With such a creative couple, an art gallery was the ideal venue! Tim is a photographer and Louise a fashion textiles specialist, and they both share a love of Tuscany, and all of this combined to bring together the happiest, most relaxed and sunniest of dispositions I think you could find on a wedding day! And as far as choosing an art gallery venue, Orleans House Gallery couldn't have been more perfect - it's an intimate location set in the most gorgeous gardens and woodland, right in the heart of Twickenham - a real urban oasis, full of wild flowers and breathtaking colour.
In classic London style, Louise and her bridal party arrived by black cab whilst Tim and the guests waited excitedly in the spectacular Octagonl room. The light in there was beyond gorgeous, and the acoustics are stunning. It's such an elegant space, yet it feels so welcoming. They adorned the table with the most stunning floral arrangement I have seen - it was organic and colourful and felt so free flowing and vibrant, and reminded me so much of a dutch masters painting. The ceremony was sweet and full of laughter, and was followed by a drinks reception outside on the lawns before the umbrellas came out in good spirits, and relocated back into the Octagon room.
Tim and Louise held their wedding breakfast in the Coach House - a gloriously light space with floor to ceiling windows out onto the courtyard - a great space for the kids (and Tim!) to run around during courses. They broke with tradition to have a relaxed buffet, hosted by Ralph's of Surbiton - a cornucopia of delectable Turkish and Italian cuisine. I think my favourite was the fennel salad, mmm... Their beautiful cake was made by Louise's talented mum - even the sugar flowers! Each layer was a different flavour, with the base being a traditional fruit cake, and it was so heavy that it took 3 people to lift it! Definitely impressive! However, I think one of my highlights of the day was when Louise, despite her shyness and fear of public speaking suddenly found herself giving an impromptu speech! "Oh my God, I'm speaking!" she exclaimed once she realised and everyone absolutely cheered and whooped her on!
After the meal we snuck out into the woods for their couple portraits, just catching the last tinge of golden hour, and then it was on to Imber Court at Esher for part 2. Tim and Louise had dressed the space with a Tuscan scene backdrop for a selfie station for those all important party snaps, and a large slatted arch dressed with flowers and fairy lights welcomed guests into the dancing space. The atmosphere was great, but Tim and Louise really took it up a notch when they surprised all their guests with an epic Salsa for their first dance! Their Cuban live band was absolutely phenomenal and had everyone on their feet, spinning around and wiggling their hips! Honestly, Tim and Louise's wedding was such good fun - it struck the perfect balance between personal, relaxed and welcoming, and was all about sharing the love - and isn't that what all weddings should be about?
If you'd like to book me to capture all the fun and those emotional moments at your wedding, then drop me a message via my contact form - it'd be great to chat, especially over coffee and biscuits (always biscuits!)