An incredible day’s Winchester Cathedral wedding photography in late Summer. Where do you hold a wedding around here when you’ve got over 300 guests to accommodate, and one of your fathers just happens to be a Bishop? Well, you can’t really get much bigger and better than Winchester Cathedral, and what an incredible occasion I was privileged to photograph there when Lili and Mark became husband and wife. Oh, and these guys were a lot of fun!
When you live where I do and have the wonderful job that I have, Winchester Cathedral wedding photography really is one of those dream jobs. I’ve had the good fortune to photograph here before, but this was something a little different. Often with a Winchester Cathedral wedding the ceremony will take place in the choir, right up at the far end. It really is the most beautiful setting (and is also huge in its own right), and getting between there and the main door must involve one of the longest aisle walks in the country! While this is going on, the rest of the Cathedral usually remains open to the public. On this occasion however, the entire building was closed down exclusively for this magnificent occasion, and it all took place right in the middle of the main body of the building. Now that really is Winchester Cathedral wedding photography on a pretty grand scale.
Either side of the wedding, beautiful Old Alresford Place was our base. A popular wedding and reception venue on the edge of this pretty little market town deep in the heart of Hampshire. It was there that I caught up with Lili and her bridal party while John, my second photographer for the day, headed into town to catch up with Mark and the boys.
One thing it probably is worth bearing in mind if you’re considering Winchester Cathedral as a wedding venue: you’re going to generate a fair bit of public interest when the car pulls up outside those famous red doors and you step out of the car. All the tourists gathered there (and there are always tourists) basically stop what they’re doing and start craning their necks to see which celebrity could possibly be using such a grand venue for their wedding. It makes for a pretty good red carpet moment!
And then into this magnificent vaulted space for the walk down the aisle. Plenty of time for Mark to prepare himself as Lili walked down on her father’s arm. I’ve mentioned in previous posts the particular advantages of having a church with side aisles as cover, meaning that the photographer can capture various angles without really making their presence known. When it comes to Winchester Cathedral wedding photography you’re really in luck – the side aisles here are bigger than many whole churches I’ve photographed!
Back out through those massive doors to sunshine and a fairly sizeable crowd waiting to get a glimpse of the bride and groom. It was waaay too busy there for any group shots, but happily with Winchester Cathedral there are a few other options available to you, including the very lovely Dean Garnier Garden tucked away through the cloisters and up a little staircase. So we shot off round there for a few quick photos before returning to Old Alresford Place for the rest of the day’s celebrations.
Old Alresford Place has some lovely rooms inside, but on this occasion all the action was outside and in the marquee as there was no chance of squeezing this number of guests inside and seating them all for a wedding breakfast. Fortunately the garden is a big one. A final few group photos and couple portraits in a quiet corner and then it was in for speeches, food, drinks and dancing.
What a stunning day, what an absolutely fab couple, what a wedding! Many congratulations Lili & Mark, and I’m so pleased to have been there to photograph this magnificent occasion for you – it’ll stay with me for a very long time!
Making it possible…
Venues: Winchester Cathedral (ceremony)
Old Alresford Place (reception)
Dress: Pronovias, supplied by Blush & Ivory in Dulwich
Makeup: Victoria Reynolds
Suit: Edit Suits Co.
Flowers: Artisan Dried Flowers
Catering: Savage Kitchen
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I hope you’ve enjoyed this little taster of Lili & Mark’s Winchester Cathedral wedding photography. Friends and family can view the rest of the photos (and believe me, there are a lot of photos!) and the slideshow in their private viewing gallery, but you’ll need to ask them for the password first.
If you are currently planning your Winchester Cathedral wedding and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please do get in touch to check availability and ask me any questions you might have. I’m only too happy to help however I can.
Thanks as ever for reading, and come back again soon for many more photos from many more beautiful weddings!
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