With the bustling city being so diverse in terms of culture and belief, as a London wedding photographer I am often asked to shoot in both hotels, for civil ceremonies, and in churches for religious blessings. Joanna and Vinay opted for a church setting for their nuptials, with a reception at Greenwich’s Trafalgar Tavern. I’ve photographed weddings at the Trafalgar Tavern in the past, and it’s a real favourite of mine due to the history, design and stunning views across the Thames.
Providing Joanna and Vinay’s Greenwich wedding photography at the Our Ladye Star of the Sea church was a privilege. The building, designed by architect William Wardell who had a known love of gothic-style buildings, is spectacular. The towers and turrets (original features of the building dating back to the 1850s) create the perfect backdrop for photographing couples in a beautiful and traditional setting. Against the glorious blue sky, as we had on the day, I was able to take some dramatic shots of the couple, in keeping with my signature style.
Inside the church is, perhaps, even more impressive. the stained glass windows are the focus here, and while they are spectacular from afar, it’s well worth taking a closer look. The windows tell a story specific to the church, featuring mariners who made up the majority of the congregation back in the 19th century. The stained glass allowed for wonderful amounts of natural light to infiltrate the room in all colours of the spectrum, providing excellent conditions for photographing the ceremony. Afterwards, the classic archway doors were ideal for getting some classic shots of the couple and their guests.
The Trafalgar Tavern as the choice for the reception was perfect. The walk between the two venues includes a stroll through Greenwich Park, which is one of my favourite places to shoot. As the oldest Royal Park in London, the destination was truly in keeping with the tradition of this event. The pleasant weather allowed me to photograph the couple amongst the lush greenery of the park, and overlooking the picturesque River Thames before arriving at the Trafalgar Tavern, another historic and somewhat iconic wedding venue in Greenwich.
