A colourful and joyful wedding at Royal Holloway, University of London
Yesterday I had the absolute pleasure of shooting Susan and Giles’s wedding at their old university, Royal Holloway, University of London. It was a lovely wedding full of sweet moments, and little DIY touches that had involved much of their family. These included their stationery, vintage crockery which several of them had collected, and flowers from the bride’s parent’s garden. I guess what made this so special was that this is where Susan and Giles met. To begin with they were just friends meeting regularly over tea, a fact reflected in their tea and biscuit wedding theme. Of course later love blossomed, and the rest is history. They make an adorable couple, and so very perfect for each other, and I really enjoyed capturing their special day, as well as meeting their friends and family.
The university is a wonderful setting for a wedding. The first thing you see is the red bricked Founder’s Building, a grade I listed structure based on a French Chateau. It’s seriously impressive. Having grown up in Englefield Green I’m used to seeing the building, as well as shooting images for the university’s website in the past, but every single time it never ceases to impress. It’s extraordinarily beautiful. Susan and Giles chose the rather splendid Picture Gallery for their ceremonies – yes ceremonies! There were two.
I started the day by capturing table details in the dining hall, which included a pretty three tiered cake made by Susan’s grandmother, and flower arrangements in vintage crockery all created by the couple’s family and bridesmaids. After that it was a skip across the north quad to where the Susan, her mum and bridesmaids were getting ready. This is always a fun part of the day to capture and the ladies were in high spirits!
The couple chose a hand tying ceremony together with exchange of rings led by a celebrant. Then following a relaxed period of canapés, drinks, socialising, and for some a quick tour of the grounds remembering old times, it was back to the Picture gallery for their civil ceremony. The legal part complete, the new husband and wife enjoyed a fabulous confetti line in front of the Founders Building entrance, before making their way to the dining room for the wedding breakfast, speeches, cake cutting and of course their first dance.
Here is a preview for Susan and Giles who set off on their honeymoon early tomorrow morning. Thank you for being so sweet and wonderful. You were an absolute joy to photograph and I hope you enjoy these previews. J x
The Picture Gallery at Royal Holloway really does provide the most beautiful setting for a civil wedding, and there’s plenty for your guests to look at whilst waiting for the ceremony to begin!
The Wedding Breakfast
I loved the tea cup flower arrangements and the pretty florals that adorned the cake.
I love capturing the guests emotions throughout the day, but especially during the wedding speeches. It’s such a great way to get candid moments and real genuine reactions from the guests at a time when they tend to forget there’s a photographer there taking photographs. I love this following set, they just make me really smile.
Location – Royal Holloway University Of London
Celebrant – Emily Rawlinson
