Institute of Contemporary Arts wedding – Harry & Victor

What happened on the day?

Harry & Victor’s Institute of Contemporary Arts wedding, started at The Mondrian Hotel with, what else, but champagne from Fortnum & Mason! I walked in to what was a mini party. Harry’s best man James, his wife Nicola & Sara, Victor’s best woman were relaxing & enjoying the view across the Thames from the hotel suite.

Harry had arranged black cabs to take us to The ICA and we stopped on the way to pick up his parents. Once at The ICA Harry and Victor enjoyed seeing the tables set up for the first time. The ceremony room at The ICA is beautiful, I particularly like the fairy lights on the wall behind the registrars. For me as a London wedding photographer, the light that comes in from the two huge windows, as well as the fairy lights is wonderful.

After the ceremony.

I took Harry & Victor out for some photos on the ICA balcony. We then walked out onto the Mall. On the way we stopped at an ice cream van to get some cones. The very friendly lady selling ice creams wouldn’t accept any money! After the Mall we went and joined all the guests in the gardens adjoining 116 Pall Mall. We did a few group shots there & everyone had some champagne & canapés before moving back in to sit for the wedding breakfast.

The speeches were a joy to photograph. I shot lots of great reactions from the guests. James’s speech as Harry’s best man had Harry with his face in his hands through much of it! Sara’s speech for Victor included a Chinese custom of toasting the couple called Yum Seng, where the toast is held for as long as possible while the couple kiss. For me as a wedding photographer, this worked well as it gave me loads of time to catch every angle I wanted. Usually with toasts I have to catch it as quickly as I can and rely on a bit of luck to get what I want!

What was the most memorable part of this wedding?

Harry & Victor’s wedding was made for me by just how hugely welcoming they were not only to their guests but also to me. When I arrived at The Mondrian, they offered me champagne & really made me part of their day. I also loved the time between when we arrived at The ICA and the ceremony. Harry & Victor used this time to stand outside & greet every guest as they arrived. It was fantastic to get shots of this. On a more personal level it was wonderful to see the friendship & love they poured on their friends and family.

I must thank James for his help during the day and of course Harry & Victor for their unfailing kindness from the first time they contacted me.

The ICA

One of London’s best wedding venues, The ICA is a great venue for a wedding photographer. The white walls & the tall windows mean I have wonderful light all day long. I rarely have to use any flash, almost all my photographs before dark are shot using natural light which is by far what I prefer. Here are some shots from Harry & Victor’s day at The ICA.