Wedding Photographer at Hampton Court House
The grand hall at Hampton Court House: Wedding Ceremonies take place here and afterwards, it provides a splendid backdrop for some portraits of the newly-weds.
When I first photographed a wedding at Hampton Court House for Bozenka and Greg’s wedding (above), I was blown away. The venue seemed perfect for wedding photography – the 18th-century architecture, the setting but most of all, the gorgeous light spilling in through the French windows off Bushy Park. Light is paramount to all photography and is the first thing I look for.
Hampton Court House is one venue that has beautifully diffused light coming in from all sides – especially in the grand hallway. It’s is where the wedding ceremonies are carried out, and it means that photographers can shoot weddings with a minimum of artificial light.
The moment I saw Bo and her father pull up outside in her hired Rolls-Royce and enter the venue through the large front doors, I knew it would be a fantastic day.
Walking back down the aisle is an enjoyable moment that is always savoured but very fleeting. It’s great when couples show their happiness and joy as with Emma and Ben here.
Also, essential for any wedding photographer is the ability to move around discreetlyly and unhindered. Hampton Court House provides this ability in spades. The large space meant I could photograph the couple’s marriage ceremony from all angles and utilise the light well to create very pleasing images.
I took this ceremony photograph from the back of the Main Hall. It shows a fantastic view over Bushy Park through the ornate draped windows. Earlier, some park deer had approached the building to see what was going on. The window on the right is the left window on the bride’s side in the top portrait.
The venue is licensed for civil marriage ceremonies and civil partnerships by the London Borough of Richmond-upon-Thames. The Richmond Registrars are very relaxed about wedding photography and even allow photography of the signing of the register.
Read on as I take you through a wedding day at Hampton Court House…
Round every corner, there’s somewhere new for some lovely portraits of the couple. I try to capture them naturally enjoying each other’s company. Smiles like this just can’t be staged.
Read More>> Build Your London Wedding Photography Package.
I love overview shots of the goings-on at weddings: This is just before the Rolls-Royce left the wedding. It gives a great impression of the facade of the house.
The Preparations and Arrivals
There are rooms available for the bride and groom to get ready or ‘hide’ if they arrive early. When I arrived for Neema and Matthew’s wedding, she had already arrived and was in a room off the Main Hall, adding her finishing touches and keeping out of sight.
Before the ceremony, Neema waited with her father and sister secretly in a room just off the main hall. Even though she had already arrived, the illusion was complete when she left by a side door to ‘arrive’ for the ceremony at the front by Rolls-Royce.
While the groom greets the guests, looking somewhat nervous yet excited about the day ahead, the photographer spends their time taking candid shots of all areas. They photograph arriving guests outside, take natural photos of family and friends greeting each other and check on the bride if she’s arrived and is preparing.
Their wedding had elements of Indian ritual to it. The bride’s mother holds a decorated coconut, used at the centre of a ritual with the groom outside before the civil marriage ceremony began. Details like this are vital for your photographer to capture.
Just inside the Main Hall, two family members greeting each other. I stay back and discreetly take unnoticed shots like this.
This portrait of the groom’s mum and sister cried out to be edited in vibrant colour. I took this just as they were arriving.
Also Consider>> For a Smaller Wedding Celebration, the Stunning Fitzrovia Chapel.
It’s the little moments that mean the most. Young children are always so naturally photogenic.
Bridal Arrival at Hampton Court House (& Goings On Inside)
There is rarely a more splendid doorway for the bridal entrance than that into the Main Hall of Hampton Court House.
As the car pulls up, I photograph the bridal party’s arrival outside, then as they prepare on the front steps for their entrance. There’s often a good chance for some portraits of father and daughter at this time, as well as any bridesmaids or other friends and relatives present. Then shortly before they enter the building, I nip inside for any last-minute shots such as the one of Greg below.
A nervous-looking groom stands waiting for his bride to enter… Note the closed doors, meaning that she’s arrived and is readying herself to enter.
At the decisive moment, I train my lens solely on the door and wait for it to open and the bridal procession to begin.
Children often feature prominently before the bride enters. Here a little bridesmaid and pageboy present the perfect picture to the start of the day.
Next, a bigger bridesmaid (in this case the bride’s sister) enters and I’m careful to take a few photos of her as she approaches the waiting groom.
Light can be tricky in an old wedding venue such as Hampton Court House. Photographers’ have to be at the top of their game to balance the outside daylight with the dim interior.
I take a full sequence as the bride and father process down the aisle which gives me options in the edit and the chance to use black and white to good effect.
The Wedding Ceremony & Richmond Registrars
I always make a point of introducing myself to the presiding registrars before the ceremony starts. I like to reassure them that I shall be discreet and find out any house-rules they have before proceedings get underway.
Happily, I am very familiar with the Richmond registrars and can tell you that they are amongst the most relaxed in the London area. They are very keen that the photographer can move around unhindered and have no rules regarding bounce flash use. The only restriction they imposed is that I don’t photograph the register signing. This is common outside Central London.
It’s always a magical moment when the couple sees and greet each other for the first time.
Thanks to the registrars’ relaxed nature, I’m able to move about and take some stunning shots from different angles of the couple throughout their ceremony.
Amazing floral arrangements adorn the front of the Main Hall at Hampton Court House, and the ceremony takes place around a period table and almost throne-like chairs. These are placed just in front of the central full-height window which offers pleasing natural light.
Your photographer won’t need to use much (if any) artificial light when shooting at the front of the room.
Bride Emma looks pretty as a picture in this photo that shows her joy and delight at marrying Ben.
Wedding Bookings at Hampton Court House
Useful to Know When Booking Your Wedding:
-
- The house is just 11 miles (18 km) from Central London.
- Head of Events is Emily Fryer. You can contact her by calling 0208 614 0860 or emailing emily@hamptoncourthouse.co.uk.
- You must book your legal wedding ceremony through Richmond Borough Council. Contact them before booking the venue to ensure there is availability on your preferred date.
- The venue has a list of approved caterers. There is a hefty fee if you wish to arrange a different company.
- The venue is exclusively yours for the day.
- For larger weddings, you can opt to erect a marquee with a capacity of 500 in the gardens.
During the vows and exchange of rings, the couple only have eyes for each other and seem oblivious to their photographers’ presence. Many say they’re worried about this beforehand, but I’ve never received a complaint that I was distracting. It just doesn’t happen.
The Register Signing and ‘Dummy’ Setup
As noted above, photography of the signing is not allowed, but there is a blank dummy register provided for some posed shots. I always find this a point of some amusement and self-consciousness and couples’ often ‘ham it up’. This rule is slightly silly as the register is a public document, but one has to abide by the rules.
Bo and Greg go through the pretend signing with enthusiasm and a little humour.
The wedding ceremony table and guests all face the large hall windows which let through beautiful light for portraits like this kiss.
Presentation of their wedding certificate: Another moment that can be quick and your photographer needs to capture with care.
After the photographer has photographed the ‘dummy’ signing, the registrar invites the guests to, so I turn the camera around on them. This one also shows a great view of the Great Hall.
A moment of pure joy. After the many months of preparation, anticipation and excitement, they are finally husband and wife.
Presenting Mr & Mrs: Exiting Hampton Court House as Husband and Wife
After the ceremony, and they are wed with their certificate safely tucked into a pocket (or given to a friend or relative for safekeeping), the couple walk back down the aisle and exit into the (hopefully) sunshine to enjoy the day.
I back away towards the door with my camera firmly trained on them as they walk towards me. I always ask couples to take their time at this moment to enable me to take a great sequence as they enjoy their first moments of marriage.
Sometimes I ask them to pause just before exiting to allow me to change the camera settings for the outside light.
The hall gives an ornate backdrop as the newly-weds walk back down the aisle after their ceremony.
A moment later and the couple arrive at the entrance doors. Some parts of a wedding need the photographer to take a sequence of photos of which this was one of eight.
Confetti & Congratulations
Sadly, confetti is not allowed at Hampton Court House, but I can understand why. It would be so difficult to clear up from between the gravel on the drive.
Bubbles can make for a stunning visual alternative and are used to good effect in the photos below.
An exuberant groom enjoys their bubbles confetti moment after they exit their Hampton Court House wedding.
Setting up for the bubbles shots isn’t as seamless as it appears:
The couple exit after their ceremony then go back inside via a side door. Next, the guests slowly exit whilst I try to arrange them into an ‘aisle’ for the couple to pass through. I then ask everyone to blow bubbles and keep blowing until they fill the air enough to look striking in the photos.
Finally, the couple exit into a shower of… BUBBLES! Cue some great wedding photography!
One of the last of the confetti sequence in this sunny wedding photo.
Posed Group Portraits
It’s easiest to photograph any group set-ups as soon after the couple’s exit as possible. Everyone is still pretty much in the same place, and the photographer can announce how they’re going to work it.
I ask the couple to provide a list before the day to work from. At Hampton Court House, I usually start at the front of the building, then move to the gardens if they’d like a change of scene.
A big group shot of everyone present is a good start as everyone is still together. It also means I can ask for people that I need for the other group shots to remain. The venue manager kindly provided me with a ladder to take this one.
This smaller group is the groom’s side of the family. It shows off the beautifully ornate front of the house and entrance.
A smaller group again and more facade detail.
Neema and Matthew wanted the majority of their posed photos taken in the gardens. There are countless spots to do this.
The Gardens
The Hampton Court House gardens are extensive, and central is a heart-shaped lake – although you probably won’t realise it is heart-shaped. There is also a ‘shell grotto‘, a garden patio, and all sorts of other unique elements that help make the venue so special.
I love this: I sometimes ask everyone to do something silly such as jump. I didn’t anticipate the enthusiasm of everyone, not least the bridesmaid. She really dominates this shot.
As well as portraits featuring the couple, I’m very open to anyone else asking me to take their photograph. This was taken to the right of the house at the front.
Newly-Weds Portrait Shoot
After the group shots, I steal the couple away for about 10-15 minutes to take some photos around the grounds. It shouldn’t be for too long as there are guests to chat to and drinks and canapes to be had!
Here are a few taken at different locations around the house before the couple joined their guests, and I concentrated on more natural moments…
A prominent place is the front doorway. I edit some in colour and some in black and white which worked well in the latter.
The garden patio provides some stunning light through the foliage.
Walking across the lawns for their portraits: This gives a better impression of the scale of the grounds behind the house.
Autumnal and emotive: As the couple kissed, they seemed oblivious to me photographing it. Not a common situation outside a wedding day admittedly!
The interior provides many potential locations too… In the large windows, silhouettes work exceptionally well.
This piano is in the Great Hall and is available for booked pianists to use before and after the ceremony.
Photos like this give useful context as the couple stand on the front lawn with their wedding guests in the background.
This Impromptu shot happened later in the day and was quickly cobbled together on the patio by those nearby.
At larger weddings, there’re moments throughout the day when the couple greet friends they haven’t had a chance to say hello to yet. I’m always on the lookout for this.
A lovely natural moment of Emma laughing with her new husband and a friend.
Another magic moment as the couple share a joke with the groom’s grandparents.
Your Hampton Court House Wedding Breakfast
Wedding breakfasts take place in the Great Dining Room, which has the capacity for up to 150 guests seated around round tables. The dining room has a glass skylight ceiling – a photographer’s dream. It meant I could shoot far later into the summer evening without the use of bounce flash. The Great Dining Room is off the Conservatory with its bar, leading out to the patio and gardens.
Your photographer will probably have their meal at the same time as you, and it’s helpful if the venue provides one for them. They should ask you if you need any meals for your suppliers but do make sure they are catered for as it can be a long day.
The best man announces the newly-weds into the Great Dining Room. Notice the ornate marble doorway – just one of the houses unique features.
The Great Dining Room set at half-capacity for a small wedding. Notice the skylight which provides pleasing light for photography
The dining room set more elaborately for an Indian wedding.
After the couple and their guests take their seats, and before they start eating, I go round the room looking for the best natural moments to photograph.
Their niece: family moments like this are priceless and mean so much for couples to be able to look back on for years to come.
Selfie shot: A proud father enjoys being with both of his daughters.
Turning the tables on the photographer – it does happen!
A kiss on the nose – I think Greg’s deadpan expression makes this natural wedding photo.
A wider shot of the couple posing is also a reminder of who was sitting with them on the Top Table.
A happy family portrait of the bride with the groom’s parents.
Photos like this not only please the couple, but parents of the toddler love them too!
As dinner is served, I snapped this of Grandfather with Grandson.
The speeches are an excellent time for laughter and priceless moments – usually at the groom’s expense.
After Dinner Speeches at Hampton Court House
After the main course, wedding speeches are customarily held. It’s always a fun time where the unexpected can happen, so your photographer should be on the lookout for this. Sometimes the speeches can be long, but from a photographic point of view, that is good to enable them to capture the speakers and reaction of you and your guests from all angles.
The groom gives his speech in front of the stage in the Great Dining Hall. The round table meant that I could get their very close family in the photo as well.
Cheers! A toast to the happy couple.
It’s good to get in-close for the toasts, especially when it’s a round table. All sorts are going on here.
Evening Party in the Conservatory
After dinner, the couple and their guests can go through to the Conservatory for the cake cutting and first dance. The dining hall is still available for people to sit and talk if they like.
During dinner, the DJ or band will set up and should be ready for you to take to the dancefloor and dance the night away…
What a great end to your perfect wedding day at Hampton Court House!
After dinner, it’s the cake cutting, followed quickly by…
…the first dance. The disco lights make the dancing shots extra striking.
Groom Greg was enjoying a dance in the late-evening summer sunshine. The Conservatory is perfect for your evening party, particularly at this time of year.
A guest dancing in the conservatory: The dry ice gives some good atmosphere through the DJ’s lights.
There are moments to capture all through the wedding day, and your Hampton Court House wedding photographer should try to catch them all.
Hampton Court House Wedding FAQs
Q. WHY GET MARRIED AT HAMPTON COURT HOUSE?
A. This is one wedding venue that is truly something extraordinary. Round every corner, there’s something new and of interest with loads of beautiful backdrops for your wedding portraits.
From your ceremony in the Victorian peace of the Main Hall to your reception in the Conservatory and Patio Garden, a Hampton Court House wedding will be very a stunning occasion. Look through my page on the venue to see many photos of every space used throughout a wedding day.
Q. HOW LONG BEFORE OUR WEDDING CEREMONY CAN WE GAIN ACCESS TO THE HOUSE TO PREPARE?
A. Guests are allowed an hour or more to arrive, and there are rooms for the bride and groom to get ready in. Time is never a problem at this venue, but do communicate any wishes and requests to Venue Manager, Dee.
Q. IS PHOTOGRAPHY ALLOWED OF OUR WEDDING CEREMONY AND VOWS?
A. The London Borough of Richmond-upon-Thames registrars are very relaxed and ‘photographer-friendly’ – believe me, some are not! They are happy for your official photographer to move around during the ceremony to take the best shots. They even allow photography of the marriage register signing. There has to be a balance, and your photographer should also be discreet and unobtrusive. I always try to balance this with getting ‘the shot’ in my approach.
Q. IS CONFETTI ALLOWED AFTERWARDS FOR A NICE SEQUENCE OF PHOTOS?
A. Unfortunately, confetti is not allowed at Hampton Court House, but that’s fine. Bubbles have become a popular substitute and can look quite stunning when there’s lots in the air. Just beware small soap spots on your wedding best!
Q. WHAT IS THE LIGHT LIKE FOR PHOTOGRAPHY INSIDE THE VENUE?
A. As with most wedding venues, the light varies throughout the building. But the areas where it counts, (the Main Hall, Great Dining Hall and Conservatory) all have excellent light during daylight hours. Summer weddings will have no problem for the photographer to utilise the natural light. But whatever the time of day or year, a good wedding photographer is adept at working with natural and artificial light to produce a set of wedding photos that you will be proud to show off to your family and friends.
The dancing can go on late. I usually stay until about half an hour after your first dance but can stay later.
Hampton Court House,
Hampton Court Road,
Surrey.
KT8 9BS.
