Victoria and Mark booked me to cover their Pimlico Room wedding photography at Old Marylebone Town Hall, the venue for Westminster Register Office ceremonies. This was their family-only civil wedding ceremony. Their ‘big’ wedding followed in August at Cambridge Cottage at Kew with both family and friends attending.
On Mark’s side flower girl Rhiannon and page girl Tabitha (Mark’s nieces) arrived with their mother and grandmother and I took the opportunity to take a couple of photos of them all. Then Victoria’s family arrived – her Father, uncles and aunts. The light on the Old Marylebone Town Hall steps was perfect for a traditional portrait of Victoria’s Father (Gordon) who married Victoria’s Mother at Old Marylebone Town Hall.
Victoria and Mark arrived last in a black London cab decked with ribbon and flowers. Mark wore a navy suit, white shirt and pink tie with matching rose button hole. Victoria wore a cream knee length skirt and a silk long sleeved panelled shirt with leaf print. She teamed these with heeled sandals and a cream and pink rose bouquet.
Victoria and Mark started their ceremony in the actual ceremony room as opposed to a grand entrance to music. It set the scene for a really relaxed and informal ceremony – just what they wanted. Rhiannon was in charge of looking after Victoria’s flowers and Tabitha delivered the rings. Throughout the ceremony the reassuring smiles and giggles between Victoria and Mark went down brilliantly. And the two girls did their jobs perfectly.
Once outside we did some family groups (thanks to cousin Kimberley) on the step followed by a mini confetti throw. Finally, I took some photos of just Victoria and Mark.
The light was a little iffy towards the end. I’m not a panda eye fan so I grabbed my reflector to throw a bit of light into their eyes. Each acted as lighting assistant and Victoria said, ‘you’d better get a photo of me doing this!’ as she held the reflector, feathering the light for Mark. An instant classic.
A note about the Pimlico Room – it’s wonderful. On two sides it seats up to 20 guests in velvet blue bucket chairs (10 on each side in two rows of 5). A third side has a stunning fireplace backdrop to the couple and Registrar during the ceremony. And the fourth side has two huge windows letting in plenty of light and the signing table for the Register. It has an intimate and smart vibe. For more information about this room please take a look at my Old Marylebone Town Hall page.
I have photographed two weddings in the Pimlico in 2018 and have one more to cover at the end of August. I can’t wait!
