Merchant Taylors’ Hall Wedding Photography
Jo & Christian’s Oxford and London Wedding, Day Two
Merchant Taylors’ Hall is one of my favourite London wedding venues, it’s such a grand city venue. High ceilings, wood-panelled rooms, chandeliers, and a courtyard that can be covered during the winter months but still allows for natural light, makes this wedding venue very versatile. The venue is rich in history and has occupied this site since the 14th century.
The Great Hall has a capacity for 280 guests. However, if you are planning a small and intimate celebration the Parlour can hold 90 guests along with the same amount in The Drawing Room.
The Wedding Day
I was really looking forward to joining Jo and Christian for the second day of their wedding celebrations at Merchant Taylors’ Hall. It was only two days after the start of their celebrations but the weather had changed drastically. The beautiful sunshine was replaced by rain. Fortunately, Merchant Taylors’ Hall is one of those venues where the weather really doesn’t matter but I was pleased that we had taken some time for outdoor portraits in Oxford.
While I was photographing Jo’s preparations at her family home, a beautiful London townhouse, my second shooter Emmie headed to the Sky Garden to meet Christian to photograph the usher’s lunch in The Darwen Brasserie.
The ceremony and wedding breakfast rooms were sumptuously dressed with potted birch trees, white drapes from the ceilings and candles that complemented the chandeliers perfectly and added a beautiful warm glow to the rich wood-panelled walls. Having already had a legal ceremony in Balliol College in Oxford, they had opted for a humanist ceremony, these are always a favourite of mine.
With no break in the rain, we made the most of the gorgeous interior for group photos and portraits of Jo and Christian. We discovered a library that made a beautiful setting for romantic portraits. Cocktail hour was held in the courtyard which was covered from the elements by a clear marquee. The marquee had been beautifully dressed and the stone fountain made a great centrepiece. Chloe of Queensberry Events had done an amazing job of planning the whole day. The flowers from Rebel Rebel were gorgeous.
The evening party started in the courtyard and then moved to The Parlour. The band (Wandering Hands, through Sternberg Entertainment) were amazing and had everyone dancing the night away. Everyone was suitably tipsy by the end of the evening, courtesy of the whisky bar and free-flowing drinks!
If you are interested in Merchant Taylors’ Hall Wedding Photography please do get in touch for more information on my collections.