Wedding Photography at Pembroke Lodge, Richmond Park
This photograph of the happy couple demonstrates their love perfectly. Presenting it in black and white ensures there are no distractions which colour can provide.
Pembroke Lodge Wedding Venue Setting
Wedding venue Pembroke Lodge is something else. Set in eleven acres of landscaped grounds, the rose garden views across the Thames Valley to Twickenham are fantastic, offering incredible photographic opportunities. The Grade II listed Georgian mansion house itself backs onto Richmond Park and presents as having two halves. One side for large and the other for smaller weddings. Two weddings often run simultaneously, especially in summer. To ensure that both are kept separate, the venue arranges a two-hour difference in arrivals time…
There are also licensed tea rooms for thirsty visitors to the park and parking for up to 250 cars. The venue stays open until midnight for wedding parties in the Belvedere and 11 pm for Russell Suite weddings. At this time, guests must leave via Richmond Gate as the rest of the park closes. Tickets are available to leave in cars for those wishing to collect them in the morning.
A Russell Suite marriage photographed from the back: Light from the bay window and some tasteful decor provide some fantastic wedding photography opportunity.
The lodge has everything you could ever need to ensure your wedding day runs smoothly. Both suites come with a fully experienced wedding coordinator and team to guide you in choosing a bespoke package to suit your needs and budget. They are there from the moment you first contact the venue until the time the last guests leave on the day. With over 50 years experience in functions and the flexibility to choose your ceremony and reception or just the reception, a wedding at Pembroke Lodge will surely be a day to remember.
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The Russell Suite from the front as the Bride’s Father walks her down the aisle.
Professional, Efficient and Friendly
Guy blended into our wedding day really well and I had so many comments from guests afterwards about how professional, efficient and friendly he was. He took some lovely scenic shots at Pembroke Lodge and at Richmond Park. His attention to detail is fantastic and I would highly recommend him to anyone looking for a photographer for weddings and other occasions. He went above and beyond and I couldn’t have been happier with his services. Thanks Guy!
– Bernie & Louis
The Richmond registrars' are relaxed and helpful to the wedding photographers and don't mind me moving around. Of course, I always try to do this discreetly.
The registrars' only restriction on photography is not to take the signing of the register. However, they provide a 'dummy' book to take staged portraits.
Wedding Ceremony Rooms
The Russell Suite:
Comprising the first floor of the Georgian Wing, the Russell Suite combines ornate elegance with incredible views. Up to 70 guests may be seated for the ceremony and reception, with a further 30 able to join for evening celebrations. The Bertrand Russell Rooms are great for the drinks' reception in poor weather and include a licensed bar. The evening dancing takes place in the Phantom Room, named after the Squadron based here during the war (see below). As far as I'm aware, there are no ghosts at Pembroke Lodge!
Prices range from £350 for a weekday winter wedding to £1750 for a Saturday during the summer.
The Belvedere:
Purpose-built, the venue at the back of Pembroke Lodge is much more modern but still elegant and striking. The conservatory building roof has glass skylights, which makes it light and airy and superb for wedding photography. Up to 140 guests may be seated at the ceremony and reception with a further 60 catered for in the evening.
Prices range from £500 for a weekday winter wedding to £4500+ for a Saturday during the summer.
For a glossy brochure with a full price list, sample menus and many other details, contact the venue:
email: info@pl.org.uk
or Tel: 020 8940 8207
At Pembroke Lodge, confetti is thrown inside after the ceremony, which makes good sense as it saves the photographer the job of setting it up outside afterwards.
Wedding Photography at Pembroke Lodge: Registrar Rules
The registrars' at Richmond are generally relaxed about photography but request that your photographer doesn't photograph the signing of the register. This rule is pretty standard amongst registrars, although some are more amenable about this and don't mind signing photography. At Richmond weddings that I have attended, the registrar's have been very forthcoming, clearly communicating any different requests that the couple have made for which I may want to adjust my vantage point.
If you are having an LGBT+/gay wedding, civil partnership or baby naming, this venue caters for these too.
The happy couple with the Russell Suite side of Pembroke Lodge in the background: The ornate facade and vast gardens provide many creative wedding portrait photography opportunities.
Richmond Park provides lots of opportunity for some couples portraits, especially if there's a vintage car on-hand to pose beside.
A Brief History of Pembroke Lodge
The Lodge started life c.1750 as a single-room house for a molecatcher, solely responsible for reducing injuries to huntsmen caused by molehills.
It was named after Elizabeth, Countess of Pembroke who rented rooms there. The lodge was later given to her by George III.
Later, Queen Victoria granted Pembroke Lodge to Prime Minister Lord John Russell who conducted Government business.
Visitors of that time included Charles Dickens, Lewis Carroll, Alfred Tennyson, Robert Browning and Queen Victoria and Prince Albert themselves!
The Phantom Squad requisitioned the building during the war and included actor David Niven as a resident.
The noughties saw a battle for the lodge to stay open to the public. Thankfully good sense prevailed, and it is now a thriving wedding venue and popular refreshments stop-off for those visiting Richmond Park.
I took this quirky photograph from a first-floor window of the Russell Suite. Passers-by waiting to pass started to wave too, so I zoomed out to include them. I've added it here as it clearly shows the size of the woodland garden that comes with the Russell Suite and is ideal for drinks receptions and canapés in nice weather.
The Bride and groom enter the Russell Suite for their wedding breakfast. This part of the day presents as an excellent photo opp as they make their way between the tables to their guests' applause and cheers.
Sunlight streamed through the bay window throughout their wedding. So I used lens flare to produce some interesting photographic effects as the Bride's father gave his speech.
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The window light gives a very pleasing effect when photographed from the side too. The speeches and toasts are an essential part of their special day, and I try to capture them from many angles.
Good wedding photography is all about those special moments that celebrate families love. Here the Groom and his Best Man/Brother share an intimate moment after the speeches.
A different wedding now: This overview photograph shows the other side of Pembroke Lodge and the back of the Belvedere - much more suitable for larger parties.
During the summer, the doors at the back of the Belvedere are left open as the couple, and their guests dine late into the evening.
Pembroke Lodge,
Richmond Park,
Richmond,
Surrey.
TW10 5HX.
