Chiara & Alex: A Real London Wedding Without the Clichés
Here’s how I documented Chiara and Alex’s authentic celebration across three distinctive London venues.
Wandsworth Town Hall: Elegant Simplicity
As a documentary wedding photographer, I find Wandsworth Town Hall offers that perfect blend of grandness and intimacy. What makes Town Hall ceremonies special is their stripped-back authenticity. No decorative distractions, just two people making promises that bonds.
My unscripted wedding photography style thrives in these moments, finding beauty in the real exchanges rather than manufacturing “perfect” shots. One of these shots was observing Alex’s touching reaction to pre-recorded Chiara’s voice, which was played as a massive surprise.
The sweeping marble staircase offered a great backdrop for Chiara and Alex group photos.
Post-Ceremony Intimate Celebration: Smoke & Salt, Tooting
After the formalities, the wedding red bus took everyone to Smoke & Salt—exactly the kind of intimate wedding venue in London that photographs beautifully without trying too hard, guests were divided into two groups and joined each other on speeches and toasts.
As both a London wedding photographer and a food enthusiast, I appreciate venues that deliver great food as well as style, and that was a mix of Mediterranean and traditional cuisine.
No staged table shots or awkward group poses—just friends celebrating over exceptional food, creating those candid moments that tell the real story of their day.
Clapham Common: The Mini Session
Between venues, we went for a brief 20-minute session at Clapham Common. This is where my fashion photography background connects with my wedding work. Rather than rigid posing, I simply found beautiful light filtering through the branches and suggested Chiara and Alex take a moment for themselves.
“Just walk together slowly towards me and pretend I’m not here,” is often all the direction needed. As a London wedding photographer who values authenticity, I’ve found that giving couples freedom to interact naturally while placing them in flattering light or angle creates those editorial-quality images without the stiffness of traditional portraits.
The resulting images from these Clapham Common moments were their favourites—they look like fashion editorial shots but feel like genuine memories.
Evening Reception: The Stonhouse Pub, Clapham
The celebration continued at The Stonhouse. The relaxed atmosphere allowed me to blend in like a guest with a camera, capturing unposed photos of conversations, laughter, and dance floor moments without anyone feeling self-conscious.
What made Chiara and Alex’s wedding special wasn’t elaborate decorations or trendy details—it was their decision to celebrate in places that mattered to them, surrounded by people they love.
Your Story Unscripted
So, if you’re all about keeping it real and want your London wedding photos to be timeless and authentic – whether it’s a cozy restaurant gathering, a town hall ‘I do’, or something totally unique – you’re in the right place.
My unscripted, documentary-style photography is all about capturing the genuine magic of your day, imperfections and all. No trends, no poses, just pure emotion.
Let’s chat more about your amazing day! 👇 Comment below or slide into my DMs
If you think of contacting the venues below, I suggest contacting them through the links below.
Star Suppliers:
Venue: Smoke and Salt (restaurant), 115 Tooting High St, London SW17 0SY @smokeandsaltldn
Venue: The Stonhouse (pub), The Stonhouse, 165 Stonhouse St, London SW4 6BJ @threecheerspubs
Venue: The Town Hall, Wandsworth High St, London SW18 2PU, https://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/registration-services/ceremony-venues/town-hall-ceremony-rooms/
London Wedding Photographer: Emotional Wedding Photography
