london film photographer | Polly Alexandre Photography

Joanna & Adam – Jewish Wedding in London

April 13, 2015

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

A London Wedding

May 30, 2013

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.

In the Press – Featured on the cover of Your London Wedding Magazine & on Style Me Pretty

March 7, 2013

Delighted to have this shot of the gorgeous Kim & Chara chosen for the cover of Your London Wedding Magazine. Their 45 Millbank wedding was also featured in You & Your Wedding Magazine and on Style Me Pretty. Kim is a wedding planner herself and her wedding was bursting to the seams with amazing and super stylish DIY ideas and details. You can see more of the photographs from their day on my blog here too.

Kim & Chara are now the proud parents of a gorgeous little boy and are settling into family life as beautifully & effortlessly as Kim planned her weddings…. (it certainly appears that way from the outside Kim!).

Sarah & Oli – Wedding Photography at Claridges Hotel, London

April 20, 2012

Oh my. What a utterly stylish and wonderful wedding this was….To be the photographer for a wedding at Claridges is always lovely, but I especially love working for creative clients like this bride. Shortly before her wedding, Sarah had just taken the plunge and left her job as a magazine designer to start up her own stationary company, Brown Paper Design, with her close friend & cousin Juliette, so she brought that creative talent and eye for beauty to the styling of her wedding day. But this was a day that was not just beautiful to the eye, but also beautiful for the warmth and joy of sharing it with their families, to whom the couple are very close. In the Jewish faith, family is very important and Sarah planned the wedding closely with her parents, especially her mother, who herself has a great eye and interest in art and design.

Sarah met Oli as a friend of her brother, and then friendship blossomed into romance over time and it became obvious the couple were the perfect match. On the wedding day we started at Sarah’s parents home where her mum so sweetly covered the outside of their home with little teddy bears wearing customised ribbon neckties. Sarah’s father accompanied her to the synagogue in her uncle’s beautiful vintage car, and in Jewish tradition he walked her down the aisle to the huppah, decorated in white roses. I love shooting Jewish weddings for their sense of celebration and joy in the ceremony itself, not the mention the vigorous dancing…and all before you’ve even sat down to eat. Sarah & Oli’s friends ensured this was particularly lively! (I think the grooms friends were mainly responsible for the wild celebratory chaos at this point & definitely for the hoisting up on the couple on chairs in the air, despite the bride’s reservations!). Sarah designed beautiful notecard sets as favour/placenames, with each guest’s name printed at the top. She also made gorgeous escort cards in a chic grey stripe and the most beautiful gold foil embossed invitations. I highly recommend checking out her new website.

Sarah loved both the grainy black and white look of my documentary work and the soft palette of my colour photography so I combined the two by capturing the details and portraits in natural light in colour film, and the evening’s events in my trademark grainy black and white film. My goal was to create a portrait of the wedding that was at once elegant, natural and beautiful.

Wishing Mr & Mr S both many sweet years together, and perhaps even a lovely family of their own one day…..

Ceremony Venue: Western Marble Arch Synagogue. Reception Venue & Catering: Claridges Hotel, London. Bride’s Dress: Peter Langner from Browns Bride. Bride’s Shoes: Rupert Sanderson. Jewellery: Tiffany. Hair & Make Up: Daniel Galvin. Bridesmaid’s Dress: Gucci. Grooms Suit: Nick Tentis. Stationary by the Bride’s Company, Brown Paper Design Flowers: Paul Thomas Cake: Peggy Porschen. Super 8 Film: Mariage a la Mode. Wedding Cars: Sarah’s Uncle.

Thank you to Kate Rossin from Depict for some second shooting (not shown here)

Lina & Andrew

January 23, 2012

A huge congratulations to Lina & Andrew who after meeting on Valentine’s Day a few years ago, tied the knot in December at a pre-Christmas wedding. The ceremony was held at Chelsea Registry Office on the Kings Road and the reception at Sketch in Mayfair. Lina is a make up artist and we have previously worked together, so I was thrilled when Lina rang me and asked me to be her wedding photographer. What I didn’t know is that the call I had about the date a few days before was from her romantic fiance, Andrew, who knew she wanted me to shoot her wedding, and was secretly checking I was available before telling her the good news. Lina had a strong idea of what she wanted her look to be, and I love the ethereal dress she wore & the matching white accessories. A true winter princess!

Sketch is quite a special place for me too….. it’s where I had my first proper date with the Man, now my fiance. On Valentine’s Day no less. So to be able to go back and photograph a wedding there was truly special and magical. The food was incredible, the surroundings absolutely stunning with their rich velvety fabrics and warm, opulent colours perfect for a cosy winter celebration. Add a group of special family & friends and some fine food and wine….then mix in the Singing Waiters, the insanely talented silouette artist Alison Russell (this is the first time I had seen a silouette artist at work and she was amazing!) and you have a fun and celebratory evening. Kudos to Sarah Haywood for making it all run so smoothly and for her special touches (I love the mistletoe and glitter ribbon placenames).

So Lina and Andrew, wishing you both a wonderful magical and long life together….may all your dreams come true xxx

Wedding Planner: Sarah Haywood, Reception Venue: The Lecture Room & Library at Sketch London; Dress by Anatoliy Andreychyk, Hair by Maximiliano Centini, Make up by the Bride Lina Cameron, Flowers by Shaftsberries, Rolls Royce Phantom by Kruuz Chauffeurs, Silouette Artist Alison Russell from The Roving Artist, Cake by Sketch.