Monday, June 25, 2012 | London wedding, Register Office, Wedding, Westminster Register Office
You know the bride and groom aren’t a conventional couple when the bride arrives at Westminster Register Office in a short and chic grey cocktail dress. Â Lynsey and Matt also saw each other on the Old Marylebone Town Hall‘s famous steps before sharing a cigarette and walking into the building together.
Lynsey and Matt check their wedding details with Mark and Emma while Lynsey’s son watches. He also walked her into the Blue Room.
As the Blue Room was full, Lynsey and Matt chose to have their family sit in the front row while they exchanged vows.
Lynsey and Matt are given a miniature chimney sweep for good luck, before driving away in a white London wedding cab to their reception drinks.
We found this gorgeous newly-painted grey wall for their wedding portraits to tone with Lynsey’s dress. Â We also found a less freshly-painted wall next door – a perfect contrast. The front door green is one of my favourite colours.
Thursday, August 18, 2011 | Wedding
Claire and Sean came to London from their Surrey home with three of their friends to get married at Westminster Register office then have some wedding photos and champagne around the South Bank Centre. Â The joy of a midweek wedding is that places like the South Bank Centre are a little less busy and we were able to get some photographs near this summer’s installation of beach huts with just Claire and Sean that would not have been possible on a busy weekend. Â Here is just one from their wedding portrait session – the back of a beach hut as part of the South Bank Centre’s 50th anniversary of the Festival of Britain.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011 | Register Office, Westminster Register Office
Hull couple Jenny and Phil chose London’s Westminster Register Office and Notting Hill pub The Mall Tavern for their wedding reception because it was where they first met. Â Or rather, Phil chose it as he organised all the wedding – all Jenny had to do was choose something to wear and turn up (in his words). Â Jenny and her bridesmaids started their day by getting ready at the Grand Royale Hotel, which was once the home of actress Lilly Langtry. Â The hotel had offered the use of the hotel’s ornate theatre for make-up and hairdressing, so it was rather grand. It was also an area for storing luggage, so alongside the opulence, there was a huge assortment of suitcases surrounding us.
Back in Jenny’s room, we looked at some fabulous shoes: hers in black and her bridesmaids’ in red.
Not often you see four brides at once – and certainly not ones wearing such a fabulous birdcage veil. Jenny’s necklace was a birthday present from Phil.
Jenny and her father just before they headed for Old Marylebone Town Hall.
When Jenny arrived at Westminster Register Office, one of their registrars Amanda asked her to twirl – it seems Jenny’s skirt DOES swirl out a long way.
 It was time for Phil to see Jenny in all her loveliness – he and the guests had been waiting patiently in Westminster Register Office’s Blue Room.
The boys had made sure their socks matched the day’s red theme.
As well as the legal part of their ceremony, Jenny and Phil added their own wedding vows, with Phil promising to keep Jenny in shoes, vintage dresses, holidays and mocha coffees and Jenny promising to look after Phil even when suffering from man flu, accept his being late and to make him a cup of tea every morning for the rest of her life.
After a couple of photographs of Jenny and Phil and their bridal party on the famous steps of Old Marylebone Town Hall, they and their guests hopped onto a Routemaster bus for a tour of London.
When we got to the London Eye and South Bank Centre, the bus stopped for a break and some wedding portraits on the South Bank. Jenny and Phil were thrilled with the idea of riding on a carousel for a few portraits.
If you see Mickey Mouse, you just have to, don’t you?!
And an ice-cream!
Upon arriving at The Mall Tavern, Jenny and Phil had a few drinks then a couple of portraits nearby.
My part of the day finished while everyone sat down for a delicious looking menu in the late summer afternoon sun.
Friday, April 29, 2011 | London wedding, Register Office, Wedding, Westminster Register Office
On a day when it seems most eyes of the nation are on another couple getting married, I wanted to blog the rest of Vanessa and Richard’s photographs – their ceremony at Westminster Register Office and wedding reception at 51 Buckingham Gate, SW1.
Vanessa looked stunning when she arrived with her father, late because of traffic.
Vanessa’s Italian parents and friends were so sweet and emotional throughout the ceremony, as well as Vanessa.
After some well-aimed confetti and rice, Vanessa and their guests hopped on a red Routemaster bus for a tour of London including Regent Street, bedecked in union jacks in readiness for today’s royal wedding.
And finally – 51 Buckingham Gate for drinks, a scrumptious meal and speeches.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011 | Child portraits, Family portraits, Portraits
I had the pleasure of photographing Lynsey and Craig’s wedding last year – and was excited to meet their baby Rory for his newborn portraits, aged 12 days. Guarding the new arrival was Angel Cakes the German Shepherd.
And given that she pre-dated Rory as the first member of Lynsey and Craig’s family – her own portrait.
There were lots of signs of a baby: Â cards, balloons, new toys … and a tired dad.
And here he is – on his own, with mum, dad and together. The second one was especially taken for Lynsey, as she described his hand movements while sleeping as ‘casting spells’.
And finally, Rory visits his local so landlady Judi can have a cuddle (note dad Craig and Judi’s husband propping up the bar behind) and his parents can have a meal without cooking.
