London Weddings | Polly Alexandre Photography

Joanna & Adam – Jewish Wedding in London

April 13, 2015

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This August wedding on a beautiful summers day truly complimented a beautiful bride and her handsome groom as they tied the knot under a traditional Jewish Chuppah in the orchard at Fenton House. After a wonderfully romantic Parisian pre-wedding shoot with Joanna and Adam, it was very special to shoot their London wedding.

Joanna, elegant in a Jenny Packham creation with her hair in an intricate up style was relaxed and clearly enjoyed every moment of her wedding day. A couple like this, so obviously in love, allows for wonderful natural photography, capturing those special moments that will evoke the same feelings all over again when looking back on their wedding album.

The wedding ceremony was followed by a drinks reception for the guests and then onto the formal reception where the traditional Jewish wedding dancing took place – before the formalities of speeches and eating! No Jewish wedding is complete without the chair dance, the Hora, in which strong guests hoist the bride and groom on chairs high above the crowd. The expressions on Joanna and Adam’s face really told a story of joy and celebration.

Joanna and Adam wanted me to capture their wedding day in way that would create a true story when looking back, showing the little details that made the day special and capturing the spirit of the celebration in all its tradition and elegance.

If you are planning your Jewish Wedding in the London area, please drop me a line..

Videographer : Bloomsbury Films // Florist : Mary-Jane Vaughan // Hair/Make Up : Michael Van Clarke // Dress Designer : Jenny Packham (both dresses) // Band : The Beat Union // Catering : Rhubarb // Venue : Fenton House Stationary: Signore del Mare

Caroline & David’s Wedding at The Belvedere

February 23, 2015

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Caroline moved to London from the other side of the world and met David at a polling station. As the votes were being counted and they waited for the results to appear, David turned round in his seat and his eyes met with a beautiful girl sitting behind. At once David knew no matter which party won that night, his own heart had been won by this gorgeous girl from New Zealand. The more they got to know each other, the stronger the bond got, and the couple grew closer and closer.

David proposed at Lucknam Park and loves that caroline is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside (I know! Such a romantic, right?!)

The Orangery at Holland Park is literally flooded with natural light and for a film photographer like me it is a dream come true in terms of photographing a wedding ceremony. Caroline and David chose this quintessentially English venue and teamed it with soft pastel pinks and creamy white florals by Hayford & Rhodes for a chic and timeless wedding day.

It is not unusual to spy a peacock or two wondering the lush grounds of Holland Park. One came to investigate as the guests sipped their cocktails and nibbled on canapés in the gardens, and if I remember correctly they were definitely there waiting when Caroline arrived with her Father, and tried to get in on the ceremony action!

The speeches were wonderfully heartfelt and emotional, and then it was David’s turn to surprise Caroline with a song which is sung live accompanied by his guitar. Hidden talents indeed and such a beautiful gift to his new bride.

Caroline visioned a soft, romantic, elegant, timeless English wedding, and chose a soft tulle gown by London based dress designer Stephanie Allin. I love the sheer capped sleeves teamed with the floor length veil. It’s reminiscent of Hollywood glamour, and the elegance and femininity of the 1950’s; a look that suits her perfectly and she just radiates beauty in this beautiful dress.

To Mr & Mrs S: it was such a joy to share in your love story and capture your special day, your bond is utterly adorable and any groom that sings to his bride on their wedding day, quite simply melts my heart. You’re in good hands Caroline… the romance will always be centre stage in your marriage! Wishing you both many more romantic years together…..

Credits: Brides Dress: Stephanie Allin; Bridesmaid Dresses: Rosa Novias; Hair and Make Up: Jane Lattin; Florist: Hayford & Rhodes; Cake: French Made; Ceremony & Reception: The Belvedere; Invitations: Berin Made; Shoes: Kate Spade

Orient Express Bridal Fashion Shoot

February 16, 2015

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Today we have something a little different on the blog…an unseen shoot from the archives. I was asked to collaborate with Reverie Magazine and one of London’s most exclusive florists By Appointment Only, to do a styled bridal fashion shoot on board the luxury Orient Express in London!

Did you know that you can take a step back in time and travel all the way to Venice from London aboard The Orient Express? How wonderfully luxurious…

Styled shoots are a popular way for wedding industry creatives to come together and design something from their imagination. We took a step back in time to create a 1920’s feel shoot with vintage style wedding dresses, which complemented the location perfectly. Working in a tight space had it’s challenges but overall what we came out with was something classic, gorgeous and beautiful! It makes me want to book that trip right now……dreaming already……

Eva and Matt – Wedding at Cambridge Cottage, Kew Gardens

February 9, 2015

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Eva & Matt met when they were both students at LSE in London. Given that their love story officially started back when they were students, it was only fitting that Matt should revisit their University Library to propose to Eva. The couple chose me as their Photographer with a brief to capture the smiles, the happiness…and special moments of their big day. Images that felt sweet and happy and would reawaken the feelings from their magical day in years to come when they looked through their album.

With both the wedding ceremony and reception to be held at Cambridge Cottage in Kew Gardens, Eva chose the classic, timeless Connaught Hotel in the heart of London for her location for bridal preparations. It has a classic and grand feel indoors which she loved and it was the perfect location to host the extensive Chinese party games, which were a lot of fun indeed as you can see!

As one of the fun Chinese traditions includes playing a series of games before the wedding, Eva wore a crimson red dress and later changed into her beautiful white wedding gown by Pronovias.

The couple had shared that they just loved the black & white shots that they had seen previously on my blog taken during the wedding reception, so that is just what I did for them. I love the way that one is drawn into the emotions and moments with black & white. There is something about omitting the distraction of color that really lets us focus in on what really matters – love, expression and pure emotion….

To Mr & Mrs Z: It’s been a pleasure to get to know you along this wonderful journey in your lives….you are just a dynamic couple with big plans for the future and I can’t way to hear how it all unfolds. May the love you share carry you along this journey together in joy and happiness…..

Credits: Brides Dress: Pronovias; Make Up: Jo Freeman; Florist: Robbie Honey; Cake: Rachel’s Cakes; Videographer: Bloomsbury Films; Bridal Preparations: The Connaught; Ceremony and Reception: Cambridge Cottage, Kew Gardens; Band: Wandering Hands

Hilary and Ben – Claridges Wedding Photographer

October 7, 2014

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I absolutely loved being Hilary & Ben’s wedding photographer, and by the time it came to their wedding, after doing pre wedding shoots in both Ibiza and Oxford, we knew each other pretty well. Hilary is a joy to photograph and has a great inner confidence and presence, and shares a fun and beautiful connection with Ben, a smart and well-mannered English gentleman.

The couple could have met at university, as they both attended Oxford University at the same time. However it was clear that by their extra curricular activities, it was obvious why their paths never crossed, Hilary spending her free time in restaurants and the library, and Ben mainly frequenting Oxford’s finest drinking establishments. However like all great love stories, there is a happy ending, and when two people are destined to be together, there will always be another opportunity for their paths to cross.

And so there was….. Hilary and Ben both secured jobs in the same City Bank, in the same department, and finally met. It was on an early covert holiday to Santorini that these star crossed lovers finally became a couple and made plans for a bright future together.

Hilary knows exactly what she wants, and I am honoured when she chose me to capture her wedding at Claridges. Her late grandfather was a photographer in China, her cousin shoots for Vogue and she herself is passionate about photography.

The couple (possibly giving more credit to Hilary here…!) planned a beautiful and elegant wedding at Claridges Hotel in London, and after a church ceremony, everyone headed to the quintessentially elegant Claridges for a beautiful reception. This really was a fairytale wedding, from the secret Vera Wang dress Hilary’s Mum ordered her as a surprise (in addition to the two she already chose herself!), to the long walk down the aisle in the grand St Pauls Church in Knightbridge, to the stunning multi tiered cake covered in hearts that Kristhanthi created for the couple. The real fairytale at the heart of the celebrations however is how Hilary and Ben met, fell instantly in love, and immediately knew they were destined to be together, becomign husband and wife less than 2 years after meeting.

It’s with this in mind I say a huge congratulations to such a smart, talented and lovely couple. Here’s to continuing your fairytale for many years to come! All my love xxx

Credits: Ceremony Venue: St Paul’s Knightsbridge; Reception Venue: Claridges; Bride’s Dress by Vera Wang; Hair & Make Up: Sarah Jagger; Florist: By Appointment Only Design; Cake: Cakes by Krishanthi; Videographer: Allora Visuals; ; Band: Florence Rawlings/ Young Guns; Stationary and all Paper Goods by Rose Ruby Paper Co