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London Gherkin wedding kiss black and white image

Gherkin Wedding Photographer

By London Wedding Photographer, Wedding Venues3 Comments

Nicola and Ankush’s London Gherkin Wedding and celebration

To be a Gherkin wedding photographer we think you probably need something of a head for heights. Reason being that if you really want to get those shots of the vows and grand entrance, you are going to have to stand behind the safety barrier and take in those wonderful views behind you and the sheer drop below to 30 St Mary Axe and central London street level! Joanna took another wider vantage point toward the back of the room as you can see from the black and white kissing shot. One of the many benefits of having two photographers, literally for the outlay of one.

London_Gherkin_wedding_photographer

Our brief was to start half an hour before the civil ceremony on floor thirty nine of the Gherkin. Security took quite some time to give us clearance but we were of course there in good time to document Nicky’s finishing touches, and Kush’s meet and greet. After a lovely ceremony myself and Joanna spent time with the newlyweds on the top floor taking photos of themselves and family. Despite the pounding rain and failing light we were all very pleased with the shots, and we used all our experience to get the best possible images as we always do.

Traditional London Indian wedding

A traditional Indian gift giving ceremony then ensued followed by two sets of speeches. Food was brought out in a seemingly endless procession by the fantastic catering team. Dancing and music was courtesy of Rajj Ke Desi DJ and singer Pargan Bhandal, find out about them here: Rajj Desi

Indian wedding at the Gherkin

We have enjoyed watching the rise of the London Gherkin building as it has become known, ever since construction began in 2001. Finished by 2003, it officially opened in 2004 at 30 St Mary Axe. It was built on the site of the old Baltic Exchange and was designed by architects Foster and Partners, the firm of well known designer Norman Foster. It stands an impressive 180 metres tall and is spread across forty one floors. The event space on the top tiers is handled by the excellent Searcys: Searcys The Gherkin who incidentally also look after the St Pancras Grand where we have photographed another wedding recently. See our related blog post here: London St Pancras Wedding

By David Green

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wedding by Smithfield market image

Smithfield Wedding Photographer

By London Wedding Photographer, Wedding Venues2 Comments

Smithfield wedding photographer

At our first meeting when Vicki and James told us they were getting married in Smithfield we were excited for them and for us too, as it has been a favourite area for Joanna and myself to wander round and discover for years on a day off, usually ending with lunch at the Barbican. As a Smithfield wedding photographer, if you know the area, you will be aware of its rich and varied history, and not always a pleasant one at that!

wedding couple in Smithfield London

Although this early afternoon wedding was full of love and laughter, the area used to be along with Tyburn (near Marble Arch) the main area for public executions in days gone by! Among many famous people William Wallace met his end here, dramatised of course by the film Braveheart. On to lighter matters, for Vicki and James their day began and finished at the Andaz Hotel by Liverpool Street Station. More of that another day another blog post…

St Barts wedding photo London

Joanna took a Routemaster bus to Smithfield with the groom and all the guests, while I (David) stayed with Vicki and the bridesmaids for the final preparations and then caught a cab to the wedding venue. The ceremony itself was held in the incredible and atmospheric Priory Church of St Bartholomew the Great, also known as Great St Barts. It is one of the oldest practicing churches in England and the setting for the fourth wedding in the Hugh Grant and co film “Four Weddings and a Funeral.”

London routemaster wedding bus at Smithfield market

After the service and some requested formal/informal family photos the guests re boarded the Routemaster bus back to the Andaz, while we went for a short walk about with the newlyweds. Of course Smithfield is best known for its market through the centuries, and the present building and starting point for us was the Sir Horace Jones designed buildings of 1868. The rest of our time was spent walking, talking, photographing and laughing through the surrounding streets before we all got a cab together back to Liverpool Street.

St Bartholomew the great wedding Smithfield

Take a look at our related post for Devonshire Terrace here: Devonshire Terrace Wedding Photographer as it’s only moments away from the Andaz at Liverpool Street. If you fancy having a wedding ceremony to remember then check out the official website for the Priory Church of St Bartholomew the Great, i.e Great St Barts here: Great St Barts

Laughter at Great St Barts wedding

By David Green

 

Just got htis email through from Vicki and James: “Hi David and Joanna, the photos look amazing. Brought back all the emotion of the day, it was such a perfect day for both of us. It’s going to be hard to pick our favourites for the album.”

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London Gherkin wedding photographer

On top of the world – Gherkin Wedding

By London Wedding Photographer, Wedding VenuesNo Comments

Just a quick mini post as we sit here editing Nikki and Kush’s spectacular London Gherkin wedding. It’s Saturday night, we should be out somewhere as it’s the first free one we have had in so long where we are not actually photographing a wedding in or around the London and Home counties areas! But it’s cosy here in the studio, and that Californian red wine sure is nice…That shot was taken by David, with Joanna holding and focusing a fresnel lens spotlight on the couple for extra drama, one of many variations. Blog post coming, back to the editing, we can go out for dinner in the week…

🙂 by David Green

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Sopwell House wedding in the rain 2

Sopwell House Wedding Photographer

By London Wedding Photographer, Wedding VenuesNo Comments

While it is great to have variety as a wedding photographer in terms of venues and types of ceremony, it sometimes means that familiar venues are overlooked when it comes to writing blog posts. As a frequent Sopwell House wedding photographer this treasure of St Albans is exactly one of those places in question. From Jewish Sopwell House weddings to Hindu and civil celebrations we have photographed them all.

Confetti canon explodes at Sopwell House wedding reception

I’ve put some of our favourites in here, and also not the typical Sopwell House wedding photos that photographers usually showcase such as the couple on the red bridge or with a wedding car in front of the house itself. Yes we do those too and nothing wrong with them, but the internet is already full of them! Ok well just one, Sara the bride just before her ceremony and the first spots of rain from an impending massive cloud burst. Another Sarah this time with an “h” and another Sopwell House Jewish wedding as she looks out of the bridal suite window at the guests arriving.

Bridesmaids at Sopwell House wedding pillow fight image

A bit of fun in the shot above as the bridesmaids have an impromptu pillow fight, which helps to get rid of a bit of pre wedding nervous energy!

Kiss at Jewish wedding Sopwell House

We like this little corner of Sopwell for wedding shots because it doesn’t get used very often. It is always our approach to consider all parts of a venue not just the obvious and most convenient. We also look at how and where natural light and shade falls on the day of wedding, which may be quite different from a location scout from another day, especially if it was overcast.

Sopwell House wedding photographer bridal prep

Red bridge shot at Sopwell House wedding

Sopwell House itself has had a great residence on the site near St Albans since at least 1603. Master mason Edward Strong who worked on St Pauls Cathedral developed the estate in the eighteenth century, and then it became a country residence for various members of the Royal Family. In 1986 the Georgian splendour of Sopwell was further enhanced to be the wedding venue and hotel that we see today. Here’s a link to their official website: Sopwell House Website

Bride looks through Sopwell house photo

Find out a little bit more about David and Joanna here: David and Joanna

By David Green

Big Day Signature

 

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wedding couple in central London

Lansdowne Club Wedding Photographer

By London Wedding Photographer, Wedding VenuesOne Comment

It goes without saying that we love a wedding day but we also love a bit of history too, and to be a Lansdowne Club wedding photographer is to work in a venue with a really interesting London past. Ayshe and Habib were instantly impressed when researching venues for their Mayfair wedding with its mixture of classic Georgian and Art Moderne spaces.

Wedding ceremony at Landsdowne Club

Although the Lansdowne Club, sometimes known as Lansdowne House, began its present form in 1935, it was originally built in 1761 for Lord Bute British Prime Minster of the day.

Getting ready at the Landsdowne club

In the 1920’s the house was leased to famous pioneering department store businessman Gordon Selfridge, who was well known for the glamorous and raucous parties he hosted there.

Landsdowne House wedding photos

Civil ceremonies can be held in either the Adam Room or Dining room with capacities of 70 to 150 people, and wedding breakfasts can be hosted in the magnificent art deco inspired ballroom, complete with curving balconies.

Bride in Lansdowne Club reception

Wedding couple at horse guards parade

A full complement of bedrooms means that bride and groom should they wish can get ready at the Lansdowne on the morning of the big day. Habib prepared himself with his groomsmen at the club, while a little later Ayshe arrived by London wedding cab. Ceremony was in the refined atmosphere of the Adam room, and then while quests enjoyed their drinks and canopies the newlyweds snuck off for half an hour with myself and Joanna for shots around Horse Guards parade.

The fantastic wedding breakfast was served in the ballroom which can hold 150 seated guests. With a quick post meal turnaround the room was ready for a party to rival the best of Mr Selfridges legendary affairs!

The day was a great send off for Ayshe and Habib as they had arranged to live in Oman shortly afterwards. The best of luck to them from myself and Joanna in their exciting new life adventure!

For a lowdown of our present wedding collections take a look elsewhere on the site here: Pricing

To find out more about booking a Lansdowne club wedding here is a quick link to their official website:Lansdowne Club

By David Green

 

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