Anna & Gareth – A Claridges Winter Wedding
Anna & Gareth chose the quintessentially timeless and chic venue of Claridges Hotel, London to celebrate their wedding just after Christmas, with their friends and family from around the world. Planned with the help of both her mother and planner Sarah, Anna’s wedding was an elegant black tie affair. To make the most of the winter light, we did their portraits in the afternoon, and just about managed to get those balloons through the revolving doors without them popping (ok, one of two may have been lost!). Anna & Gareth surprised each other before the ceremony with thoughtfully chosen gifts, after which they did a private first look on the stairs of the hotel. Anna & Gareth have such a strong and loving bond, and it was an honour to bear witness to this, and to be able to document their day in the heartfelt, emotional and glamorous style that suited their celebrations.
Anna loved my black and white work so I gave a special focus to this. Most of these images are documentary based so it’s all about using my intuition and sensitivity to feel the right moment to take a picture… that decisive moment if you like…. this is something that can’t be taught, and it’s about the combination of having an innate sense of composition and balance and connecting to the emotion on the day, being really present and trusting your instinct as a photographer.
I have been a wedding photographer at Claridges a number of times now, but I always try to being something different to each wedding, and to make the images truly personal to each client. I listen to what’s important to my clients, think about how to translate their personalities with my style, and approach each wedding as a unique brief.
A vibrant and joyful ceremony was hosted by Jack, their good family friend and Anna’s father and his friends gave a wonderful speech and performance of one of Anna’s favourite songs…you can actually see the tears of joy in Anna’s eyes….This was followed by a series of amazing bands, covering everything from big band to modern classics, and rounded off with hot chocolate and marshmallows to send the guests on their way into the cold winter night.
Anna & Gareth, it was a joy to be a part of your wedding, and to hear your story, and to meet your families. Congratulations to you both on the birth of Lucas Theo! Over the moon for you that you are already blessed with a beautiful healthy start to your family, and wishing you the best for a long and happy future together.
Ceremony & Reception Venue: Claridges; Brides Dress by Marchesa; Hair & Make Up: Antonia at Elle au Naturel; Florist: Rob Van Helden Floral Design; Cake: The Little Venice Cake Company; Bands: AJ Dean and The Bluejays; Lance Ellington and The Rare Collective,
Daniel Peace and The Rare Collective.
Happy Christmas!
Wishing you and your loved ones a very Happy Christmas, and a magical, peaceful and beautiful holiday. I’m sharing this image from Anna & Gareth’s December wedding, because it just exudes warmth, love and celebration, perfect as holiday inspiration! More of their wedding can be seen in the current issue of You & Your Wedding Magazine, and I’ll be sharing their wedding story on the blog soon.
We’ll be taking a break until 6th January and look forward to sharing more beautiful weddings in the new year.
Featured in Brides Magazine
Delighted to see Polly & Rhys’ gorgeous summer wedding featured in a recent issue of Brides Magazine. You can see more of their wedding on my blog here.
A London Wedding
Have you ever wondered what an editor at a top wedding magazine might do when it comes to her own wedding? Well, wonder no more…..
I was hugely flattered when Polly, who was Lifestyle Editor at Conde Nast’s Brides Magazine, asked me to photograph her wedding to Rhys. Polly & Rhys met through a mutual friend 6 years ago and they managed to create a successful long term relationship whilst Rhys was working abroad. Born and brought up in London, it was a city wedding Polly decided upon, with the magnificent Royal Hospital Chapel in Chelsea as the location for the ceremony – particularly apt as it is a military chapel and Rhys used to be in the army himself. Polly combined blush pink with white and grey accents for a feminine but grown up look. Working with some of her favourite suppliers, she created a wedding that was stylish and classic, polished, so very English, and well, just overall incredibly elegant.
A drinks reception was held in the grounds of the Royal Hospital after the ceremony, before red London buses whisked away the wedding guests to the super elegant Hempel Hotel. Now this was actually where the Man & I had my first overnight ‘date’ so it will always hold a special place in my heart and to return to photograph a wedding there was a real treat. The hotel, which is currently closed following a sale (I dearly hope it reopens as it’s a delightful London boutique hotel) was a minimalist zen like calm with a lovely garden. In this garden the couple had a beautiful marquee. Then after some heartwarming speeches it was off down into the ‘nightclub’ area downstairs in the hotel for dancing late into the night.
Upon marrying, this globe trotting couple emigrated to Dubai to start a new life together. Polly & Rhys I wish you both all the very best, you are a perfect match, an absolute pleasure to work with, and I wish you many years of happiness and love together….
Credits: Brides Dress & Veil by Amanda Wakeley, Shoes: Valentino; Hair & Make Up: Sarah Brock; Grooms Bespoke Suit: Hackett; Bride & Bridesmaids Bouquets: Jamie Aston; Bridesmaids Dresses: Ghost; Flowergirl Outfit: Maria Chantal; Pageboys Outfits: Stella McCartney at Alex & Alexa; Bride’s Evening Dress: Bespoke from Luella’s Boudoir; Reception Flowers: By Appointment Only Design, Calligraphy: Paul Antonio; Ceremony & Drinks Reception Venue: Royal Hospital Chelsea; Reception Venue: The Hempel Hotel; Cake: Peggy Porschen; Super 8 Filming: Amabel Adcock; DJ: Matt Maurice; Thanks to Kate Rossin for second shooting.
Polly’s wedding is featured in the current issue of Brides Magazine.