When Flora got in touch with me and told me she was planning a Hampton Court house wedding, I was immediately excited. Hampton Court is one of my favourite areas of London, with its rich history and stunning architecture, and Hampton Court House had been one of my bucket list venues for some time. Plus I knew that, similarly to me, Flora had a background in fashion - I was so excited to see what her styling and decor pieces were going to be!

Her and James’ big day started out with beautiful sunshine, which carried us through to the late afternoon. For anyone planning a wedding in late November in London, you’ll know how lucky this is! Despite the gorgeous weather, Flora and James were prepared: Hampton Court House is a perfect winter choice because everything can take place inside, including the welcome drinks. Their gorgeous conservatory at the back of the building, surrounded by palm trees and fairy lights is the perfect spot for your first toast as a married couple.

The emotions ran high from the morning, however the getting ready part of the day felt relaxed. You could feel the joy in the room, the anticipation and the love. When Flora came out in her shimmering Winifred Rose custom made two piece dress and her cool bejewelled Shrimp earrings, there were no dry eyes left in the room! The sun-filled airbnb became the setting for tight, long embraces, hands held for comfort and lovely puppy cuddles (I feel the luckiest when there’s a dog in the room…here there were 3!).

As I reached the venue, I could see the groom, James, outside, in black tie, greeting a few guests. I could tell he was as emotional as Flora was, as his groomsmen cracked some jokes around him to help him relax a little bit. The front of Hampton Court House looked majestic in the clear November sunlight: it was going to be a good wedding. 

The bride walked down the isle with both of her parents into the gorgeous main hall of Hampton Court House, beautifully backlit, with the sun shining through the open oak door and all the windows surrounding it. Flora and James shared tears, a tight hug and then the ceremony started, performed by their close friends. Their beloved puppy also had a front row seat with the rest of the family during the ceremony.

After one of the most emotional first kisses of my season the couples entered the conservatory through a human tunnel made up of all the guests at the wedding, ready to cheer them with a glass of champagne. With the couple sharing a love of good food and produce, the drinks reception featured fresh oysters delivered straight from the vendor - which actually made up for some of my favourite shots from the wedding!

Afterwards we braved the frosty temperatures and went outside for couple shots: first with Percy, their pooch, and then with just the two of them. The grounds at Hampton Court house were perfect for us to have a stroll, resulting in plenty of dynamic shots and a lot of variety within the session. The house also features a shell grotto, which was a perfect spot for a bit of flash photography (which was something the bride had told me she wanted) - and a great spot for them to practice their first dance, too. We walked back towards the building in a gorgeous purple sunset, the kind you can only get when the day is cold but the sun is high. It gave the couple a pink hue, which was perfect given the fact that Flora’s Pamplemousse bouquet was made up of many shades of pink.

As we came back into the house we headed straight for the speeches, carefully written and spoken, until the emotions from the earlier part of the day came back rushing. Once again, there was no dry eye left in the room. After the sweetness of the speeches we went in for the reception, where a loud cheer and a sea of napkins in the air welcomed the couple in for their first meal as husband and wife. 

The party that came after was a blast - you could really tell we had a group of people who loved to be on the dance floor! On the rhythms of some party classics, Flora and James emerged (Flora in a second outfit, with even more sparkle than the last) and the whole crowd came to life, giving me so many moves to capture on the dance floor. It truly was a beautiful wedding. 

Congratulations! You are engaged. It was everything you dreamed about, something to remember as long as you live. You have told your family and friends, you have celebrated, and, once the champagne bottles have run dry, you started thinking about your dream London wedding. How to begin?

The first thing you need to book is the venue. You have read this, so you started searching on Google, and as soon as you did, you got overwhelmed. London is a beautiful city, with a staggering choice of wedding venues. 

So I’m here to help! I have photographed weddings all over this city I call home, big and small, traditional and full of character. Scroll down to see my favourite 6 London Wedding Venues:

1. The Asylum Chapel

Perfect for the romantic couple, the dreamers, the gothic architecture lovers. Located in South London, this venue is for you if you want something unique, yet elegant. My favourite touch has to be the sunlight shining through the high, colourful stained glass windows. 

2. Lincoln’s Inn

Hidden in the heart of central London, this venue is for couples who are all about the grandeur, about the history. All eyes on you, this venue is sure to make a lasting impression on your guests and be talked about for years to come.

Wedding shot by me at Lincoln’s Inn

3. Kew Gardens

If you live in London you must have visited, or at least know of Kew. But did you know you can get married there? This one is for nature lovers, but also for the ones that love a classic, black tie wedding. With either just a ceremony or a full day booking, you get to walk down the isle of the beautiful sun-filled orangery, and then you will be whisked away for a photoshoot in your favourite spots in the gardens!

Wedding shot by me at Kew Gardens

4. St Stephen’s, Rosslyn Hill

If Kew Gardens is too well-known for you… St Stephen’s is a real hidden gem. Located in beautiful Highgate, it takes you away from the crowds and up through narrow streets, full of quintessentially London houses. The area surrounding it is perfect for pictures, and the inside will take your breath away. And the best part is, the hiring fee goes towards the charity that maintains the building. Win-win!

5. Hampton Court House 

Back in West London, just a walk away from Henry the VIII’s former home, Hampton Court Palace, stands Hampton Court House. An impressive piece of architecture, it’s the perfect spot for couples who want a fairytale wedding with an edge. 

Wedding shot by me at Hampton Court House 

6. Castle Gibson, East London

A venue for the cool couple, the ones that want to do their wedding their way. An industrial aesthetic completed with a lot of natural light, this is your perfect location to dance the night away, and look great in the pictures as you do so!

Wedding shot by me at Castle Gibson

There you have it! Some of my favourite London wedding venues that I’ve worked at in the past few years. I hope you are feeling inspired, and if so - start planning your dream wedding!