D&S’ two day London celebration with friends and family from all over the world. Including a ceremony at Chelsea Old Town Hall, a surprise guest, a 1984 Golf GTI, a parking ticket with a cute note on it, a reception at The Pig’s Ear, a second reception and dinner at Toklas, and ending with a 1800’s steamboat party with an anglo-cuban band on The Thames. Phew.

A couple on their wedding day having an iced coffee on the King's road in Chelsea after getting married at Chelsea Old Town Hall. Taken on 35mm film.

Firstly, I feel really privileged to be able to share this one.

D&S are such a great pair. One from California, one from England, and they chose to give their guests from all over the world a really London style wedding weekend.

The ceremony

It started on Friday with a unique ceremony at Chelsea Old Town Hall. It was unique because I wasn’t actually part of the first half of it. D had planned a surprise guest for S: her dog, who carried the rings in, and produced such an emotional moment. This was a real challenge on film, as I hadn’t metered the room before this moment, so I used my digital camera through the frosted glass as a light meter while the first half of the ceremony was going on. I had a few seconds and one chance to get this moment on camera as I came into the room with the dog.

A couple of pictures in the ceremony room while everyone gathered on the famous Chelsea Old Town Hall steps ready to throw confetti on the newlyweds. The day became more iconic as we took a quick photo of everyone on the steps. S’ 1984 Golf GTI rolled up, along with a really lovely message… on a parking ticket. Of course, we had to get a photo to commemorate.

Cameras & lenses:
- Nikon F5
- Nikon F80
  - Nikkor 28mm f2.8
  - Nikkor 50mm f1.8
- Mamiya C330 (Medium format)
- Canon R6ii
  - RF 35mm f1.8
  - RF 50mm 1.8
Film:
- Kodak Ultramax 400
- Kodak Portra 800
- Ilford HP5

The journey

We took a quick drive to park the car, which looked and felt absolutely perfect on Kodak Ultramax 35mm film. The interiors, the outfits, the flowers, the London streets. It all worked. The car even had some retro heart-shaped balloons and Coke cans behind, which just topped it all off. We made an absolute racket driving through the beautiful Chelsea streets.

Once parked, which itself was an absolute experience, we started our walk along the King’s Road towards The Pig’s Ear. We all wanted to grab a coffee, which led to a few more natural documentary photo opportunities while they sat in the window with their drinks.

The smaller reception (day 1)

We arrived at The Pig’s Ear for drinks before their beautiful dinner upstairs. By the way, the staff there were lovely and kept me watered, which is honestly a live saver, because I absolutely forget when I'm busy snapping! The pub itself is really stylish, with chandeliers,

The bigger reception (day 2)

This is where it really kicked off.

D & S had invited people from all over the world to come together - you could feel a different energy today, with absolute joy and celebration. The afternoon started at Toklas, which is a stunning restaurant with long terrace which makes you feel like you’re in the London skyline.

The pair of them were dressed in new iconic outfits, which really suited their personalities. A gem encrusted suit and a sheer embroidered jump suit really stole the show. The style on show really fit an international wedding in central London.

The tables capes inside were stunning, especially when paired with the dramatic light and shadows created by the floor to ceiling windows running the length of the room. It looked great on film both during the day, later on once the warm ambient light took over, and also with direct flash. Kodak Ultramax can really do it all. The square photo below was taken on my Mamiya C330 medium format camera, using Kodak Portra 800. Stunning.

Dinner at Toklas

Mamiya C330, Kodak Portra 800 120

The (steam)boat party

The weekend concluded in absolute style. An 1800’s steamboat party on The Thames and an anglo-cuban band which was sheer chaos. The journey took us past all the illuminated London landmarks including the London Eye, Westminster and Big Ben.

I used a mix of digital and Ilford HP5 black and white film for the evening chaos, and the direct flash on film really brought it all to life. For the most part, I used my digital to get the ambience of it all without flash.