TASH AND MIKE'S PROPER LONDON WEDDING EXMOUTH MARKET COIN OP LAUNDREY

TASH AND MIKE’S HACKNEY TOWN HALL WEDDING

(And associated East London wedding adventures)

Well and this was quite the East London adventure, starting off with just three days’ advance notice. Having been let down by their photographer and videographer, Natasha and Michael found me and asked if I could save the day! Well some of us just love a last-minute wedding, and as Hackney Town Hall and the wonderful Exmouth Market Coin Op venue are really just down the road from me, it was an opportunity too good to pass up.

It was also the perfect showcase for my ever popular Simple Combined Package, which offers tremendous coverage and value for money, as well as a chance to really flex my creative muscles as a wedding photographer and wedding videographer. Working with a team, I put together a really great package documenting this cool young couple’s day.

Bridal prep photography was a brief and simple affair, but it did offer the opportunity to capture Tash in her gorgeous full-length gown in the sophisticated Clayton London Wall Hotel in the heart of London’s city district. And First Look in the lobby gave me a chance to meet her wonderful parents, who let me share their taxi to the town hall.

Hackney Town Hall is a brilliant venue for a civil wedding ceremony, being one of London's finest examples of civic art deco architecture. opened in 1937, today the Grade II Listed building houses the original Assembly Hall which conveniently offers its own private entrance with two beautiful curved staircases leading guests to the elegant event space. After a recent improvement works the original 1930s building has been brought into the 21st century and now features two state of the art glass roofed atrium, giving you the sense being outside no matter the weather. The original wood panelled Council Chamber and Committee Rooms  with their imposing grandiose chandeliers are the perfect setting for stand alone ceremonies.

I’ve shot in all the rooms here a number of times - the council chamber is my favourite but they are all terrific spaces - and I’ve always managed to get some fun Bridal Portrait Photography within the building, and at least a couple of group shots on the steps, with the fantastic imposing architecture as classic London backdrop. Beware, sometimes, at it’s busiest, you get very little time for photography here, so make sure your wedding photographer is, like me, nimble on their feet and keen and happy to work quickly.

To help all of this along, the staff are super efficient and super helpful, guiding bride and groom, and photographer and videographer to get the best out of their ceremony. They are really relaxed too, happily accommodating me and my team and everything we needed to document Tash and Mike’s civil ceremony.

Then it was all aboard the Routemaster Bus, held up a little by valiant Anti-War protestors, and en route for the Coin Op.

Now for those who don’t know, Exmouth Market Coin Op Laundry WAS in fact once a launderette. Today it is a super cool laid-back bar, serving craft beer, wine, decent food and an awesome vibe. Nestling just down the hill from Angel tube station - or, if you like, up the hill from Farringdon tube station, in the neighbourhood we used to call Mount Pleasant, Coin Op is very much an alternative wedding reception venue. Basically a really really nice pub with a little basement where you can have your DJ and properly let your hair down.

Another challenge here for your wedding photographer. The basement is DARK. Really dark. Be sure your photographer knows how to light a dark space, because “natural light photography” tends to mean light and airy and relying on some sunshine or other strong lighting, whereas down here in the moody shadows of the Coin Op basement, as you can see from the photos below, being able to light a dark space is crucial.

Dont let that put you off the Coin Op though, they were absolutely brilliant, as were Mike and Tash, who were the kind of relaxed and unfussy couple who were happier to take a natural vibe to their photography rather than lots of posed couple shots. Me, my style is to work WITH a couple, find their vibe and adapt to it, which I think we did pretty well here.

An amazing, funny, lively, slightly chaotic day, with an awesome crowd of family and friends and an absolutely legendary rock n roll couple. Congratulations to Tash and Mike

AND BELOW, BEHOLD!

THE FILMS!

INSTAGRAM

HIGHLIGHTS

MAIN FILM

LOUIS PLAYS THE FAVOURITES (BONUS FOOTAGE)

SPEECHES

VICKI AND WILL'S SURREY WEDDING ST GEORGE'S HILL GOLF CLUB

VICKI AND WILL AT ST GEORGE’S HILL GOLF CLUB WEDDING VENUE

Well now this was fun. And while I wouldn’t exactly call myself a Surrey Wedding Photographer, I’ve certainly shot a whole heap of weddings in Surrey over the last couple of years. In fact I had a little wave of nostalgia driving into Weybridge remembering Sarah and George’s wedding, literally just down the road from Vicki’s house only two years ago.

This time, rather than the registry office, Vicki and Will were getting married at the lovely St Andrews Parish Church Wraysbury. Over the years I’ve heard a lot of complaints from Wedding Photographers about churches and vicars. Personally I’ve never had an issue and generally find them very reasonable and charming, so possibly that says more about photographers than it does about priests and vicars? The vicar at St Andrews was absolutely charming and as you can see from the photos of the church wedding ceremony , pretty much gave me the run of the place.

Another fashion amongst photographers is to not use a long telephoto lens. It does look a bit “all the gear and no idea”, a bit old school. But when Vicki and Will arrived at the venue by driving across the long sweep of the golf course, the only good way to capture that arrival was with a great big telephoto lens, so thank goodness I do always pack it.

The prestigious St George’s Hill Golf Club is a terrific venue, with views over the Surrey countryside that face in the perfect direction for a sunset. Sadly I had to leave early; Vicki had booked only eight hours, and while I would happily still have put in the extra time had I not had a long drive to the next day’s wedding videography shoot in the Cotswolds. -

The club is all wood panelling that soaks up the ambple sunlight, making for what we photographers call “fall off”, which is great if you want to do indoor portraiture. As it is, the weather was so lovely, we were able to do all the group formal wedding photos AND the couple portrait photography outdoors.

In fact there was so much lovely sunlight flooding into the venue that for the first time in my career, when it came to First Dance, where we tend to need to light up the dance floor, I was actually having to dial DOWN my settings and light the room to compensate for more existing lighting than is usual. And don’t think that is a bad thing at all, it gave the dance floor a wonderful summer vibe as Vicki, Will and their family and friends partied away. All in all, a perfect summer’s day for a perfect summer wedding. Congratulations guys!

LANA AND CHRIS'S SOPHISTICATED HAMPSHIRE WEDDING, RHINEFIELD HOUSE

LANA AND CHRIS AT RHINEFIELD HOUSE

So what is Rhinefield House like as a Wedding Venue I hear you ask. I’m sure it will be the first question on most couples’ lips, before we get down to talking about what a brilliant day Lana and Chris had there.

First up, imagine it is possible that some things are as good as they claim to be. Second, picture yourself in a high class sophisticated, award-winning luxury hotel, nestling in a secluded forest in the heart of the New Forest ,waking up on your wedding day to a delicious breakfast before a perfect ceremony in a wood panelled hall filled with sunlight, a lawn for your canapes and party with exquisite views across the Hampshire countryside. Your wedding breakfast and your party are perfect, the grounds are sumptuous. Well that is Rhinefield House, a spectacular, perfectly situation and sophisticated Hampshire wedding venue.

This was a chance to offer couples the fantastic value of a Combined Wedding Photography and Videography day. this was yet another outing for the ever popular Simple Combined Package, which I must get round to renaming, as it is actually very comprehensive in terms of coverage and delivery.

Scroll through the photos to see just what a fantastic day this lovely couple had, and you’ll find right at the bottom, their highlights film so you can also see the consistency of quality and style you get when you book a combined package. It must also be said that you are having to do less organising and being guaranteed a more relaxed vibe when you hire one person to look after both things. And if you want to see the full video offering that Lana and Chris booked with this package, check out this page

THE HIGHLIGHTS FILM

RUBY AND ADAM'S INTIMATE GREENWICH WEDDING, THE TRAFALGAR TAVERN

CAN ONE PERSON BE BOTH PHOTOGRAPHER AND VIDEOGRAPHER?

And, really, should they?

Full disclosure. I’m not that desperate for the money, and not that keen to work so hard for it that I would do two people’s jobs simultaneously. But I am a very creative person, full of curiosity and a klnd of ADHD drive to push boundaries and try new techniques. So when Ruby and Adam were happy for me to experiment with doing both simultaneously I offered them an irresistible deal and discovered that yes it absolutely is possible, but that you really, really need to know what you’re doing in both arenas. I've been a wedding photographer and a wedding videographer for absolutely years now (those are hyperlinks so that you can go check me out, right?). so I do have enough muscle memory and experience to know how to do this. My advice though is that if you hire one person to cover both, be absolutely sure they CAN do both well. Because it is an exacting experience.

The day itself was brilliant. The Trafalgar Tavern is kind of famous - in a previous life I had films screened here in film festivals - and certainly it is hard to imagine a more perfect setting for an intimate London wedding than inside the Trafalgar Tavern. You feel like you’re stepping into a piece of history. The tavern’s walls, adorned with timeless artefacts and paintings, tell the incredible stories of Britain’s naval past, which adds a rich, romantic and kind of quirky atmosphere to your day.

Each of the stunning rooms is steeped in character, paying homage to iconic naval victories and historic figures, which made every corner feel like a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Set right in the heart of Greenwich, with breathtaking views overlooking the Thames, it truly felt like we were part of something special. Adam and Ruby chose the Nile Restaurant for theiur reception, and it was the perfect blend of elegance and warmth. Guests couldn't stop talking about the picturesque riverside backdrop – it was the ideal setting for all of wedding couple portrait photosgraphy.

Beyond the beauty of the venue itself, the people running the Trafalgar Tavern make sure every moment of your day is seamless. From the food to the service. Their seasonal menu is a hit with everyone, especially the famous fish & chips – such a crowd-pleaser!

BUT WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO SHOOT THERE?

As for how I went about shooting it. I used a combination of switching my main cameras, the Sony A7IV with a small DJI Pocket Osmo 3 attached for simultaneous video shooting. This is a sight that will become so familiar that this article will soon go out of date. But for now, it is still quite new.

I also used remote cameras on tripods, as I do when shooting more comprehensive, longer wedding videos with my Simple Combined Package. For crucial moments I always had AT LEAST two cameras running simultaneously. And throughout the day I was constantly switching from video to photo and back again on my main cameras.

For bigger weddings, I would bring in an assistant, a second shooter or even an associate shooter because really it is not an easy task.

Is it a fun task? If you are a bit hyper-active like me, and if you have the experience - again like me - then yes it is. Is it worth it as an investment for a couple? Take a look and see for yourself below.

From their point of view and mine, and subsecquently according to many other couples this year, yes it is

THE FILM

EMILY AND TOMOS' AWESOME MIDLANDS WEDDING, PENDRELL HALL

KATIE AND NIALL'S PERFECT MIDLANDS WEDDING, THE GRAND HOTEL BIRMINGHAM

ELLE AND MICHAEL'S SUMPTUOUS LONDON SUMMER WEDDING, KEW GARDENS

THE FILM

SOPHIE AND JAMIE'S CLASSIC WORCESTESHIRE WEDDING, STANBROOK ABBEY HOTEL

SOPHIE AND JAMES' RUSTIC HAMPSHIRE WEDDING, ST MARY'S CHURCH, HOOK

CHRIS AND LILIAN'S SPRING LONDON WEDDING, MARYLEBONE OLD TOWN HALL

KAT AND ALEX'S FUN ALTERNATIVE WINCHESTER AUTUMN WEDDING, MARWELL HOTEL

KIRSTY AND LEWIS'S EARLY AUTUMN GLOUCESTER WEDDING, EASTINGTON PARK

SARAH AND ANTHONY'S TIMELESS SEASIDE BOURNEMOUTH WEDDING, CONNAUGHT HOTEL

JENNET AND ROSS' SUPER ROMANTIC HAMPSHIRE WEDDING, GORSE HILL

CHERRY AND BOHDAN'S RUSTIC WILTSHIRE WEDDING, EURIDGE MANOR

Aw Euridge Manor, on my list of all-time favourite wedding venues. Nestled in the rolling hills of the Cotswolds, a few miles from the historic city of Bath, everything, from the gorgeous orange Orangery, to the ornamental lake, to the crumbling stone arches and beautifully cut topiary, the outdoor ceremony pergola dripping with purple wisteria, the breathtaking views across the Chippenham countryside. All gorgeous.

Add in a lovely bride, Cherry, from Taiwan, and a handsome groom Bohdan, from Slovakia, chuck in their wonderful families and friends and this was a summer country wedding to remember. Every wedding is different and Cherry and Bohdan’s was no exception. Almost dispensing with bride prep altogether, instead they had a touching and quaint traditional Slovakian pre-ceremony blessing in the Orangery that seemed to include an uncle dressing up as a pretend bride. After the blissful outdoor ceremony, with really redolent readings, we did only a few family group shots. For a moment it looked like everyone was having just too much fun to want to get involved with couple portrait session, but really, once you have strolled for even a moment around this place and let it get hold of you, who could resist. We even got them out in a rowing boat. And props to Bohdan, because mastering oars on your wedding day, with your family waiting on you, can’t be an easy task.

The owners were kind enough to let us take the drone up and get photos and video of the whole wedding party on the balcony overlooking the ornamental lake, and then again, down by the little thatched boathouse that also doubles as a ceremonial space.

With rain threatening, we retreated into the main indoor reception space, a light and comfortable room, so much more comfortable than so many stuffy wedding venue reception halls. The speeches were short, sweet and translated, before cake cut and some truly wild dancing. A great party, a great couple, and truly, a lovely, lovely wedding at a perfect venue.

THE FILM

SARAH AND GEORGE'S INTIMATE HAMPSHIRE WEDDING, WEYBRIDGE REGISTRY

THE PHOTOS

SARAH AND GEORGE AT WEYBRIDGE REGISTRY OFFICE

Can I just say how much I love this couple? Can I? Is that okay?

I mean, all my couples are awesome, I’m very lucky like that. But these two were just the best. It’s a sweet story, with a couple of ups and downs, but don’t worry, the downs are minor and the ending is happy. Sarah had booked and planned something more ambitious than the fairly modest affair this turned out to be. But then long covid struck and left her with a lot less energy than a wedding day normally demands. Which as anyone planning a wedding knows, is quite a bit. So we looked at what was possible and shrank down the package to accomodate a simpler wedding with a smaller film, because, you know, if you can afford to be the good guy, you should be right?

The ceremony was a simple civil one at Webridge Registry Office. And here, the second down happened, when my assistant somehow managed to get stuck in a traffic gridlock on the M25 - when is the M25 not gridlocked you ask, and I couldnt honestly tell you. So for anyone wondering if you can photograph AND video a wedding ceremony simultaneously, I can answer yes you can. Not always well and never easily. But by a miracle of skillz and good fortune I managed pretty much the whole day, photo and video, working solo.

”George and I just watched the video and we can’t believe how amazing it is! We knew it was going to be really good, but this completely exceeded our expectations in every way possible. You managed to capture all the emotions of the day, we don’t know how you did it all!”

Where is my medal!? Well, come to that, where is Sarah and George’s medal for being lovely, come to that?

The reception was at the very cute Bar 163 in Egham, which has a lovely wee back garden and a really nice upstairs room for intimate wedding parties and wedding breakfasts. Sarah and George were total sports when it came to doing wedding couple portrait sessions, and to top it all, had brought along sparklers! Here I cheated on the solo shooter bit by handing one of my cameras to a bridesmaid to film it while I photographed it. Necessity being the mother of invention and all that.

Main thing - it was just the warmest, funniest, sweetest, simplest day. It is surprisingly rare to find such a down to earth and affectionate crowd. I guess with a couple as loveable as Sarah and George, it was inevitable. And hopefully that shows, in the photos and video.

Really, guys, congratulations xx

THE FILM

MAISIE AND CHRIS'S DORSET SEASIDE WEDDING, HIGHCLIFFE CASTLE

Hands up who thought the Summer of 2021 was all over in August? What a grey month it was! And then, come September, this happened! Glorious late autumn sunshine and warmth! And speaking of warmth, Maisie and Chris - a lovelier couple you couldn’t hope to meet, tied the knot in a wonderful ceremony packed with family and friends whose spirit of warmth took the thermometer off the scale.

Maisie booked a lovely AirBnB farmhouse for her prep, which was standard bridal prep chaos, but with more intimacy and fun and less stress than usual. There was even time for some first look bridal prep photography, and even a couple of portraits of nieces and nephews.

Highcliffe Castle is not only a beautiful and historical building, with direct access to both a wonderful sandy beach and the unspoilt nature reserve of nearby Steamer Point. A grade 1 listed building, Highcliffe Castle has been described as the most important surviving house of the Romantic and Picturesque style of architecture. It is built mainly between 1831 and 1836 by Lord Stuart de Rothesay and located just 10 miles from Bournemouth and 3 miles from Christchurch.

Maisie arrived in style in a classic Beauford wedding car, looking cool and delightful in white.

The Ceremony room floods with light, making candid wedding photography a real joy. There is no need for flash here, or crazy high camera settings.

The day was remarkably hot, but despite this, Chris and his groomsmen managed to stay cool in their tweed three piece suits. The ceremony was short, sweet and flawless, though on such a hot day, there was a little bit of a collective sigh of relief to escape out onto the lawn for group shots and couple portrait photography.

After the blizzard of confetti as they walked down the aisle, we were ready for some group portraits and beautiful wedding couple portrait photography. Highcliffe Castle is south facing, being built within skipping distance of the sea, so we had plenty of gorgeous sunlight, while the lush trees that surround the castle meant we could take shelter, and group shots in some very welcome shade.

After the sumptuous wedding breakfast, it was time for speeches. Then Maisie and Chris were super keen to slip off down to Highcliffe Beach for their romantic wedding portrait photography session. Although it is only a ten minute walk, we had to think on our toes to capture that gorgeous golden sunlight before it slipped below the cliff tops, only just catching that light in time. But that is all part of the excitement of being a wedding photographer, and well worth it, dont you think? It looks like they could be in the South of France or the Algarve!

Time for first dance and Maisie and Chris were game, as were their guests, to party on into the night. Thanks for a brilliant day, guys, it was amazing!

KERRY AND ARTEM'S SOPHISTICATED LONDON WEDDING, THE IN AND OUT CLUB, MAYFAIR

Kerry and Artem celebrated their big day at Mayfair’s celebrated In and Out Club, the famous Naval and Military club in St James’ Square. The Club was formerly based opposite Green Park and came to be known as "The In & Out" from the signs on the building's entrance and exit gates. The current Grade I listed building was designed by Edward Shepherd n 1679 for the Earl of Kent, and was once the London residence of Nancy Astor, who’s name is marked with a blue plaque. Designed as an officer’s club, entrance is allowed to both men and women, and, more pertinently, to couples tying the knot.

The In & Out offers a variety of celebrations and weddings for up to 300 with an impressive range of grand rooms that radiate history, large windows, beautiful paintings, sparkling chandeliers, sweeping staircases, double height ceilings, spectacular fireplaces, a beautiful private courtyard area, accommodation, exclusive access to the stunning adjacent St James Square gardens and even the option of a late license!

As for my couple, well you can see for yourself they were every bit as sophisticated as the venue they had chosen, and fabulous-looking into the bargain.

For the ceremony, they had chosen the delightful Fitzrovia Chapel, a Grade II listed building, which is noted for its opulent Gothic Revival style and opulent mosaic interior, situated in the grounds of the former Middlesex Hospital, just off Charlotte Street. The ceiling mosaic work consists of blue stars against gold representing the firmament. The wall mosaics are lined with green onyx. In the arched chancelry there is a Cosmatesque pillar piscina. No, I don’t really know what any of this means either. What I do know is that the little chapel is just exquisite.

So this was really a proper London Wedding, with everything happening in W1. So if you were to ask me what my favourite part of the day was, I would be a bit stumped. The club offered sumptuous surroundings for bridal prep and candlelit wedding breakfast photography, or the glorious yellow ballroom where the riotous knees up gave us a whole lot of fun shooting the first dance wedding videography, while it was a struggle to chose which amazing oil painting of royal figures and celebrated military and political heroes to have as a backdrop to formal posed portrait photographs.

Oh and by the way, before you ask where Kerry’s fabulous dress is from, because when you see it you are going to want to, let me stop you right there. It is by Maggie Sottero and yes, completely gorgeous.

In the end, I have to say my favourite part of the day was shooting Kerry and Artem’s romantic bride and groom couple portrait photography session. These two allowed lots of time for this, which in a hectic wedding day is no easy matter. So straight after the wedding ceremony, I jumped in their white Rolls Royce wedding car and we snatched some cool wedding portrait photographs on Regent’s Street and Piccadilly, taking in the iconic architecture and the bustle of a Saturday in Westminster. We didnt have time for the Georgian arcades, but we did have time to shoot some super relaxed and intimate wedding photography portraits in the secluded private gardens of the In and Out Club, which to my surprise were not just beautifully tended, but lush, peaceful and atmospheric.

All in all, a fantastic, sophisticated, super-classy day in Mayfair, where my generous bride and groom, together with their amazing family and friends, made for a day where we could squeeze the very best wedding photography and videography out of a packed schedule, without any fuss and with the maximum of fun.

If you want to check out the wedding videography we also did for them, click here.

Congratulations Kerry and Artem! x

FIRST DANCE & RASPUTIN

These party animals asked me could I blog this early for them - I think I posted this sneak peek only a week after their wedding day and at the busiest time of the year, because, well because they were a bit special.

but If you want to check out the full wedding videography we also did for them, click here.

NATALIE AND BEN'S RUSTIC AND FUN-FILLED WINCHESTER WEDDING, THE BARN AT AVINGTON

Look at this woman. Go on, take a look. That glance, that hair, that poise.

This is a woman who would melt the heart of her groom (and her photographer obviously)

And it is also a woman who knows what she wants. And nothing could make a wedding photographer happier. In wedding photography bridal prep can be at times a bit of a bore, a bit of a chore, a bit of a chaotic mess. And however much we may try to help lessen the tension, not everyone can be ‘on it’. Not so with Natalie, who was amazing in getting all those detail shots, organising bridesmaid and dad reveals, all of it. Which is why she was the star of the show.

But. Coming in a very close second place for star of the show (we don’t include grooms, because grooms usually know traditionally it isn’t “their” day), in very close place for star rating, comes the amazing venue The Barn at Avington, run by the amazing @beth_at_the_barn and situated on a working farm near to Winchester, Hampshire. Set in a wonderfully peaceful location adjacent to the River Itchen, you are totally surrounded by the 500 acre farm which is also home to many horses that live in the farms livery. 

The wedding ceremony was conducted outdoors by the ever awesome Miranda, a truly wonderful wedding celebrant, in a sun-dappled woodland glen by a stream. I mean, rustic or what? We went straight into group shots and then a wonderful tour of the woodland and the barns for wedding portrait couple session, and, of course, smokebombs. Who doesn’t love smokebombs? Well, maybe the bride who had her train ruined once a long time ago when an usher dropped one on it, but we don’t talk about that now, ok?

The Barn has a fantastic space for feasting and dancing, long trestle tables for the wedding breakfast with an amazing floral arrangement, and a paella truck courtesy of www.lalevantina.co.uk

THE FILM

CAJSA AND ED'S CLASSIC CITY WEDDING AND CHRISTENING, TOWER OF LONDON

I don’t know if there is a more glorious place to get married than The Tower of London, but I do know there are not too many couples as glorious as Cajsa and Ed. Good-looking, great sense of humour, and, crucially, with fantastic friends and family, they pulled off a day with two awesome historic venues without hitch and with terrific style.

Cajsa looked absolutely gorgeous in a fabulous Stella York dress, bought at a shop in North Wales called Fern Hart Bridal and altered by bridal seamstress Suzie Maire Wedding Dress Alterations. Buttonholes and bouquets were by Brigitte Flowers (https://brigitteflowers.co.uk)

It goes without saying that The Tower of London - official name, Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London - is replete with history, having been founded in 1066 by William The Conqueror, making The White Tower over a thousand years old! The Tower has served variously as an armoury, a treasury, a zoo, and, of course, as the home of the Crown Jewels, and has been described as "the most complete eleventh-century palace in Europe."

Courtesy of Ed’s old regiment, the ceremony was held in The Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula, which is the former parish church of the Tower of London. It is situated within the Tower's Inner Ward, and the current building dates from 1520, although the church was established several centuries earlier. Like Westminster Abbey, it is a royal peculiar, and under the jurisdiction of the monarch. Filming and photography is limited to shooting from the back of the chapel, from the doorway; thankfully we brought our long telephoto lenses, and thankfully - despite being best known as the burial place of some of the most famous prisoners executed at the Tower, including Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard, and Sir Thomas More - is a place of joy, celebration and light.

It’s also somewhere where you can combine your wedding with a christening, as Cajsa and Ed did, bringing their beautiful little boy William in for this most joyous addition to their day.

After a whistle-stop tour of the grounds of the Tower for formals and couple portrait wedding photography, Ed and Cajsa slipped into the same horse and carriage that had brought them, to head for their reception venue, The Honourable Artillery Company.

The HAC is one of those London Curiosities that few know about, but many have noticed. As you pass down the City Road from Old Street, there is it is, a curious Eighteenth Century Castle nestling amidst the glass and steel of the Northern end of our capital’s huge modern financial district. It was incorporated by royal charter in 1537 by King Henry VIII, and it is a now registered charity whose purpose is to attend to the "better defence of the realm". This is primarily achieved by supporting the HAC regiment and a detachment of City of London Special Constabulary.The HAC has occupied Artillery Garden since 1641 and Armoury House, its Headquarters and Mess, was built in 1734.

You can also, as you can see, play a game of cricket there, or have a wild ceilidh at your wedding reception, as Cajsa and Ed did. Congratulations, guys, and all the best for the future.

FILM