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Islington wedding couple pose at Hoxley & Porter Upper Street

Islington Town Hall Wedding Photographers, reception at Dead Dolls House

By London Wedding Photographer, Wedding VenuesOne Comment

There’s no denying that we are frequent Islington Town Hall wedding photographers, but there’s also happily no denying that every wedding, even if it is in the same venue, is equally as exhilarating and totally different too! That’s one of the lovely bonuses we get to experience as full time photographers.

Wedding dress hanging before Islington wedding day

Islington bride getting ready shot through circle image

Islington wedding bridesmaids laughing on stairs

I knew from our first meeting with Emily and Dave that it was a good fit, they were both fun loving open minded and relaxed. Not that you need to be to work with us, as we are well know for our ability to put people at ease on their big day. But it’s a nice bonus for us if you are.

Bridal makeup in Islington London

Islington wedding bride poses on metal stairs

David started the day in Holloway with Emily and her bridesmaids, putting the finishing touches on their prep and getting busy with the Prosecco.

Groom and bestman laugh before Islington Town Hall wedding

Joanna headed to Upper Street and across the road from Islington Town Hall to the Vineyard pub, a popular watering hole for many a groom and his entourage!

Bride arrives at Dead Dolls House for Islington Town Hall Wedding

First look at Islington Town Hall wedding ceremony

Islington Town Hall wedding ceremony

Though their are many spaces for a ceremony at Islington Town Hall this particular day it was the splendid main Council Chamber that would see Emily and Dave tie the knot.

Bride and groom laugh at the top of Islington Town Hall stairs

Emily arrived first at The Dead Dolls House across the road from the town hall which would later become their reception venue.

Wedding couple inside corridor Islington Town Hall

Having lived in Islington for many years I’ve seen different makeovers for this place, but I have to say hand on heart this is by far the best version yet. Staff are great and there’s certainly nothing “dead” about this place!

Wedding couple laugh on stairs at Islington Town Hall

One of our favourite parts of working at Islington’s famous town hall is the registrar’s there. They are always upbeat and enthusiastic and absolutely no wedding day hitch ruffles their feathers.

Confetti throw at Islington Town Hall wedding

As we expected, a fun and laughter filled wedding ceremony for E and D was followed by a little time around the marble interiors of the town hall and then a good old confetti throw in brilliant bright sunshine outside.

Islington wedding couple kiss by The Dead Dolls House venue

Islington wedding couple laugh in Dead Dolls House London

For ten years we have been photographing at Islington Town Hall, and some of those days of course it has rained, but so far wonderfully it has NEVER rained when the confetti was being thrown. Yes before, and yes just after, but never during. Long may that continue.

Islington wedding couple crossing Upper Street London

Islington wedding couple pose on Upper Street

Anyway we had one of those very warm summer days of 2018 so the wedding party crossed the road to quench the thirst at the Dead Doll’s House and nibble on some delicious canapés.

Islington wedding couple sit and laugh on London steps image

Bride and groom by blue door Islington wedding

After a while myself (David) took the stars of the show around Upper Street and the surrounding area for some couple shots. I know every inch of this neighbourhood, but it’s forever fresh and changing and we had a really fun time. It took about twenty-five minutes which I think is about right to keep the energy level up and not eat in to the bride and groom’s socialising during the day.

Islington wedding couple by sunlit wall north London

Islington Town Hall wedding couple outside a shop image

Although our Galleries are full of these type of images, a great deal of day is spent doing documentary coverage of people and moments as they unfold in a naturalistic way.

Islington wedding couple hold hands near Upper Street Islington

So if you would like to see a full days photography which is on average about 1000 images just ask and we will be very happy to send a download link.

Islington wedding brides pose in front of blue wall London

Hard working staff at the Dead Doll’s House served up a great wedding breakfast followed by speeches and cake cutting and the inevitable but essential boogying the night away.

Islington wedding brides pose in front of London clothes shop

The wedding breakfast itself was served on long tables on the ground floor, with the drinks reception and speeches happening in the second floor Ballroom. Live music was courtesy of “Indie Killers” with dancing and partying downstairs, while the first floor Drawing Room became a chill out space and a good location for a Photo Booth.

Islington wedding first dance at Dead Dolls House London

A brilliant day all round with a great couple and their friends and family. We wish them both all the very best for the future.

By David Green.

Here’s a couple among many Islington Town Hall weddings to check out on the blog:

Another lovely Islington Town Hall Wedding & Reception at The Albion

Another great Islington Town Hall Wedding, then on to Hoxley & Porter and The Albion

Islington Town Hall Wedding & Peasant Pub Clerkenwell Reception

Just to finish up, I like to say hello and sometimes photograph the people behind the scenes of a couple’s wedding day. These guys in the photo below are the hard working and talented chefs behind the great food at the Dead Dolls House. Thanks guys!

Wedding chefs in kitchen at Dead Dolls House London

UPDATE: Two weeks later we have received this lovely review from Emily and Dave posted on Google:

“We booked Big Day Weddings (David and Joanna) for our wedding in August this year. From the moment we met them we knew we had a good match, having met other photographers who didn’t seem interested in us at all just where we were getting married and if the pictures would win them awards!! With David and Joanna, they put us both at ease and we got on like a house on fire. Their packages were also really good and it was no nonsense, they listened to what we were after and shared there ideas; they were really knowledgeable about the area we got married and knew all the places to go to get some really amazing shots. On the day they worked their socks off and it shows as the pictures are out of this world and better than anything we could have wished for or imagined. They had a great rapport with us and our guests so managed to get the best out of us all- even me the camera shy bride but by the end of the day I felt like a professional!! Thank you again David and Joanna and I can promise you, you won’t be disappointed if you book these guys Emily and David Thompson Xxx”

So great to get this kind of feedback 🙂

 

Bride and groom laugh in church doorway at London wedding

West Lodge Park, Christ Church Southgate and Trent Park Country Club wedding day

By Barnet Wedding Photographers, London Wedding Photographer, Wedding VenuesOne Comment

Some wedding days happen all in one place, and that’s great, no one gets lost! And some wedding days are all over place, literally!

Bridal wedding prep at West Lodge Park Hotel

For Adriana and Alex’s special day it was three venues but all about five minutes from each other, perfect and nice variety too. Yes it rained, this is England of course, and we had to go to Plan B, but that didn’t matter as rain never stops play on a wedding day.

Bride gets ready with mirror West Lodge Park Hotel

From our first meeting I knew these guys had a sense of energy and fun and that really shone through on their wedding day despite the weather.

Wedding processional at Christ Church Southgate London

Coverage started at the lovely West Lodge Park Hotel, a venue we have photographed many a wedding day at, and I began with bridal preparations and seven bridesmaids and mum all in the same room, having a great time of course.

Bride and groom portrait at Christ Church Southgate wedding

Meanwhile Alex was being photographed arriving at Christ Church in Southgate and doing his pre ceremony meet and greet.

Wedding recessional bride and groom Christ Church Southgate

That’s one of the beauties of two photographers, very little gets missed and later on bride and groom get to see what the other was up to on one of the greatest days of their lives as a couple.

Confetti throw at Christ Church Southgate wedding

By the time the wedding ceremony was underway the heavens opened and rain began to pour. Conveniently it stopped for confetti throwing which I was pleased about for the couple, but started straight after so we did some family and couple shots back inside the church.

London wedding couple laugh together under umbrella

My attitude to weather conditions is very simple. You get what you were always meant to get on your wedding day, there’s nothing you can do so…enjoy it. And we did. Alanis Morissette famously sang that it was ironic if it rains on your wedding day, it’s not, it just IS.

Bride and groom under umbrella after Southgate London wedding

Anyway, we worked in the immediate area around the church with our trusty umbrellas out, and after a while it was time to make our way for the couple’s grand entrance to their wedding breakfast at Trent Park Country Club.

Wedding cake table Trent Park Country Club

We’ve photographed there before and were very happy to see a recent major upgrade and transformation to the club.

Wedding couple and wall of flowers Trent Park Country Club

After a fabulous meal and some lovely and emotional speeches it was time for some serious boogying the night away for the wedding party.

Wedding first dance Trent Park Country Club

By David Green

Wedding dress hanging at West Lodge Park Hotel

We’ve done lots of great stuff
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London engagement shoot by Big Ben and Westminster Bridge

London Engagement shoot at Southbank and Tower Bridge…again

By London Wedding Photographer, Wedding Venues2 Comments

We love our London engagement shoots and we love a challenge too. This particular pre wedding photo fest in London’s iconic Southbank and Tower Bridge was no exception.  Engagement shoots are a excellent way to get to know a couple before their wedding day, have some fun, and get some great extra images that can be shared and shown on the big day itself.

Wedding-couple-kiss-under-Tower-Bridge-London-photo

Many our shoots are in the north London region typically places such as Alexandra Palace or Kenwood House in Hampstead. But for Yui and Mark’s we had arranged for it to happen around London’s Southbank.

London engagement shoot couple by southbank graffiti

Things kicked off with a quick cappuccino, always a good start it in our opinion, by one of our favourite wedding venues the Oxo Tower.

London eye engagement photo silhouette

We know all these areas like the proverbial “back of our hands” and relish the chance to photograph around Gabriel’s Wharf and it’s surrounding nooks and crannies. This Tuesday afternoon in March after the ‘beast from the East’ cold spell began with rain and heavy clouds. I asked the couple if they were ok with this and troopers that they were we started their shoot in the rain. Taking a quick peek at the LCD on my rain soaked cameras I could see all he individual drops of rain in front of their faces, which was kind of funky but I hoped for their sake we would get a little bit of dryness too. The rain stopped to order and I worked nice and fast to keep the energy level up.

Engagement photo shoot at Southbank beach London

I did this particular shoot on my own (David) which often happens for engagements, and that tends to make things a little more intimate and relaxing too as a bonus.

London engagement couple by quay on Southbank

When you photograph in central London you have to accept the fact that there will always be other people around and something happening. So I tend to start in back streets first to get couples acclimatised and then move into more public areas.

One of the issues professional photographers may well encounter at Southbank are security guards who tend to tell you to move on, and that you are not allowed to photograph here. Sometimes it happens other times not. I will keep my opinion to myself on this one, but we did have to move on twice because of this.

London engagement photo by Tower Bridge

One of those instances was in front of the London Eye. I though this might happen from previous experience so I had to work fast. It’s ironic really as we shoot weddings on the London Eye as official photographers, so it feels very strange to get moved on!

Warped engagement shoot on Londons southbank

Considering the tiny amount of time we had there I’m very happy with the results we got.

Engagement couple by London Houses of Parliament

The London and Southbank engagement shoot carried on towards the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Bridge, and then we hopped on an Uber to finish off at Butlers Wharf and Tower bridge.

Engagement photo by arch at Londons Butlers Wharf

We had lots of fun, and as I mentioned at the beginning of this post it was a great opportunity for us all to get to know each other better.

Roll on the big day itself which will be in one of Hertfordshire’s best wedding venues Hanbury Manor!

By David Green

We’ve done lots of great stuff
Coverage and prices
We’d love to hear from you

 

couple laugh by tree at Fanhams Hall wedding in Hertfordshire

Great Hertfordshire wedding venues to consider for your ceremonies and receptions

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

When it comes to counties with great wedding venues for both ceremonies and receptions, few can beat Hertfordshire! The sheer range of quality and choice is almost overwhelming.

Whenever we are booked for a wedding, whether that is in the home counties or central London, we always make a point of asking which other venues couples had a look at. You could call it professional curiosity, or just plain nosey, but we love to know that people value and why!

Funky photo of wedding party at Fanhams Hall Hertfordshire

As far as this post is concerned we are going to concentrate solely on venues in Hertfordshire. We will post some photos we have taken in those places, and where relevant include links to previous articles and wedding days we have featured at them.

We have no vested interest in these suggestions as we don’t pay to be on anyones recommended supplier list. So many times in initial enquiries we hear a similar story, a couple quite naturally has checked out a venues list of preferred suppliers first and then cast their net wider perhaps unconvinced at what they find. Our experience from speaking to most venues is that if you pay them per year you will be featured, which is hardly an independent recommendation! Thank you to Google for making this optional for wedding photographers and brides and grooms to be 🙂

Ok so on to our personal take on some of the lovely Hertfordshire wedding venues we have worked at, and in no particular order:

Fanhams Hall

It is a rare couple looking for quality in Hertfordshire that will not have had Fanhams Hall on their bucket list of places to consider for their wedding. We have photographed there countless times, and whatever the weather have never ever had a dull day.

Confetti throw at Fanhams Hall wedding

Both inside and outside of Fanhams has so much depth and variety in terms of locations and ambience a good photographer is spoilt for choice. From wonderful themed gardens with fountains, walls, bridges and pagodas to elegant internal stair cases and grand receptions rooms and more. Don’t take the rather boring and old fashioned wedding albums on display there as too much indication of what can be achieved! Fanhams Hall as a premier Hertfordshire wedding venue never disappoints.

super wide shot at Fanhams Hall wedding

Take a look at a recent Fanhams Hall wedding from ourselves here: Fanhams Hall Wedding Photographers, with laughter love and fun in the sun!

and here too: Another fabulous Fanhams Hall wedding day in sunny Hertfordshire

Offley Place

Offley Place is a gem of a venue lying on the border of Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire. It has a lovely large conservatory dedicated for the provision of wedding ceremonies, which then gets turned around during the drinks reception ready for any ensuing wedding breakfast. The grounds are nice and mature with plenty of nooks and crannies for interesting photography, and the classic 17th century manor house interiors are also pretty for extras shots, or in case of inclement weather.

wedding couple on bench at Offley Place Hertfordshire

Here’s one of our wedding days at Offley on the blog: Offley Place wedding photography. It’s not London, it’s the Hertfordshire Bedfordshire border

Groom and best man at London wedding photo

Wedding recessional photo Offley Place

Shendish Manor

Shendish manor is a very versatile wedding venue, and is able to cater to both small and large numbers of guests. The last time we were there the large scale ceremony was held outside in the grounds, and the reception inside. The hotel itself is set in 160 acres of gardens and parkland, and of course it has it’s own golf course, a bonus for those addicted to the sport! Historically there has been a manor house on the site since the 1300’s with most of todays buildings dating from the early Victorian age.

Jewish dancing at Shendish Manor wedding reception

Outdoor Jewish wedding ceremony at Shendish Manor

Of course with so many venues in Hertfordshire this can never be a truly comprehensive list, but we just wanted to highlight some of our favourites. Other locations that we regularly photograph in that are worthy consideration are: West Lodge Park, Theobalds Park, Hatfield House, Knebworth House and barn, Brockett Hall and Moor Park.

Bride and groom kiss after Shendish Manor wedding

By David Green

Bride looks out of window at her Shendish Manor wedding

Bride and groom at St Pauls Cathedral fisheye lens

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

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

We feel pretty sure many an excited pair of hands has typed the words ‘London’s best wedding venues’ into a google search looking for inspiration and ideas for their big day. I know we did! After more than ten years as wedding photographers in and around the capital we’ve worked at a huge amount of them, so we feel qualified to give something of an inside view.

We have picked five of what we consider to be the best London wedding venues for both their iconic value, and also their quirkiness and ability to add an extra measure of “memorable” to your day.

London eye engagement photo silhouette

We have not been paid anything to favour any particular venue, or received favours in return, and what may also be obvious but is worth stating, is that what may be the “best” for one couple and their families may not be right for another. We’ve also added a sixth recommendation as a wild-card.

Of course there is nothing wrong in picking a classic London Hotel venue such as The Dorchester, Savoy or Claridges for a wedding day, or more boutique hotels such as The Goring or Brown’s. We photograph at these all the time, and they are all great in themselves. So too are dedicated venues and manor houses, golf retreats and the like around the home counties. However the focus of this article is fantastic alternatives around central London.

So here we go, in no particular order, and with our wild-card choice at the end. All photos are ours, with relevant links to previous posts by ourselves from wedding days there.

The Official London Eye

Opened on the very last day of the previous millennium, 31st December 1999, the London Eye has quickly become one of the most iconic and visited sites on the capital’s skyline. Standing at a height of 135 metres it is an unbelievably imposing piece of architecture leaning over the Thames on the Southbank. Great news is that its capsules are licensed to host civil wedding ceremonies and drinks receptions.

London Eye wedding photographers coca cola kiss photo

For a couple planning their wedding on the wheel they can expect VIP treatment and personal coordinators to look after their every need. Proceedings usually start with the wedding party assembling in the Eye Lounge across the way for some champagne and nibbles, and then when the time comes a fast track escort to their private capsule.

Bride and groom walking to their London Eye Wedding ceremony

The inside with be decorated with flowers, and registrars will be there waiting to greet you. For the first cycle of the wheel the wedding ceremony and register signing will commence. For a second cycle its time for a traditional drinks reception. We have absolutely loved every wedding we have photographed on the London Eye, and of course so have all the brides and grooms! You don’t get much more memorable than this.

Here is a recent wedding there from the blog: London Eye Wedding Photographers Time Out Recommended

London Zoo Weddings

Probably no one has photographed more London Zoo weddings than we have. One of the many great things about a big day at the zoo is that you have a choice of venues for both the ceremony and reception. For larger gatherings there is the Prince Albert Suite which can cater for between 80 to 240 guests. For a more intimate affair there’s the Mappin Pavilion for groups of between 45 to 80.

London Zoo wedding photographers couple outside Reptile House image

The catering and general service from the staff is absolutely excellent, some of the best we have ever experienced. As part of their packages your wedding party can have free time around the zoo to explore between the drinks receptions and wedding breakfasts, and you can build in extra experience such as time with meerkats, or exclusive access to the wonderful carousel. Come rain or shine there is always plenty to see, do and photograph.

London Zoo wedding at the penguin pool

Check out our latest London Zoo wedding on the blog here: London Zoo Wedding Photographers Time Out Recommended

Weddings at Lord’s Cricket Ground

Fun group shot at Lords Cricket Ground Wedding

We don’t think you necessarily have to be a cricket fan to enjoy a wedding day at one of England’s most famous and historic sporting grounds. It has everything you need for a fantastic day, from a grand and elegant ceremony in the famous Long Room, to excellent service and various locations for your drinks receptions. Guests can take a fascinating tour onsite of the history of cricket, and there are plenty of areas for photo opportunities. Depending on the size and requirements for your wedding breakfast you can have The Long Room turned around, or walk over to the nearby dedicated Thomas Lord Suite to eat and then party the night away in style.

Wedding ceremony longroom Lords

Read about our latest Lord’s Cricket Ground wedding here: Another great wedding at Lord’s Cricket Ground

Tower Bridge Weddings

Tower Bridge is probably about as iconic as you can get if you think “London.” Since it’s completion in 1894 it has come to be a symbol of the power and beauty of the capital. The wonderful news of course is that you can get both your wedding ceremony and reception on there, with a choice of  locations, all of which we have of course photographed in.

Tower Bridge wedding ceremony photo

The main venue is the North Tower Lounge, with the ability to use the walkways for yourselves and guests too. There is a special bonus for the wedding couple and their photographer, in that they can go right to the top of the tower and photograph on the parapets with it’s great views across The Tower of London and the Thames. It certainly gives me a nice dose of vertigo everytime!

Wedding couple inside Tower Bridge

You can choose the Victorian Engine Rooms for a wonderfully quirky and alternative reception too.

And from the blog here is a typical Tower Bridge wedding: Tower Bridge Wedding – The inside story

Weddings at The Gherkin

Modern chic and very tall, a wedding at The Gherkin, or 30 St Mary Axe as it is also known, is as unforgettable as the fabulous building itself. Run by Searcy’s, your ceremony will be surrounded by glass steel and incredible views of London that literally have to be seen to be believed.

London Gherkin wedding kiss black and white image

Every time we work there it feels like an honour, what it must feel like for a bride and groom must be truly incredible. Never mind that you are marrying the love of your life, just a glance out of the window at the same time is guaranteed to provoke an extra sense of awe! Impeccable service and attention to detail comes as standard there, and epic is pretty much the name of the game at The Gherkin.

London_Gherkin_wedding_photographer

Here’s an example from the blog once again: Gherkin Wedding Photographer

Well there you have our top five picks for London’s Best Wedding Venues, but we wanted to add in an outside wild-card too, because this place is so alternative and quirky it is absolutely definitely worth a look and some research in your wedding planning.

Here it is:

Islington Metal Works weddings

Tucked away behind Angel station in north London is a hidden wedding venue gem in the shape of Islington’s Metal Works. It’s not famous in the sense of the other wedding venues, but what it lacks in fame it makes up for in terms of character quirkiness and sense of fun. Surprise surprise it used to me a metal works, but now it’s a music and event venue and has great spaces for your drinks reception and wedding breakfast. Guaranteed to be memorable, we urge you to consider it if you are looking for something a little different from the norm.

Bridesmaids sit on tank again at London Islington wedding day image

Read about a typical wedding there on the link here: Islington Metal Works wedding day starting at Hampstead’s St Stephen’s church

Couple photo from Islington Metal Works wedding

couple's first dance at Islington Metalworks wedding

Well we hope that was helpful! Feel free to get in touch.

By David Green