Wedding Photographer Old Marylebone Town Hall
A flashback to a different time… a different world, really! It feels surreal to think back to these Covid times now, it really does. Obviously it was awful for the entire world – and I’m very lucky that I didn’t suffer any personal losses – but I also know – first-hand – that it was such a scary time for the wedding industry. I know colleagues who went out of business altogether, for instance. Luckily, I came through OK, even though I only shot about 2 weddings in an 18 month period!
One of those weddings was the fab Ale & Adam’s intimate wedding at The old Marylebone Town Hall in London, and then on to The Landmark Hotel for their reception. They also wanted to get some shots in Kew Gardens – which is where their big party celebration was going to be at a later date.
Yes, it was strange to be photographing people in masks, but you know what? It didn’t curb the emotion; it didn’t stop it being any less special. I always feel lucky to be capturing people’s weddings, and I feel a little extra lucky to have been able to capture such a unique event in time, really.
It was the first time I’d shot at The Old Marylebone Town Hall, and it’s a very cool place – just a short walk from The Landmark Hotel where they were both getting ready, and where the reception was later. I’ve been fortunate to shoot at Kew Gardens numerous times, and it’s always lovely going back – and super to see Adam & Ale dressed in their traditional outfits for some images too.
As I’ve been doing recently, I’ve chosen some of my favourite Marylebone Town Hall wedding photography below, and I’m going to accompany some of the images with my thoughts – hope you enjoy!
At first glance a typical bridal prep situation, but then you notice the masks! Surreal. Purposefully composed so we have a bit more storytelling in the single frame, with Ale’s bridesmaid adjusting the dress in the foreground, and Ale herself getting her hair done in the background.
Again, something you don’t see very often: Bride and hairdresser in masks. Adam & Ale had very cool personalised masks, too, which I thought was a fab touch.
A bit of a family shot, this, as I composed to get both Ale and her father in the reflection – waiting that little bit extra for something a little more interesting to happen; in this case, Ale’s beaming smile. Patience is *so* important when it comes to wedding photography, as I want to capture meaningful moments, expressions, relationships, actions… it’s far, far more than merely a record of who was present.
I always photographing the walk from prep to ceremony if I can; here, low down gives a different perspective to what we’re used to seeing day-in, day-out, and I like how the leading lines of the railings lead your eye to Ale and her bridesmaid.
Keep your distance, indeed! I got down low here to emphasise the sign, and waited for the distance between them before taking the shot. The life of a wedding photographer is about constantly being aware of our surroundings and opportunities to tell different stories.
Hugs are still emotional in masks!
They were allowed to remove masks for the First Kiss, thankfully!
Hopefully I’ll never again need to photograph a bride and groom being ‘tested’ before they’re allowed to enter their own wedding reception! A unique image in my portfolio, that’s for sure.
As I mentioned earlier, they were going to have a big party celebration at Kew Gardens at a later date, and so they wanted to get some shots of them there whilst we were nearby, which of course I was more than happy to do. In this shot, I’ve lifted the camera way up high so I can get both their embrace, and the lake and building in the background.
Lush autumnal colours at Kew! If my couples want couple-time imagery like this (and many don’t; totally up to you, of course), then I always like to add context about where they are and try different compositions like this – I like this shot, for instance, not only because of the colours, but I also like the leaves in the foreground, with their embrace bottom-right.
Some other recent blog posts include wedding photographer The Green, wedding photographer Mickleton Hills Farm, Rhinefield House wedding photographer, documentary wedding photographer Polhawn Fort, wedding photographer Chalk Barn Wiltshire, and wedding photographer Merrydale Manor.