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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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 😊
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!?
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:
By David Green
