Anjana and Chris got in touch a while ago and when I heard about the plans for their wedding day, I was almost as excited as they were!
A really fun couple from different backgrounds but with a lot in common at the same time, their wedding was to take place in Tower Bridge. The reception would be on the old war ship, HMS Belfast, which sits in the Thames nearby.
We soon went for an engagement shoot in St James Park, London, and Chris and Anjana were such a laugh to shoot. I was chuffed to hear afterwards that they were getting the larger photo on the right printed in black and white for the wedding reception so their guests could sign it. Smiley face.
The big day was last Saturday, the first day of a three day bank holiday weekend. The weather in the run-up to the weekend was pretty good, which unfortunately meant that the day itself was rainy. Very rainy. It didn’t bother Chris and Anjana though – they were too busy enjoying themselves!
It was a wedding with plenty of stuff happening. So much was happening in fact, that Chris and Anjana hired another photographer as well as myself in order to try and capture as much of the event as possible. Clair Estelle was great to work with and she’s a very talented wedding photographer.
I spent the morning with Anjana and her maid of honour, both getting their hair and makeup done at Chris and Anjana’s home. They were having a great time listening to some pre-wedding music, the maid of honour even taking the opportunity to dance around the kitchen!
I then joined the fun after the ceremony, which took place in a function room inside Tower Bridge. I was sad not to see the ceremony itself but it was only a small room and I’m sure Clair did a brilliant job. After some formal photos, the guests made their way up the stairs to join a whole load of tourists who were wondering back and forth across the walkways at the top of the bridge.
A wedding in Tower Bridge. What could be more English?
Having taken in the view, many guests descended down to street level to catch a special routemaster bus over to the HMS Belfast itself. It was tipping it down with rain at this point, as you may be able to make out from a few photos!
Then we arrived on the ship itself, which is an amazing attraction – if you haven’t gone and seen it as a tourist, I recommend you do! There’s lots to see and do. Anyway, the reception kicked off with champagne and canapes, as well as Pussers rum, a special request from Chris himself. There was even a veteran sailor from the HMS Belfast itself on board to chat with the wedding guests and share a naval story or two. Photo opportunities on the outer decks were tricky given the weather but we did get out under a couple of covered decks.
Dinner was next, followed by speeches and not one, not two, but three special treats for all the guests. First off was a surprise that Anjana had organised for Chris: a pair of bellydancers who danced their way through the room. Following that, there was a mariachi band that led some dancing in the dining room and back in the reception room after dinner. And if that wasn’t enough, Anjana then performed a brilliant Argentine tango with her dance partner. Phew!
All in all, it was a crazy, wonderful, brilliant, lovely, charming, wet, colourful, lively and beautiful wedding. Congratulations to the new Mr and Mrs Maggs!
