Late last year Jas and Ellis booked me to photograph their autumnal wedding in the heart of St Albans, Hertfordshire. The more they told me about what they had planned the happier I became that they had chosen me to photograph it all. It was a really special day to be a part of and a gorgeous wedding to photograph!
I arrived in St Albans early and headed straight over to the White Hart Hotel which is where the reception was to be held later on. I wanted to get in ahead of the guests so that I could photograph the décor which included delicate paper pumpkin and squashes, dried flowers in neutral tones and pillar candles. All in perfect keeping with the sunny autumnal day.
St Albans wedding photographer
From the White Hart Hotel I walked the short distance to the nearby St Albans Museum and Gallery which is where Jas and Ellis were going to make their wedding vows. The St Albans Museum stands as a cultural hub that seamlessly blends the old with the new. Housed in a beautifully restored Georgian townhouse that was once the town hall. With charming architecture and elegant interior, it offers a perfect backdrop for a romantic wedding ceremony.
Jas and Ellis had planned for their ceremony to take place in the courtroom which is a beautiful historic space. When I arrived there was a buzz of activity underway. Ellis, helped by their father, sister and other family members was was working hard to make final preparations to the room. And, those all important last minute checks of who will be standing where, saying what and when were going on too!
Experienced Hertfordshire wedding photographer
The couple planned to enter the courtroom simultaneously from opposite sides then to meet in the middle where they would stand hand in hand to make their vows. It was a really lovely way to make use of the unique space and for them to make a special entrance.
As the start of the ceremony approached I met up with Louise and Paul of Shrigley Photography & Films. I have had the pleasure of working with them on several occasions now and it is always so much fun. They are super lovely and their wedding films are beautiful. We set up our cameras and before we knew it it was time for the wedding to begin.
Ellis looked dashing in a sharp single breasted three piece check suit with a burgundy waistcoat and a dried flower buttonhole that matched their wider décor. Jas looked incredible in a showstopping two piece ivory wedding outfit embellished with stars. Complete with a golden starry heart motif being struck by Cupid’s arrow.
Registrars that I know well from the St Albans registry office conducted the ceremony, leading Jas and Ellis through a beautiful and emotional service.
Story telling wedding photography in Hertfordshire
I stood at the back of the courthouse which is elevated. This made for a nice vantage point from which I could discreetly photograph the couple and the reactions of their family and guests too.
When their vows had ben made and wedding rings exchanged it was time to sign the wedding register. Because the couple were seated on chairs at the back of the room to do this it was perfect for that traditional shot whilst they signed, and I was able to get a great wide shot capturing them with all of their guests too.
As we came outside the St Albans market place was bustling with shoppers. Louise and I organised the guests for a fun bubble exit. Louise had a secret weapon up her sleeve - a bubble cannon! This made for a really memorable moment for the couple and epic photos and video! (The slow-motion video captured by Paul was awesome!)
Led by Jas’ uncle we all made our way across town towards the awaiting reception at the White Hart Hotel. It was a treat to walk through the busy market and I made sure to snap some candid moments as Jas and Ellis walked hand in hand.
We broke off from the main congregation taking the couple and their immediate family members for a few photos in the St Albans Cathedral precinct. This is a great spot for wedding photos, and with the low autumnal sunshine backlighting the gardens and Cathedral it was looking particularly dreamy. Even better still, we were just across the road from the White Hart Hotel where drinks and canapes awaited!
Once we had some nice family photos in the bag we did a little photo session with Jas and Ellis. It didn’t take long at all to get a really nice variety of shots and for Paul to get some more great video. The couple beamed at each other throughout and that perfect golden autumn sunshine made everything glow beautifully.
Back at The White Hart Hotel spirits were high. Everyone was warming up, chatting and laughing in the cosy function room. I busied myself capturing natural candid moments as preparations were made to start the speeches.
Ellis’ father, Jas’ sisters, and then Ellis themself made the most lovely and heartfelt speeches. There was not a dry eye in the place - mine included!
Natural wedding photographer Hertfordshire
After some delicious food served by the Hotel team it was time to get the party started! Jas and Ellis took to a crowded dance floor for their first dance together. With more bubbles! I’d set up some flash lights to make sure there were some epic pictures.
From that moment onwards the party was in full swing and it was impossible to resist getting stuck in on the dance floor!
Thank you so much Jas and Ellis for choosing me to photograph your amazing wedding day! I will leave the last words from the couple themselves:
“Simply perfect! Stephen captured everything we wanted and more. Being a very camera-shy couple, Stephen made us feel so comfortable and didn’t push for anything more that what we were happy doing. It has been so wonderful to look back at pictures of moments we didn’t even know had happened! Couldn’t recommend highly enough! Thank you Stephen!”
“Stephen was utterly fantastic! He was very friendly and professional throughout. My wife and I don’t normally enjoy being photographed, but Stephen made us feel so comfortable from the outset and took some amazing photos! I’d recommend him to anyone. Thank you so much, Stephen!”
If you are planning a wedding in the lovely city of St Albans, be it at the Museum and Gallery, The White Hart Hotel or elsewhere I would love to hear about it! Don’t hesitate to get in touch to chat with me about making some beautiful photos of your big day!
Want to see some more St Albans weddings on the blog? Have a look at these:
Amelia and Joe’s St Albans Wedding Day
