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Royal couple walk down stairs at Landmark Hotel wedding

Royal Wedding at London’s Landmark Hotel in Marylebone, and Kings Fund Cavendish Square

By London Wedding Photographer, Wedding VenuesNo Comments

When we say a Royal wedding at London’s Landmark Hotel we mean that this lovely evening had all the feel of a royal celebration, from the look of Farrah and Zane the bride and groom, to the grand and classic surroundings they choose for themselves.

bride gets ready at the Landmark hotel London

When we arrived and began photographing Farrah’s bridal preparations this was the first time we had actually met in person, and very quickly we got a sense that we should shoot this event in a timeless and slightly formal way.

Royal wedding at The Landmark London image

Farrah reminded me a little of a mix of Audrey Hepburn and a member of the Royal Family of somewhere like Monaco, and we kept this feeling in the back of our minds as we photographed.

Wedding dress hanging at the London Landmark Hotel

It goes without saying that style choices must be what the couple are looking for and also reflect the circumstances. It’s no use being quirky, retro or fashion inspired if it is not what couple are feeling or looking for. We actually enjoy shooting in a variety of styles and approaches.

Bride stands on reception stairs at London Landmark

Of course we were no strangers to the Landmark: Landmark Hotel wedding photographer and here: Landmark Hotel Wedding Video, but this being a December wedding meant there was darkness outside, so no natural light to work with, we had to create our own. For those technical folks who may care about such things, we utilised  several techniques to create illumunation always bearing in mind the ambient hotel and Christmas lights in the background. We used diffused flash, radio triggered light through a portable soft box, and a zoomable fresnel spotlight for good measure, but not all at once!

bride and groom hug on Landmark Hotel stairs

There was a celebrity event taking place at the same time, so for a bit of fun we had the couple paparazzied by the assembled press pack too.

Christmas wedding at the Landmark hotel by tree

In the main Winter Garden and Gazebo area just past the Landmark’s front reception, was a giant Christmas Tree to add to the already fantastic atmosphere of this iconic central London hotel. We couldn’t put Farrah on top of the tree for health and safety reasons though!

smiling wedding couple pose on white steps at Landmark Hotel

Later in the day the couple had a drinks reception and wedding breakfast at the Kings Fund 11-13 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0AN, again an area for London weddings we know well, take a look at this previous blog post to see a Cavendish Square wedding in winter at night: Central London Weddings

Makeover for the bride at The Landmark

Bride and groom laughing at the Landmark

By David Green

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Chinese engagement shoot in London by boat

Chinese Engagement shoot in Central London, Tower Bridge and Southbank

By London Wedding Photographer, Wedding VenuesNo Comments

Over the past few years years we have photographed a tremendous amount of weddings and engagement shoots in central London and beyond. One of our most frequent enquiries is from couples whose actual home is China but would like a particularly London flavour to their engagement memories. Hong Kong or mainland China may be the ultimate destination for their wedding day, but they are very happy to fly over to the capital for a few days to meet us and have their shoot. Right now it is so popular in certain inner London destinations that it’s not unusual for us to encounter three or four similar shoots going on at the same time and that is just on a week day!

London wedding carousel image

Now sometimes the Chinese couples that we work with are also getting married here in London, as was the case with this recent shoot:  Engagement Shoot at London’s Alexandra Palace in Muswell Hill and it may be that they are also living and working in the capital, either way I’ve managed to learn a few Chinese words and phrases along the way.

London engagement shoot with Chinese wedding couple

 

It’s not strictly necessary though because although Mandarin and Cantonese are notoriously difficult languages to learn and master, the lovely Chinese engagement couples that we deal with have generally fantastic English language skills. Better than some of the natives!

London Eye Wedding Photographers image

Where do we go? Well it’s often the busiest but most iconic tourist spots like Tower Bridge, the Southbank, Westminster, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben and so on. Here’s a good example of the kind of shoot we would do by the Thames: London Southbank Engagement Shoot You need to be experienced both with crowd management in these situations, and skilful with camera and lighting technique. The last thing any self respecting engagement couple want is a bunch of images that look like snap shots, probably like the majority of other folk with their cameras and phones out on the day. Now there is absolutely nothing wrong with snap shots, but there is if you have paid a professional to create your images.

Wedding laughter on London Tower Bridge image

There is a very popular misconception often from photographers outside of London, or those with less experience, that having famous and iconic backdrops behind a couple does all the work for you. Let us say with hand on heart that this is very far from the reality of the situation. You have to work hard with technique, pose and storytelling to create something that is truly memorable and meaningful. This perfectly sums up in our opinion any great wedding photography. As I like to quote and paraphrase England’s most famous photographer David Bailey: “Most people take photos. I make photos.”

Wedding couple by Big Ben London photo

Tower Bridge Wedding front page

The Chinese engagement photos here are from a large range that we did with Natalie and Max from Hong Kong. As Natalie was a flight attendant for Cathay Pacific we don’t think she had a problem scheduling her flights to fit in with the couple’s engagement shoot plans! Needless to say we had a great time, and that as always is reflected in the final images. It doesn’t matter how skilled your London wedding photographer is, they must have great people skills too.

Engagement shoot at London's Butlers Wharf image

Chinese engagement shoot at London by southbank

Take a look at the range of serious and fun shots we have across our three galleries here: Wedding Galleries

wedding couple under finger London southbank

Wedding couple pose at St Katherines Dock

Locations for the shoot included Tower Bridge and Butlers Wharf, Southbank and Big Ben.

As there is a carousel image included here in the post you can see more about this and the history of these fairground attractions here: London Wedding Carousels, we love them!

By David Green

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Alexandra Palace engagement photography

Engagement Shoot at London’s Alexandra Palace in Muswell Hill

By Barnet Wedding Photographers, London Wedding Photographer, Wedding Venues2 Comments

It is no secret to those that know us that Joanna and I love Muswell Hill. After all this is where we first met, and where we lived in the imposing shadow of Alexandra Palace. Yickyin and Leo in planning their future wedding found us when searching for a London wedding photographer for their Christmas wedding at The Goring Hotel in Belgravia.

Engagement photography at Alexandra Palace Muswell Hill shoot

They are a couple from Hong Kong and wanted to relax themselves in front of the camera and create some imagery they could use for their invitation cards and general wedding stationery. One or two of the many bonuses of a pre wedding shoot.

Muscle Hill wedding couple in woods

As they also lived in the north of the capital I suggested an engagement shoot at London’s Alexandra Palace in Muswell Hill. We love the mixture of urban and classic architecture mixed with natural greenery and trees and a lovely little boating lake. All places that we had taken the children to many times, and as far as a venue goes for engagement photography I don’t think you could ask for much more.

Couple jump in front of London's Alexandra Palace image

You have to know what you are doing though obviously, pictures and emotion don’t creates themselves out of nothing! Another thing we had to bear in mind was the timing of the shoot too as Alexandra Palace can become very busy very quickly. Shooting wedding days in the centre of London that is the norm, so we are very adept at dealing with crowds and crowded places, but it is nice when doing some pre wedding photography to have a little more privacy. This Chinese engagement shoot (that’s how I saw it) was on a Saturday afternoon, however it was so windy, almost gale force, and overcast that crowds were not a problem!

Another engagement photo sat on steps by Alexandra Palace London

In fact only twenty four hours before I had been at Alexandra Palace with the lovely Ashley and Paul who are getting married in London too at the Hampton Court Hotel next to surprise surprise Hampton Court Palace. Their day was typified by strong sunshine which dictated where I could place them, but also added a bonus effect of depth and texture that I could create in the imagery.

Couple pose and smile under Alexandra Palace Arch photo

For Yickyin and Leo we had a dull sky and extreme wind to deal with, but we made this part of the fun and also went for a little more quirkiness to compensate.

Wedding couple laugh by Italian fountains at Alexandra Palace

One thing I have noticed with Chinese couples is that they are very open minded to slightly off the wall ideas, especially if they are from Hong Kong, must be something in the air there! I used quite a bit of creative flash as well to give their photos a little lift in dull conditions.

Highgate Woods engagement photographer image

Alexandra Palace itself has a very interesting history. It was built in 1873, but according to some accounts a roof worker’s unextinguished cigarette started a fire that destroyed the entire structure. Good old Victorian builders didn’t hang around though, and by 1875 they had rebuilt it to a slightly different design.

Engagement photo in middle of Muswell Hill stone sculpture

Nicknamed affectionately “Ally Pally” it is probably most famous for the fact that the British Broadcasting Corporation know to us all here in Great Britain as the BBC, started the world’s first regular high definition television broadcasts in 1936. I wanted to incorporate a little of this history into the engagement photos as you can see from some of the selection here.

Couple cuddle under arches at Alexandra Palace

Wedding couple by Alexandra Palace skate park

To read more on our blog about weddings at The Goring Hotel the destination for these two lovebirds take a look here: Goring Hotel Wedding Photographer and also here: Fuji X100 for your London wedding, and wedding? Yes at the Goring Hotel

Chinese engagement couple under London railway bridge

Also notice we got lucky for the featured image of these Chinese love birds, as two local winged creatures flew by at just the right time, although I was waiting for something like this to occur anyway as I kept clapping my hands to try and make it happen!

Couple pose for engagement photos on Alexandra Palace steps

By David Green.

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Stationers Hall wedding shot in central London

London Stationers Hall Wedding Photography

By London Wedding Photographer, Wedding VenuesNo Comments

One enduring memory that will stay with us from Alex and Kwame’s wedding day, is the sight and sound of them, newly married and full of love, singing and dancing down the aisle with all their friends and family. It certainly was a great ceremony in south London ringing with the sound of laughter and song, and conducted by a fantastically charismatic clergy.

Bride prepares for her wedding at Stationers Hall

We met the couple in 2014 to talk about their wedding day and begin the planning, which would start with Alex getting ready at her mothers house in Streatham. She would then get picked up by a traditional London white wedding cab, and make her way to the New Testament Assembly in Tooting.

Wedding couple with flowers in Holborn

Meanwhile Kwame would be there with his groomsmen overseeing the final touches before the big arrival of his bride.

Makeup being applied to bride before her London wedding day

Alex walked down the aisle to a fantastic solo performer singing a special song for her arrival, creating very memorable moments for all. The ceremony was upbeat, musical and joyous, and a fitting celebration of the couple’s faith and cultures.

Bride comes down the aisle in London church

After our time at the church the wedding party made their way to the reception venue at central London’s Stationers Hall near St Paul’s Cathedral. In the outside courtyard there everyone enjoyed complimentary drinks and a variety of pre wedding breakfast nibbles.

First kiss for husband and wife at South London Ghanian wedding ceremony

The Stationers has been a city of London company since before the great fire of London in 1666. Unfortunately like most of the centre of the capital its buildings were destroyed by the blaze. However by 1670 work had begun on restoring the buildings and hall to the fantastic structures we see and enjoy today. The main entrance is featured as the first wedding image on this post, with the couple canoodling in front of their Hackney carriage.

Dancing down the aisle at a London wedding ceremony image

While the wedding party had a chance to enjoy the history of the reception venue, we took half an hour to shoot some quirky and also some traditional wedding portraits of the couple in the surrounding area, and taking in Holborn too. As usual we had plenty of relaxed fun, and that as always was reflected in the final photos.

Bride and groom hold hands outside their wedding in central London

Technique and experience is essential in wedding photography, but so are people skills. If you do not engage with your subjects whoever they may be, then you will struggle to create “engaging” photos of them. Especially in a small time frame in public places.

Phone boxes and bride and groom in Smithfield Market London

Fashion photographers have it easy, compared to wedding photographers, despite what they may tell you. We know we have done plenty of both!

Photo of wedding couple near Farringdon Station

Back to Stationers Hall we shot a mixture of reportage and some requested family photos. Dining took place in the fantastic main hall, followed by speeches, dedications and the cutting of the wedding cake.

Ghanian wedding couple pose near London Stationers Hall

Here’s another wedding that we did nearby with some of the same and similar locations: Smithfield Wedding Photographer    
By David Green

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wedding couple kiss in London Islington doorway

Another great Islington Town Hall Wedding, then on to Hoxley & Porter and The Albion

By London Wedding Photographer, Wedding Venues3 Comments

Sometimes but not always for a smaller and more intimate wedding just one of us will photograph the special day. Usually that’s myself, David, while Joanna has a day off! I really enjoyed working with and photographing the thirteen people involved in this great Islington Town Hall wedding.

Faded wedding photo at the entrance of Hoxley and Porter

Francesca and Stuart the bride and groom had communicated with me only via email, which happens occasionally, as we usually try and meet people face to face at some point before the big day. However it’s not always possible, and it’s certainly not a necessity.

Groomsmen chat on the steps of Islington town hall
Couple with balloons on Upper Street crossing at Islington Town Hall wedding

Photo of exchanging of wedding rings at Islington Town Hall

What that meant was the first photographs I would take would be the first time I had seen either of these good people. The minute I saw Stu walking towards the Town Hall with his groomsmen, with a broad grin on his face when I waved to him, I knew we would all get on well. It was the same feeling I had when I saw Francesca arrive in her London wedding taxi.

Bride and groom hold wedding balloons Londons Islington borough

Unusually for a wedding at Islington Town Hall we all had to access the building from an entrance on a side street. That day (it was a Tuesday) Kate Middleton the Princess of Cambridge was also visiting the building at the same time for a charity engagement. Although I tried to walk through the front entrance and question Kate on why she didn’t book us for the Royal wedding, security and MI5 agents were having non of it! We all imagined and hoped for a scenario where Kate would mistakenly walk through the wrong door into the wedding ceremony, then we could either politely chuck her out, or invite her for an impromptu snap with the couple.

Final kiss at Islington wedding ceremony

As this was a celebration for Francesca and Stu with closest friends and family, the wedding ceremony itself was held in the Lord Mayors Parlour, one of my favourite wood panelled rooms in Islington. It felt a privilege to document such a love filled and intimate ceremony. Afterwards everyone made sure the couple were absolutely showered in confetti, I know, I was picking it out of Stu’s hair hours later! By this time though, both Elvis and Kate Middleton had left the building…

image of wedding party throwing confetti atIslington Town Hall

We all walked together the short distance to their first reception venue the atmospheric Hoxley and Porter on Upper Street. Now as I remember this place used to be called the Grand Union Bar when I lived nearby, and with it’s bowed out front window it is a very recognisable part of Upper Street’s history.

Wedding_couple_holding_balloons_outside_Hoxley_and_Porter_in_Islington

It’s undergone a fantastic transformation for Hoxley and Porter into a kind of Orient Express look and ambience, very well done I must say, with fantastically friendly and attentive staff. While the wedding party enjoyed bubbly and nibbles I snuck away with Francesca and Stu for some couple shots around the immediate area of Upper Street.

Bride from Islington wedding at Hoxley and Porter

As you can see from some of these shots these guys really loved their balloons, which were also used to designate their special area in Hoxley and Porter. I risked life and limb, as I always do, to get a shot from the middle of the road of them crossing the street near the appropriately named Cross Street. I have quite a few plaster cast art pieces bought from a supplier who is sadly no longer there I noticed as I scanned around for familiar haunts. Not that I would go shopping in the middle of a wedding day!

Couple smile on stairs inside for Islington Town Hall wedding photographer

After Hoxley and Porter we all caught cabs to the nearby Albion on Thornhill Road, another gem in Islington from the Georgian era. As it was now dark the Albion was beautifully lit as a venue for their atmospheric second reception. The couple had their wedding cake on display and their evening wedding table ready for the feast and speeches to follow. All I saw was laughter, smiles, love and affection all day long from everyone there, and oh yes…balloons.

couple chat by tree and autumn leaves after their Islington wedding

I’ve put a couple of extra images at the end here for two reasons. The first, I love the fact in this particular image below that both bride and groom were both overcome with emotion at the same time, and they simultaneously reached for the hankies.

Bride and groom cry at Islington wedding ceremony

The second is for mirrorless camera lovers, as I decided to quickly experiment with a new toy the Fuji XT1 interchangeable lens camera. I put a prime lens on the 35mm 1.4 as this can literally see in the dark and gives a nice shallow depth of field at an aperture of 1.4. I brought two other main cameras – Canon’s, but it was nice to whip out the Fuji every now and then as it’s small, silent and therefore very discreet.

wedding couple hug and kiss at Islington town hall

newlyweds turn round for photo on Islington footpath

photo of Islington wedding bouquet on autumn leaves

Wedding lights and candles by mirror photo

You can read about another Islington wedding at the town hall just four days earlier here: Islington Town Hall Wedding Peasant Pub Clerkenwell Reception

And another from earlier in the year featured on our blog here: Islington Town Hall Wedding

To find out more about the Hoxley and Porter experience you can check out their website here: Hoxley & Porter

By David Green

 

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