Grand Westminster Abbey wedding

When I first spoke to Katy and James about being a Westminster Abbey London wedding photographer, I could hardly believe it. This is one of the most iconic and historic landmarks in Britain, with centuries of royal coronations, state occasions and famous weddings woven into its history.

The fact that Katy’s father, the Dean of Westminster Abbey, was able to make it possible for them to marry in such an extraordinary and meaningful place made the whole occasion even more special.

As a Westminster Abbey London wedding photographer, this was quite literally a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

A Wedding at Westminster Abbey

I arrived in London by train with plenty of time to spare, excited and ready to document the day.

In typical British fashion, though, the weather had other ideas. It turned out to be one of the wettest days during the hottest year on record! Thankfully, the forecast promised clearer skies for the late afternoon and evening, just in time for the end of the ceremony.

Once the Abbey closed to the public, the doors were opened for a truly remarkable 4pm wedding ceremony.

Stepping inside, the sheer scale and grandeur of the space took my breath away. Westminster Abbey is without doubt one of the most awe-inspiring venues I’ve ever had the privilege of photographing.

Guests arrived full of anticipation, with many taking the opportunity to capture their own photographs against the magnificent surroundings before the ceremony began.

A Personal and Emotional Ceremony

The ceremony itself was incredibly personal and emotional, made even more poignant by the fact that the brides father conducted the service.

There was something particularly special about watching a father play such an important role in his daughter’s wedding ceremony, all within a building with so much history and significance.

The choir was exceptional, possibly the most moving choral performance I’ve ever witnessed at a wedding. Combined with the incredible architecture of the Abbey, it created an atmosphere that was genuinely unforgettable.

For me, photographing a wedding isn’t just about the big moments. It’s about capturing the reactions, the emotion and the atmosphere surrounding them, and there were plenty of all three throughout Katy and James’ ceremony.

Wedding Photography Around Westminster Abbey

After the ceremony, we made our way to a private garden within the Abbey grounds, where a beautifully styled marquee was waiting for the celebrations.

The contrast was fantastic. After the grandeur and history of the Abbey itself, the reception felt much more relaxed and intimate, with everyone coming together to eat, drink and celebrate the newlyweds.

The speeches were the perfect combination of heartfelt and hilarious, with touching words from Katy and James, the maid of honour, best man and a very proud father of the bride.

There were plenty of laughs, a few emotional moments and some brilliant reactions from the guests, exactly the kind of moments I love capturing.

A London Wedding Party

The atmosphere transformed almost instantly once the speeches finished and the dance floor opened. It quickly filled up with guests ready to celebrate, with a healthy dose of classic dad dancing and joyful chaos thrown into the mix.

After such a spectacular ceremony, it was brilliant to see everyone let loose and simply enjoy themselves.

Katy and James’ Westminster Abbey wedding was an extraordinary day from beginning to end. From the history and grandeur of the Abbey to the emotional ceremony, beautiful reception and chaotic dance floor, it was packed with unforgettable moments.

As a Westminster Abbey London wedding photographer, I feel incredibly lucky to have been there to document it, and it’s definitely a wedding I’ll never forget.

 

“Several of our guests commented on how friendly he was and how they barely noticed when he was taking pictures; how he managed to capture the day so wonderfully and chat to guests whilst also sometimes going unnoticed is a real skill!”

“Having shopped around for a lot of wedding photographer quotes for our wedding, we opted for Simon who was reasonably priced and had a wonderful portfolio. He charges per part of the day you would like him to photograph, which I didn’t find to be that common and really allowed us to tailor his service to our wedding day.
 
He also provided us an engagement shoot at no extra cost, which we hadn’t thought about before but allowed us to get comfortable in front of the camera before the big day.
 
Simon was always accessible over email, travelled to the venue for the engagement shoot, and was amazing on the day.
 
The pictures were numerous and captured the day absolutely perfectly. I can’t recommend him enough – thank you so much Simon!“

Katy + James

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Venue – Westminster Abbey London www.westminster-abbey.org

Location – Central Lodon

Wedding type – relaxed, fun grand & iconic

Photographer – Simon Withyman Photography  www.simonwithyman.com

Westminster Abbey London wedding photographer | Feel good photography for relaxed fun-loving couples

 

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