As a London wedding photographer I have had great pleasure shooting at the Painted Hall a few times before, but no matter how many times I photograph this truly majestic venue I still stand in awe of the building for a few minutes before I get to work. It is for this very reason that I was delighted to learn that I would be returning to the venue as the designated photographer for the summer wedding of Sai & Paul.
When the bride’s mum contacted me last year and told me this news, I was instantly excited about shooting there again. Although I do attend many beautiful, unique and magical weddings, this venue really is my favourite in the UK. If you’ve never had a reason to go there, find one. Sadly though, the Painted Hall is closed to the public at night, which is when the true beauty of the venue really comes to life.
Located on the banks of the River Thames, the Painted Hall was originally intended as an eating space for the naval veterans during 1708 but in recent years it has become a popular space for not only weddings, but also movie and television sets.
The Painted Hall is one of the finest dining halls in Europe, and this is mainly down to artist Sir James Thornhill, who took on the mammoth task of decorating the interior. The artwork on the ceiling is breath-taking, although it is sad to think that he was only paid £3 per square yard for the work!
When you look at the pictures, it’s not hard to see why I love the Painted Hall as a wedding venue. It is one of a kind, and like I always say if you are holding a wedding in London, the iconic landmarks should always feature somewhere in your photography. Luckily for Sai & Paul the venue they chose is actually an iconic landmark in itself!
As a London wedding photographer I was even more delighted when I was approached by the venue that asked me if they could use some of my images in their new brochure. The Sales and Marketing department even took the time to send me an email, which is quoted below and I am now their recommended wedding photographer.
WOW!!! On all account these are some of the most beautiful wedding shots that I have had the good fortune of coming across.
The day of the wedding itself certainly exceeded my expectations. I felt blessed to be asked to photograph their wedding and it was lovely to sit down with such an inviting group of guests for dinner. My assistant, Soven, and I felt very warmly welcomed (not to mention well-fed!).
