Great London wedding venues don’t come much more lavish than The Connaught in Mayfair. The previous year, Rose and Win enjoyed an intimate civil ceremony at The Old Finsbury Town Hall, but The Connaught was the venue of their more formal wedding celebration, hosting wider family and friends.

It’s an obvious thing to point out, but the last two years have been hard due to constant shifts in covid regulations, travel restrictions, but the lovely Rose and Win made the best of this situation by holding two different wedding celebrations a year apart, fundamentally they both had the same values: a true celebration of family, friends, good food and drink, and dancing. And there was an abundance of dance, more on that later!

The Bride and her party (made up of family and Bridesmaids in the most dazzling emerald green silk dresses) got ready in the calm atmosphere of one of The Connaught’s generous suites. They all hopped in black cabs for the short ride to the atmospheric Church of the Immaculate Conception on Farm Street. The spectacular architecture and warm glow from the golden walls was the perfect backdrop to host this traditional, Catholic ceremony. The little bridesmaids, who had worn the most colourful of dresses at the previous nuptials, were now adorned in white dresses and sat immaculately through the proceedings. Well done girls!

My approach to photography is candid, documentary style but as I say to all my couples, weddings are also the only time that everyone in the family or friendship group is together in one place, so it’s lovely to immortalize that. The church steps were the perfect backdrop to grab these important family shots. Everyone posed like pros before taking a short stroll back to The Connaught, where they were greeted with lavish canapés and cocktails.

Never miss a chance to dance!

Guests were ushered in to the largest space The Connaught has to offer, the magnificent ‘Mayfair Room’, with beautiful, soft lighting from art deco-esque chandeliers and floor-length antique mirrors. As guests took their places, the Bride, Groom, and immediate family danced into the room. The room burst into life with a joyful carnival atmosphere, setting the tone for an unforgettable evening.

A sumptuous dinner was had; the couple cut a wonderfully elegant cake before the dancing resumed. There were many first dances: the Bride with her Dad; and a first for me, the Groom and his Mum. In my decade or so of being a wedding photographer I’ve never shot a Groom / Mum first dance, but I’m totally up for more of these!

Thereafter, the dance floor was a blur of twirling bodies, colourful outfits, and broad smiles. Simply a joyful end to a truly spectacular celebration!

If you’re in the early stages of planning a wedding at The Connaught, or any other London venue, please get in touch, as I’d love to hear about your plans!