For this post I’m going to officially call myself: The Old Timber Store Wedding Photographer. For reasons to be explained 🙂
I’ve always maintained that the single biggest joy for me (David) of a wedding, is the couple at the centre of their own incredibly special day. It’s a responsibility I take very seriously, but always with a smile on my face. Every now and then I also get beguiled by a particular setting or venue too.
This day for the lovely A and F was one where I encountered perhaps one of London’s best kept secrets: The Old Timber Store in the middle of Maltby Street Market, in the heart of London’s Bermondsey.
What a place and what a history, and what a wedding venue. Walking in there feels like I’m in some magical Victorian space with fairy lights and super impressive chandeliers. It could easily be a stage set for a period drama. I loved it the moment I saw it and I can absolutely see why A and F did too. It feels old but contemporary in it’s sensibilities at the same time. It’s in a converted railway arch, but it’s no ordinary railway arch. This is an arch of the world’s first elevated railway line, and was built by the London and Greenwich Railway between 1836 and 1839. Can you tell I love a bit of history? In my wedding photography career of well over 500 weddings now from St Paul’s Cathedral to St Tropez, this one will remain memorable for me.
Maltby Street Market and Ropewalk itself has a rich history too, but back to the wedding day. I arrived and was looked after by very helpful and friendly wedding planner and co-ordinator Sonya (@sonyatitusmusic), and @theoldtimberstore_se1/# I got some establishing shots and soon encountered Freddie coming down Maltby Street’s iconic Ropewalk ready to get busy with his prep before the ceremony and meet and greet family and friends.
It didn’t feel too long before bride A arrived, and did the same walk through Maltby Street Market’s stalls and fluttering international flags with her father.
OLD TIMBER STORE WEDDING CEREMONY
Stepping back inside the Old Timber Store it was buzzing with anticipation before her entrance. Walking down the aisle of chairs towards F waiting on stage was a lovely moment, as was in fact the whole ceremony lit by fairy lights and chandeliers. The couple read their own special vows to each other, along with dedicated readings.
I particularly loved their recessional with bubbles to the doors of the exit arch, which were thrown open allowing daylight in, and the guests a chance to step inside or outside for the drinks reception.
After some socializing, and reportage photography from myself I went off with the couple for a bunch of shots by themselves. We used everything in the area we liked from street art, walking shots through the market, to roller doors, bus stops and river views. If you are an Old Timber Store wedding photographer it’s important that you make great use of the venue but scout your area too so that you maximize your shooting time. It didn’t take long for these shots, and we had a lot of fun doing them. In fact you can read at the end of this post what these guys thought of me and my approach from their Google review. Thank you again for that!
FABAL BEERHALL WEDDING RECEPTION
The reception was literally a few hundred yards away under another set of converted railway arches and was the rather marvelous Fabal Beerhall. I was delighted to see myself on their website banner video photographing the very reception I’m writing about now! I’ll give a shoutout to the guy that was there filming that: the very charming Sam McNally (@samtmcnally)
After A and F’s grand entrance and much jollity, everyone helped themselves to a fantastic buffet by caterers Dookies Grill (@dookiesgrill). Great speeches, cake cut, first dance and partying on down filled the rest of the night, and capped off a lovely and memorable day. Huge congrats to A and F!
So why did I call myself The Old Timber Store Wedding Photographer? Well quite simply because I loved it, and I want to go back there, now!
If London weddings and photography are your thing then take a look through the blog and some of these posts below:
Find a Chelsea Old Town Hall Wedding Photographer today
Clapton Country Club Wedding photographers
Fitzrovia Chapel Wedding Westminster & reception at The Ivy London
Best London Engagement Shoot from Covent Garden to Leadenhall Market
Trinity Buoy Wharf Wedding Day, best in history 😉
By David Green
