YORK HOUSE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY TWICKENHAM
AN INTIMATE WEDDING AT YORK HOUSE IN TWICKENHAM
It was such a pleasure to be Gabriella and Mike’s York House wedding photographer in Twickenham. Married on a beautiful summer’s day, Gabriella and Mike carried off London's most chilled June wedding. The fact that they planned the exact wedding they had wanted, during COVID restrictions, just made the day all the more special. If you look at the photos and think "hmm Gabriella looks a bit familiar but can’t quite work out why", you are probably thinking of Kate Middleton. Gabriella's former life as the world’s premier Kate Middleton lookalike, saw her featured in a myriad of magazines. Having been snapped by some great photographers, I felt privileged she chose me to preserve her wedding day memories.
Both Gabriella and Mike were adamant that they did not want any formal, posed or cheesy wedding photographs. I did talk them into a few portraits, but otherwise every photo on the day was taken in the natural unposed style I specialise in, and which we both love. It was the perfect fit.
RICHMOND HILL WEDDING PICNIC
This was my first time as a wedding photographer at York House and it was a joy to shoot there.
Built in the seventeenth-century it has elegant rooms for holding your ceremony, with beautiful gardens which lead down to the River Thames. The house itself, plus the garden make for great photographs. I think it’s safe to say it’s a cut above your average council registry office. If you are having your celebration here, or anywhere else please get in touch to see if I am free.
Gabriella and Mike exchanged vows in The Terrace Room. It felt intimate throughout with just a handful of close friends and family in attendance. Formerly the drawing room, it leads out onto the terrace, cue the confetti throwing, and the sunken garden. York House has beautiful award-winning gardens . After the ceremony the wedding party took a stroll through the mix of marble statues, a fountain, arches and a bridge, are all great backdrops for photos.
A walk along the riverbank with a quick pit stop at the The White Swan pub for liquid refreshment then a trip by ferry to Richmond Hill for a picnic. A chilled afternoon enjoying prosecco, sandwiches and cakes. With breathtaking views over a serene River Thames, it is Gabriella’s favourite spot in the world, and the weather played ball. The next week it rained, rained a bit more, and then every day for about 3 weeks. Sadly, a June wedding in the UK comes with no guarantee of perfect blue skies.
Late afternoon, and with adults fed and watered and the children worn out from racing one another up the hill, it was time to let the hair down back at Gabriella and Mike’s. Margarita’s and “99s” were served up from The Dunkley Arms, a bar/shed they built at the end of their garden. How cute is that! I want my own bar now...a bit of limbo dancing, some jiving in the back garden, gourmet pizzas and the cutting of a frankly amazing Gnome Cake. Oh and girls let out some aggression nobody knew they had by smashing pinatas of the Bride and Groom.
As the sun retreated it was a perfectly mellow end to the most relaxed of weddings.
Gabriella is a big supporter of independently owned small businesses and is a co-founder of Holly & Co along with Holly Tucker MBE. If you are in the midst of planning your wedding I suggest you head over to Gabriella’s more in-depth blog about her big day. There was so much to this outdoor wedding and her blog goes into much more detail. It is written far better than my C- effort here. "Must do better Bagness!" https://www.gabriellamunrodouglas.com/enthusiasms
"Steve - the photos are PHENOMENAL!! I love each and every one!! You're so incredibly talented!! You have the most brilliant eye for an image, I love every single one!" - Thanks Gabriella, it's reactions like that from happy couples that help photographers stay on top of their game and keep improving. Keep smiling people!
I was delighted Gabi & Mike's wedding was also featured on influential wedding blog Love My Dress
Rings: https://www.chupi.com/
Dress:https://www.julitalondon.com
Trainers: https://emmagiacalone.com/
Nails: https://www.instagram.com/drybylondon/
Flowers: https://www.myrtleandsmith.co.uk
Bunting: https://www.mollymeg.com/
Bridesmaids Dresses: https://newbiestore.com/collections/newbie-wedding
