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St Albans Registry wedding couple run past wall image

St Albans Registry Office Wedding photographers

By Barnet Wedding Photographers, London venues and events, London Wedding Photographers, Wedding VenuesNo Comments

When you book your St Albans Registry Office wedding photographers, you may or may not know you are booking one of the most unique and also famous buildings not just in Hertfordshire, but the entire UK.

St Albans Registry office wedding venue

Bride arrives at St Albans Registry wedding

I (David) thought that seen as we’ve/I’ve worked at this lovely venue now about ten times that I really should write something about it. If nothing else to be a heads up for anyone considering it for their wedding ceremony.

St Albans registry wedding ceremony 2

St Albans registry wedding ceremony crowd laughing

I love a bit of history and this place has it in spades! St Albans is a beautiful town, a jewel as far as I’m concerned in Hertfordshire, and I often find any old excuse to go shopping there, usually on a Sunday with the family. It was an important Roman settlement and among many other places of interest has a stunning cathedral and grounds, not to mention a brilliant comedy festival in the park.

St Albans wedding couple by wall hand in hand

The registry office itself was the governor’s residence for what was formerly St Albans prison. The prison itself opened in 1867 and closed at the beginning of the first world war. The entrance gate and outer walls still exist, along with of course the part used for the registry office. I love to use those old walls whenever I can in the time I have before heading off to reception venues. The doors to the registry were famously used in the 1974 much loved BBC comedy series “Porridge” starring Ronnie Barker, as the entrance to the fictional Slade Prison. Note the camera phone selfie with myself and the wedding party towards the end.

Wedding couple walk past St Albans registry walls wide shot

Wedding couple walk past St Albans registry walls

I’ve chosen to show my most recent visit as a St Albans Registry Office wedding photographer to be the focus of this blog post. This was a Saturday and my lovely couple were N and R tying the knot officially before their summer wedding in Cyprus. Unfortunately I was already booked on that particular date 🙂

Bride and groom laugh by St Albans Registry doors

I was as usual there in good time to refresh my memory of the venue and to look where the light was best for pics, this is something I ALWAYS do. It doesn’t matter how often you do a venue, one way or another it is different every time.

Wedding couple kiss at St Albans Registry office gates

Bride and groom sit on stone bench St Albans Registry wedding

N and R arrived in separate cars and it soon became apparent there had been some crossed wires and the bridal bouquet and confetti had been left at home by mistake! Good news though that the ever helpful, and I have to say really friendly registrars at St Albans, had an emergency bouquet to hand, which I rather liked anyway 🙂

St Albans Wedding Registry couple in gardens

This was a very intimate wedding, the couple and four guests including one best man and his partner, one sister and the bride’s best friend.

St Albans Registry Office Wedding couple sat on bench in groundsBride and groom by canon St Albans Registry wedding day

Once the ceremony was done and everyone had a good cry, I took N and R around the grounds (admittedly rather small). I made sure to get plenty of the old prison walls and doors in their shots. Plus a very well preserved 1840 siege canon that imposing sits at the front of the registry office.

Wedding couple together at St Albans Registry office

Wedding-couple-laughing-at-St-Albans-Registry-office-gates

Wedding couple pose by canon at St Albans Registry Hertfordshire

Although I visit a great variety of venues as a London and Home counties wedding photographer, I’m really looking forward to returning to St Albans registry in the near future!

Big Day Weddings selfie St Albans Registry Office

By David Green

Oh and here’s our lovely couple, and Ronnie Barker leaving from the same spot (blurry BBC image)

Bride and groom at St Albans Registry gates

Ronnie Barker Porridge St Albans Registry gates

St Albans Registry wedding couple run past wall image

Old Marylebone Town Hall wedding couple walk to London bus

Old Marylebone Town Hall Weddings

By Barnet Wedding Photographers, London venues and events, London Wedding Photographer, London Wedding Photographers, Wedding VenuesNo Comments

Old Marylebone Town Hall weddings are probably some of the most iconic that happen in central London. Right next to Baker Street and not far from Madame Tussauds it has been trendy and very sought after for over a century. I’m there a lot (that’s me David) and I think if I was going to choose a place, especially if I was coming in from another country, this would be it.

Confetti throw Old Marylebone Town Hall wedding day

In fact, if you were appearing in a Richard Curtiss rom-com THIS is where you would get married, when the girl gets the guy in the final scenes! Or the guy gets the guy, or the girl gets the girl…well you get my drift.

Old Marylebone Town Hall Wedding Couple in Christmas decorations image

Wedding drinks reception Holmes Hotel London

Old Marylebone wedding couple at Holmes Hotel London

I’m going to write an info piece soon with lots of examples of all the main London Registry offices, as I’ve photographed at all of them  multiple times, just to give an insight for prospective couples and other photographers spying on me (lol!). Old Marylebone, Islington and Chelsea Town Hall’s I would put as the big three. All with rich history and plenty of A listers who got married there. Including myself 😉

London wedding couple kiss on street near Marylebone Old Town Hall

Old Marylebone Town Hall bride and groom hold hands by wall

Honorable mentions also go to Camden Town Hall, Hackney Town Hall and Stoke Newington Town Hall. All great choices.

Bride and groom walk to their Old Marylebone Town Hall wedding

The December wedding I’m featuring here was shorter than most I do at Old Marylebone Town Hall, as this was both a smaller celebration and a legal requirement for V and P who were getting married later overseas (I wasn’t available for that one). This is quite a frequent request for central London registries though.

Wedding couple on way to Old Marylebone Town Hall

Bride and groom walk uo Old Marylebone Town Hall stairs

On a freezing cold crisp morning I started my coverage in The Holmes Hotel on Chiltern Street, just round the corner from fictional (is he!?) character Sherlock Holmes’s home at 221b Baker Street. V and P were staying at The Holmes and met myself and their wedding party there for celebratory champagne before taking the short walk to Old Marylebone Town Hall.

Wedding ceremony at Old Marylebone Town Hall image

Wedding Ceremony at Old Marylebone Town Hall wide shot

Old Marylebone Town Hall wedding ceremony collage

First kiss at Old Marylebone Town Hall wedding ceremony

Bride and groom celebrate in wedding ceremony Old Marylebone Town Hall

Our plan was for V and P to spend 15 to 20 minutes with myself on the way. The thing is: all the images features in the blog: Blog – London Wedding Photographers Big Day Weddings (bigdayweddings.co.uk) on Instagram: Big Day Weddings (@bigdayweddingsuk) • Instagram photos and videos, and the galleries on the website: Wedding Galleries – London Wedding Photographers Big Day Weddings (bigdayweddings.co.uk)  (there are four of them by the way) are all done in short real world time scales, in whatever the prevailing conditions might be. That’s the best way to be relaxed and natural, as long as your photographer has skill and a ‘can do’ calm attitude! One of my gripes is how much fake stuff I see on socials, where photographers have set up entire wedding shoots with models and other suppliers. While undoubtably some are really pretty and are obviously a form of advert for those involved, it is totally unrealistic, and I believe misleading in expectations for potential couples. Sorry, small rant over!

Couple kiss in corridor Old Marylebone Town Hall wedding

Bride and groom laughing Old Marylebone Town Hall wedding

Wedding couple corridor Old Marylebone Town Hall

Ok, so I was delighted to go to Holmes Mews on our little jaunt to the Town Hall, which is tucked away round the corner from the hotel, and then to work in some of the streets I know so well. Of course with a busy city every time you visit a location it may be different, or too busy, or covered in scaffolding, so it’s good to be adaptable and have a backup plan in mind.

Old Marylebone Town Hall wedding couple walk down stairs

Wedding ceremonies at Old Marylebone Town Hall are strictly controlled now, especially since the venue’s refurbishment. I think this is a really good thing and what I mean by that is: it’s a very busy place, a lot of weddings take place there on the main days and if the staff were not clear about when you can go in, how long a photographer has in a particular spot, then it could be chaos, and nobody wants that on their big day. So for those of you in the stages of planning for an Old Marylebone Town Hall wedding, bear in mind that you will get somewhere between 5 and 10 minutes only with you photographer after the ceremony within the building itself. That’s fine because I will get everything we need and more in that time. Your wedding party will have been charmingly ushered out of the building in that time, to get ready on the outside steps for a confetti throw if you are having one.

Couple tango by window Old Marylebone Town Hall London

As with V and P at that point I go outside and get the wedding party ready and super motivated. Then it’s thumbs up time from me, and you come out and enjoy your iconic wedding ‘moment’ on the beautiful steps of Old Marylebone Town Hall. It’s a good time after that to move to the right hand side steps, for any group shots you might have requested, or not!

Old Marylebone Town Hall wedding collage

Old Marylebone Town Hall wedding couple sat on lion

Two things usually happen after that, one, everyone gets on a Red Routemaster old London bus or taxis, and shoots off to the reception venue.  And/or two: our new bride and groom go and do some quick couple shots/portraits in the local area. Don’t ever worry about these though. They are going to be natural looking and sometimes epic, just because… Most people are a bit anxious about having their pics taken, read my reviews though here on the site or Google itself: big day weddings reviews – Google Search  We will do natural stuff, gently directed if needs be, that you need absolutely no skills or ability for. We have fun, I will coax candid genuine positive reactions from you, and most of all we will have a blast! Many times I’ve been told it’s one of the main highlights of a couple’s day 🙂

Wedding couple dance outside Old Marylebone Town Hall

I take a lot of shots, and I give you everything where you are not blinking or falling over, unless it’s funny… For V and P I delivered over 700 edited sots in a fairly short time scale. I’m including their review here.

Old Marylebone Town Hall wedding review from Google

Wedding group shot at Old Marylebone Town Hall

Jeez these guys were very romantic, they loved to kiss and dance. I didn’t ask them to do that, I just put them in good situations to be able to do what THEY wanted to do! They were both delighted by the results, and ultimately that is what is the single most important thing.

Wedding couple celebrate by lion outside Old Marylebone Town Hall

Wedding bus and bride and groom Old Marylebone Town Hall

Every wedding is so different even in the same locations, and that is one of the fantastic things about wedding photography and in this case about Old Marylebone Town Hall weddings!

By David Green

Here’s another of many Old Marylebone Town Hall weddings featured on the blog:

Intimate Weddings at Old Marylebone Town Hall

 

 

Confetti throw at Chelsea Old Town Hall wedding 5 crop

Chelsea Old Town Hall Wedding

By Barnet Wedding Photographers, London venues and events, London Wedding Photographer, Wedding VenuesNo Comments

A Chelsea Old Town Hall wedding has to one of our favourites in central London. Just as well as we have been there four times in the last five weeks alone! From ceremonies and wedding days of just four people, to forty five people, it’s been the usual blast on the famous Kings Road at this iconic venue for us.

Groom helps pageboy Chelsea Old Town Hall wedding ceremony

Groom waits at Chelsea Old Town Hall wedding ceremony

Bride and mum in aisle at Chelsea Old Town Hall wedding

Bride arrives in aisle Chelsea Old Town Hall wedding

For this particular day it was the meeting of two great cultures as well as their happy and exuberant families. A and D as we will call them were our fantastic bride and groom. A was of Persian descent and D’s heritage was Italian. David captured this wedding on his own, and as he has both Persian and Italian friends felt he had an extra insight into the dynamics involved.

Bride and groom laugh during Chelsea Old Town Hall wedding

Exchange of rings at Chelsea Old Town Hall wedding ceremony

We’ve also done quite a few full Persian and Italian weddings in their own rights so it was interesting to see this as a simple but lovely pure registry ceremony for a change, rather than the usual large and often lavish affairs these can often be.

Exchange of rings at Chelsea Old Town Hall wedding ceremony two

First kiss at Chelsea Old Town Hall wedding ceremony

Chelsea Old Town Hall is a very busy registry office, and most of it’s weddings are done in daylight. For this celebration it was wet, dark and windy. No problem though, over 14 years experience meant that absolutely non of that mattered, in fact in it’s own way it added to things.

Confetti throw at Chelsea Old Town Hall wedding 1

Confetti throw at Chelsea Old Town Hall wedding

David converted a lot of shots to black and white, though the couple got all the edited colour originals too, because he felt A and D had an almost 1960’s film star look so it seemed appropriate. In fact they were delighted with these and wrote him a glowing Google review afterwards.

Confetti throw at Chelsea Old Town Hall wedding 4

Confetti throw at Chelsea Old Town Hall wedding

After all, along with Old Marylebone Town Hall, Chelsea Old Town Hall is and has been thee glamour destination registry for countless film stars, musicians and public figures over the years. A quick look on Google will confirm that for you, and it’s an intersting read for wedding bores like ourselves!

Couple by flowers at Chelsea Old Town Hall wedding

Couple laughing by flowers at Chelsea Old Town Hall wedding

After a laughter filled and pretty emotional ceremony, we all went out into the rain for that must have confetti shot on the steps of the town hall, before quickly going inside again! Although David was ready to do some couple shots with umbrellas in the rain, and a few sheltered places he knew, A and D decided they would like shots around the town hall instead. In the end we think a pretty good choice.

Bride and groom sat on stairs at Chelsea Old Town Hall wedding

Bride and groom by doors at Chelsea Old Town Hall wedding

Bride and groom kiss by doors at Chelsea Old Town Hall wedding

After that time for toasts, celebrations and reception eats at Diba further down the Kings Road.

Chelsea Old Town Hall wedding reception toasts

Here’s a screenshot below of one of the reviews we received afterwards, this one posted straight on to Google:

Google review Big Day Weddings at Chelsea Old Town Hall

Here is a link to a daytime Chelsea Old Town Hall wedding as well:

Wedding at Chelsea Old Town Hall with Laura and James

Clapton Country Club wedding day two brides laugh image

Clapton Country Club Wedding photographers

By Barnet Wedding Photographers, London venues and events, London Wedding Photographer, Wedding VenuesNo Comments

We love a quirky wedding venue, almost as much as we enjoy a challenge. Clapton County Club is certainly one of London’s great alternative wedding spaces, and perfectly complemented the vibe and values of D & M.

Clapton Country Club wedding ceremony black and white image

Clapton Country Club used to be a tram depot and all throughout its different spaces there’s was evidence of its former role. D & M told us they wanted photographers experienced with urban and quirky weddings and plenty of creativity when we originally spoke, and we were delighted to give them exactly what they wanted and then some 🙂 Not your home counties stately home big day for these two!

Clapton Country Club wedding prep collage one

Two brides and dresses Clapton Country Club wedding

Clapton Country Club Wedding prep first look collage

David had built a rapport with both through zoom and a very enjoyable engagement shoot in Shoreditch central London. Here’s a link to that shoot: Shoreditch Engagement Shoot, inner London photography

Clapton Country Club Wedding collage one

A new challenge for us as photographers was the fact that both brides were profoundly deaf, and so were ninety percent of the wedding guests plus the two videographers.

Clapton Country Club Wedding Ceremony Collage one

In truth, through communicating through a bit of universal sign language and skilled lip-reading on D & M’s behalf made everything a pleasure. In fact, I for one (David) hardly thought about it throughout the day, and it ultimately made no difference whatsoever, which is of course how it should be!

Clapton Country Club wedding ceremony holding hands

Clapton Country Club Wedding Ceremony collage two

End of Clapton Country Club wedding ceremony London

Our day started with both brides getting ready in a lovely hired Airbnb loft space five minutes away from the venue. Although they saw each one another on the morning, neither had seen the other in their respective wedding dresses, and it was a fantastic moment to document their first look and embrace in the loft.

Clapton Country Club wedding ceremony collage three

First kiss at Clapton Country Club wedding ceremony

A swift walk with cameras and equipment through the streets of Clapton lead us to the Country Club to get some establishing shots and into the wonderfully titled “Department of Life” which is used for wedding ceremonies. Full of urban chic and good looking well chosen tat 🙂

Wedding recessional at Clapton Country Club London two brides

A great ceremony followed, with sign language interpreters so everyone totally understood, including D & M, what was being said by the registrars, interspersed with much love and laughter. A totally unique and moving half an hour or so.

Two brides at Clapton Country Club wedding London 2

Two brides laughing at Clapton CountryClub wedding in London

When the big deed was finished and that magical first kiss as newly weds was done, we had a little time around the venue during the drinks reception to get some couple shots before some more structured pics of friends and family. Not forgetting of course an exuberant confetti throw in the road and yard space of the club. One thing to bear in mind if you are planning on booking this fantastic space, is that it is a working space with some other businesses around. That’s why we couldn’t get those cars out of some of our shots!

Clapton Country Club Wedding confetti throw collage

Clapton Country Club confetti throw image London

Clapton Country Club Wedding reception collage one

The Country Club’s largest internal area is called…wait for it…Clapton Country Club! In this chic industrial space D & M had their brilliant reception. It’s also used for ceremonies too if there’s more people than the Department of Life can hold, or the couple favour it. We’ve put some images of it shot from the balcony to give a sense of this excellent space.

Two brides black roller doors Clapton Country Club wedding London

Clapton Country Club Wedding reception collage one

Clapton Country Club Wedding reception collage two

Two brides sitting at Clapton Country Club wedding reception

Entrance of two brides Clapton Country Club wedding reception

Food, speeches, laughter and then a lovely first dance where D & M romantically signed the words to each other, set the tone for the rest of a fabulous evening. We particularly enjoyed their sparklers at dusk. But most of all we enjoyed working with a simply brilliant couple and lovely crowd of friends and family. It felt a privilege to be part of their very big day 🙂

Clapton Country Club Wedding Reception speeches collage

Clapton Country Club wedding reception venue London

Clapton Country Club Wedding Reception collage four

Clapton Country Club Wedding cake dancing and sparklers collage

Two brides and sparklers at Clapton Country Club wedding

Congratulations to the both of you, and thank you Clapton Country Club for your hospitality and professionalism throughout the day!!!

Clapton Country Club wedding day two brides laugh image

By David Green – The man, the myth, the legend. I just wrote that bit because I’m convinced everyone just looks at the pics rather than reads the words all the way to the end 😉

More posts about two brides? Here’s another, take a look:

Two fantastic brides marry at Essendon Country Park. Gay wedding photographers London since 2006 – London Wedding Photographer – Natural Wedding Photography (bigdayweddings.co.uk)

Another lovely Google review from an Essendon Country Club wedding day – London Wedding Photographer – Natural Wedding Photography (bigdayweddings.co.uk)

Trinity Buoy Wharf wedding sparklers with bride and groom kiss two

Best Trinity Buoy Wharf Wedding Day in History 😉

By Barnet Wedding Photographers, London venues and events, London Wedding Photographer, Wedding VenuesNo Comments

We love a Trinity Buoy Wharf wedding, and we’ve done a fair few! As a London based wedding photographer there are certain venues we particularly looked forward to being booked for, and Trinity Buoy Wharf is definitely on our personal Top 10. We won’t say where on the ten, but it certainly the upper half! In fact we can’t see anything not to like.

Trinity Buoy Wharf wedding couple in lighthouse at night 1
I (David) grew up opposite a lighthouse, complete with a very loud fog horn on cold misty nights, and distinctive flashing beams lighting up my bedroom warning incoming ships.

Bridal prep for Trinity Buoy Wharf wedding

Bride arrives in car for Trinity Buoy Wharf Wedding

I mention lighthouses because one of the great things about the wharf is that it has London’s only lighthouse. Built in 1864 it was famously used by renowned scientist Michael Faraday and served as an experimental place to test lights and other things, rather than guide boats on the Thames!

Trinity Buoy Wharf Wedding day collage one

Trinity Buoy Wharf wedding ceremony wide shot

Trinity Buoy Wharf wedding ceremony close shot

Bride cries reading vows Trinity Buoy Wharf wedding ceremony

First kiss at Trinity Buoy Wharf Wedding ceremony

Trinity-Buoy-Wharf-Wedding-ceremony-collage-image

Wedding recessional at Trinity Buoy Wharf ceremony

It’s a fantastic place like the rest of Trinity Buoy Wharf, and when we were booked by C and L I knew they would have an epic day. I also knew that as well because the venue team, the wedding planners, caterers and outside suppliers are always top notch.

Confetti throw at Trinity Buoy Wharf Wedding

Photography opportunities abound at the venue with many quirky buildings and views of the Thames. This big day was a little different from our usual experiences though.

Bride and groom walk on pier at Trinity Buoy Wharf wedding day

For a start it was later in the day and in November, so darkness fell pretty quickly. Also, instead of the drinks reception being at Trinity itself the couple had booked a two hour Thames round trip cruise as a special treat. It was great but a little choppy, and I did start feeling a little motion sick looking through the camera viewfinders while we were bobbing up and down 😊

Trinity Buoy Wharf Wedding couple kiss on Thames cruise

Trinity Buoy Wharf wedding Thames cruise collage

Bride and groom walk towards Trinity Buoy Wharf wedding

Our day started at The Stratford Hotel where C and her bridesmaids were getting, ready which was about a 15 minute drive from Trinity Buoy Wharf. On then to L at the venue and his organising and greeting of the guests.

Bride and bridesmaids at Trinity Buoy Wharf Wedding

C arrived in a nice vintage Rolls Royce with her dad and then on to her ceremony with L. It was a humanist wedding ceremony conducted by fantastic celebrant Anna Thirkettle.

Trinity Buoy Wharf wedding couple hug in lighthouse

Trinity Buoy Wharf bride and groom look out from lighthouse to Thames

Photo looking into lighthouse Trinity Buoy Wharf wedding couple

Straight after we had a confetti throw with all the guests and then straight on to our boat. Lots of classic reportage and good ‘in the moment’ photography followed (plus my sea sickness, not…) and a little window of opportunity in a small area at the back of the boat to get some couple shots, with Thames views and Greenwich Old Naval College in the background. Kind of made me think of Venice, which I’ve had the great pleasure of visiting a few times.

Trinity Buoy Wedding reception collage one

Wedding sparklers at Trinity Buoy Wharf wedding

Trinity Buoy Wharf wedding sparklers with bride and groom kiss two

When we returned to Trinity Buoy Wharf for the wedding reception nightfall had come, but there was still 15 to 20 minutes time built in for ourselves and the couple to do some images at the very top of the lighthouse, which as every time I’ve been there before, I loved!
Thing is, I’ve never seen shots of it done with a wedding couple in the dark before. However we always like to push the envelope and I enjoyed the challenge, and I’m very happy with the results and the variety of shots produced.

Cake eating ceremony at Trinity Buoy Wharf wedding reception

As well as all the usual candid and documentary shots we provide during the day and night, we love to give couples some images that are different, quirky stand out images, something that may not have been done before in a familiar venue. Almost as a conversation piece, and if it doesn’t take too long, why not!?

First dance image from Trinity Buoy Wharf wedding reception

Trinity Buoy Wedding Reception collage two

A great day shifted towards the wedding breakfast, full of amusing and emotional speeches, and some scrummy food courtesy of the street vendors brought in. Brilliant pizzas, and tasty crepes a bit later.

Fifteen minute of organized madness saw us all go outside, and me organize a sparklers shot with the O2 in the background. Great fun.

First dance was to C and L’s choice of live band: The Soundouts who I thought were phenomenal, and then it was time for some serious partying by the Thames.

Another fantastic wedding day for us at Trinity Buoy Wharf and thank you to C and L for being such a brilliant couple!
Supplier List:
Ever fab venue: @trinitybuoywharfweddings
@trinitybuoywharf
Event Coordinators & Suppliers: @theweddingarrangers (thanks Harriet)
@urbanweddings
Food & Drinks: @londonweddingbars
Street Food: @chew_that_events
Wedding Dress @sassiholfordbridal
Cinematographer: @confetti_and_silk_films
Celebrant – Anna @gentlerebelceremonies
Flowers: @sage.flowers
Light up stuff: @vowedandamazed

Band: The Soundouts: Function and Wedding Band in Kent, Essex & London | The Soundouts

Take a look at another Trinity Buoy Wharf wedding day from our blog here:

Trinity Buoy Wharf wedding photographers, and a sky full of stars – Creative London Wedding Photographers Big Day Weddings (bigdayweddings.co.uk)

By David Green

London Christening photographer font image Greek church Camden

London Christening Photography at All Saints Greek Orthodox Cathedral Camden

By Barnet Wedding Photographers, London venues and events, London Wedding PhotographersNo Comments

London Christening Photography is something that David has done, time permitting, between weddings for the best part of ten years now. We don’t post about it very often, but it does happen! Just pleased to receive a lovely thank you card here from Stella and Michael who’s wedding we captured at Old Marylebone Town Hall and the iconic original Ivy Restaurant in West Street Covent garden two years ago.

In the meantime they have started a wonderful family 🙂

David documented the christening at All Saints Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Camden on a very very hot Sunday in June, and stella gave us permission to release one of the images of her lovely daughter Emily.

Big Day Weddings thank you card image 2023

The card reads: “Dear David, Thank you so much for the fabulous photos for Emily’s christening. We love them and you’ve really captured some great moments of our baby girl. We really appreciate what a great job you did in 2 hours and the photos will stay with us forever! Pleased to work with you as always! All the best, Stella, Michael and Emily.”

It was seriously great to see so many faces again that were also at their fantastic wedding, and see the circle of life in action with the arrival of little Emily!

London wedding couple with balloons by red phone booth wide

Screen on the Green Cinema Wedding Islington, Reception at The Juno Rooms

By Barnet Wedding Photographers, London venues and events, London Wedding Photographer, Wedding VenuesNo Comments

There are days that live long in the memory for wedding photographers, and not just the bride and groom! This fantastic celebration stretching from Islington’s iconic cinema and gig venue Screen on the Green, via London Routemaster bus, to the Juno Rooms on Watling Street in the shadow of St Paul’s is one of them.

Groomsmen laughing together Islington wedding day

Islington Screen on the Green wedding cinema groomsmen in front

K and K wanted to put their personal stamp on their big day, and they excelled at everything they planned. The area’s most popular wedding venue is of course the wonderful  Islington Town Hall on Upper Street. We should know, we were married there ourselves! But these two as avid film lovers wanted to get hitched in one of London’s greatest cinemas: The Screen on The Green.

Islington Screen on the Green wedding cinema sign

Islington Screen on the Green cinema wedding venue

Screen on the Green Wedding Collage 2

The Screen on the Green has also been a gig venue of legendary status, most notably for the Sex Pistols.

Bride arrives for Islington wedding ceremony

Day began with us switching between the cinema and the set up for the ceremony there, to the Fox on the Green pub just across the road where groom friends and family began to gather.

Groom waits by cinema screen Islington wedding ceremony

As the time for he ceremony drew near everyone drank up their pints and cocktails and headed to the cinema. K and K had a cinematic slideshow playing of themselves superimposed onto famous actors and movie shots for the delight and amusement of their wedding party.

Screen on the Green cinema Islington wedding ceremony

After documenting our brides arrival we absolutely loved the theatrics of having Islington’s registrars and the lovely couple conduct their wedding ceremony on stage with a spotlight highlighting the action.

Wedding ceremony at Screen on the Green cinema Islington

First kiss wedding ceremony Screen on the Green Islington

That took me David back to another Islington wedding day we did, starting at the town hall and ending with a reception on stage at the Charring Cross Theatre, owned by the groom no less!

Wedding couple kiss in front of Islington Screen on the Green

Bride and groom in front of black wall Islington wedding day

Islington wedding bride and groom by glass wall London

Islington wedding couple laughing by glass wall Upper Street London

After a brilliant ceremony and drink reception in the cinema we all hoped on a Routemaster bus to the excellent Juno Rooms on Watling Street near St Paul’s Cathedral, another of our frequent wedding venues we are ever delighted to photograph at.

Islington wedding couple by London routemaster bus

One of our absolute favourite parts of the day was of banter with the City of London Police outside St Paul’s, who agreed with very little persuasion to pretend to arrest the couple for a pic opportunity.

Under arrest wedding couple at St Pauls Cathedral

We are back there twice this year for wedding ceremonies in the cathedral itself.

Islington wedding couple with balloons by St Pauls Cathedral image

London wedding couple with balloons by red phone booth wide

The Juno Rooms is a modern vibrant and quirky venue both upstairs and downstairs. I (David) went on a short exploration during the wedding breakfast and found the most incredible little streets and alley ways full of character and history all within a minutes walk of the place. Recommended!

Cake cutting with confetti cannons Islington wedding reception 2

Cake cutting with bride and groom Juno Rooms London

Juno Rooms Wedding Reception Collage

Cake cutting was truly bonkers. K and K wanted it to be lively and memorable. Well it was for me as a confetti cannon set off right by my ear send me temporarily deaf but thankfully by the end of the party I was almost normal again 🙂

First dance Islington wedding couple at Juno Rooms central London

Wedding breakfast was downstairs and so was the speeches first and dance and the mother of all parties. What a day, and thankfully I can hear properly again!

Islington bride and groom dance at Juno Rooms wedding reception London

We delivered over 1150 images to the couple, full of their friends and family having a great time and all the natural moments as the day unfolded. We’ve highlighted some of our favourites, but of course this is just a snap shot of an all round quirky and pretty awesome day!

We are always working in Islington so if you would like to see another day this time based at Islington Town Hall have a look on the link below:

Another great Islington Town Hall Wedding Day

 

Bride and groom at Aldwickbury golf wedding

Aldwickbury Park Wedding Day

By Barnet Wedding Photographers, London Wedding Photographers, Wedding VenuesNo Comments

Bride at Elstree Hilton wedding image

Here’s a post about David’s time with Appy and Dan at their Aldwickbury Park Golf Club wedding day. You can see what they thought in the Google review at the end 🙂

Now imagine you plan your ideal day as these guys did, you look around and fall in love with a particular venue and it has everything you are hoping for. You imagine yourself and your guests there having the time of their lives. You see yourself in the grounds spending time with everyone including your photographer. In your mind’s eye it is probably a lovely sunny and warm day with perhaps a gentle cooling breeze.

First kiss Aldwickbury golf wedding ceremony

What happens then when it’s cold, windy and wet almost the whole day? Do you let it ruin your dream? Maybe for some it does impact them.

But for Appy and Dan and certainly David, we were all determined to get the very best out of the day. In these images you can’t feel the cold or the strong winds. You can’t see the rain in the background of some of the shots. And you wouldn’t realise that when we did get outside we had literally moments at a time between showers!

Harpenden wedding couple walk on golf course Aldwickbury

David is very very experienced with all things wedding, and has seen every weather condition, and a hundred and one different approaches and emotions that come out on such a big day. If you read the reviews about us all over Google and some of the listing sites, you will soon see how delighted people are with our approach whether it sun rain or shine. When you love people and their wedding days, putting the technical side of things to one side, it’s easy!

Wedding couple laugh at Aldwickbury golf club Harpenden

Our day started at the Hilton DoubleTree Elstree where both bride and groom were getting ready separately, so there was time to get each of their preparations and some shots around the hotel. Then it was time to drive to Aldwickbury  Park Golf Club for the ceremony and reception.

Aldwickbury park golf club wedding couple by fountain

The staff at Aldwickbury were great, friendly and efficient too.

Wedding coule under veil Harpenden wedding day

Despite the weather a great time was had by all that’s for sure!

Aldwickbury park golf club wedding couple

First dance Aldwickbury golf course wedding reception

Here’s  a transcript of Appy and Dan’s Google review shown in the screen grab below:

“I have no words left, its more then what I expected. The photos and expressions that you captured were amazing. We were very upset with the weather on our big day and thought we won’t get good photos, but you did an excellent job. We can see your efforts and hard work. We both are very happy with your services. I will definitely recommend people/friends for your services. We are soo glad we met you David, you are the best wedding photographer. Excellent photography. You made our day.”

Response from the owner

“Apexa and Daniel, thank you so much for your review. It was a fantastic day, and although it was cold windy and wet we all made sure love and laughter blew all that away. I could see the special bond between you and made that my goal to shine through in every image. Wishing you and your families the very best for the future. David and Joanna”

Big Day Weddings Google review Aldwickbury Park Golf wedding 2

Big Day Weddings best of 2022 collage Two

Another busy wedding season ahead, can’t wait!

By Barnet Wedding Photographers, London venues and events, London Wedding Photographer, Wedding VenuesNo Comments

Although wedding season started in earnest in February for us, and before we head outwards to Islington for todays wedding, here’s a quick look towards what is coming from this years super couples.

As it says on our Wedding Galleries on the site here: Wedding Galleries  “From St Paul’s to San Tropez” we will be covering weddings at St Paul’s cathedral once again this year, and heading to sunny France for a few including another of our favourite “saints” St Tropez!

There’s also of course many Big Day’s starting in the capital’s iconic town hall’s of Islington, Marylebone and Chelsea and some beautiful churches too, followed by hotels, Victorian boozers and warehouse spaces for many fantastic planned receptions.

As usual we will doing a lovely selection of quirky venues, industrial chic, and manor houses and barns throughout the home counties, and some outdoor celebrations in the mix too.

Can’t wait! Some dates still free, so get in touch to find out which 🙂

David and Joanna

Big Day Weddings best of 2022 collage one

Engagement shoot at Alexandra Palace north London

Alexandra Palace Engagement Shoot, for 2023 Engagement season!

By Barnet Wedding Photographers, London venues and events, London Wedding Photographers, Wedding VenuesNo Comments

Well, they tell us that now is the traditional time after Christmas and heading through New Year that those of us in the wedding world call “Engagement Season.” So here’s a recent Alexandra Palace engagement shoot landing on the blog.

Alexandra Palace engagement shoot, couple walk through leaves

Apparently now is the time the vast majority of couples pop the big question to each other and then providing the answer is positive (!!!) planning for the big day begins in earnest.

Engaged couple in front of blue doors Alexandra Palace wide shot

M and J live in Buckinghamshire and it’s very near their homes in Bletchley they are getting married, with a wedding reception to follow in Milton Keynes. J is English and M is Brazilian and bizarrely as I (David) found on on the shoot, J and I used to work in the same company many moons ago. Small world 🙂

Couple sat on log Alexandra Palace engagement photo shoot

And that’s one of the great things about engagement shoots: everyone gets to know each other a bit better. It certainly helps some couples relax a little ahead of the big day to find out how friendly and relaxed we are.

Alexandra Palace engagement couple by graffiti

Having said that, it’s only about thirty percent of couples that take up our offer of a complimentary engagement shoot that comes as standard in our Elegance and Platinum Plus packages, both found here: Pricing – Creative London Wedding Photographers Big Day Weddings (bigdayweddings.co.uk)

couple walking together Alexandra Palace engagement shoot

If you’ve seen any of our other engagement shoot blog posts you will know that it is David that pretty much does all of these on his own, unless of course it’s a longer and more involved shoot say in central London with a couple that may have flown in just for the experience. Yes people really do that! A quick look on Google will tell you how happy people are with us 🙂

Couple on steps Alexandra Park and Palace shoot

What’s great about Alexandra Palace engagements shoots, apart from the fact we used to live right next to it, and our children went to school nearby in Muswell Hill, is the variety the building and surrounding park offer.

Forever Yours Alexandra Palace engagement shoot

It has water, woodland, views, gardens, interesting architecture, and plenty of characters wandering around too. The thing is knowing what works visually and what doesn’t, getting people relaxed and understanding light and camera technique to get the best out of an engagement shoot. And on top of that being able to do it with energy, a smile, gentle direction, and guaranteed results every time.

Couple by grafitti Alexandra Palace engagement shoot photo

Things is when it’s your career, when you love what you do, when you always want to create something fresh and engaging: it’s a pleasure.

Couple by tree Alexandra Palace engagement photo shoot

Engagement shoot on steps by Alexandra Palace London

Want to see some more of our engagements shoots including Alexandra Palace? Then take a look at the links below:

Shoreditch Engagement Shoot, inner London photography

Best London Engagement Shoot from Covent Garden to Leadenhall Market

Engagement Shoot at London’s Alexandra Palace in Muswell Hill

Engaged couple in front of blue doors Alexandra Palace

Engagement shoot at Alexandra Palace north London

By David Green

Wedding at The Ivy London bride and groom image

Fitzrovia Chapel Wedding Westminster & reception at The Ivy London

By Barnet Wedding Photographers, London venues and events, London venues and events, London Wedding Photographer, Wedding VenuesNo Comments

We love a Fitzrovia Chapel wedding. One of the best things about photographing in London and the home counties is the sheer variety of venues. We appreciate that, it helps keep us fresh and is a challenge we always relish. For E & R’s special day they chose three iconic spots in central London.

Wedding couple kiss outside The Ivy central London image

The day started with E getting ready at The Dorchester just off Park Lane central London, a venue we have been very happy to work in many times. A very relaxed start there and a chance to get to know mum and dad a little and of course the maid of honour and bridesmaids.

Bride getting makeup The Dorchester Hotel London

Wedding dress hanging The Dorchester Hotel London

Bride in wedding dress The Dorchester Hotel London

A fairly short convoy cab ride away, beating bride and dad to the church, we arrived at the ever amazing Fitzrovia Chapel in Pearson Square.

Groom waits for bride Fitzrovia Chapel wedding Westminster London

Bride arrives at Fitzrovia Chapel Wedding ceremony Westminster London

Fitzrovia Chapel in Westminster for those who haven’t been looks to my eye (David) something that could be in Vatican City Rome, it really is that impressive and golden inside!

Bride arrives with father Fitzrovia Chapel Wedidng London

First look Fitzrovia Chapel Wedding ceremony London

It was built between 1891 – 2 but work with the interiors didn’t fully finish until 1929. Well at least there was something positive about 1929 considering it was the year of the great Wall Street stock market crash and the beginning of the Depression era!

Fitzrovia Chapel Wedding ceremony Westminster London

It’s gothic, it beautiful, you can record songs there, fashion shoots, art exhibitions, performances you name it and of course you can get married too in its vaulted splendour. A real hidden gem in Westminster central London.

First Kiss at Fitzrovia Chapel Wedding London

Photograph there in winter and you have to make an artistic choice, discreet soft flash or purely ambient. Purely ambient is pretty easy though we’ve seen quite a lot of previous wedding coverage there that is very dark and not particularly flattering, so diffused flash became the order of the day and worked very well.

Wedding recessional at Fitzrovia Chapel Westminster London

Bride and groom outside Fitzrovia Chapel Westminster London

Especially love the moment E comes through the arches with Dad, and R’s anticipation moments before. The registrars for the ceremony we knew, they really are a great team in Westminster, and thank you to the helpful staff on hand at Fitzrovia Chapel itself.

Bride and groom hold hands Fitzrovia Chapel Wedding

Afterwards there was a short drinks reception we used as a chance to get ten minutes outside with the newly weds for some shots, and then it was time to make our way to one of London’s most famous and iconic restaurant The Ivy.

Wedding couple walk through Westminster London

What to say about The Ivy. Well we have both photographed and dined there many times. It is probably one of the most famous celebrity frequented restaurants London has. Starting in 1917 as an Italian Café it morphed over time into a restaurant frequented by some of the most famous actors of the day from Sir Lawrence Olivier, Vivien Leigh, Sir John Gielgud, Noel Coward and many many others in it’s history. It’s in the heart of theatreland, beautifully decorated and you cannot see in from the outside which David thinks is one of it’s biggest assets: privacy.

Wedding at The Ivy London bride and groom image

It’s also a fantastic place for a small to medium sized wedding reception. The first floor (we’ve worked at the top as well) is beautiful with a bar, socializing and dining area.

The Ivy Wedding Reception London Collage

E & R arranged a fantastic three piece jazz band that kept the evening swinging, through another drinks reception, the wedding breakfast, first dance and beyond. It was a special ambience, great staff as well as fantastic guests all combining to make it a very memorable Ivy wedding reception.

Take a look at some related central London wedding days and receptions on the blog below:

Best London Engagement Shoot from Covent Garden to Leadenhall Market

More of our favourite wedding images from in and around London in the past year

London’s best wedding venues that are both iconic and alternative

London Engagement shoot at Southbank and Tower Bridge again

By David Green

Confetti throw St James's church Paddington Wedding

Paddington Wedding Photographer – no bears involved!

By Barnet Wedding Photographers, London venues and events, London Wedding Photographer, Wedding VenuesNo Comments

Every wedding day is memorable for this wedding photographer, it’s just some over time become more memorable than others! As a pretty frequent Paddington wedding photographer, and all those central London areas around, this particular day with Elizabeth and Sean is certainly one that will live long in my mind’s eye.

Bride and groom walk through gardens Paddington wedding

Here’s some of the reasons, firstly apart from fifteen to twenty minutes spent fifty yards away in a small public rose garden the entire wedding day from ceremony though to reception food and drinks cake cutting and first dance everything was contained within the church.

Bride enters St James's church for Paddington wedding ceremony

The venue in question was the magnificent St James’s Church Sussex Gardens in Paddington. Built between 1841 and 1843 it replaced the previous building of St Mary’s of Paddington Green. It’s had many famous people over the years in the congregation and perhaps it’s most famous wedding of the past was Oscar Wilde marrying Constance Lloyd in 1884.

Wedding ceremony St James Paddington

London Paddington wedding ceremony at St James's

It’s constructed in a gothic style and as much as I could I wanted to show the drama of it in my wide shots.

Wedding couple stroll through Paddington London park

I talked extensively with Elizabeth about what the couple wanted for their big day, and the basic brief was that they preferred a low-key unobtrusive style with some gentle direction if needed at any point. Excellent, and that’s why I (David) captured the day on my own rather than as a pair.

Bride and Groom at Abbey Road crossing wedding day

This was a meeting of many cultures and countries and a really interesting mix for me to photograph. The whole vibe was one of love laughter and respect from everyone involved. As a wedding veteran, this time with everyone to me had an almost unique quality that is difficult to put into words.

Wedding couple kiss on steps Paddington London

What was different? Well the wedding breakfast, which was utterly delicious (thank you guys!) was delivered within the church itself and not in an adjoining hall or area. Quite a change to eat sat in a pew! The confetti throw was later in the day. And most special of all for me was cake cutting and a dance in aisle in the centre of the church rather than the sides. I’ll admit that was my idea, as I thought it would make it more memorable for Elizabeth and Sean, and that first dance was so heartfelt and beautiful it will probably be my longest memory of this Paddington wedding day 🙂

First dance in church aisle Paddington wedding London

We found twenty minutes to have a bit of outside fun and shoot some couple shots in the little garden across the road, and a pedestrian crossing and buildings we spotted nearby. A great day, only four hours actually and a really great couple.

THE REVIEW

Big Day Wedding Review October 2022

These two wrote me a lovely review five-star review (a shot is included) but also a really wonderful thank you email which I’m including to show real feedback from one of my cherished couples:

“Dear David,

Please accept my apologies for the delay in responding. We have been away in the Azores (honeymoon) island hopping and checking my emails whilst I am away is something I am notoriously terrible at.

However, what a wonderful gift to return to. Sean and I are both so thrilled with the collection of photographs. I cannot believe how happy we are with them all so thank you so, so much! From the first contact I knew I had made the right choice on photographer. I felt you understood us and our take on a relaxed, low key wedding perfectly. I was immediately at ease talking with you on the phone and as soon as I met you I was instantly relaxed. We can’t believe how you managed to capture so many shots in so many different places seemingly all at the same time! Sean’s Dad even commented ‘where did you find this guy, he is brilliant’. The images are incredible and have far exceeded expectionations. It is such a great mix of guests in the moment looking happy and relaxed but also some amazing shots with your creative direction. Your artistic flair shines through and we are thrilled with everything that you managed to capture. It is a true essence of the day. Thank you for coming by so early and texting me to know you were already there which was very reassuring and the images you got of the guests arriving right through to the cake cutting are brilliant and such a fantastic keepsake of the day. It has brought back the entire day beautifully for us. I normally do not like to have my photograph taken nor am I photogenic but in the nicest possible way I didn’t even notice you were there at all! Our expectations for the photographs across the road in the flower garden and ‘Beatles’ style on the zebra crossing were not high as we didn’t really know how to be and were worried you would get run over by a passing car for most of it but with your direction they have turned out to be so brilliant we are simply thrilled with them. The confetti shots also capture how happy everyone is and they are also fantastic. I could simply list everything as the entire collection is superb.

Thank you, again for capturing the day so magnificently when we only planned a very small, last minute, intimate afternoon that we threw together only a month or two before but with your style it looks like we planned the most exquisite day down to the finest detail. The amount of photos is incredible and they are all truly wonderful. The slide show to music is really something very special to treasure.

Sean insisted on writing on our behalf as I normally leave these things to him so I have additionally pasted his message from both of us below as well.

Sir David

You are an absolute royal super star!! Wow, Wow, Wow! So many great shots, it’s almost overwhelming! How did you jump around seemingly every corner of the church like that?! Some we love the most were when we went across the street to the rose gardens. You talking and joking and just your great personality made us so relaxed and you got so many amazing pictures there. But so many beautiful ones all over. The detail and characters and mood you captured. Impossible for us to pick a top 10 or even 100. And you gave us over 900 pics!

You are a star my friend. Thank you so much for being part of our divine day. We love you.

Sean and Elizabeth

Thank you, again, David.

A great day and captured to perfection.

Elizabeth”

Here’s some more central London Weddings to check out:

Eight Club Wedding in Moorgate and Shoreditch

Winners for London and beyond 2022 in UK’s biggest wedding competition. Thank you!!

All Souls Church Wedding London with plenty of social distancing joy!

Central London Weddings

Shoreditch Engagement Shoot, inner London photography

Paddington wedding reception photo collage

 

Here’s another recent central London wedding:

Fitzrovia Chapel Wedding Westminster & reception at The Ivy London

By David Green

 

Big Day Weddings Hitched Wedding Awards 20200

Winners for London and beyond 2022 in UK’s biggest wedding competition. Thank you!!!

By Barnet Wedding Photographers, London venues and events, London Wedding Photographer, London Wedding PhotographersNo Comments

We are humbled, and beyond delighted to win for London (and our work in the home counties) in the Hitched Wedding Awards 2022. Hitched, and their owners The Knot Worldwide are the biggest global wedding brands out there, and their competition is all down to the people that matter the most, wedding couples themselves. Winners are judged on how happy the couple are with their photographers on a range of criteria, from great imagery to people skills and professionalism and more.

Best nine image 2021 Big Day Weddings collage

In truth we did nothing but what we always do, which is to work our socks off for our brides and grooms and their families, without every letting them see us break into an obvious sweat! There’s no point having all the technical knowledge in the world, and the best equipment money can buy to go with it, if you don’t deliver what the good people who hire you WANT and more. If you can listen, if you can put yourself in other people’s shoes, if you can dream their dreams for the big day, then you are beginning to do what we believe the very best wedding photographers and videographers do.

Big Day Weddings Collage Two of 2021

You can have all the flowery prose, current buzz words in the world in your website and your marketing, but if you don’t look after the people that put their money and faith in you, then you won’t last long. Wedding photography is a great vocation, but it’s a hard one too. Everybody wants to be a photographer, and everybody IS a photographer. But only those that consistently deliver will last, and in our close to fourteen years full-time in this wonderful industry, we can only think of five photographers we know of that are still here today!

Now there ARE a lot of brilliant photographers out there. Absolutely no doubt. You may get lucky, and we wish you all the best with that. There are people we follow ourselves for extra inspiration and ideas, we’re always learning too.

But, if you would like a couple who still deliver, still win, and most of all (and actually we are humble, but we have to shout about ourselves sometimes!) are “people” people who listen, then get in touch, talk to us about your exciting plans, and at the very least get some friendly no obligation advice about your wedding day.

And truly, thank you for all the brilliant couples we worked with in the last year that voted for us, without us even asking! We would be nothing without you, that’s for sure 🙂

David and Joanna

Big Day Weddings Hitched Wedding Awards 20200

Google review Claridges Big Day Weddings

Another 5 star review from a very recent Claridges wedding

By Barnet Wedding Photographers, London venues and events, London Wedding Photographers, Wedding VenuesNo Comments

It’s always great to return to the historic and iconic London luxury hotel Claridges for a wedding day. It’s also fantastic to receive this kind of five star review on Google afterwards.

Michele and Stephen’s Christmas wedding held in the French Salon and dining room for sixty guests was a joyous emotional coming together of many who had not seen each other much, if at all since the pandemic, which made it extra special.

Here’s the review copied and pasted from Google and our reply:

“I cannot recommend David & Joanna enough. They were so brilliant on, before and after my wedding. Not only are they so professional, they are just the nicest people too. I could not have chosen better people to mix with my friends and family, they felt like they belonged. Their photos are outstanding and everyone who has seen them have been so complimentary. You will not go wrong with Big Day Weddings.”

“Michele thank you so much! We had a lovely time documenting your wonderful wedding at Claridges. It was fantastic to meet your friends and family, and we would like to wish you both the very best for the future. David and Joanna :-)”

To see more of our reviews on Google click the link: Google reviews for Big Day Weddings

By David Green

 

Islington wedding couple outside Upper Street pub image

Another great Islington Town Hall Wedding Day

By Barnet Wedding Photographers, London venues and events, London Wedding Photographer, Wedding VenuesNo Comments

It’s a London wedding icon, we’ve photographed there many many times, but no matter how often we visit it’s always a very special occasion. We are talking about Islington Town Hall, it’s our favourite, closely followed by Old Marylebone Town Hall and Chelsea. Ok there’s a little piece of our heart in Stoke Newington and Finsbury too!

Islington wedding couple at Coopers Yard Upper Street image

Islington Town Hall wedding couple pose by blue wall

Anyway on to S and J’s intimate wedding, a total of ten people amid some of this years restrictions that David photographed by himself. This was the legal part of their wedding in the UK with very close family only, to be followed by a celebration a few days later in Sicily.

Bride and groom pose outside Islington Fire Station on wedding day

S is from America and now working in the UK while J was English born and bred. Naturally we got on like the proverbial ‘house on fire’. It’s myself David writing the piece, and it’s no waffling exaggeration to say I absolutely love meeting new people and getting the best images, moments and reactions I can for their wedding day.

Islington Town Hall council chamber wedding ceremony

Exchange of rings Islington Town Hall wedding ceremony

For our time together the sun shone, but brighter than that were these two as the stars of their own romantic show. There’s something very special about being a professional guest with such an intimate wedding, and it’s critical that a photographer mirrors the personality and outlooks of the people they work with. It’s essential to get truly natural and relaxed shots. I love that these too were open minded for some creativity too.

Couple kiss by stairs Islington Town Hall wedding

Wedding couple kiss by window Islington Town Hall

The ceremony itself was in the grandest of spaces at Islington Town Hall: the Council Chamber, and even though there were only a few of us the love and enthusiasm of this wedding party more than filled the room. Afterwards we had ten minutes or so to take advantage of some of the locations this fantastic building has to offer. As usual we were looked after by wonderful registrars, many of whom I know personally now!

Islington wedding couple embrace by blue wall

As a former longtime resident of Islington I was able to take these guys to some of my favourite little spots afterwards. I particularly enjoyed their champagne reception at Fredericks restaurant near Angel Tube. It’s a place I’ve visited many times myself over the years.

Islington wedding couple in front of glass wall image

After that it was into cabs for an afternoon tea celebration at famous Brown’s Hotel in Mayfair. A splendid end to a splendid day.

Islington wedding day couple on the street

I’m showcasing some of my personal Islington favourites here. I was able to give the couple 800 edited images of the day telling its story in full for them to treasure and share.

Islington wedding couple outside Upper Street pub image

Here’s link to some of our other blogged Islington weddings:

Screen on the Green Cinema Wedding Islington, Reception at The Juno Rooms

Last ever Islington Town Hall Wedding before lockdown

Islington Town Hall Wedding Photographers, reception at Dead Dolls House

Another lovely Islington Town Hall Wedding & Reception at The Albion

Islington Metal Works wedding day starting at Hampstead& St Stephen church

By David Green

 

Top 100 photographers badge Big Day Weddings

Another award to end 2021, thank you to all our couples and industry partners!

By Barnet Wedding Photographers, London venues and events, London Wedding PhotographersNo Comments

It’s always great to win an award even though we don’t actively enter many competitions. This is the third year in a row we’ve either won a national wedding award or appeared in a final.  Voted for by Your Perfect Wedding Photographer as best in the UK is  satisfying as it is one of the largest wedding portals out there.

In truth though, all the wedding awards in the world are meaningless unless that translates to a great experience for the people that work with us. When our couples come back to us delighted (and often leaving reviews) with their images and how we behaved with themselves and their guests on their wedding day, then that is the best award of all.

Have a read of our reviews on Google and other places to see people’s real world experiences of us for yourselves.

Google Reviews for Big Day Weddings

Feel free to get in touch to talk over any wedding plans you have. We are more than happy just to give advice and some inside knowledge of venues you may be thinking of, regardless of whatever your final decisions may be.

Wishing all a wonderful 2022!

David and Joanna

Bride and groom kiss by anchor Cutty Sark Greenwich wedding

Our 47th 5 STAR Google Wedding Review

By Barnet Wedding Photographers, London venues and events, London Wedding Photographers, Wedding VenuesNo Comments

It’s no exaggeration to say that at the moment we are waiting on about 15 reviews to come through! The problem is people are very busy, and actually getting a review onto Google without creating an account is not particularly easy, so lovely couples with the best of intentions often don’t get round to actually doing it. We remind them if they said they wanted to (just once) because we don’t want to be over pushy!

Anyway here’s a cut and paste from mighty Google itself of our 47th five star review, thanks to Joanna and Tom and their fabulous wedding day at Islington Town Hall, the Cutty Sark and an incredible hired private mansion in Eltham:

“From our initial conversation with David we knew he would be brilliant. He listened to all our ideas, made loads of helpful suggestions, had lots of local knowledge around the venue and good spots for photos, and filled us with confidence. On the day he was superb – he was chatty and friendly with our guests, made everyone feel very at ease and expertly arranged the group shots. He somehow managed to be everywhere at once and capture every moment of the day while also being completely unobtrusive and blending into the background. The photos themselves were wonderful; so many to choose from, natural and colourful and exactly like we wanted. We are so grateful to him for producing such beautiful photos, but also for being such a fun part of the day and cannot recommend his services highly enough!
Joanna & Tom
Response from the owner a week ago

Joanna and Tom, thank you so much for the goggle review! What a fabulous day we had at the most quirky and impressive private mansion I’ve ever seen, your glorious Council Chamber wedding at Islington Town Hall, and the wonderfully atmospheric Cutty Sark. Wishing you both health and happiness for many years to come.

Google review for Big Day Weddings London

Shoreditch engagement shoot girls laugh by iron doors

Shoreditch Engagement Shoot, inner London photography

By Barnet Wedding Photographers, London venues and events, London Wedding Photographers, Wedding VenuesOne Comment

Well there’s only one thing David likes more than hanging around in a place like Shoreditch, and that is doing a Shoreditch Engagement Shoot!

Shoreditch engagement shoot couple stood by graffiti

Many times we have done a wedding in this most colourful of areas, and then had ten to twenty minutes to get some couple shots between the ceremony and reception. Here’s an example of that at Eight Club Moorgate: Eight Club Wedding in Moorgate and Shoreditch

Shoreditch-engagement shoot couple sat on steps together image

For this shoot I had about fifty minutes, what a luxury, and what a pleasure to work with M and D. This fantastic twosome are getting hitched at the lovely and funky Clapton Country club in August, and quite frankly I can’t wait.

Shoreditch engagement couple in front of large graffiti on black wall London

We started by meeting at Old Street tube station, at 6.30pm. Early evening is ofter best for the quality of light and also the fact that most people working in the city will have wandered home, or into a bar….

Shoreditch engagement shoot couple piggyback and laugh by graffiti

Even so, this is a really buzzing place with people, cycle and electrics scooters whizzing everywhere.

Shoreditch engagement shoot ladies by graffiti

I had a quick walk around before going to Old Street to check a few places I knew, and what has and hasn’t changed graffiti wise and to check whether there was any new scaffolding obscuring anything. Yes scaffolding, London never stops building and growing!

Couple show engagement rings in Shoreditch photo shoot

From our Zoom call earlier in the year I knew I had a great rapport with these guys, and this continued all the way through the shoot. M and D love all things urban and are also partial to any interesting graffiti. This is exactly what suits a Shoreditch engagement shoot.

Engagement couple in Shoreditch by Michaelangelo art display

Such fun finding places, creating reactions, and making use of different lighting and backdrops. Generally speaking I try and make engagement shoots discreet for the couple so that they can relax and feel unselfconscious, usually starting in places where very few people are around.

Couple hand in hand at Shoreditch engagement photo shoot

That’s virtually impossible in Shoreditch, though I did manage, but really these ladies were not  shy and just got into the energy and fun of the shoot.

Couple on steps at Shoreditch engagement shoot London

We celebrated a successful time with a cheeky beer afterwards at the Old Blue Last pub.

In fact for those interested I used the area behind and around the Old Blue Last extensively, plus two blocks away from Old Street Station to begin the session.

Next stop Clapton Country Club…

By David Green

London-wedding-couple-pose-sat-in-bus stop

Intimate Weddings at Old Marylebone Town Hall

By Barnet Wedding Photographers, London venues and events, London Wedding Photographer, Wedding VenuesNo Comments

Here’s a very recent small intimate and covid friendly wedding at London’s iconic Old Marylebone Town Hall. This June wedding was shot by myself David, as there was just seven people involved and to be as unobtrusive as possible.  I had a great time with this bunch of very positive people, and huge congratulations to Valentina and James for tying the knot 🙂

Bride crossing road to Old Marylebone Town Hall wedding

Bride outside Old Marylebone Town Hall with wedding bouquet

Both of these guys work in the bus and transportation industry in Oxford, and decided to come down to the “big smoke” to have their ceremony in a town hall that has hosted more famous weddings than perhaps any other single venue in London.

Bride and groom hold hands during wedding ceremony Old Marylebone Town Hall

Bride laughs during Old Marylebone Town Hall wedding ceremony

Exchange of rings Old Marylebone Town Hall wedding ceremony

First kiss Old Marylebone Town Hall wedding ceremony

My first sight of Valentina was crossing the busy Marylebone Road with two of her guests, having stayed the night at The Landmark Hotel. Time for James to get inside and speak with the registrars!

Bride and groom walk through Old Marylebone Town Hall corridor

Wedding couple on balcony inside Old Marylebone Town Hall

Bride and groom walk down stairs Old Marylebone Town Hal wedding

What I usually do in these situations is start documenting the scene, ie: buildings, room if possible, details etc, then the arrival of groom and anyone that is with them, until the bride arrives. Usually I get a minute or two to get some shots before she too has a pre ceremony chat with the registrars.

Confetti throw Old Marylebone Town Hall wedding

Much as I like the staff at Old Marylebone Town Hall, they are friendly and efficient, but in my humble opinion a little too efficient at times. I get the least amount of time allocated in the building of any London registry, on average 3 minutes after a ceremony in the corridors and stairs. I know they are very busy, but…not that busy. Ok I’ve said it, I know plenty of other photographers who feel the same, they won’t say it though, not publicly!

Bride and groom together after Old Marylebone Town Hall wedding

Speaking of ceremonies, this was one of the most affectionate and love filled I’ve seen in a long time, and I’ve documented a lot! Valentina also had the most wonderful and infectious laughter too, which was a joy to capture.

Bride and groom kiss by lion statue Old Marylebone Town Hall wedding

New bride and groom walk past Old Marylebone Town Hall after wedding

Afterwards I used my three minutes inside with the newlyweds at fairly high speed. I work fast anyway and it certainly kept the energy levels up.

Bride and groom hold hands by roller doors Old Marylebone Town Hall

Outside on the famous Old Marylebone Town Hall steps it was time for confetti in super bright sunshine. So many times I’ve heard guests at weddings say that they think the personal photos they are taking will be better in sunshine. Well, while we all love sunshine, it usually makes people squint and…let’s just say it’s not that flattering to many skin tones. I noted the sun was going in and out fairly rapidly, so after a few group shots I asked if there was any confetti left, and everyone enjoyed another throw in what is known in photographic speak as “open shade” and so much better!

Bride and groom on wedding day Regents Park bridge London

My coverage for this was at my minimum two hours, so we had plenty of time to walk towards Regents Park and get some shots there. As is my usual style anything on the way that looks interesting we used for shot variety and some fun. Roller doors, bus stops iron railings and general walking shots. I’ve also included an image with a happy cyclist riding past, I spied her out of the corner of my eye and definitely wanted to include her for a more funky take on a fairly traditional shot.

Cyclist rides past bride and groom Regents Park bridge London

I celebrated a little with the couple afterwards in the park, and then got on my horse and road off into the sunset for the day.

Bride and groom by log in Regents Park London

One week later I was able to send them just under 600 edit images for a permanent reminder of a really fun time. Congratulations to Valentina and James and their super wedding at Old Marylebone Town Hall!!!!!

London-wedding-couple-pose-sat-in-bus stop

By David Green

Confetti throw outside All Souls church wedding London

All Souls Church Wedding London – with plenty of social distancing joy!

By Barnet Wedding Photographers, London venues and events, London Wedding PhotographerNo Comments

Bride in facemask arrives All Souls wedding LondonBride arrives for her All Souls wedding London

To say that 2020 to 2021 were challenging years for the world as a whole is of course obvious and a bit of an understatement. The wedding industry like most others was challenged and had to adapt too. We thought it would be a good idea to show what a “socially distanced” wedding looks like for a number of reasons, the main one being to showcase that the the joy, love and uniqueness of a big day, though smaller in scale, is absolutely undiminished!

Groom and bestman at covid secure wedding

David was the busiest last year, sometimes capturing four weddings a week. Although the first three months were well booked with “normal” size and timeline weddings, come March we all had to massively adapt. Many couples understandably moved their dates, but many others decided to press ahead when they could and scale back their plans.

Bride outside All Souls London for her wedding day

Featured here are one such couple Rebecca and Matt, who’s original grand plan was a ceremony in the lovely All Souls church next to the BBC in London, followed by a shoot as newly weds around some central city sights, and then on to a large reception at Crypt on the Green in Clerkenwell. A long planned fusion of American and English families coming together in the capital where the couple met. As ultimate reality would have it, it was 15 souls at All Souls, and a restaurant dinner afterwards, with an amount of Zoom, and some recorded video messages too.

I’m just delighted it went ahead and I was able to be part of an intimate heartfelt and memorable event. As you can see from Rebecca’s arrival it was a mask on mask off affair. Thankfully once things were underway  both bride groom  and clergy were exempt. I was lucky enough to do twelve such socially distanced weddings and this was pretty much the norm, but absolutely non were any the less for it. I particularly like the two shots below where you can see Matt going from happy and excited to overwhelmed when he first sees his wife to be walking down the aisle towards him.

Grrom waits for bride All Souls church wedding

Grrom cries into hankerchief All Souls wedding

There was so much emotion and love in the room it was palpable 🙂

Wedding ceremony at All Souls church London

When there was some live guitar and singing interludes I snuck quietly up on the balcony, to get the kind of wider shot you can see below.

All Souls church wedding from balcony covid restrictions London

We take a lot of shots by the way, all with a purpose, and all of which we give to our couples after editing. Back to the ceremony, one of my favourite parts was where a family friend performed magic tricks which he’d taught himself especially for the wedding. Very unusual end to the ceremony, and very entertaining too.

Bride and groom close up All Souls wedding ceremony London

By the time the register was signed and Rebecca and Matt walked back down the aisle it was dark outside. Still I’m very experienced with winter weddings, and I was very happy with our confetti shots, family groups and the five minutes or so I had to grab some couple shots outside. A bit less time than the hour we had had originally planned though!

All Souls covid wedding with live Zoom feed on monitors

Exchange of rings All Souls London wedding ceremony

Magician at All Souls wedding London

Bride and groom wedding recessional All Souls church London

All in all a lovely time, and I’m sure the start of a wonderful life for these two guys together.

All Souls Church central London

All souls church wedding London bride and groom image

By David Green

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