Vicky and James at Liverpool Street’s Andaz
One of the things we love to do when preparing for a wedding is to find out the story and history behind the places we photograph in.
In an earlier blog post: Smithfield Wedding Photographer we featured the first part of the day for Vicky and James’s Smithfield wedding. However, the day actually began and ended at Liverpool Street’s Andaz hotel. We are no strangers to a hotel that started life in 1884 as the Great Eastern Hotel. As London Andaz Hotel wedding photographers we enjoy the fact that writer Bram Stoker set a part of his classic novel Dracula at the hotel. Vampire slayer Van Helsing stays there when he visits the capital. There are also two incredible Masonic lodges hidden inside the hotel, and depending on the size of your wedding and requirements, at least one of them is available for hire.
Both Vicky and James began their day at the Andaz, with James and groomsmen grabbing a last minute beer in the bar before boarding their London route master bus to Smithfield market and their church the famous and iconic Great St Barts featured in “Four weddings and a funeral.” Joanna took the bus while I stayed with Vicky through her final preparations and then caught a black cab with the bridesmaids to the church.
In our time at the Andaz we used plenty of different lighting styles and techniques. For drama we spot lit the couple on many occasions and it just so happens in many of our personal favourites the newly weds were kissing. However that’s a pretty natural occurrence on such a love fuelled day. We had to compromise our vision a little in the masonic temple as it had been set up for a function with a large table in the centre where ideally we wanted to shoot from.
We always make sure we get plenty of shot variety at every wedding, not just with the couple but with guests and all those once only moments. Usually it is in a naturalistic but stylish documentary style, but we do like to direct a little at times to get that something extra special or unusual to share and treasure for the future.
For more images of Smithfield, The Andaz Hotel and iconic London and Home Counties weddings take a look at any of our wedding galleries here: Wedding Galleries or altenatively give us a call or email to set up a face to face relaxed meeting and see first hand for yourselves. We love to hear about couples’ plans for their big day!
By David Green