St Leonard’s in East London also know as Shoreditch Church is a place we know very well. We have photographed large weddings there, and lovely small intimate ones such as Ana and Matt’s featured here. I shot this one on my own with about twenty guests present (David writing here), and in many ways although I am very confident with crowds, there is a special pleasure for me working with a smaller group of people. With this size of wedding party you really feel the honour and magic of being chosen to document such a special day in a couple’s lives.
My coverage started with Ana’s preparation at The Hoxton Hotel right in the heart of Shoreditch, so nice and near to St Leonards. Straight away I could literally feel the love in the room from close friends and family and I knew it would be a super day all round.
After a while I made my way to Shoreditch church to capture Matt and his groomsmen’s preparations.
The church dates from 1740 and has been a major east London landmark ever since. It is much loved but looks to me in some ways like it needs some extra love inside. I’m guessing it must be a financial challenge looking after such an old and large central London building.
As I expected it was a lovely wedding ceremony and when the congregation sang hymns I discreetly went upstairs on to the balcony and captured some images from on high.
After throwing confetti and taking some family shots in front of the church bride and groom and my good self departed for a quick photographic tour of central East London. Personally I could spend all week there, as everywhere I look I see photo opportunities, but as ever on a wedding day I have to be realistic and know that we are working to tight timelines!
Never the less my wedding photography experience has taught we to work fast and efficiently to get the shots no matter how few minutes I may have, and at the same time to be relaxed in myself and with everyone else.
We had a lot of fun, and one of the specific requests Ana and Matt had was to be photographed by the Lets Adore and Endure Each Other graffiti. It is a very busy road behind so I was pleased to get a little break in the traffic and then have a red London bus with “Shoreditch” on the front coming into the shot. I know the couple were delighted.
After that it was time to go to the reception venue which was the award winning Empress in Victoria Park. The Empress is a fantastic refurbished Victorian boozer and has an impressive gastro menu. I was so touched to find that Ana and Matt had done me a place name and table setting with their guests and also got me a wedding gift. What a lovely thing to do, and I greatly enjoyed switching off for a little while and talking with the guests. Of course it didn’t take too long before the photography questions started!
To see another wedding day at Shoreditch church from the blog take a look here:
Shoreditch Wedding Photographers. Claire & Jamie’s big day in East London
By David Green
