I love it when I get to shoot weddings that are local to me, so having the opportunity to photograph a Wimbledon wedding at Cannizaro House, one of my favourite London locations for portraits, made me happy in my heart. I had already worked with today’s bride and groom, Sophie and Shamir, when I photographed their pre-wedding shoot along London’s South Bank back in July, so I knew they were a fun couple who were going to be really easy to work with.
We started with bride Sophie getting ready at her Wimbledon home, with her two bridesmaids, sister Helene and friend Emilie, and everything was nice and relaxed all morning. I then headed off to St. Winefred’s Church in the heart of Wimbledon to see groom Samir before the ceremony, and get some shots of the guests arriving.
During the ceremony, we were entertained by tradition Belgium hymns sung from the organ balcony high above us by Sophie’s mother. Unusually, during the ceremony, the couple read their own vows from a low lecturn in front of them, rather than repeating after the priest. But at least they got to look up and glance into each other’s eyes during the exchange of the rings.
After the Wimbledon wedding ceremony, we headed straight to the amazing gardens of Cannizaro House for our wedding portraits followed by the formal family groups. Sophie and Samir had a reception at Cannizaro House and the bride’s mendhi today in preparation for the big Hindu wedding to follow in two days.
