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.
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.
Meanwhile Kwame would be there with his groomsmen overseeing the final touches before the big arrival of his bride.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Fashion photographers have it easy, compared to wedding photographers, despite what they may tell you. We know we have done plenty of both!
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.
Here’s another wedding that we did nearby with some of the same and similar locations: Smithfield Wedding Photographer
By David Green