Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park Wedding Photographer
A grand Edwardian hotel on Knightsbridge with 350 acres of Royal Park out of the back door. For wedding photographs, that combination is hard to beat in central London.
Walk in off Knightsbridge and you're in a grand Edwardian hotel. Walk out of the other side and you're in Hyde Park.
The building went up in 1889, became a hotel in 1902 and has been the Mandarin Oriental since 1996. Knightsbridge station is on the doorstep, the Ballroom looks over the park, and the Royal Entrance gives you one of the best arrival photographs in London.
Chinese, Jewish and civil weddings
I've photographed a handful of weddings here over the years, and a pre wedding shoot for a couple from Hong Kong who were staying at the hotel.
The hotel is used to long days with several parts to them: a tea ceremony, a chuppah, a big reception entrance. If yours has a specific running order, send it to me early. Knowing what's coming and where to stand is most of the job.
For most of the day I'm documentary. I stay out of the way and photograph what happens. Family groups get done quickly, and for portraits I give you somewhere to walk rather than putting you into poses.
BarrieThe rooms at the Mandarin Oriental
Licensed for ceremonies of up to 200 guests, in several rooms including the Ballroom and the Carlyle Suite.
The Ballroom
Floor-to-ceiling windows over Hyde Park, with its own garden and terrace. Daylight through those windows is lovely for a ceremony. After dark the room changes completely, so the lighting your planner brings in matters.
The Loggia
A smaller room with views over the park and direct access to the hotel garden by the Royal Entrance. It's the room I'd look at first for a small wedding.
The Carlyle Suite
Daylight and views onto Knightsbridge, with bas-relief panels and arched openings. Licensed for ceremonies, and a good choice if you want the ceremony and dinner in different rooms.
The Hyde Park Terrace runs over the park in season, alongside the Ballroom and the Loggia. In summer, that's where the drinks reception should be. There are also smaller ground-floor rooms, Asquith and Balfour, for more intimate events.
The Royal Entrance and the flags
The entrance on the Hyde Park side is traditionally kept for royal use, which goes back to King George V not wanting any signage facing the park. For a reception in the Ballroom, the hotel can bring you in this way.
For photographs it's the best thing about the building: steps, a grand doorway, Union flags overhead and the park behind you. It's also where I'd do family groups, outside in daylight.
Arriving from Knightsbridge instead? The hotel can fly personalised flags above the entrance. It's a small thing, but it photographs well and guests remember it.
Where to take portraits at the Mandarin Oriental
You don't need a car. Fifteen or twenty minutes at a time that suits you, and you're back with your guests before anyone notices.
- Hyde ParkStraight out of the back of the hotel, with Rotten Row and big old trees a couple of minutes away.
- The SerpentineA short walk further in, if you have a little more time and the light is good.
- The Royal Entrance stepsThe flags, the doorway and the park, for groups and arrivals.
- Knightsbridge after darkThe lit hotel front, shop windows and black cabs, for something more urban at the end of the night.
Even the weather doesn't stop it. At Alina and Jan's wedding there were heavy showers all day, and they still went over to Hyde Park for photographs.
What Mandarin Oriental wedding photography costs
The same collections I offer for every London wedding, priced by the hours you actually need.
Ceremony through to the speeches.
- For smaller weddings in the Loggia
- Ceremony and drinks
- Portraits in Hyde Park
- Family groups at the Royal Entrance
- Dinner details and speeches
Preparations through to the first dance.
- The standard full London wedding day
- Getting ready at the hotel
- Ceremony, drinks and portraits
- Speeches and cake
- The first dance in the Ballroom
Preparations through to the last dance.
- For long days with several ceremonies
- Everything in Classic
- Tea ceremony or chuppah
- The evening party
- Knightsbridge after dark
A second photographer is £1,250, and for a Ballroom wedding with a long guest list it's worth considering. Albums are separate. The full breakdown is on my London wedding photography prices page. Menus can be kosher, halal or Asian. See my Jewish wedding photography and Persian wedding pages, the Knightsbridge page for hotels nearby, or the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair guide. More on how I work at hotels like this is on my luxury wedding photography page.
What couples say
A few words from couples I've photographed in London and beyond.
Barrie was fab! He knew Old Marylebone Town Hall really well (even the registrars knew him). He made us feel comfortable and took us to really cute places to get some special shots. Would highly recom…
Barrie was the photographer for our civil wedding ceremony at Old Marylebone Town Hall and he was great! Professional, friendly and creative throughout the day. The photos are amazing, stylish and ple…
Barrie is incredible! He is a total pro and the best in the business! We love our photos so much. We got married at trading boundaries and he was the perfect photographer. So special. Thank you Barrie
Barrie was such a great photographer for our wedding from start to finish. He was so friendly and make us feel so calm and relaxed on our big day. The photos he took were amazing and we loved all of t…
Simply the best wedding photographer we have ever come across. Barrie was not only incredibly professional, he also slotted right in to the day and all our guests commented on how relaxed, fun and tal…
Mandarin Oriental wedding questions
Is the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park licensed for weddings?
Yes. The hotel is licensed for ceremonies of up to 200 guests in several spaces, including the Ballroom and the Carlyle Suite.
How many guests can the Mandarin Oriental hold?
The Ballroom takes up to around 250 for a seated dinner and 400 for a reception. The Carlyle Suite holds up to 250, and the Loggia about 70 for a smaller wedding.
What is the Royal Entrance?
The entrance on the Hyde Park side, traditionally kept for royal use. For a reception in the Ballroom the hotel can bring you in this way, and the steps and flags make one of the best arrival photographs in London.
Where are the best places for wedding photos there?
Hyde Park straight out of the back of the hotel, with Rotten Row and the Serpentine a short walk away, the Royal Entrance steps for groups, and the lit Knightsbridge entrance after dark.
Have you photographed weddings at the Mandarin Oriental?
Yes, a handful over the years, including Chinese, Jewish and civil weddings, plus a pre wedding shoot for a couple staying at the hotel.
How much does a Mandarin Oriental wedding photographer cost?
My collections are £1,350 for five hours, £1,800 for eight and £2,200 for eleven, with every image edited. A second photographer is an optional £1,250.
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We had Barrie come by and photograph our civil ceremony / wedding registration at Old Marylebone Town Hall. We wanted it shot in an elopement style as it was just one of the many pre- weddings events …