When did things get easier?
0:16:41 > 0:16:44I met some other Brazilian people that were
0:16:44 > 0:16:47studying here, living here, with a life,
0:16:47 > 0:16:50and then I said, "Oh, it's not so bad," you know.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53"I can do that! I can manage!"
0:16:53 > 0:16:57Then I said, "OK, not going to cry any more. I will survive here."
0:16:57 > 0:17:01And that was when things started to change, you know, for me.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07For the newcomers that decide to remain in Britain,
0:17:07 > 0:17:10weddings can be an important way to retain traditions
0:17:10 > 0:17:12that may otherwise be forgotten.
0:17:16 > 0:17:20North London has the highest concentration of Turkish immigrants
0:17:20 > 0:17:24in the country, with the wedding season peaking in October.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37Do you find yourself going to many weddings?
0:17:37 > 0:17:41Yes. There is actually two or three weddings every week.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46Well, I don't go to every one of them.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48Only my close friends, I go to their wedding.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51This week, Abdullah has come to the wedding of his cousin Huseyin,
0:17:51 > 0:17:54who is marrying girlfriend Semra.
0:17:57 > 0:18:01In Turkey, weddings usually take place in villages,
0:18:01 > 0:18:04and in villages, there is no, like, orchestra,
0:18:04 > 0:18:06so what they use is the drum and the flute.
0:18:06 > 0:18:10We don't count it as a wedding without the drum and the flute.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12So, it's very important.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21It's a tradition. It's been thousands of years now.
0:18:21 > 0:18:27This happens - same in Turkey, everywhere where Turkish people live.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49Romanian-born Catalin and Cassandra are about to marry
0:18:49 > 0:18:52at their local registry office.
0:18:52 > 0:18:57Usually we're doing register and the wedding all in the same day.
0:18:57 > 0:19:01Er, now it's got to be a little bit different,
0:19:01 > 0:19:04because it's the wedding ceremony today
0:19:04 > 0:19:07and then tomorrow it's going to be, like, the church and all that.
0:19:09 > 0:19:11Proof of ID and an address
0:19:11 > 0:19:14is all the paperwork needed to marry in Britain.
0:19:14 > 0:19:18But the bride is expected to understand the vows being taken.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22Cassandra arrived in Britain just five months ago,
0:19:22 > 0:19:27and knows very little English, so by law, she must have a translator.
0:19:27 > 0:19:29Marian has volunteered.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33Before you join together in matrimony, I have to remind you
0:19:33 > 0:19:36of the solemn and binding character
0:19:36 > 0:19:39of the vows you are about to make today.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41HE TRANSLATES INTO ROMANIAN
0:19:45 > 0:19:47- Just a second, yeah?- That's fine.
0:19:47 > 0:19:49THEY WHISPER
0:19:51 > 0:19:54- I cannot explain it... - So, he... Before they join together,
0:19:54 > 0:19:58I have to remind them of the solemn and binding character
0:19:58 > 0:20:00of the vows they are about to make today.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03HE TRIES TO TRANSLATE
0:20:03 > 0:20:06OTHERS TRY TO HELP IN ROMANIAN
0:20:06 > 0:20:09Just one person, please, just one person.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11OK?
0:20:11 > 0:20:14And now, I'm delighted to say, you're now legally
0:20:14 > 0:20:17husband and wife. Congratulations!
0:20:20 > 0:20:26THEY SING IN ROMANIAN
0:20:28 > 0:20:31I didn't know how to explain one of the words.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34So, because of that one word, I wasn't...
0:20:34 > 0:20:37able to say the whole phrase, do you know what I mean?
0:20:37 > 0:20:41Because of one word! THEY ALL SPEAK ROMANIAN
0:20:41 > 0:20:45Catalin and Cassandra will have a Romanian church blessing tomorrow.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56Wouldn't it be nice here...?
0:20:56 > 0:20:58Oh!
0:20:58 > 0:21:01Yeah. So, that, it's about, erm...
0:21:01 > 0:21:05showcasing... African wedding culture.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18My drum have just said to you,
0:21:18 > 0:21:21"Welcome to African wedding!"
0:21:21 > 0:21:23# Oh, ye-e-e-eah
0:21:24 > 0:21:26# Oh, ye-e-e-e-eah
0:21:26 > 0:21:28# Oh, ye-e-e-eah... #
0:21:29 > 0:21:33We Africans, we don't really forget our traditions.
0:21:33 > 0:21:37And our traditions are part of our daily life.
0:21:37 > 0:21:41And a wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event....
0:21:41 > 0:21:43for we Africans.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45and we want to have it the best.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47That's why you see us in traditional attire,
0:21:47 > 0:21:50you hear the music, it's traditional,
0:21:50 > 0:21:53just to represent that this is what Africa is all about.
0:21:58 > 0:22:02This wedding in London is for Abdi and Ifrah,
0:22:02 > 0:22:04who are from Somaliland, East Africa.
0:22:05 > 0:22:09Somaliland community is one of the oldest communities
0:22:09 > 0:22:11who has come to UK.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14In the early 19th century, that's when the Somalilanders
0:22:14 > 0:22:17arrived in the UK, and we have a strong relationship
0:22:17 > 0:22:20with the British, and we were part of the British Commonwealth.
0:22:20 > 0:22:24MUSIC CONTINUES
0:22:27 > 0:22:30There's a lot of beautiful things in Somaliland culture - the history,
0:22:30 > 0:22:33and the culture is so beautiful when it comes to songs
0:22:33 > 0:22:37and poetry... It's very important to...to hold onto your culture.
0:22:37 > 0:22:42But at the same time, you also have to...integrate.
0:22:51 > 0:22:55While weddings play their part in maintaining cultural identity,
0:22:55 > 0:22:59not everyone is so enthusiastic about keeping with tradition.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03This is Ali. He's the...
0:23:03 > 0:23:05guy with the music.
0:23:05 > 0:23:10ACCORDION PLAYS JOLLY MUSIC
0:23:10 > 0:23:14If I do my wedding by myself, only me and my wife,
0:23:14 > 0:23:18I do, like, church, registration, finish.
0:23:18 > 0:23:22Then have a small party, but our families want to do this -
0:23:22 > 0:23:24you know, the tradition...
0:23:26 > 0:23:31I don't like traditional Romanian music in my everyday life, yeah?
0:23:31 > 0:23:33I don't listen to it.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38Catalin has already legally married at a registrar's,
0:23:38 > 0:23:41but today, the Romanian wedding traditions begin.
0:23:42 > 0:23:46He's going to have to take care of the...of the tree, yeah?
0:23:46 > 0:23:50Just like the husband takes care of the wife, yeah?
0:23:50 > 0:23:54Someone will steal it, yeah, and they will ask for something
0:23:54 > 0:23:55to give it back.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58- So, the tree represents the bride? - The bride, yeah.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01- So you have to look after that all day?- All day, yeah.- All night...
0:24:01 > 0:24:03All day, all night!
0:24:05 > 0:24:08Rather than wait at the aisle for his bride to arrive,
0:24:08 > 0:24:11the groom is expected to collect her from her house.
0:24:11 > 0:24:16In Romania, we have a tradition. We have to beep the horn
0:24:16 > 0:24:19all the way to the bride's house.
0:24:19 > 0:24:25HORNS BLARE
0:24:25 > 0:24:28Everybody need to know we are coming to take the bride,
0:24:28 > 0:24:32and we need to make noise, like, you know, so we are coming!
0:24:32 > 0:24:35They know from far away we are coming to take the bride.
0:24:35 > 0:24:39But taking the bride isn't quite as easy as it sounds.
0:24:47 > 0:24:51Somebody from the family of the bride...have to...don't let me in,
0:24:51 > 0:24:54inside the house, till I don't say what I'm looking for,
0:24:54 > 0:24:57and if I have something to give them.
0:24:57 > 0:24:59- THEY SPEAK ROMANIAN - If you want, I give you money...
0:24:59 > 0:25:03THEY SPEAK ROMANIAN
0:25:10 > 0:25:14I have to give something to the mother of the bride.
0:25:14 > 0:25:18I give her my promise, like I will take care of their daughter
0:25:18 > 0:25:21till the end of my life.
0:25:31 > 0:25:36CHEERING AND CLAPPING
0:25:41 > 0:25:44As the bride sets out for the church, tradition states
0:25:44 > 0:25:48that the guests should be fed from an oversized loaf of bread.
0:25:48 > 0:25:52She threw one forward, one to the left,
0:25:52 > 0:25:55one to the right... No, hold on.
0:25:55 > 0:25:59She threw it in a cross... er, sign, yeah?
0:25:59 > 0:26:02ACCORDION PLAYS
0:26:10 > 0:26:12CAR HORNS BLARE
0:26:12 > 0:26:16We're going to a church, yeah, for the...ceremony.
0:26:16 > 0:26:18See you there!
0:26:22 > 0:26:25PRIEST SPEAKS ROMANIAN
0:26:26 > 0:26:29Though happy to embrace Romanian traditions for his wedding day,
0:26:29 > 0:26:32Catalin isn't precious about holding onto them for ever.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41But traditions change from generation to generation.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44Our parents, they are old, yeah?
0:26:44 > 0:26:48So, they keep the traditional, like...was in their times, yeah?
0:26:48 > 0:26:51Now, tradition change, so... I don't think my child,
0:26:51 > 0:26:54I don't think he will have a traditional wedding.
0:27:02 > 0:27:04For the time being, Catalin will be
0:27:04 > 0:27:07loyal to his country's wedding traditions.
0:27:07 > 0:27:12UPBEAT ROMANIAN DANCE MUSIC PLAYS
0:27:14 > 0:27:17In some parts of Romania, it is customary to kidnap the bride
0:27:17 > 0:27:19and hold her to ransom.
0:27:20 > 0:27:25Despite being five months pregnant, this does not rule Cassandra out.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28We need to go tell everyone, yeah, the bride's been stolen.
0:27:28 > 0:27:32HE SPEAKS ROMANIAN
0:27:40 > 0:27:44Once the ransom has been paid, the guilty party are expected
0:27:44 > 0:27:46to consume their prize!
0:27:46 > 0:27:50CHEERING
0:27:58 > 0:28:01It was the most beautiful day from...
0:28:01 > 0:28:04my whole life, yeah?
0:28:07 > 0:28:10Having joined his family here just over a year ago,
0:28:10 > 0:28:13Catalin now intends to remain settled in Britain.
0:28:13 > 0:28:19From one small, happy family, now we are a big, happy family,
0:28:19 > 0:28:22so I think it is better for us to be here in the UK.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27Do you think your son will get married in Britain?
0:28:27 > 0:28:31Yeah, I hope so. Yeah, yeah, definitely, yeah, will be here.
0:28:36 > 0:28:37I am really proud of him.
0:28:37 > 0:28:40I am saying this with my whole heart, yeah, with everything,
0:28:40 > 0:28:43with my soul, I'm saying this, I don't care.
0:28:43 > 0:28:45I'm really proud of my brother.
0:28:45 > 0:28:46Will you get married in Britain?
0:28:46 > 0:28:50Yes, to an English girl, yes, I will, probably.
0:29:09 > 0:29:11You come here to achieve something, you come here,
0:29:11 > 0:29:16you've got skills or you gain skills and pursue something.
0:29:16 > 0:29:19Much more opportunities, no matter how old you are,
0:29:19 > 0:29:22- you've got more opportunities. - What sort of opportunities?
0:29:22 > 0:29:26Here, you can be 50, you can still go to university, for example.
0:29:26 > 0:29:28I did have the opportunity to work.
0:29:28 > 0:29:33It's the best gift to humanity, is to work with dignity.
0:29:36 > 0:29:40I'm in the back of a market, I mean I want to be on a High Street.
0:29:40 > 0:29:43I've got big vision, I want to be able to have branches
0:29:43 > 0:29:45all over the place, you know, really make it.
0:29:48 > 0:29:51I am the first Ghanaian who started mobile phones.
0:29:51 > 0:29:55In fact, the first mobile phone shop in the whole area of Hackney,
0:29:55 > 0:29:57is this shop you are in now.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04You should have come to my old office, that's brilliant.
0:30:11 > 0:30:15For decades, foreign nationals have been encouraged to come
0:30:15 > 0:30:17and work in Britain.
0:30:17 > 0:30:20Today, of the country's 30-million-strong work force,
0:30:20 > 0:30:23over four million are immigrants.
0:30:23 > 0:30:27This job is very special to me, it's so much, really, I like it.
0:30:28 > 0:30:32- IMITATES GUN FIRING - Shotting. Shotting or shooting?
0:30:32 > 0:30:35- Shooting.- Shooting, yeah. - Nails?- Nails, yeah, yeah.
0:30:39 > 0:30:42Put together a team bar with plywood,
0:30:42 > 0:30:45together, you know, it's number one.
0:30:45 > 0:30:47I like it.
0:30:52 > 0:30:57We have a lot of Polish workers here, who are very good workers,
0:30:57 > 0:31:01and not just Polish, you know, other nationalities, as well.
0:31:04 > 0:31:0729-year-old Robert moved here from Poland.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10After trying a number of jobs, he settled for the night shift
0:31:10 > 0:31:13at this packing factory near Heathrow.
0:31:13 > 0:31:16- There must be some jobs you didn't like?- Yes, of course.
0:31:16 > 0:31:18Sometimes, it's difficult with people
0:31:18 > 0:31:22because when it's a problem, the problem is in people.
0:31:22 > 0:31:26Different characters, different nations,
0:31:26 > 0:31:32some people doesn't like you because you are, you know, different nation
0:31:32 > 0:31:35or maybe you are speaking just a little bit English,
0:31:35 > 0:31:37something like that.
0:31:40 > 0:31:42Why did you want to come to the UK?
0:31:42 > 0:31:46I needed change in my life, I need a job, I needed change.
0:31:46 > 0:31:51I was drinking a lot of... I was an alcoholic.
0:31:53 > 0:31:57Having been alone since he moved to Britain five years ago,
0:31:57 > 0:31:59Robert has recently met someone.
0:32:00 > 0:32:01It's very deep in my heart.
0:32:01 > 0:32:05I don't know how can I describe you about that.
0:32:05 > 0:32:09It's difficult for me but I'm telling you, I miss her now
0:32:09 > 0:32:10because she is now in Leeds.
0:32:10 > 0:32:17I love her so much, so much and I am sure, I'm sure, I'm sure
0:32:17 > 0:32:21that she is the woman for my life.
0:32:29 > 0:32:31Robert was introduced to fellow Pole, Annetta,
0:32:31 > 0:32:35through a friend at his local church two months ago.
0:32:35 > 0:32:37They will marry in 10 days time.
0:32:39 > 0:32:43THEY SPEAK POLISH
0:32:49 > 0:32:53She said to me, she was looking for a Christian man, like me.
0:32:53 > 0:32:57My love to Christ is very big,
0:32:57 > 0:33:02and she was looking for that, you know,
0:33:02 > 0:33:03in a man.
0:33:03 > 0:33:05- Has she found it? - HE SPEAKS POLISH
0:33:05 > 0:33:08- Yes.- Yes, she did.
0:33:15 > 0:33:17HE SPEAKS POLISH
0:33:21 > 0:33:28Everyone has a problem in past time, yeah,
0:33:28 > 0:33:33but it's very important where you are today, who are you today.
0:33:33 > 0:33:35That's the point.
0:33:46 > 0:33:49Like many of the immigrants that come to Britain,
0:33:49 > 0:33:52Brazilians, Clovis and Fernanda, found support through their church.
0:33:55 > 0:33:58Every week, we go to Mass.
0:34:01 > 0:34:03We are really Catholic in Brazil
0:34:03 > 0:34:08and it's really important for our people going to the church.
0:34:12 > 0:34:17Is religion, do you think, as important to people in Britain?
0:34:17 > 0:34:19To be honest with you,
0:34:19 > 0:34:26I got quite shocked when I arrived in London.
0:34:26 > 0:34:31People here doesn't believe in God as much as we do in my country.
0:34:31 > 0:34:34There is a lot of people who doesn't believe in God here.
0:34:34 > 0:34:40They don't see God as important as we do, because they get...
0:34:40 > 0:34:44they get everything they want, so they don't think they don't need God.
0:34:49 > 0:34:51HE SPEAKS PORTUGUESE
0:34:56 > 0:34:59Father Vanderley has been holding services here in Portuguese
0:34:59 > 0:35:01for two years.
0:35:01 > 0:35:07We Brazilians, we are very close to the music.
0:35:13 > 0:35:18We clap hands, we stand the arms
0:35:18 > 0:35:21and we sing aloud
0:35:21 > 0:35:24and English people is more quiet.
0:35:28 > 0:35:31This church in East London was under threat of closure
0:35:31 > 0:35:35until it was revived by the growing Brazilian community.
0:35:35 > 0:35:38Clovis and Fernanda will have their service here three weeks from now.
0:35:52 > 0:35:55Factory worker Robert and his new fiance, Annetta,
0:35:55 > 0:35:57have just a week before their wedding.
0:36:09 > 0:36:11How I ask, I say, how do you feel?
0:36:12 > 0:36:14She said, like a princess.
0:36:15 > 0:36:17And how do you think she looks?
0:36:17 > 0:36:22Well, she looks beautiful, beauty, beautiful, amazing, it's amazing.
0:36:32 > 0:36:34After becoming engaged three weeks ago,
0:36:34 > 0:36:38Robert has been desperately saving up for their wedding.
0:36:38 > 0:36:41- You've got shoes, tiara. - Yeah, yeah, yeah.
0:36:41 > 0:36:45We give you 10% discount on everything, so, £250.
0:36:48 > 0:36:52Don't worry, should be all right,
0:36:52 > 0:36:56I have to go on overtime.
0:36:58 > 0:37:01Overtimes, make more overtimes.
0:37:01 > 0:37:09I pay with smile on my face, the best time in my life.
0:37:12 > 0:37:16Was it quite expensive for you?
0:37:16 > 0:37:19It is, but if you love someone,
0:37:19 > 0:37:22then you do for that person everything, yeah?
0:37:24 > 0:37:25It is true.
0:37:25 > 0:37:27That is true!
0:37:29 > 0:37:32Thank you so much for help.
0:37:32 > 0:37:35- Thank you, you're a very nice person. - THEY SPEAK POLISH
0:37:43 > 0:37:48Seamstresses, Nataliya and Maryanne, were also born outside the UK.
0:37:48 > 0:37:50I think they looked really good, don't you?
0:37:50 > 0:37:55Yes, I think they are young, excited about marriage,
0:37:55 > 0:37:58and knowing that they haven't seen each other for a long time.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01Two months is just, you know, amazing.
0:38:01 > 0:38:03I said, "Don't worry it's a good time,
0:38:03 > 0:38:06"I knew my husband two months and now we've been together 25 years!"!
0:38:06 > 0:38:08That made them laugh!
0:38:08 > 0:38:11Do you get many different nationalities here?
0:38:11 > 0:38:14We do, we do get different nationalities.
0:38:15 > 0:38:19- Europeans, most Europeans, really. - Indian.
0:38:19 > 0:38:22And Indian, Indian girls we had, as well.
0:38:22 > 0:38:25South African.
0:38:25 > 0:38:30As well, yes, I forgot that, South African, yes.
0:38:35 > 0:38:40A couples' nationality is not recorded on a marriage certificate,
0:38:40 > 0:38:44so it's hard to know how many of the 240,000 weddings each year
0:38:44 > 0:38:47are immigrant.
0:38:47 > 0:38:51But the wedding industry can give us a clue.
0:38:51 > 0:38:5540%, I would say, of my customers are British-English
0:38:55 > 0:38:59and 60% would be foreign.
0:39:03 > 0:39:08I cater for everyone and anyone. Any nationality, any colour.
0:39:08 > 0:39:12Purple is a very good colour for the Hindu community, whereas
0:39:12 > 0:39:15in the Muslim community, they would prefer dark emerald green.
0:39:15 > 0:39:19Mainly we have Nigerians, we have some from Kenya.
0:39:19 > 0:39:24They love a lot of bling, a lot of embroidery, a lot of sparkle.
0:39:24 > 0:39:27We do a lot with the Middle East, Africa.
0:39:27 > 0:39:31The Turkish community are out to impress,
0:39:31 > 0:39:34whereas the English bride is a bit more conservative.
0:39:34 > 0:39:38Now, this kind of a top will be preferred more by a Hindu
0:39:38 > 0:39:39or a Sikh community.
0:39:39 > 0:39:43In different cultures, like mainly the Africans,
0:39:43 > 0:39:47they do tend to get married first before they have a family.
0:39:47 > 0:39:52The Eastern, definitely, they have to get married first,
0:39:52 > 0:39:56where as the English, the English, the British-English couples
0:39:56 > 0:39:59tend to be girlfriend, boyfriend.
0:39:59 > 0:40:05They don't put a value on marriage as much as the foreign people.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17With Clovis and Fernanda's wedding in just two days' time,
0:40:17 > 0:40:20they're making their final preparations.
0:40:20 > 0:40:21We have a freesia,
0:40:21 > 0:40:24they can open at their own rate, there's no problem.
0:40:24 > 0:40:27Gypsophlia is probably best to come out the cellophane.
0:40:27 > 0:40:31That will sweat round the edges and that will mark up, yeah?
0:40:31 > 0:40:34Everything is here, everything is done.
0:40:34 > 0:40:37Now we have to pay for it.
0:40:37 > 0:40:39Painful for him but, for me,
0:40:39 > 0:40:44I'm so happy that my flowers are all here and beautiful.
0:40:44 > 0:40:47Minicab driver Clovis was trying to keep their entire
0:40:47 > 0:40:49wedding budget below £1,000.
0:40:50 > 0:40:53How many hours are you driving?
0:40:53 > 0:40:59Around 30 hours, 40, yeah, I'd say, like, 40 hours of work.
0:40:59 > 0:41:02£490.80.
0:41:02 > 0:41:0390...
0:41:08 > 0:41:12Clovis is nervous about it and he was going to get upset
0:41:12 > 0:41:14because of the price and everything,
0:41:14 > 0:41:19but he was OK with that and I'm really happy with that, you know.
0:41:19 > 0:41:21You don't expect that you're going to spend £500.
0:41:21 > 0:41:25She said she spent £500 in flowers. I said, "Are you mad?"
0:41:25 > 0:41:28How about Fernanda? How do you think Fernanda feels?
0:41:28 > 0:41:30Fernanda, she is very happy.
0:41:30 > 0:41:33We've been through, we've been through very, very happy,
0:41:33 > 0:41:39spending the money on flowers, I think so, I guess.
0:41:39 > 0:41:41With just a day to go before the wedding,
0:41:41 > 0:41:46Fernanda and Clovis have to prepare for up to 80 guests.
0:41:46 > 0:41:50But with no budget to hire caterers, they've opted to get baking.
0:41:50 > 0:41:55I'm making the base of the canapes.
0:41:55 > 0:42:01I will bake around 400 canapes.
0:42:01 > 0:42:04Fernanda has sought help from a neighbour, Juliana,
0:42:04 > 0:42:07with the dessert.
0:42:07 > 0:42:11The sharing of sweets at Brazilian weddings is considered good luck.
0:42:11 > 0:42:15We are here since eight o'clock in the morning doing this.
0:42:15 > 0:42:18Another two nights without sleeping, we going to be fine.
0:42:18 > 0:42:21We going to be finished everything on time.
0:42:27 > 0:42:29Why have you chosen to be here?
0:42:29 > 0:42:31She is the best of us to make sweets,
0:42:31 > 0:42:35but also because her kitchen is the biggest.
0:42:35 > 0:42:39- We've got space in here.- We've got more space for people to be in here.
0:42:39 > 0:42:40You don't know, but in Brazil,
0:42:40 > 0:42:45the biggest room in the house is the kitchen
0:42:45 > 0:42:47because everyone likes to cook and talk.
0:42:47 > 0:42:50Normally we've got big family.
0:42:50 > 0:42:54- Do you find British kitchens rather small?- Oh, my God, it is so small.
0:43:08 > 0:43:11Would you have preferred to have got a caterer in?
0:43:11 > 0:43:13Not really.
0:43:13 > 0:43:16Of course, it's much work for us,
0:43:16 > 0:43:20but it makes it special because it's done by us
0:43:20 > 0:43:22and everybody appreciate that.
0:43:22 > 0:43:27"Oh, my God, you made it all by yourself, it's so nice."
0:43:27 > 0:43:29It's worth it, so.
0:43:38 > 0:43:42# I'm glad, I'm glad
0:43:42 > 0:43:46# I will get married today! #
0:43:46 > 0:43:48I am excited!
0:43:53 > 0:43:58I'm very happy, because I will get married today
0:43:58 > 0:44:00and I will have a wife.
0:44:00 > 0:44:04My family, you know, my family I will have a new...
0:44:04 > 0:44:06You know, my own family.
0:44:06 > 0:44:09I'm amazing.
0:44:09 > 0:44:12Unable to afford time off work, factory worker Robert
0:44:12 > 0:44:17has been continuing his night shifts during the build-up to the wedding.
0:44:17 > 0:44:20I sleep four hours and go again to work, you know.
0:44:20 > 0:44:24It's so, so busy, so hard.
0:44:24 > 0:44:26I feel very good today.
0:44:33 > 0:44:38- Polish cooking? - Of course, it is Polish cuisine.
0:44:41 > 0:44:44The service and reception is being held at the international church
0:44:44 > 0:44:47that Robert has attended since moving to Britain.
0:44:50 > 0:44:55Father, God, that is holy, that is righteous, you are there.
0:44:55 > 0:44:56Father, all the help that are here,
0:44:56 > 0:44:59Father, we just ask you to bless every hand
0:44:59 > 0:45:00in this place.
0:45:03 > 0:45:08Thank you, so much. OK, this is my pastor, Trev, yeah?
0:45:08 > 0:45:14He is my spiritual Father, as well, and my friend, as well
0:45:14 > 0:45:16and my brother in Christ.
0:45:16 > 0:45:20Any problem, I can call to him, I can tell him and he always,
0:45:20 > 0:45:25you know, encourage me, he pray for me. "Robert, it will be all right."
0:45:25 > 0:45:28- That's friendship.- Friendship, yes.
0:45:33 > 0:45:36As a recovering alcoholic, Robert came to England to make
0:45:36 > 0:45:40a fresh start in life and made his intentions clear to Annetta.
0:45:41 > 0:45:44I said to her, "I don't want to play with anyone,
0:45:44 > 0:45:47"I looking for wife, I'm looking for wife."
0:45:47 > 0:45:50My dream is to have a wife and a nice family.
0:45:50 > 0:45:53I want to have a family.
0:46:10 > 0:46:13Friends, we welcome you today as we come to share
0:46:13 > 0:46:17with Robert and Annetta this very special moment in their lives,
0:46:17 > 0:46:21as they come before the presence of God to be joined together
0:46:21 > 0:46:23as husband and wife.
0:46:23 > 0:46:26TRANSLATOR SPEAKS POLISH
0:46:28 > 0:46:32All of us have problems and all of us have mountains to overcome.
0:46:32 > 0:46:36In Robert, it's beautiful things to see.
0:46:36 > 0:46:38He conquered certain things,
0:46:38 > 0:46:41he still believed that actually he can have a good life
0:46:41 > 0:46:44and he can have the best life, he can have the best wife.
0:46:44 > 0:46:46He found such a beautiful wife.
0:46:49 > 0:46:52Robert, if you'll take Annetta's ring...
0:46:52 > 0:46:54GOSIA TRANSLATES IN POLISH
0:46:54 > 0:46:56..place it on her finger...
0:46:56 > 0:46:57And if you would repeat after me.
0:46:59 > 0:47:00Annetta, with this ring...
0:47:00 > 0:47:02GOSIA TRANSLATES IN POLISH
0:47:02 > 0:47:04ROBERT SPEAKS
0:47:04 > 0:47:05I pledge myself to you.
0:47:07 > 0:47:10In the name of the Father...
0:47:11 > 0:47:13..and the Son...
0:47:13 > 0:47:15and the Holy Spirit.
0:47:16 > 0:47:18- Amen.- Amen.
0:47:20 > 0:47:22Robert, you may kiss your bride.
0:47:22 > 0:47:23CHEERING
0:47:32 > 0:47:35To come from different nations, to come to this country
0:47:35 > 0:47:38and be able to achieve the marriage as a unit,
0:47:38 > 0:47:41that's achievement, that's a great achievement for life.
0:47:47 > 0:47:50So I would like to see them 99 years old, 100 years old,
0:47:50 > 0:47:54still holding their hands, going, you know, on the dates together.
0:48:05 > 0:48:07I love her so much, you know.
0:48:07 > 0:48:10Now I realise,
0:48:10 > 0:48:14to myself that she's my wife.
0:48:16 > 0:48:18- What's your plan for the future? - HE TRANSLATES
0:48:20 > 0:48:24What Lord give us will be, but we would like...
0:48:24 > 0:48:26I would like to have a baby.
0:48:36 > 0:48:40The night before their wedding, Clovis and Fernanda are organising
0:48:40 > 0:48:44the reception venue with a little help from their friends.
0:48:47 > 0:48:48Just got here.
0:48:48 > 0:48:51They work already with the decorations, the party decorations.
0:48:51 > 0:48:54They are very, very good friends of ours.
0:48:54 > 0:48:56They are giving us a gift -
0:48:56 > 0:48:59all the decoration for the party.
0:49:05 > 0:49:08When he said, "I'm going to get married,"
0:49:08 > 0:49:11I said, "That's fine, let's help him."
0:49:11 > 0:49:15We found what we had and then we're just here today
0:49:15 > 0:49:18to do his dream coming true.
0:49:18 > 0:49:22This middle aisle empty for dancing and cha-cha-cha.
0:49:22 > 0:49:27I only need a bit of space between tables because I have to move around
0:49:27 > 0:49:30and I'm going to give the gift for everybody.
0:49:30 > 0:49:33Just leave a bit of room for me, it's fine.
0:49:36 > 0:49:39We are going to completely transform this place.
0:49:39 > 0:49:43It will be beautiful, you wait and see.
0:49:57 > 0:50:01Britain is one of the best places to live.
0:50:01 > 0:50:02Personally, as a black man,
0:50:02 > 0:50:09personally, as a foreigner, society is just receptive.
0:50:14 > 0:50:18In Britain, you have to respect the law of this country.
0:50:18 > 0:50:21And the law of this country, whatever it is,
0:50:21 > 0:50:23is that you live in it or you clear off of it.
0:50:23 > 0:50:28And this is what is wrong, sometimes they are too soft.
0:50:30 > 0:50:33If you ask me, this is my own opinion,
0:50:33 > 0:50:37we should be grateful to be allowed in, in the first place.
0:50:39 > 0:50:43Britain has allowed too many immigrants in this country.
0:50:43 > 0:50:48Looking at the size and the job opportunities here,
0:50:48 > 0:50:51immigrants are too many, I think.
0:50:51 > 0:50:53You can feel it now.
0:50:56 > 0:50:59All you see, you see these laws they're passing every year.
0:50:59 > 0:51:03There is that feeling, you know, amongst the population,
0:51:03 > 0:51:07amongst some of us, that they're making it harder for us.
0:51:07 > 0:51:10Maybe they don't want us here, you know.
0:51:12 > 0:51:14They need the immigrants here,
0:51:14 > 0:51:19they need the foreigners to do the low-paid jobs.
0:51:19 > 0:51:22I think if every immigrant, every foreigner,
0:51:22 > 0:51:23leave this country tomorrow...
0:51:25 > 0:51:29..the country would collapse, for sure.
0:51:40 > 0:51:42Fernanda's wedding day has arrived.
0:51:47 > 0:51:50Oh, my God, my heart.
0:51:50 > 0:51:54Neither family of the bride or groom could afford the flight
0:51:54 > 0:51:55over from Brazil.
0:51:55 > 0:52:00This is my rosary and look, I'm shaking, sorry.
0:52:02 > 0:52:06I'm going in the church with the rosary, because, for me,
0:52:06 > 0:52:08it represents my mum, you know.
0:52:08 > 0:52:12It's like my mum is coming with me, she's here also.
0:52:12 > 0:52:15It will be really important for me to do that.
0:52:16 > 0:52:20The church and reception venue were still being decorated
0:52:20 > 0:52:22into the early hours.
0:52:22 > 0:52:25Clovis has gone ahead early to complete the preparations.
0:52:25 > 0:52:27SHE SPEAKS PORTUGUESE
0:52:30 > 0:52:32Everything under control at the venue.
0:52:32 > 0:52:35Clovis has said to me that everything is done,
0:52:35 > 0:52:37everything is perfect.
0:52:37 > 0:52:40HE SPEAKS PORTUGUESE
0:52:42 > 0:52:44You forgot your book here.
0:52:53 > 0:52:55I have to get dressed.
0:53:04 > 0:53:07With her father absent, Fernanda will be walked down the aisle
0:53:07 > 0:53:11by her friend and neighbour, Filipe, who is also acting as her chauffeur.
0:53:14 > 0:53:18Why did you choose a black cab?
0:53:18 > 0:53:21I think it represents London,
0:53:21 > 0:53:26because we only can find black cabs in here.
0:53:26 > 0:53:33So, it would make really special to get to church in a black cab,
0:53:33 > 0:53:36so that is why I chose it.
0:53:45 > 0:53:48Last night, I had, like, three hours of sleeping.
0:53:48 > 0:53:51The night before, I had, like, four hours of sleeping,
0:53:51 > 0:53:53so I'm quite... I'm pretty much tired.
0:53:53 > 0:53:54I need some energy.
0:53:54 > 0:53:57HE SPEAKS PORTUGUESE
0:53:59 > 0:54:00This is very important.
0:54:04 > 0:54:10Just waiting now for the flower girls with the bouquet. She is late.
0:54:10 > 0:54:14I never dream of getting married in London.
0:54:15 > 0:54:18When I was younger, I never actually thought that
0:54:18 > 0:54:23I was going to live abroad, never ever in my life, you know.
0:54:23 > 0:54:27And here we are and I'm getting married today.
0:54:27 > 0:54:30It's amazing how things turn out to be.
0:54:38 > 0:54:39HORN BEEPS
0:55:01 > 0:55:04This is the final piece for our relationship,
0:55:04 > 0:55:06for our life together.
0:55:18 > 0:55:21I'm glad that we are doing this, you know.
0:55:21 > 0:55:25I'm glad that we are doing this here, because it means a lot to us,
0:55:25 > 0:55:30this church, this priest, the people that we know.
0:55:37 > 0:55:39THEY SPEAK PORTUGUESE
0:56:00 > 0:56:02CLAPPING
0:56:11 > 0:56:14CRASH OF THUNDER
0:56:14 > 0:56:15Thank you!
0:56:17 > 0:56:21It's a celebration, hey! It's the fireworks!
0:56:23 > 0:56:26When it's raining a lot in a wedding in Brazil,
0:56:26 > 0:56:28it's because it's a blessing.
0:56:28 > 0:56:31We don't have rainy weather over there.
0:56:31 > 0:56:34So, when it's raining, it's a lot of bless,
0:56:34 > 0:56:36so I'm still being blessed even in London.
0:56:52 > 0:56:55The reason for cutting the tie
0:56:55 > 0:57:00is traditionally connected with funding their honeymoon.
0:57:06 > 0:57:10With support from their friends, Clovis and Fernanda have managed
0:57:10 > 0:57:13to only slightly over-spend on their wedding budget of £1,000.
0:57:14 > 0:57:18We had our budget and we've done much, much more
0:57:18 > 0:57:20than the money could pay.
0:57:20 > 0:57:23All the effort of our friends doesn't have a price,
0:57:23 > 0:57:25that's going to stick with us forever.
0:57:29 > 0:57:31This is not actually our wedding,
0:57:31 > 0:57:34it's all of our friends' wedding as well.
0:57:34 > 0:57:38They all help out, they all put in some effort to do it.
0:57:38 > 0:57:40It was something for everyone.
0:57:49 > 0:57:52With the reception over and the thunderstorm dying down,
0:57:52 > 0:57:56the couple are finally able to pose for their wedding photos.
0:57:59 > 0:58:04It's a big step for a foreigner, having your own house,
0:58:04 > 0:58:07living by yourself with your family.
0:58:07 > 0:58:11It's a big thing here. I consider myself a winner.
0:58:17 > 0:58:19Thumbs up, can you do thumbs up?
0:58:19 > 0:58:23We've been through so many things for the past few years.
0:58:23 > 0:58:25Living abroad, to have the girls here.
0:58:28 > 0:58:34It makes it even better because we going to be attached forever now.
0:58:55 > 0:58:58Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd