Here are my favourite images from Nicola and Math’s intimate wedding at Islington Town Hall followed by a reception at The Swan at The Globe on London’s Southbank. If you’re getting married at either (or both!) of these iconic London venues, then please contact me to discuss your photography.
This was a really short notice booking and a short coverage – only 4 hours. But with less than thirty guests, a really cool Bride and Groom, a London Routemaster bus ride and two great venues, I knew I’d be able to get some great documentary images as I’d be with the guests for the whole time. I also knew that the mixture of a funky, alternative couple and the Southbank would lead to some great wedding photographs!
I started the day at the town hall in Islington. I’d never met either Nicola or Math, having only spoken to Nicola on the phone. One worry in this situation is how to recognise ‘your’ bride and groom when potentially two or three ceremonies can be going on at one time and you want to capture the bride and groom right from arrival. Luckily Nicola’s grandmother was as early as I was, so we had a nice chat and she assured me that I’d recognise both the bride and groom as a bit more ‘alternative’ – Math is a tattoo designer, and it’s fair to say they both love tattoos – both bride and groom just looked amazing! Nicola’s simple, elegant dress showed off her figure perfectly and was teamed with chunky jewellery, a 1940’s inspired hairdo, and really bright, statement flowers. As you’d expect from a former makeup artist, Nicola’s makeup was flawless and really suited her skin tones. Math’s look perfectly suited his body art so I knew when I saw them both, that this was going to be a great day!
The ceremony was held in the Council Chambers, which was a great backdrop for the wedding.
Once the ceremony was over, we captured some quick couple portraits whilst the guests made their way outside for confetti.
Once outside, we captured a few quick group shots (always quicker when the guests are a bit of a captive audience and there’s no bar to disappear off to). We then waited for the iconic red Routemaster London bus to whisk the bride, groom and guests (plus me – so nice to go with the guests and document the journey) from Islington Town Hall to The Swan restaurant at The Globe, on London’s Southbank.
Nicola and Math’s son loved the journey and waving to passengers on other buses. Great to see some iconic landmarks as we made our way over the Thames, and then it was time for a short walk along the Southbank to The Swan at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, where drinks and the wedding breakfast was held in the River Room.
After capturing some further candids of the guests, I took the couple out for a walk along the Southbank, finding some nice backgrounds along the way.
We headed towards the Tate Modern, which Math said was one of his favourite London buildings. ‘If you don’t ask, you don’t get’ as they say, so Math asked the security guards if we could go in for some quick photos (much more likely to say yes to the groom than to the photographer!) – they were more than happy to oblige, so we quickly captured a few portraits in the Turbine Hall, then made our way back to The Swan.
The bride and groom were then seated for their wedding breakfast, at which point I said my goodbyes and hopped on the train back to Tunbridge Wells – one very tired (almost as tired as the bride and groom’s son…) but happy wedding photographer!
Congratulations once again to Nicola and Math!If you’re getting married at either Islington Town Hall or The Swan at The Globe, please contact me to discuss your wedding photography.
All images copyright David Burke Photography 2015