I’ve had the pleasure of documenting a Great St Barts Wedding Day several times now, and every time it has been memorable and atmospheric.
When I got a message asking me if I was available on this lovely couple’s wedding date I was delighted to be able to say YES!
K & T are a couple with great memories of London. Although the met in their native Japan, they felt it would be maximum romance to have their wedding ceremony in world famous St Bartholomew The Great. Or as Londoners affectionately call it: Great St Barts.
Great St Barts Wedding Ceremony
St Bartholomew the Great to give the church its full name is one of London’s oldest and most famous. It is London’s oldest parish church at 900 years old and was founded in 1123. Incredible! Many will also know it for its use in the well-known Richard Curtiss romantic comedy “Four Weddings and a Funeral” starring Hugh Grant. It’s pretty dark inside, but I feel that really adds to the atmosphere and magic.
K and T were having a micro wedding with just myself (David) as photographer, their Japanese wedding planner Kazuko, and MUA Michiko.
After their St Barts wedding ceremony Kazuko and Michiko were on duty for throwing confetti outside.
The wedding planner and myself had planned a route we felt K and T would both enjoy, and create the best memories for them. We had a traditional London black cab to take us around, and first stop was St Paul’s Cathedral.
St Paul’s Cathedral
Now at least once a year I photograph an actual wedding at St Paul’s itself. When that happens I can go anywhere around it without security intervention. However, when the wedding being captured is somewhere else nearby you have to be very discreet or you get moved away! Needless to say, I have inside knowledge, so we managed to get what we needed 😊
On then to one of my favourite spots close by: St Dunstan in the East. St Dunstan was originally built around 1100 and survived, only just, the Great Fire of London in 1666. Sadly the Second World War German Blitz of 1941 badly damaged it, and it was decided not to rebuild it. On the positive side of things it was kept as a beautiful ruin and small park space, right in the heart of old London.
St Dunstan in the East
Up next was Butler’s Wharf for some backdrop views of Tower Bridge and The Thames.
I should say too we had the best of times as a group, with lots of laughter thrown into the wedding memories mix. Very important I feel for the couple’s overall experience of their Great St Barts Wedding Day, or any other big day for that matter!
Tower Bridge & Butlers Wharf
A quick dash though the inevitable traffic and we are near the iconic landmark know as The London Eye. I’ve done both wedding ceremonies and wedding receptions on this gigantic Ferris Wheel. Naturally the views are spectacular when you’re on it.
London Eye
Once again if a couple wasn’t involved with the Eye you have to be mindful of local security. What I loved while we were there was the amount of pigeons flying by. I took plenty of shots hoping for appealing flight formations and I wasn’t disappointed!
After this we stopped briefly further down The Thames across from the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. I know from previous experience with Japanese wedding couples that they absolutely love this view!
K and T wanted to end our time at the atmospheric traditional London pub The Sherlock Holmes in Charing Cross. The plan was to toast each other and us with champagne there.
Houses of Parliament & Big Ben
Once we arrived I saw there were roadworks around the pub, and two guys with signs to stop and start the traffic. I asked if I could borrow the signs for 30 seconds for a memorable shot for our couple. I’m pleased to report they liked my sense of humour and lent us their ‘Stop’ and ‘Go’ signs.
Sherlock Holmes Pub
All in all an interesting, quirky and very memorable Great St Barts Wedding Day.
Great St Barts Wedding Day Links:
For more images from Central London and Japanese Weddings take a look at the Four Galleries here:
Here’s a few recent central London Weddings:
Here’s Great St Barts official website for a more detailed history and “What’s On” details:
By David Green LSWPP
Meet the Team
Here’s an iPhone shot of our team and the bride and groom on the day. I’m the bald one 🙂
