Relaxed Informal Wedding Day in Shoreditch
“We hired Kevin for our wedding this year in May. He was so easy to work with in the run up to the wedding, with clear communication and quick replies. On the day it was a pleasure to have him with me, my family and friends as we were getting ready. The photos he took captured our day perfectly and we loved every single one! We can’t stop looking at them. I highly recommend Kevin, for his professionalism, calming personality and absolutely fantastic photography skills. 5* thanks again!”
I shoot quite a lot of weddings in London every year and last year was no different. It’s a location I always love going to because it throws up so many alternative and urban wedding photography locations. Plus I just like the London vibe, the hustle and bustle! My family who live in Berkshire are not too far away either so it’s an opportunity to drop in for dinner!
Sarah and Daniel were a dream to work with from start to finish. They were laid back and knew exactly the kind of wedding photography they were looking for. Nothing stuffy and formal just super relaxed, informal, documentary shots that capture the day as it naturally falls into place. This is just what I do so I couldn’t wait to start!
All smiles as Sarah looks through a picture album gift from her bridesmaids in her Stoke Newington apartment.
Sarahs Mum giving an impromptu fashion show which went down a storm!
Sarahs bridal prep was at her apartment in North London. I was immediately made to feel welcome by her bridesmaids and parents who insisted I have a cup of tea before I start work! I always make sure I photograph the small details throughout the day and that includes things like someone making tea, breakfast, all the things that go into making the day real. Again, it’s documentary wedding photography which is capturing people being themselves.
The dress is on and Sarah is looking amazing!
Something I often hear in the morning is “where has the time gone?” It’s true, the time soon disappears and before you know it the nervous excitement in the air has ramped up! We were soon heading down the stairs and jumping in the waiting cabs. I remember the day being super sunny with harsh shadows in certain areas so the challenge was maintaining good exposure. I shoot in manual mode so it’s something I have full control over and can change my settings in an instant.
The first kiss in the light and modern ceremony room at Museum of the Home.
Sarah and Dan are all smiles during the confetti throwing
The ceremony was held at Museum of the Home, formerly the Geffrye Museum. The museum is an 18th-century Grade I-listed former almshouses on Kingsland Road in Shoreditch, London. The ceremony room was lovely and light which created nice even lighting throughout. As much as church weddings are brilliant and atmospheric the lighting is never normally the best so this modern light, airy ceremony room was great. Drinks were had outside in front of the magnificent building where we also spent a few minutes taking some fun, relaxed couple shots. Thankfully Sarah and Dan didn’t want many group photographs and instead wanted to spend the time with their friends and family.
Wedding guests have a laugh on a red London bus taking them to the wedding reception.
Bride and groom arrive at The Londesborough pub in Stoke Newington for the wedding reception.
After jumping on a waiting red London bus, the party headed for The Londesborough Pub and Kitchen in Stoke Newington where the wedding reception was to be held. This pub was amazing, I loved capturing all of the fun and laughter during speeches as there were so many expressive faces! As you can see from the pictures in the blog it was decorated brilliantly so I made sure this was captured on camera.
Taking a stroll around the Stoke Newington streets
First dance at the Londesborough Pub in Stoke Newington
We nipped out before the sun set for a few more couple shots around the streets to make best use of the area before heading back inside for the evening shenanigans! For many reasons it was definitely one of the weddings of the year for me!
All the best to Sarah & Dan!
Keep scrolling down to view the in depth gallery!
London to Cliveden House Wedding Day
“We LOVE the photos and slideshow, thank you so much!!”
It was a pleasure photographing Abigail and Henry on their special day last year. Having found me online and after just a couple of emails I was booked and already looking forward to what would be a brilliant occasion. The wedding day would be split between London and Maidenhead as each location had a very special meaning to Abigail and Henry.
The day started nice and early at Cliveden House. It’s a luxury hotel in Maidenhead and would later that day be the location for the evening meal and celebrations. I parked up and got a taxi to The Bridge Hotel in London where Abigail was with her besties for bridal prep. As a photographer having a clear travel plan of how to get to the various locations on a wedding day is so important. Thankfully between the bride and groom and myself we figured out the logistics perfectly.
Abigail is all smiles during bridal prep at The Bride in London.
Abigail and her brother in the cab on the way to the church.
I stayed with Abigail for the duration of bridal prep and hopped in the taxi with her and her brother to St Marys Church in Barnes where her dashing groom Henry would be ready and waiting for the wedding ceremony. St Marys is a lovely big church with plenty of room for myself as a photographer to capture all the good stuff! :-)
It was time for the confetti shot and boy did the happy get confettied, is that even a word! There was enough confetti for three weddings, you’ve got to love it when the whole basket gets emptied!
Take that!! Everyone loves confetti!
Instead of everyone driving to the pub reception the bride and groom took some time out to walk to the The Watermans Arms, on the bank of the River Thames in Barnes. I love it when this happens as so many picture opportunities present themselves and you never know what will happen. We came across cars hooting their horns, children looking on in awe at the beautiful wedding dress, shop keepers wishing them good luck! All of the locations Abigail and Henry passed meant something to them which adds emphasis to the photography and capturing the moments.
Walking through the streets of Barnes to the reception.
Abigail and Henry wave a shop keeper in Barnes, London.
After the cutting of the cake with a gigantic military sword :-) and eating some delicious fish and chips it was time to jump in a cab and shout “ follow that car” as we headed off to Cliveden House. The bride and groom really wanted some photographs taken before the guests arrived and despite my driver taking the wrong turn (much to my frustration) we made it! Cliveden House is a beautiful and majestic luxury venue set in Maidenhead. Built in 1666 by the 2nd Duke of Buckingham as a gift to his mistress, it is now an exclusive 5 star hotel.
Bride and groom at Cliveden House, Maidenhead
The room where the wedding reception took place was incredible with gold plated ceilings lined with art and features. As more guests entered the room it became standing room only for the speeches. The day finished downstairs where the dancing shenanigans took place. It was a brilliant wedding day and almost felt like two weddings in one!
Congratulations to Abigail and Henry!
To view the gallery highlights please keep scrolling and If you would like to chat about your upcoming wedding please click here!
London Wedding at Old Marylebone Town Hall and The Swan Shakespeares Globe
“ Thank you very much for being with us, and for doing such an incredible job on our Wedding day. Your shots were stunning, really captured the day well, and now exist as the profile picture of a good number of our friends (which I can only assume is the highest possible accolade). “
- Yu Kyung & Chris -
I photographed Yu Kyung and Chris on their pre wedding shoot a month or so before their wedding day last summer. ( I’ll produce a blog post of the shoot in the next few days ) After feeling slightly apprehensive about the shoot they soon relaxed into it and we captured some awesome shots together. I couldn’t wait for their big day as I always love shooting in London.
When the big day arrived I met up with Yu Kyung in her bridal suite at the always impressive Park Lane Hotel next to Hyde Park corner in London. I love photographing bridal prep as you never really know what you’re walking into. Every bride is different, some have lots of bridesmaids with them, music pumping while others have their best mate and no music. Each situation presents a different challenge. Yu Kyung had her best friend/ bridesmaid with her as well as her mum and dad. The atmosphere was so peaceful and relaxed as I made my way around the room looking for great angles, details and emotion.
After hopping in a black cab together we made our way to Old Marleybone Town Hall for the ceremony. It was my first time at the town hall and it immediately struck me as being an awesome building, so many picture opportunities if you had the time. After the ceremony I captured the confetti shots on the steps outside as well as a few groups and portraits. We then boarded an iconic London red double decker bus to take us all to Swan at Shakespeares Globe Theatre on the Southbank. One of the great challenges of being a professional wedding photographer is your juggling skills. Trying to carry a bag and two cameras whilst capturing spontaneous moments on a moving bus without breaking anything is always a challenge I look forward to :-)
The Swan is a lovely restaurant to hold your wedding reception. Situated on the Southbank with incredible views of the London skyline including the majestic St Pauls Cathedral, you couldn’t wish for a more romantic place. Yu Kyung and Chris really wanted documentary style wedding photography and weren’t interested in anything too staged, formal or cliché. This suited me perfectly as I’m all about natural wedding photography. Letting the day unfold organically without a photographer jumping in and stage managing your wedding day is my idea of how a wedding should be. I mean who wants to think back to their big day and all they can remember is the photographer shouting orders or taking over!
We managed to nip out along the Southbank for some evening portraits, taking in great backdrops such as the Millennium bridge and St Pauls Cathedral before we made our way back for the evening party.
I loved being in the company of this awesome wedding couple as well as their super friendly guests. They were so easy to deal with from the first email to supplying the wedding album and much to my amazement gave me a little gift as I was leaving!
Best of luck for the future Yu Kyung and Chris!
Donna & Vikesh - Colourful Indian Wedding at Merchant Taylors Hall, London
This summer I was lucky enough to photograph the awesome Indian wedding celebrations between Donna & Vikesh at the impressive Merchant Taylors Hall in the centre of London. After shooting Vikesh and his groomsmen get ready at The Grange hotel overlooking St Paul's cathedral the rest of the day was spent at Merchant Taylors Hall. A wedding day full of colour, love and laughter providing so many great picture opportunities and memories!! Congratulations to Donna & Vikesh!!
