Susanna & Jay | Wedding Photography | 116 Pall Mall London | 26th of March 2022

My first time doing wedding photography for a couple with 3 ceremonies in one day. I know you are also say What 3 ceremonies in one day and why 3? Susanna and her family are from China and her now husband are from India, which means two cultures and of course they wanted the civil ceremony as well.

My main worry for this day was the timeline, I was almost certain that we are going to end up late at some point and having to push on other things. With a bride that was going to change outfit 3 times and a groom with two changes. Just that itself is time and can easily take longer than what you think.

The morning started off at Sofitel Hotel by Piccadilly Circus where the bride and groom were getting ready. Susanna was calm as a cucumber and when I walked in she was in her makeup chair getting her makeup and hair done. I had the pleasure to have time to have a chat to her parents and slowly start capturing her getting ready. It was a beautiful morning with blue skies and a little warmer breeze. For being end of March the weather was amazing.

She had her 3 bridesmaids getting ready for the first ceremony which was the Chinese tea serving. We did make a little instagram reel before and after they changed into their outfits. Which was so much fun. I had my wonderful second shooter Nach with me for the full day to capture the groom and some other parts of the day with me. Should we have a look at the getting ready photos? Alright let’s do so. I will let you know more about the day further down.

The guests got to come into 116 Pall Mall for the first ceremony which was the Chinese tea serving. A beautiful and short ceremony. Susanna & Jay served tea to both of their parents and it was lovely to watch. Susanna had her traditional Chinese outfit that was breath taking beautiful. While we walked over from the hotel to 116 Pall Mall people stopped to look at her gorgeous outfit.

Look at this bright red outfit with the golden details and Chinese patterns. We got many stares on the street and it was a little fun seeing peoples faces.
While we waited to enter the guest were mingling and finding their seats.

The Chinese ceremony was a small and very quick ceremony but absolutely beautiful. Her gown suited the gold room so well and made it perfect, we had a good day with the sun shining through the windows and created that amazing light. They had the matching red tea serving set and it worked out so well.

Time for next ceremony, Susanna went straight off to change for the Indian ceremony that was held at 116 Pall Mall’s garden area. They have set it up so beautifully with the flowers, Mandap and the elephant statures. The sun was shining bright on us and it was so nice. The whole decor was absolutely stunning and we couldn’t have asked for a better day. This ceremony was longer and they explained every step of what they where doing and what it meant so well, it was amazing to be part of. It was nice to have different setup and rooms for each ceremony so they got their own look and feel. Which of course made it more interesting in both photos and video.

It’s beautiful to see cultures come together and make it work for their beloved children and to bless them and highlight each others cultures and respect each others way of doing things. It’s absolutely fantastic and it makes me so proud to have been part of it. I love when people can celebrate love in this way and don’t see culture as an issue instead they found a way to make the day for everyone and combine it all. Hats off for Susanna & Jay for planning this wedding.

The reality of how it could look like getting ready for your ceremony. All hands on.

After the beautiful Indian ceremony time for the last change of outfit and ceremony, but first a toilet break for our bride and this is her walking down the stairs to go and change. Love her spirit and happiness, she had so much fun and I love her energy. A few details got captured like her flowers and while she got her dress on. The dress was absolutely stunning and fitted so well.

The ceremony was stunning and had the stairs made it look so grand, all guests were gathered at the top level looking down. Not the usual ceremony but it was amazing and Yes a challenge for me to capture but we did it. I must say that I was very nervous before hand, the stairs are quite dark but it worked out super well.