Wedding Photographer at Hampton Court House
**I’m taking bookings for weddings at this venue for 2024-25 now!**
The Grand Hall at Hampton Court House: Wedding Ceremonies take place here, and afterwards, it provides a splendid backdrop for some portraits of the newlyweds.
I was blown away when I first photographed a wedding at Hampton Court House for Bozenka and Greg’s wedding (above). The venue seemed perfect for wedding photography – the 18th-century architecture and the setting, but most of all, the gorgeous light spilling 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 where the wedding ceremonies are carried out, and photographers can shoot weddings with minimal artificial light.
I knew it would be a fantastic day when I saw Bo and her father pull up outside in her hired Rolls-Royce and enter the venue through the large front doors.
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 Emma and Ben do here.
Any wedding photographer must be able to move around discreetly and unhindered. Hampton Court House provides this ability in spades. The ample space meant I could photograph the couple’s marriage ceremony from all angles and utilise the light well to create 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 happening. The window on the right is the left window on the bride’s side in the top portrait.
Are You Planning Your Wedding at Hampton Court House?I photograph discretely and unobtrusively to capture all the very best moments, leaving you to enjoy your day. With me as your wedding photographer, your memories will be in safe hands, so please get in touch any time to discuss… |
The venue is licensed for civil marriage ceremonies and 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 secretly waited in a room just off the main hall with her father and sister. 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 to see 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 begins. Details like this are vital for your photographer to capture.
Just inside the Main Hall, two family members greet 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.
As the car pulled up, I photographed the bridal party’s arrival outside and then as they prepared 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 entered the building, I nipped 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 she’s arrived and ready to enter.
At the decisive moment, I train my lens solely on the door, waiting for it to open and the bridal procession to begin.
Children often feature prominently before the bride enters. Here, a bridesmaid and pageboy present the perfect picture at 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 must be at the top of their game to balance the outside daylight with the dim interior.
I take a complete sequence as the bride and father process down the aisle, giving me options in the photo 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 their house rules before proceedings get underway.
Happily, I am very familiar with the Richmond registrars and can tell you that they are among the most relaxed in London. They are very keen that the photographer can move around unhindered and have no rules regarding flash use. Now the register has moved online, they allow me to photograph the schedule signing.
It’s always a magical moment when the couple sees and greet each other for the first time.
Thanks to the registrar’s relaxed nature, I can move about and take some stunning shots of the couple from different angles 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, offering 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. This photo shows her joy and delight at marrying Ben. It’s what my photography is all about!
Wedding Bookings at Hampton Court House
Useful to Know When Booking Your Wedding:
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- The house is just 11 miles (18 km) from Central London.
- Hampton Court House seats up to 150 guests for Grand Hall wedding ceremonies and the Victorian Picture Gallery reception.
- You can contact Emily, the Head of the Events Team, 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 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 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 Schedule Signing and ‘Dummy’ Setup
Photography of the schedule is allowed, and a blank dummy register is provided for some posed shots afterwards. I always find this a point of amusement and self-consciousness, and couples often ‘ham it up’.
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 had photographed the ‘dummy’ signing, the registrar invited the guests to take some photos, so I turned the camera around on them. This one also shows a great view of the Grand Hall.
A moment of pure joy. After many months of preparation, anticipation and excitement, they are finally married.
Presenting Mr & Mrs: Exiting Hampton Court House as Husband and Wife
After the ceremony, the couple walk back down the aisle and exit into the (hopefully) sunshine to enjoy the day.
I back 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 before exiting to allow me to change the camera settings for the outside light.
The hall gives an ornate backdrop as the newlyweds walk back down the aisle after their ceremony.
A moment later, 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 challenging to clear up from the gravel on the drive.
Bubbles can make for a stunning visual alternative and are used to good effect in the photos below. Just beware of little soap marks on your clothing!
An exuberant groom enjoys their bubble confetti moment after they exit their Hampton Court House wedding.
Setting up for the bubble shots isn’t as seamless as it appears:
The couple exits after their ceremony and then go back inside via a side door. Next, the guests slowly exit whilst I arrange them into an ‘aisle’ for the couple to pass through. I then asked everyone to blow bubbles and keep blowing until they filled the air enough to look striking in the photos.
Finally, the couple exited 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 Outside Hampton Court House
It’s easiest to photograph any group set-ups as soon after the couple’s exit as possible. Everyone is in the same place, and the photographer can announce how they will 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 most of their posed photos taken in the gardens. There are countless spots to do this.
Hampton Court House 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 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 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 edited 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 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. It’s 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 are 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.
Emma laughing with her new husband and a friend is a lovely natural moment.
Another magical moment is when the couple shares a joke with the groom’s grandparents.
Your Hampton Court House Wedding Breakfast
Wedding breakfasts occur in the Victorian Picture Gallery, which can accommodate up to 150 guests seated around round tables. The dining room has a glass skylight ceiling – a photographer’s dream. I can shoot far later into the summer evening without using flash. The Victorian Picture Gallery is off the Conservatory with its bar, leading 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 ensure they are catered for, as it can be a long day.
The best man announces the newlyweds into the Victorian Picture Gallery. Notice the ornate marble doorway – just one of the house’s unique features.
The Victorian Picture Gallery is set at half-capacity for a small wedding. Notice the skylight, which provides pleasing light for photography.
The dining room is set more elaborately for an Indian wedding.
After the couple and their guests take their seats, and before they start eating, I go around the room looking for the best natural moments to photograph.
Family moments like this with their niece 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.
Weddings at Hampton Court House present all sorts of fun photography. Here, the groom turns the tables on the wedding 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 reminds them of who was seated at the Top Table.
A happy family portrait of the bride with the groom’s parents.
Photos like this not only please the couple, but the toddler’s parents 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 fun when 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 reactions of you and your guests from all angles.
The groom gives his speech in front of the stage. The round table meant I could also get their very close family in the photo.
Cheers! A toast to the happy couple.
Getting my camera close to the toasts is good, especially at 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.
The DJ or band will set up during dinner 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 a good atmosphere through the DJ’s lights.
There are moments to capture throughout 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 stunning. 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. Time is never a problem at this venue, but do communicate any wishes and requests to the venue.
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 schedule signing. There must be a balance, and your photographer should 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 stunning when there’s lots in the air. Just beware of 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 Grand Hall, Victorian Picture Gallery 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 you will be proud to show your family and friends.
The dancing can go on late. I usually stay until about half an hour after your first dance, but I can stay later.
Hampton Court House,
Hampton Court Road,
Surrey.
KT8 9BS.
Hampton Court House Weddings Website
