I was in London yesterday to photograph the beautiful wedding of Phoebe and George. This cool couple first met in my home town of Tunbridge Wells whilst training as solicitors, and I loved hearing in the speeches about how they got together, and the nights out they had in the town. Whenever anyone talks about the nightlife in Tunbridge Wells, it’s nearly always looked back on with an almost fondness for how bad a certain club was, and yet we all ended up there.
Their wedding ceremony location was Christchurch East Sheen – a beautiful church that is just around the corner from Phoebe’s parent’s house, and was where her sister got married. I do love venues that have personal connections like this. After their ceremony, we temporarily took over the road outside the church to greet the couple with confetti before a Routemaster Bus transported the guests, and Phoebe & George left in a classic Mercedes, for their reception venue – Hampton Court House. This stunning 18th century Grade II listed building is on the edge of Bushy Park. It was designed by Thomas Wright and built by George Montagu Dunk, 2nd Earl of Halifax, for the opera singer Mrs. Anna Maria Donaldson. Currently it is a school, and is used for weddings and tv / films. It has an incredible front, amazing features inside and stunning views across the park. In fact the park is right outside the back with stairs leading straight into it, giving the feel that the whole park is the garden for this house.
Phoebe and George had added lovely features to the venue to make it their own, with various signs telling guests about the day, and the very popular ‘Phoebe’s Gin Bar’ and ‘George’s Public House’ (serving two types of beer from kegs) providing drinks for the guests. There was a great atmosphere to the whole day. I loved their choice of Stevie Pomme, an acoustic guitarist playing that period between the speeches and the first dance. It was a great way to ‘warm the crowd up’ before the party kicked off and I could see everyone was loving the song choices. And then ‘Vivid Band’ kicked the party kicked off fully and the dance floor was full until I left them a couple of hours later.
I had a great time photographing their wedding and I wish them lots of happiness together. Here is a preview photo from our evening walk into Bushy Park.
