Old Royal Naval College Wedding

We sat down at the Corintha, her mum, her aunt and I and chatted about her wedding. She had flown in from Florida with her mother in search of her destination wedding venue here in London. And she excitedly told me - she had found the one! The Painted Hall in the Old Royal Naval College. A venue which had only just been reopened after a huge restoration project….There was just the final nod from her father to get and then the planning could get underway. She flew back to America. Her father said YES to the Painted Hall and then fast forward twelve months and she was sweeping through the grounds of the Old Royal Naval College, carefully stepping out with her father as the late summer sun bust out from behind the clouds and shone down on them as they walked underneath the fluttering stars and stripes flag that had been put up in their honour. A hush fell over the passers by as she passed and made her way to the entrance of the Painted Hall.

The huge wooden doors had been thrown open and in she stepped….Into the vaulted ceiling of the entrance and the soaring columns flanking either side of the staircase. Her flower girls and page boys eager to march down, followed by her bridesmaids, her mother and grandpa and then Stephanie and her father. Seeing her friends and family who had taken a boat down the Thames, and her husband to be, Steven waiting at the end of the aisle. Surrounded by the showstopping walls and ceiling of the ‘Sistene Chapel of the UK’ this was their wedding!

From the cheers and whoops as they kissed after being pronounced man and wife, to the walk down the aisle, beaming. The wind catching her dress as they took their first steps, and the pimms and champagne in the grounds. The dinner set for a sumptuous feast, a cake made by the Royal baker. Speeches, saying grace, multiple cheers and cries in ode of the ‘Florida Gators’, the merriment spilling down into the undercroft where the band played and the dancing got underway. And finally as midnight chimed, Stephanie and Steven stepped out amongst the sparklers and were whisked away into the night.

Their wedding was all parts, magical, fairytale and fully of family and friends. Caring, happy, beautiful are three words that sum up this sensational wedding I had the honour of photographing.

(NOTE: I am PREFERRED PHOTOGRAPHER at the Old Royal Naval College which includes The Painted Hall and Admiral’s House as well as the Old Royal Naval College Chapel. This means, I have photographed in each venue, am very familiar with the surroundings, the light and the process in terms of ‘what happens where’ on the day. Ive got the right insurance and its easy when booking the Royal Naval College and I know the team that run it and they know me so there is no screening process or needing to get authority from them before choosing me as your wedding photographer).

Vendors: Dress: Sottero & Midgley Bridesmaids: Azazie Caterers: CH&Co Cake: Violet Bakery Videographer: Andrei Weddings Florist: Rachel Morgan Flowers Photobooth Magic Mirror: Harry and the Edge Hair and Makeup: Wedding Day HMU