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Laura and Ben met each other in Australia while Laura was travelling from the UK. Ben originally from Melbourne being a romantic and very much in love then decided to live in the UK with Laura. They chose the London Mandarin Oriental Hotel in London’s Knightsbridge for their wedding ceremony, reception and photography.  I once travelled to Australia and lived there for love, but that’s another story…!

Mandarin Oriental London wedding ceremony

wedding laughter at Mandarin Oriental Hotel

It was a love filled intimate affair with just the couple and their parents in attendance. Two photographers would have been overkill so I travelled to Knightsbridge on my own. I knew from my communication previously with the couple that we had been chosen not just for our wedding photography, but also our people skills. When you are the outside element in an occasion with just six other people, you have to be discreet but also pleasant friendly and relaxed too.

Bride looks through window at Mandarin Oriental Hotel

I met Ben and his parents first in The Loggia a wonderful circular area in the hotel with a terrace view over Hyde Park, with special access for Royalty and heads of state. This was to be the space for the wedding ceremony. Next I met Laura and her parents arriving at the Knightsbridge hotels’ regal entrance, and then spent time with them while they waited in the ballroom for the registrars to arrive.

kissing wedding couple London's Knightsbridge

marriage vows at Mandarin Oriental ceremony London's Knightsbridge

The ceremony was extra special not just because of it’s setting, but also because Laura and Ben personalised it with dedications to each other they had written and then read out. It was also an evening affair, 7pm to be precise, which again was unusual.

wedding couple on lawn at Mandarin Oriental photo

Afterwards it was time for champagne and canopies on the terrace. As this was being enjoyed staff from the hotel assembled to roll out and fix a red carpet to the stairs leading to the exclusive Hyde Park entrance. I asked if this was the one and only red carpet treaded by Royalty, and they confirmed that yes it was! How nice for the couple. A little later the wedding cake was cut as is tradition, and the wedding party sat down in The Loggia for their intimate wedding breakfast. I said my goodbyes and disappeared into the Knightsbridge evening hustle and bustle outside. I felt pleased to have been part of such a lovely and intimate special occasion.

Newly weds walk through Hyde Park gates

To see a related post of a small intimate wedding in an iconic London hotel location, take a look at one of our many weddings at the Dorchester here or you ca use our search box and type a name, for instance The Savoy: London Dorchester Hotel Wedding

By David Green

Big Day Weddings

David and Joanna Green are Time Out recommended, award winning fulltime London wedding photographers. Mum and dad to four wonderful children and three family dogs. Lovers of all things photographic and wedding related. Covering Greater London and destination weddings in the UK and Europe.