Wearing vintage Dolce & Gabbana, singer-songwriter Mabel married Preye Crooks in an intimate church ceremony before dancing the night away at their candle-lit reception
Two weeks before Mabel – singer, songwriter, music industry scion – is due to get married, she is pleasantly surprised with herself. “I’m actually not stressed,” she tells me over Zoom, dialling in from her living room. She hasn’t been doing all of the stereotypical bride things she thought she would be doing: there has been no “exercising furiously”, no “getting five million beauty treatments”, and she “low-key has spots on her back right now”. None of that matters, because on the last weekend of July, she will marry the love of her life, Preye Crooks.
The 29-year-old met Preye (who is the son of the legendary former Tottenham Hotspurs player, Garth Crooks), through a mutual friend, at the height of lockdown. Mabel’s former housemate, a fellow singer-songwriter, was getting advice from Preye, an A&R executive and music industry player. Mabel started “accidentally” interrupting their virtual meetings to catch a glimpse of her crush. “He was like, ‘I don’t date artists’, and I was like, ‘Well, I don’t date A&Rs.’” The pair finally met in person when Preye came over to the house one evening. They quickly realised they would have to abandon their respective rules, and Mabel finally asked for his number.
The proposal came in November 2024. Preye, with help from Mabel’s management team, lured his intended to the Colnaghi Gallery under the pretext of meeting a journalist for an interview. When her car pulled up to the venue, her manager was nowhere to be seen – just Preye, standing outside. Preye had booked out the entire gallery, arranged a private dinner for the couple, and was about to get down on one knee. Mabel says she knew what was coming. “I was crying, I kept asking, ‘Are you going to propose to me?”, to which Preye replied, “Who said I’m proposing to you?!”
He popped the question after dinner, watched by 70 of the couple’s loved ones who were hiding on a balcony overhead, ready to surprise the happy couple. “It was just perfect,” Mabel recalls, explaining how the proposal turned into an impromptu engagement party, and then a “wild night out” with 20 people in tow.
The bride and groom sought the expertise of Chenai Bukutu, founder of ByChenai Events, to help plan the wedding. The couple knew they wanted it to be in London – it’s where they’re both from, and where most of their loved ones live – and Mabel wanted “iconic venues”. To that end, the couple settled on a rehearsal dinner at Pavyllon, a ceremony at St Stephen Walbrook church, and a lavish reception at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
The weekend of celebrations began with an intimate civil ceremony the Thursday prior, for which Mabel wore a lace Antony Price suit, sourced by Jefferson Ihenacho at One of a Kind Archive on Portobello Road. “I try to avoid that place because it is a trap,” laughs Mabel. “[Jefferson] has too much good stuff!” It was an appointment with Jefferson that led her to her look for the reception, too: a vintage spring/summer 2006 Dolce & Gabbana ivory dress with a pink bow around the waist.
For a rehearsal dinner on Friday night, Mabel enlisted Feben for a custom look: a satin, lace panelled cocktail dress, which she wore with a pair of Jimmy Choos and Alighieri jewellery. For the ceremony itself, the bride fell in love with The Own Studio’s ivory column dress with its “very dramatic train”, which she wore with Manolo Blahnik heels. “I’m wearing Manolos to walk down the aisle because my mom [Neneh Cherry] walked down the aisle in Manolos!”
The weekend as a whole was, fittingly, filled with music. The wedding ceremony was led by Reverend Baxter (“the coolest guy; he wore Dr Martens with his clergy robes”), himself a huge music fan. “It was very us,” says Preye. “Probably my favourite part of the day.”
After the ceremony, 160 guests headed to the V&A for a cocktail reception in the museum’s courtyard, which was followed by dinner in the Dome. Many emotional speeches, several course of delicious food and one outfit change later, the reception – or as Preye dubbed it, “his [DJ] lineup” – got underway.
“We have huge families and a lot of different cultures,” says Mabel, who is Swedish, Scottish and Sierra Leonean. Preye is Jamaican and Nigerian, so “there’s a lot of things to balance!” The diverse mix of cultures blended together in the most special way at the reception, which included a performance from Soul II Soul; DJ sets from Jazzie B, Rachael Anson and Tiffany Calver; and a traditional Nigerian “spraying” ceremony (which sees the bride and groom showered with dollars by family to symbolise their support).
“It was so good,” the bride concludes. “I’ve had people saying, ‘Not only was it the best wedding, it was the best party.’” But then, what else would you expect from one of the UK music industry’s most compelling couples?
“A portrait before the welcome dinner at the Four Seasons Park Lane, with make-up by Hila Karmand, hair by Shamara Roper and styling by Simone Beyene.”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“My beautiful Jimmy Choo bag and Alighieri jewellery.”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“Our escort cards made by our wonderful wedding planner, Chenai Bukutu.”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
Preye wore Burberry and Mabel wore custom Feben. Photo: Dos mas En La Mesa
“Mum!”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“A romantic moment between me and my husband-to-be.”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“My godmother Andi Oliver and my uncle Warren.”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“Menu details.”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“My sister-in-law serving face.”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“A teary moment with mum after my speech.”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“My party dress hanging in the closet! Vintage spring/summer 2006 Dolce & Gabbana from One of a Kind Archive.”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“Dad’s handkerchief.”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“The back of my custom Agent Provocateur robe.”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“Close up of my ceremony jewellery from the wonderful Hassanzadeh Jewellery.”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“Manolo moment!”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“Tears with Shamara.”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“My bridesmaids and I before we started getting dressed.”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“Simone getting me into my wedding dress designed by The Own Studio. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
Hila Karmand, Mabel’s makeup artist said: “I focused on enhancing her natural beauty with a flawless, glowing complexion using makeup from VIEVE and skincare from Space NK, alongside skin prep with Pfeffer Sal facials to get Mabel’s skin in perfect condition. Soft bronzed tones, and subtly defined eyes. The lip was kept sophisticated with a warm nude that compliments her features and bridal elegance.”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
A full look at the dress. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“Mum and dad seeing me in my dress for the first time!”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“My bridesmaids in their stunning Odd Muse dresses.”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“Mabel’s mum, Neneh, was already crying. She’d been crying basically since the rehearsal 24 hours earlier!” says Preye. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“On my way!”. Photo: Dos Mas En la Mesa
“One of my favourite pictures from the day!”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
The church, St Stephen Walbrook, before the ceremony. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“Floral moment by Veevers Carter.”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“A moment for aunty Aniola’s outfit.”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“My mother-in-law looking so incredible.”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“My husband-to-be with my father-in-law.”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Preye
“Getting out of the car.”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
The bridesmaids wore Odd Muse. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“Mabel walked down the aisle very slowly, and I wanted it to be a little bit faster because I wanted to grab her,” Preye said. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“The actual ceremony was perfect.”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
Tying the knot. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“Pure joy after the ceremony.”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“First family portrait.”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
Mabel opted for “simple” and “classic” for her ceremony dress, landing on The Own Studio. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“First glass of Champagne, Moët of course!”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“Design details!”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“My amazing wedding planner – the MVP – Chenai Bukutu, Preye and I.”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“Baroness Valerie Ann Amos looking amazing.”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“My aunty Annika in a look.”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“The V&A being the main character.”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“The Dome, where we had dinner and danced, looking 10/10. No notes.”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“All of our tables were named after our favourite albums and we had to put one of mum’s albums on there.”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“My menu! Gagged at my new name!”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“Looking at the room for the first time.”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“Ladies and gentlemen my father-in-law, Garth Crooks!”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
A private moment during the reception. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“The candles!”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“My second veil custom made by Philip Treacy.”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“Our dessert bar.”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“The floral installation by Veevers Carter had me tearing up.”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
Cutting the cake. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“Right after I stepped into my vintage Dolce look! Paired with my Philip Treacy veil that I never wanted to take off, and of course Hassanzadeh jewels.”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“My goddaughter passed out on a sofa.”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“Cutting our Lily Vanilli cake.”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“Our first dance! We danced to ‘My Love Is Your Love’ by Whitney Houston.”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“Cousin Tam and I. Obsessed with his look.”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“Aunty Jumoké Fashola went all out with this ’fit.”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“Wonderful Amelia Dimoldenberg arriving for our party.”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“I love [wearing] vintage… And I was never going to wear something that I didn’t feel great in.”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“Nadine Caesar and Jazzie B gave us a special Soul II Soul performance of ‘Back To Life’.”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“Mum and Goldie.”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“Me in the middle of our Nigerian spray! Getting showered in love and money haha!”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“Jawara Alleyne and Feben.”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“Victor Kunda and Shaquille Ross-Williams.”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“My nephew Flynn in a hat that he made himself.”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
“The end of the night and at this point Preye had his tank top on!”. Photo: Dos Mas En La Mesa
Originally published on British Vogue