SYON PARK WEDDING

I must admit, when the lovely Alex at The Bijou Bride got in contact about Lisa and Ruaridh’s wedding at Syon Park in West London I was a tad intimidated! I had never shot at Syon Park before but I was aware of its grand status. As a wedding photographer I’ve shot in hundreds of different venues in the past but I find my clients tend to favour the more low key warehouse or pub style of London wedding venue. However as I’ve worked with Alex before I knew her Lisa & Ruaridh would be on the same page as me and I couldn’t of been more right. Lisa and Ruaridh were one of the most laid back couples I’ve ever photographed!

Wedding Preparations at The London Edition, Soho

Both Lisa and Ruaridh had planned to get ready in Soho at The London Edition (another slightly intimidating venue!). Not the most practical location in terms of logistics considering Syon Park is on the completely opposite side of London! However one of the reasons Lisa wanted to start the wedding day there was because she really wanted to go out and shoot some portraits around the streets of Soho after she’d finished getting ready. I loved this idea and as soon as she told me I knew it was going to be a good day. I loved that she wanted this contrast of the two different locations in her wedding photos. Gritty Soho and the grand Orangery at Syon Park.

Heritage fusion wedding

The blend of contrast continued throughout the rest of the wedding plans. Ruaridh and Lisa worked with Alex to creative a perfectly modern and understated wedding fusing both their Scottish and Chinese heritages. They were keen not have a theme as such but to creative a stylish modern look with nods to both their backgrounds. Macarons with stamped double happiness symbols in chocolate, custom fortune cookie favours, Scottish shortbread cookies, Green Tea from China Town and Coffee from Boston, Scottish thistles peppered around the floral arrangements, the family tartan kilts and no guest could forget the Ruaridh’s father piping the guests through to the wedding breakfast!

Creative bride and groom Portraits at Syon Park

One of the best aspects of Syon Park is the endless backdrop and locations for photographing a bride and groom. After the ceremony itself the staff were really helpful and gave me access through to a few rooms where I could photograph the couple as the guests were leaving the Great Hall where the ceremony had taken place. The drinks reception took place in the walled garden which would of been a great location for photos had there been time. The Great conservatory where the wedding breakfast is served is the most grand backdrop. However I loved the smaller adjoining cactus conservatory connected by a glass covered walkway. The light was incredible and it was the perfect intimate escape to get away from guests and have some quiet time out for wedding portraits. Syon Park is definitely a wedding venue I’d like to photograph again soon!