Alexei and Nataliia got married in Ealing today, on a properly grey, wet October afternoon in west London. It was a small wedding. Just the two of them, Nataliia’s two daughters, a boyfriend, and me with a camera for one hour.
One hour is plenty when the guest list is this short. We did the ceremony, then walked through the rain to The Village Inn for a drink and some portraits. Rain, autumn leaves and a dark green pub interior. I’m really pleased with how it all came out. Alexei and Nataliia had their full gallery the same day, with every photo edited.
The ceremony
A small ceremony room, soft wall lights and pink roses. Alexei sorted his bow tie while Nataliia waited to come in, and her daughters sat right at the front.
With so few people there’s nowhere to hide, and that works in your favour. Everyone is close, everyone ends up in the frame, and the reactions are real because there’s no crowd to perform for.
A walk in the rain
Then it rained. Not a light drizzle either. We had umbrellas, Nataliia had a coat over her dress, and we walked from the ceremony to the pub anyway.
This is the part I’d point to if you’re worried about the weather. Autumn in Ealing means wet pavements, gold and orange leaves on every tree and hedge, and soft, even light with no harsh shadows. Rain makes the colours richer and the streets shine. You don’t need sunshine or a famous backdrop to get great photos. You need a couple who are happy to walk with an umbrella and enjoy it.
The Village Inn
The Village Inn has a great interior for photos. Dark green panelled walls, gold birds and moths mounted on the panels, tiled pillars and a long leather banquette. It looks more like a film set than a local pub.
Nataliia’s dress showed off her legs, and stretched out on the banquette it made some of the best pictures of the day. Pub light is low, so I keep couples close to the wall lamps and let the dark walls do the rest. A few minutes in there and you’d never guess it was a rainy Wednesday outside.
Alexei & Nataliia
Congratulations to you both, and thank you for letting me share a small, happy afternoon with your family. I hope the girls enjoyed it as much as I did, and that you all enjoyed seeing the photos on the same day.
Planning a small wedding in London?
Have a look at my registry office wedding photographer London page for how I cover register office and town hall ceremonies.
Only need an hour or two? See half day wedding photography London and next day wedding photography London.
More small London weddings
Short guest lists, register offices and town halls. See how I cover them on the registry office wedding photographer London page.
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