London venues and events Archives

Cambridge Wedding Day, VW Beetle Themed at The Graduate Hotel

By Big Day WeddingsBarnet Wedding Photographers, London venues and events, London Wedding Photographers, Wedding VenuesNo Comments

I travel a lot for weddings particularly around the south of England, and I always look forward to a Cambridge wedding day.

The drive into the centre is interesting, historic and picturesque, so much so that I have to remind myself sometimes that I’m actually driving and to pay attention to the roads! This lovely but rainy day did actually have a driving theme, because the wedding couple Alex and Jack travelled the world together in their VW Camper van, and it was definitely one of the stars of their special day. Very romantic.

Cambridge Wedding first look at The Graduate Hotel

Bride and groom in front of VW Camper Van

The last two years I’ve captured 50 wedding each year (my absolute limit by the way!) For that reason I don’t blog and post as frequently as perhaps I should. It also means I don’t write about every single wedding and opinion I have (lol). I also make some of these posts quite short text and image wise. If anyone would like to see this particular Cambridge Wedding day or any other for that matter, just let me know and I will send you links.

Bridesmaids messing around by River Thames wedding

Ok, onwards and upwards. My coverage started at the lovely Graduate by Hilton Hotel situated right in the historic heart of Cambridge and backing on to the river. Very nice! It was certainly a day of two halves, firstly very wet, second nice and dry. That meant Alex arrived in the rain, but as you can see as she enters the wedding ceremony room and has her first sight of Jack and all their friends and family waiting, could not dampen in the least the joy of the moment.

Such a funny and heart warming ceremony followed. The drinks reception was mainly inside, but we did get a lucky break in the rain to do some couple and family shots with the river in the background.

Bride by DNA sculpture Cambridge wedding

After that, and a short drive away, it was time for a marquee reception in the Cambridgeshire countryside. I did some VW Campervan couple and family shots, confetti throw between the trees, and general reportage. An interesting, individual, and super wedding day, in and around Cambridge.

Bride and groom laughing together by VW Camper Van

Confetti throw VW camper Cambridge wedding

Here’s a link to The Graduate by Hilton in Cambridge: The Graduate

You can see more VW themed weddings in the onsite One to Four Galleries here: GALLERIES

By David Green

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Islington Town Hall Wedding Day & Never For Ever Highgate Reception

By Big Day WeddingsBarnet Wedding Photographers, London venues and events, London Wedding Photographers, Wedding VenuesNo Comments

I was back in my old home and stomping ground for Zoe and Matt’s Islington Town Hall wedding day recently, and what a day it was!

Bridal prep before Islington Town Hall wedding

Bride in mirror Islington wedding morning prep image

Islington is one of my most frequent wedding destinations, and it is a place so vibrant and alive that for me it is impossible to ever tire of it:-)

Entrance of the bride Islington Town Hall Wedding ceremony

Exchange of rings Islington Town Hall wedding ceremony

First kiss at Islington Town Hall wedding ceremony

It’s also my old home, where two of my children were born, and the place I was married myself 🙂

Bride and groom together at Islington Town Hall

Bride and groom walking down Islington Town Hall corridor

This big day started for me in Archway with Zoe and her bridesmaids prep in a local Airbnb. Once I had enough coverage of that I moved on to nearby Highgate to visit the Reception venue: Never For Ever. This is where Matt was meeting his groomsmen and doing a final check over before leaving for the ceremony.

Bride and groom hold hands by Islington Town Hall window

Wedding Confetti throw outside Islington Town Hall

We travelled together to Upper Street and our next destination was of course the ever iconic: Islington Town Hall. This was a meet and great the wedding guests time, before going into the best ceremony space in the building which is The Council Chamber itself.

Islington wedding couple holding hands by blue wall Upper Street

For me this stage of the day is a balancing act of time with the groom, guests, and then bride’s arrival and final pre ceremony moments. I love that kind of busy but pleasurable pressure!

Islington wedding couple pose by street sign Upper Street

Super ceremony with excellent Islington registrars followed, and then I had the usual allocated 10 minutes to do some couple shots around the Town Hall, before coming out to do a confetti throw with all the guests. The vibe from Zoe and Matt and all their fantastic friends and family was just great.

Wedding couple in front of Islington Fire Station

I spent another 20 minutes or so with bride and groom around Upper Street and surrounding area getting some couple shots and generally having a dam good time with them!

Bride and groom outside old Islington pub image

Reception was as mentioned at Never For Ever in Highgate, really good urban restaurant and bar venue that does a mean wood fired pizza.

Downstairs is also a bar stroke night club and that’s where we had the first dance and a pretty joyous party time!

First dance after Islington wedding at Never For Ever

Congrats Zoe and Matt!

I delivered 1200 edited images to these guys, so if you would like to see this or any of the many Islington Town Hall Wedding Days I’ve done, just ask. David

Here’s some blog links to other Islington wedding days:

Islington Wedding Photographer Lived There Married There Loves There

Screen on the Green Cinema Wedding Islington, Reception at The Juno Rooms

Another great Islington Town Hall Wedding

Islington Town Hall Wedding Photographers, reception at Dead Dolls House

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Hall Place Wedding Photographer

By Big Day WeddingsBarnet Wedding Photographers, London venues and events, London Wedding Photographers, Wedding VenuesNo Comments

I (David) really enjoyed my role as a Hall Place wedding photographer on 31st October, which of course as half the planet knows is Halloween.

Hall Place wedding ceremony bride and groom

It seems every year I get booked for a Halloween wedding, and invariably it is also a spookily themed celebration of love too.

I’ve just won the Wedissimo Wedding Awards for 2025, and one of the images that contributed to that as top Award for Wedding Fashion was the one from Hall Place shown below. Backstory to follow:

Alternative London wedding couple with owls Hall Place image Wedissimo Winner

I was delighted to be chosen for the marriage of L & J at Hall Place in the London Borough of Bexley as I love a bit of history. These two choses a grade 1 listed stately home which was originally constructed in 1537 by rich merchant Sir John Champneys, who was also Lord Mayor of London. It’s been added to and expanded over the centuries, and is a mixture of gothic splendour and beautiful classic English architecture and gardens.

Bride and groom head to head Hall Place wedding

It’s gothic elements really resonated with L and J, who I would loosely describe as an alternative wedding couple, lovely people too. I have to say as well very friendly and helpful staff work at Hall Place on wedding days too which is always very helpful.

Gothic wedding couple at Hall Place by iron gate

L was eight months pregnant, which I think she handled really well, and her bump was also a star of this show. The fairly intimate ceremony with about 25 friends and family was held in the Tudor Kitchen, a suitably gothic space.

Alternative wedding couple with owls outside Hall Place Dartford

After a heartfelt exchange of vows and well conducted ceremony (amid a fair amount of pumpkins and skulls!), they had a drinks reception out in the ancient courtyard.

Alternative London wedding couple with owls Hall Place Gardens

We used this time to wander through the grounds and have some couple portraits. We also me up with Jambs Owl Experience (see them here: Jambs Owls Experience at Hall Place and Gardens, who gave two beautiful owls for L and J to meet and also incorporate into their pics as they both love this breed of bird. Plus they have kind of slightly scary piecing eyes…right?

This was a shorter day for me, so after going back to the drinks reception and doing their family photo requests and a bunch of candids, I got on my broom and flew back off into the London night!

For a little more info on my image win from this Hall Place Wedding day and the Wedissimo Wedding Awards in general, take a look at the link below:

Winner of the Wedissimo Wedding Awards 2025! David Green – Big Day Weddings

And here’s my Google review received after the wedding:

Google review Hall Place Wedding Photographer

Text says: “Had such an amazing experience with David from day number 1. We both knew he would be perfect for our alternative wedding and understanding our vision. He was always willing to listen and took into account everything we asked for while adding some amazing ideas to it!
On the day he made both of us feel super comfortable (both me and my husband are introverts) but on the day we completely forgot our worries.
I would strongly recommend David without a doubt!”

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Winner of the Wedissimo Wedding Awards 2025! David Green – Big Day Weddings

By Big Day WeddingsBarnet Wedding Photographers, London venues and events, London Wedding Photographer, London Wedding Photographers, Wedding VenuesNo Comments

I was beyond delighted to find out recently that I had won the Wedissimo Wedding Awards for 2025. Finalists were decided initially by a public vote, which in numbers I came top of, such a great feeling. Then, in the final itself the submissions were judged by Royal Photographer Millie Pilkington.

Millie based in her Dorset portrait studio is a well known and respected UK photographer to press and public, not least for her photos of William and Kate’s Royal Wedding. Also now known as the Prince and Princess of Wales of course 🙂

Wedissimo itself is the largest and fastest growing wedding directory of its kind in the UK, and is very similar to Airbnb in the way it works. I’m happy to say that I’ve been their busiest and allegedly most popular photographer too, which I regard as a real privilege. I’m grateful to all those couples who wrote me some stellar reviews too. I take nothing for granted!

I’m going to share some other images from the two wedding winners, for context of these particular couple’s special days, and also Millie’s published comments on them both. I’m also before that going to show my other entries that topped or were thereabouts in the public vote.

Here’s what Millie had to say about each of these winning images:

First the featured image shot at Hall Place of L & J’s Halloween wedding with owls! L was 8 months pregnant too! I choose this old textured backdrop very carefully, and here’s the original post: Hall Place Wedding Photographer

Millie Pilkington: “This portrait is a vibrant celebration of individuality and style. The rich colours—the deep purples and blacks of their outfits—contrast beautifully with the earthy tones of the rustic wooden door and brick backdrop, creating a visually striking scene. The owls add an unexpected, whimsical touch, elevating the image beyond a standard portrait to something truly unique. The couple’s gaze at one another feels genuine, adding warmth to an otherwise edgy and fashion-forward composition. Textures are key here: the rough wood, weathered bricks, and sleek fabrics create depth and dimension. It’s bold, quirky, and unapologetically confident—a standout entry that commands attention.”

Chelsea Old Town Hall Wedding couple stand by Mexican skulls Kings Road Wedissimo winner

Second is N & D after their wedding ceremony at Chelsea Old Town Hall. Here’s the original blog post about it:

Chelsea Old Town Hall Wedding with David

Millie Pilkington says, “This image is wonderfully eccentric—a testament to the creativity and boldness of both the photographer and the couple. The composition is meticulously balanced, ensuring every element contributes to the story without overwhelming the frame. The bride and groom’s poses and expressions strike the perfect balance between humour and elegance, fully embracing the surreal nature of the shot. The technical execution is flawless, with an excellent use of light and framing to highlight their presence while allowing the bizarre context to shine. It’s an image that’s both intriguing and entertaining—a standout piece that celebrates individuality and artistry in equal measure.”

I walked past this display outside a Mexican restaurant on my way to the ceremony, and I thought how striking, different and memorable it could be for the couple if they were into it. They, like L& J were going to get all the usual candid and documentary images I always capture, but if I think there’s something that a couple would feel comfortable with, and it would leave them with something unforgettable (in a good way!) then I will do whatever it takes to achieve that.

Sometimes that can work against me, in the sense that couples looking for their perfect wedding photographer may think my galleries are too alternative or quirky, but truly these are just a fraction of what my brides and grooms receive. And if you would like to see an entire wedding or three, please just ask. Alternatively, read my many Google reviews to find out not just what people think, but also the way I work and what those wonderful couples receive from me here:

GOOGLE REVIEWS

Here’s my other images publicly voted into the final:

Bridal party walking through Shoreditch wedding streets

Clapton Country Club wedding day two brides laugh image

VW Campervan Wedding bridal image Beaumont Hall St Albans

First dance for bride and groom Trinity Buoy Wharf Wedding 2

Blenheim Palace wedding photographer image

Bride and groom messing around at Shoreditch wedding by graffiti

Stoke Newington town hall wedding ceremony kiss

wedding couple first dance confetti cannon photo watermarked

Bridesmaids sit on tank again at London Islington wedding day image

Ultimate London Eye wedding photographers photo

Wedding party with smoke bombs at Essendon Country Club

Chelsea Old Town Hall Wedding couple by pink doors

Wotton House wedding bride strikes a pose

Clissold House Wedding bride and groom below stairs image

Barnet-wedding-photographer-bride-and-groom-in-field-Beaumont-Hall-St-Albans

Clapton Country Club wedding ceremony black and white image

HALL PLACE WEDDING

Here’s some other shots from L and J’s alternative wedding at the beautiful Hall Place and Gardens:

Hall Place wedding ceremony bride and groom Alternative London wedding couple with owls Hall Place Gardens Bride and groom head to head Hall Place wedding Alternative wedding couple with owls outside Hall Place Dartford Gothic wedding couple at Hall Place by iron gate Alternative wedding Hall Place with owls

Hall Place wedding testimonial email Big Day Weddings

By David Green

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Wotton House Wedding Photographer

By Big Day WeddingsBarnet Wedding Photographers, London venues and events, London Wedding Photographer, Wedding VenuesNo Comments

In a year where I, David, have captured just under sixty weddings, my busiest ever year by the way, I’ve have absolutely loved being a Wotton House wedding photographer too. I did just the one wedding there in twelve months of great variety, but what a lovely day it was, with a really fantastic couple Katya and Matty. More of that later…

Bridal prep at Wotton House wedding in black and white

Bride make up Wotton House wedding

Smiling groom during prep Wotton House wedding day

Bride holds mannequin at Wotton House wedding

The other great side of doing a wedding at Wotton House is the really brilliant staff, from those that are there full time, to suppliers that come in for particular events i.e. toastmasters, videographers and of course photographers like me… 😉

Groom mirror prep Wotton House wedding

Wotton House Wedding bridal prep

Bride and makeup artists Wotton House Wedding

Smiling bride at Wotton House wedding

Bride looks in mirror Wotton House wedding morning

HISTORY OF WOTTON HOUSE

Here’s a quick little bit of history of Wotton House, basically because I find that interesting, and I really like knowing the back story of the venues I work in. There has been a dwelling on the site since the 12th century, but the fabulous building we see today originates from 1704 and was built by Richard Grenville. For history nerds like myself you can read all about it on Wikipedia here: Wotton House – Wikipedia

Broom and best man waiting for bride at Wotton House wedding

Pensive groom waits for bride Wotton House wedding ceremony

Bride's arrival Wotton House wedding ceremony

Bride father and groom at Wotton House wedding ceremony

From the moment I met Katya and Matty on Zoom I knew we were going to have a great day at Wotton, and we certainly did! Relaxed, fun loving, open minded and creative is just a few of the words I would use to describe this lovely couple.

Wotton House wedding ceremony long shot

Wotton House wedding exchange of rings

On the day I arrived early, as I usually do, to look around and scout where the best light was for various parts of their photographic story. It doesn’t matter how often you shoot at a venue, it changes for what is possible depending on weather and direction of the light.

Indoor confetti throw at Wotton House wedding ceremony

Wotton confetti throw after ceremony image

PREP ON THE DAY

Katya was getting ready in a lovely wood paneled space, while Matty got prepared with the boys in the bridal suite. This is a great time for shots but also to get a feel for the personalities and mood of the groomsmen and bridesmaids too. Katya had a bespoke handmade wedding dress by Worme (link here: Full Collection — WORME) and it was great that both the designers of the piece were there to assist as well. Super job too by Amanda White makeup during that prep @amandawhitemakeup

Wedding couple walk in grounds of Wotton House

Wedding couple walk in grounds of Wotton House 2

Bride and groom walk through grounds together Wotton House

Bride and groom dance in grounds of Wotton House

CEREMONY

The ceremony took place in The Old Library, a stunning vaulted space that really adds to the specialness of a Wotton House Wedding ceremony. After a heartfelt and humorous exchange of rings and vows the bride and groom left the room with their recessional to indoor confetti and applause.

Bride and groom between pillars Wotton House wedding

Wotton House bride and groom hug in grounds

Bride and groom smile by statue Wotton House

Bride and groom smiling in grounds of Wotton House

Bride and groom by fountain at Wotton House Wedding

Happy wedding couple outside at Wotton House

Drinks reception at Wotton House wedding

RECEPTION

I was happy for them that the weather was rather glorious for the drinks reception in the Italian Gardens, and I took this time to do some quick couple portraits. Usually I try and average a time for this of about twenty minutes, with the couples agreement of course, because that gives them a chance to socialize themselves and also schedule and group shots they may have chosen. When I say quick, I mean working fast myself using all my fifteen plus years wedding photography experience and technique to get great shots and keep my couples relaxed, energized and happy. I never ask anyone to smile or do anything weird! We just naturally have a good time and that is always reflected in the end product. We didn’t visit the Grotto part of Wotton because the couple wanted to socialize during the reception too. Quite right!

Bridal party group shot at Wotton House wedding day

Bridal party group shot at Wotton House wedding day 2

A special mention here for Tim Lewis the Toastmaster who works regularly at Wotton House weddings, he’s a cut above the average and I can see why he is a busy man 🙂 @isleofwight_toastmaster

Wotton House Wedding Reception Collage

PARTY TIME!

Wedding breakfast, hilarious and heartfelt speeches and cutting of the cake all followed in what turned into an unforgettable evening.

Wotton House Wedding Reception Speeches Collage

Highlight for me was the couple’s first dance to John Travolta and Olivia Newton John’s song “Your the one that I want” from the iconic film ‘Grease.’ Great routine and moves from Katya and Matty really got the party stated in epic form.

Wotton House Wedding Reception Party Collage

I also managed to pull the couple away for five minutes for a couple of night shots outside and also Katya back into the Old Library where I used some creative triggered flash to get a few atmospheric shots, which once again took no longer than five minutes of so.

Bride and groom kiss at night after wedding between pillars Wotton House

Wotton House wedding bride strikes a pose

Once again a super day for all as a Wotton House Wedding Photographer!

GOOGLE REVIEW

I delivered over 1200 edited images to the couple, and here’s what they had to say in their Google review afterwards:

Google review for Big Day Weddings at Wotton House

And here’s the text:

“HIRE THIS PHOTOGRAPHER FOR YOUR WEDDING!!! David was our wedding photographer and he was absolutely fabulous! Super professional, there was great communication leading up to the event and we felt so taken care of and reassured. David arrived early on the day to scout out the venue and capture all the decorations, and then when the wedding began he was so upbeat, he knew exactly how to make different groups of guests relax and smile/laugh for the photos and he seemed to somehow be everywhere all at once! We have been sent over a thousand stunning photos with each of our guests captured and it’s such an incredible gift! We are spoilt for choice! Seriously, I couldn’t recommend David enough as a wedding photographer. Look no further!”

LINKS

You can see lots of country estate and home counties weddings on our four galleries here:

Wedding Galleries One

Wedding Galleries 2

Wedding Galleries 3

Wedding Galleries 4

By David Green

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