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Our busiest and best year ever for wedding photography was 2015 – part one

By London Wedding PhotographerNo Comments

It’s been ten amazing years for myself and Joanna as London and home counties wedding photographers. We’ve done a fair few destination venues too, from stately homes around the UK, to the wonderful sun kissed Amalfi coast, and St Tropez in the south of France. Looking back over the previous twelve months, in terms of how many weddings we covered and the quality of what we produced, then 2015 was definitely our biggest and best year to date. We have no intentions of resting on our laurels though, for us it is a matter of pride and ambition to continually improve on what we do.

Bush Hill Park Wedding

It was so busy for us at Christmas and in January that it meant that our annual blog review of the year had to be delayed a little more than usual to this February. There’s no point referencing every special day we photographed in 2015 and their corresponding blog posts as that would just be too many. And in truth we don’t blog every wedding we do as we are often just too consumed by photographing and editing on a daily basis as it is. So here are just a few from forty.

Clerkenwell wedding dress in the wind

January brought us wind and rain but that never stopped the fun and photography as you can see from the umbrella shot right at the beginning of the month.

Just days later it was blowing a gale in Islington where we took this Marilyn Monroe like shot that has since been shared widely across the internet, and has also appeared in some magazine and blog articles about contemporary and quirky wedding photography.

See that particular day here: Islington Town Hall Wedding

Engagement couple on the Thames

January and February was also a good time for us to do some engagement shoots with couples who were due to marry later in the year. One of my favourites both for the couple I worked with, and the area to photograph in was this one from London’s waterfront: London Southbank Engagement Shoot

Oh boy, three hundred plus words already and we are still only at the beginning of February! We may have to rethink how long this 2015 review will be. Meanwhile after a lovely wedding this Sunday at Asia house in Central London and Sketch off Regent Street it’s back to image editing duties now.

Next installment coming soon.

By David Green

 

 

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Bride and children at West Lodge Park wedding

West Lodge Park Hotel wedding photography

By London Wedding Photographer, Wedding VenuesNo Comments

Having just booked two weddings for West Lodge Park hotel in Cockfosters in the past week, it got us reminiscing about all the lovely wedding days we have photographed there over the past ten years.

These days though we may just work there once or twice a year, as it seems we are more likely for some reason to get booked for Pembroke Lodge in Richmond! But this Hertfordshire gem just outside the suburb of Cockfosters, is literally just round the corner from where we actually live. In fact it was here that we photographed some of our earliest weddings and built upon our signature styles and approaches.

Barnet wedding photographer header image

I took a look back over various sets of images and was literally bamboozled at the amount and choice we could use in a blog post. To this end we will start with a few favourites and add to them over time, as right now we are already busy with wedding meetings and the real start to our season at the beginning of this February.

London-Barnet-Wedding-Photographer- border

What we really like about West Lodge is the variety of locations available there. You have the distinctive white painted main house and some lovely Georgian interiors to begin with. Then there are the grounds which have a real mixture of mature trees and open spaces, a lake with weeping willows, and one of our favourite areas at the back end of the gardens is the memorial with lovely pillars. The whole place is also famous for it’s variety of plants.

Bride between pillars West Lodge Park wedding day

West Lodge Park is now a four star rated hotel with a rich history. It is thought to have first appear in the 1400s as one of three lodges built to stop poaching and the felling of trees in the Enfield Chase area. By the 1660s the secretary of state to Charles the second was living there. And over the centuries it has been a prestigious country home to many, and by 1924 it had become a high end hotel. Since 1945 to the present day it has been run by the Beale family to fantastic standards of quality and hospitality. Wedding wise there are no less than nine separate rooms or spaces that you can get married in, and we have photographed in them all! There are even provisions for a marquee in the gardens should your wedding party be on the larger side.

Some of the images here show bridal prep times in the various suites available at the hotel. Others feature one our favourite wedding days here with the very famous Kerry laughing in the rain, and then when the downpour subsided having some images taken around the Beale memorial.

Now we mentioned Pembroke Lodge at the beginning of this post because it really does remind us of West Lodge Park, with one or two fundamental differences. Both are famous in their own way, but one is north London and the other south. The advantage that West Lodge has is that it is in private grounds whereas Pembroke is not. Anyway you can read about our seperate experiences there on this previous post on the blog: Pembroke Lodge Weddings

To see more images for West Lodge Park, take look at galleries one two and three either on the menu tab above or instantly here: Wedding Galleries

By David Green

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Engaged couple pose by tree at Alexandra Palace

Another fun engagement shoot at North London’s Alexandra Palace and grounds

By London Wedding Photographer, Wedding VenuesNo Comments

Whenever we do an engagement shoot we are looking to achieve several things. Firstly we want to get to know our future wedding couples a little better. We want to find out what they like, don’t like and generally what “makes them tick.”

Engagement shoot couple stand by Alexandra Palace grafitti wall

Secondly we want to get them used to being photographed and realise how painless in the right hands that actually is! As a natural byproduct of this they will get some great photos of themselves together, without having to hand their smart phone to a stranger to get that shot.

London based couple kiss inside stone circle photo

Lastly we like to have a bit of fun as the title of this post says. A little bit of humour and light heartedness goes a long way to capturing relaxed and spontaneous images.

With Ashley and Paul I photographed this engagement session on my own at Alexandra Palace. I know the area very well, it is where I met Joanna, and also where I had a house just behind the iconic building itself on Dukes Avenue.

Kissing shot under arches of Alexandra Palace

It was quite a bright and windy day so I looked for areas of open shade and some kind of wind shielding to help with the look of the photos. All the time we were watched by a gaggle of local and curious squirrels, not to mention the prowling geese around the boating lake!

London Engagement shoot on the steps of Alexandra Palace

Needless to say we all got on very well and really enjoyed the session together. We took in the lake, trees, playground architecture, graffiti and of course elements of Alexandra Palace itself.

You can read about another recent session I did in Muswell Hill here: Engagement Shoot at London’s Alexandra Palace in Muswell Hill

Faded image of couple kissing by Alexandra Palace lake

After the engagement shoot we were all feeling peckish so we went for a light lunch together by the boating lake. I don’t always go for coffee or food after a pre wedding session, but it just felt right after the fun we had all had together.

Engagement couple smiling at boating lake

A couple of weeks later and Joanna and I travelled to Hampton for Ashley and Paul’s fantastic wedding day which we wrote recently about here on the blog: Hampton Court House Wedding Photographers

Kissing outside Hampton Court House

As a footnote I love to receive emails like the one Ashley and Paul sent to us afterwards which reads as follows:

“Hi David, Lovely to see you today. Both Paul and I left on a high, and feeling that we DEFINITELY have the right photographer for the day :)”

By David Green

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Wedding photo of couple in lobby of Goring Hotel London

Another lovely wedding at the Goring Hotel in London’s Belgravia

By London Wedding Photographer, Wedding VenuesOne Comment

We always look forward to a wedding at the Goring Hotel as we have photographed there many times, sometimes several times a year, and have always had a fantastic experience.

Wedding couple outside The Goring Hotel

Many people know this iconic hotel for the fact that the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton has long been an admirer, and in fact chose to spend the evening there before her Royal wedding to Prince William. We have documented weddings at the Goring before and after this famous event, but were sadly not available on the day!

Bride and groom by railings at London Goring Hotel

Take a quick look at google maps and you can see the description of the hotel says: “high-end hotel with royal warrant.” Every corner of The Goring exudes class, we have never seen such a well run and spotless yet cosy environment. The staff are super friendly and professional, and many have worked there a long time, and it shows in a good way.

Bride down the aisle at Goring Hotel wedding ceremony

Have a read of a previous wedding post here: Goring Hotel Wedding Photographer and here’s another when we tested a new camera from Fuji at the Hotel: Fuji X100 for your London wedding, and wedding? Yes at the Goring Hotel

wedding ceremony image from Goring Hotel ceremony

For this lovely day we were contacted by Hong Kong couple Yickyin and Leo who fell in love with the venue when they saw it. Both now live and work in London, and planned a very intimate ceremony and reception at the hotel which is perfectly suited to such an approach.

Laughter on the sofa downstairs at Goring Hotel wedding photo

As there would only be twelve or so people there, we decided that to be discreet but still get our Big Day Weddings style and approach the special day could be photographed by David alone.

Exchange of rings at Goring Hotel Chinese wedding

We got to know the couple at their engagement shoot with us on a very windy and overcast day at Alexandra Palace, blogged previously here: Engagement Shoot at London’s Alexandra Palace in Muswell Hill There is one of my favourite shots from that day immediately below.

Couple jump in front of London's Alexandra Palace image

Coverage started with the wedding couple arriving together in a customised Mini Cooper, very English. For the short time we had available before the ceremony we took the chance to take some couple shots around the hotel and just outside, with one eye on the impending rain clouds.

Looking at each other in Goring Hotel reception image

The wedding ceremony itself held downstairs in the hotel was intimate, emotional and moving, even for this veteran of ten years. Afterwards I captured some formal family shots the couple wanted, and then general reportage of the drinks and canapés time with some extra guests too who came for the wedding breakfast.

Kissing by the Christmas tree at Goring Hotel

After tossing her bouquet Yickyin sat down with Leo and some family speeches began and a few more tears were shed. Tears of joy I should add! All in all a lovely wedding with a great couple at one of favourite London venues.

Couple play in the garden of Goring Hotel

By David Green

wedding couple pose on the stairs at The Goring Hotel

We are often photographing in Belgravia, here’s another recent example of a big day in the same area: Caledonian Club Wedding in London’s Belgravia

exchange of rings image London

Be sure to check out our galleries on the website too, with many weddings showcased in and around greater London and the home counties.

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Wedding couple by London Hampton wall

Hampton Court House Wedding Photographers

By London Wedding Photographer, Wedding Venues3 Comments

Ashley and Paul were another of those prospective wedding couples who we knew from the very first emails and phone calls that we had a good rappour with. This was confirmed by our first meeting and subsequent engagement shoot, where we all got to know each other better, and had a chance to plan for the big day as Hampton Court House wedding photographers.

First kiss as man and wife Hampton Court House wedding

The morning began with Ashley’s bridal prep at the Carlton Mitre hotel Hampton Court. Nicely this was a short skip and a jump from Hampton Court House the venue for the wedding ceremony and reception, and just across the road from Henry the eight’s famous palace. I used this fact a as personal workout as I started with Ashley and her bridesmaids, parents and make ups artists and then jogged to the reception venue to capture some moments with Paul and his groomsmen and guests arriving. I then jogged back for a little more of the bridal party and some final shots before the wedding car spirited Ashley away. Joanna inherently smarter than myself just drove straight to Hampton Court and captured shots of the venue and all the action I would miss. That’s one of the benefits of having two London wedding photographers!

Bridal preparation at Hampton Court wedding day photo

Wedding party having fun collage picture

We think Ashley and Paul made a great choice with Hampton Court House, the team there are so friendly and efficient and perfectly complement the inherent quality of the venue. Built in 1757 this is one of England’s finest Georgian Mansions of its type and backs directly on to Bushy Park. It has had a few famous owners but the one that stuck out to us as tea lovers were the Twinings family.

Hampton Court house wedding ceremony congregation shot

Bride greets groom at Hampton Court wedding ceremony

The ceremony was a lovely affair in the grand hall and was literally packed to the balcony with standing room only – popular guys!

Kissing outside Hampton Court House

After tying the knot it was out into the grand entrance to walk through bubbles as an alternative to the traditional confetti throw.

Wedding couple happy at Hampton Court London

Ashley and Paul wanted to try and gets some shots in front of nearby Hampton Court itself but sadly on this day security weren’t as understanding as usual. Never mind we made use of a nearby red phone box and old wall instead, plus a couple of locations beside the wedding venue too.

Couple laugh during London wedding

The wedding breakfast itself was held in the Ballroom with drinks served in the conservatory. Fantastic food and speeches followed with a high point being the guests singing The Twelve Days of Christmas table by table. This carol was actually published in 1780 and is thought to be French in origin. Bet you didn’t know that!

Phone box kissing shot outside Hampton Court Palace

As there was a large Irish presence on the day we were treated to some Irish song and dance, and all day long a great atmosphere, which was no surprise really considering the characters of Ashley and Paul.

Bride and groom outside Hampton Court House

Hampton Court House wedding photographers main signature image

It is always a pleasure for us to photograph weddings in this part of London, and a similar nearby venue is Pembroke Lodge in Richmond Park which you can read about in the blog here: Pembroke Lodge Weddings

Laughter at Hampton Court wedding black and white image

The couple received over 1200 edited wedding images, so as usual in our blog posts we were spoilt for choice and rather than bore people looking quickly through posts, we have just put in some of our favourites and left out the many guest and detail shots that are always included in our coverage.

Bride in front of four poster bed Hampton Court wedding shot

By David Green

Here’s the house’s official website: Hampton Court House

 

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