St. John’s Restaurant Smithfield Wedding

Stoke Newington Town Hall Council Chamber Wedding

St. John’s Bar and Restaurant in Smithfield has been on my list to visit for many years both as a Meatasoraus and as a photographer. It was therefore a double delight to be commissioned to photograph the wedding of Richard and Simon who chose St. John’s Bar and Restaurant for their wedding reception. Stoke Newington, in East Londons Hackney was the starting point of this wonderful wedding. I met Richard at The Prince N16, a lovely local Stoke Newington pub, a short walk from Stoke Newington Town Hall.

Best Hackney Pub Wedding Receptions

Stoke Newington Town Hall is part of the Hackney Venues gang as is therefore stylish and a bit cool. The Town Hall itself is about to undergo a refurb as in truth, its looking a little tired. The ceremony was funny and moving in equal measure. I tend to stay to the periphery of a wedding ceremony not liking to get into guests eye-lines etc. The Council Chamber in Stoke Newington Town Hall is perfect for a low key documentary Wedding Photographer as there plenty of room to move around.

Wedding Reception at St. John’s Bar and Restaurant in Smithfield

A vintage bus whisked (‘whisked’ might be a slight exaggeration with London traffic as it is!) us to The St. John’s Bar and Restaurant in Smithfield. The bus was able to park directly outside the restaurant and a tray of cocktails and smile were waiting to greet to wedding party. There’s a lovely bar space at The St. John’s Smithfield that perfect for a drinks receptions. A small flight of steps leads from the bar area to the main dining room. The steps act a very useful podium for speeches and a excellent perch for a wedding photographer.

London Smithfield Wedding Photographer

London’s Smithfield is best known for the huge meat market. Its no accident that Fergus Henderson established St. John’s Bar and Restaurant next to Smithfield meat market as the restaurant is famous for its carnivore menu. Smithfield is an excellent area for a walk and wedding portraits. While the wedding guests enjoyed drinks at the bar Simon, Richard and I went for a little trot. The surrounding area of Farringdon has ancient back streets and very cool spots for a portrait or two. I never take a couple away from their own wedding party for more than 15 minutes or so for portraits, I always do a recce before a wedding and have a plan for the walk. The wedding portraits session is a great opportunity to take a breather from the wedding celebrations and have a quiet moment.

Booking a London Documentary Wedding Photographer

The Grooms returned to St. John’s Bar and Restaurant for a superb meal. I continued to float about the party photographing the beautiful details that went into the day. I left the party after Richard and Simon had cut the cake, in this case an enormous Pavlova. Huge congrats to the fellas for tying the knot and a big thank you for making me so welcome. Are you planning your own London wedding? If you would like to check my availability then Drop Me a Line. If you fancy learning a little more about the way I like to quietly and discretely photograph a wedding then check out my My Style. My wedding photography Portfolio has plenty of examples of my photography. I hope you enjoy looking at some examples of my work and I look forward to hearing your plans.