Claridges Weddings | Polly Alexandre Photography

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

Anna & Gareth – A Claridges Winter Wedding

February 6, 2014

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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,
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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)

Candice & Alistair – Wedding Photography at Claridges, London

November 15, 2010

Candice and Alistair are childhood sweethearts who have been together since the tender age of seventeen. Their relationship was sealed in an elegant ceremony and reception at the magical and timeless surroundings of Claridges in London. Candice paid great attention to detail and enjoyed matching the elements of her day to their navy and mustard colour scheme. So chic!

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I love Alistair’s sharp lounge suit from Oswald Boateng….it fit like a glove and looked so dashing; he reminded me of a 40’s film star… and all the groomsmen wore matching navy and mustard striped ties and socks.

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I think these grainy black and white images could almost have been shot in any decade….

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How cool is her Oscar de La Renta dress? Super modern yet with a vintage almost sixties twist…shoes by Louboutin of course….

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Flowers by Mary Jane Vaughan; Cake by Little Venice Cake Company

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Wishing you both all the very best for a wonderful life together filled with lots of love and happiness x

Coming Soon: Candice & Alistair

November 13, 2010

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I love this shot; it could be from the 1960’s; the combination of black and white film, the London street just outside Claridges (where they held their wedding) and Candice’s gorgeous dress and 60’s style hairband lend it such a vintage feel. Alistair looked so dashing in his slim cut suit too… full wedding coming very soon.