Wedding at St Pancras Renaissance | Sara and Rich
The wedding of Sara and Rich at the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel was my first of 2019, and what a great way to start the year. Sara is the sister of one of Carly whose wedding at the Grove I photographed a few years back.
Ceremony.
This was also the first wedding at St Pancras that I have photographed where the ceremony was in the magnificent Hansom Hall. During the day the room is like a lightbox with beautiful light falling right where Sara and Rich were standing for their Jewish-y ceremony. Just like her sister Carly's wedding there was a nod to the Jewish faith, not a full Jewish wedding ceremony but quite a few of the traditions from a Jewish wedding were observed.
Of course, this being a winter wedding, the weather was freezing outside and so after the family pictures we decided to take some couple shots in the hotel first. We then braved the bitterly cold wind on our walk around the hotel. The hotel provides some great opportunities for couple shots, but with a wind chill of what felt like -10 degrees we made that a very brief and quick walk. Nevertheless with the correct use of light the couple shots looked great, examples of some are in the post.
Once the couple were announced into the room the dancing could begin. Being the first wedding of the year I decided to ease myself into it and took the slightly easier option of photographing the ladies dancing, leaving my superb second photographer Kabz the chance to photograph the men. A purely selfish choice based on the fact that I knew they were going to be pretty raucous and so I proved to be 100% correct.
Some great speeches followed by Sara's father, Cliff, the 2 best men and of course the groom Rich.
Production.
Another first for me working with Steven Duggan Events. Professional, courteous and extremely well organised Steven and Alan were an absolute joy to work with. Everything you want from a wedding planner as a photographer. They were always there when you needed them and I would highly recommend them to anyone who is thinking of using a wedding planner.
Videography,
I have worked with DeneeMotion for a number of years, Denis and Max are a pleasure to work with, respectful of photographers always and not too intrusive. It's important that videographers and photographers get on and respect each others space. Having known them for some 8 years we have developed a great understanding.
Band.
Sensation Band are one of the UK's best party bands and as such always provide fantastic evening entertainment. I see them at quite a few of the weddings that I photograph and always thoroughly enjoy watching these guys work the crowd.
