PEMBROKE LODGE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER, RICHMOND

A Wedding Venue in London’s Largest Royal Park

Situated in Richmond Park, amongst the deer (and Fenton the dog – seen that video?!), is Pembroke Lodge. Up on the hill, looking out beyond the Thames to where the sun sets in the evening, this is a wedding venue that seems to smile straight into the sun.

If you haven’t already visited this delightful place for tea and cake, I urge you to check it out! Pick a sunny afternoon and you can sit out on the terrace and admire the views.

The Belvedere Room, where our wedding ceremony is below, is like an orangery; the glass roof and white paint makes for an absolute dream to photograph.

The guests laugh during a wedding ceremony

Two men are sat, resting on their knees, during an emotional wedding ceremony

The Belvedere Room is a good size; seating up to 140 guests during the ceremony & reception, with room for an additional 60 guests to join in the evening.

For a more intimate ceremony, there is the option of drawing the curtain closed, as seen in the image below.

Bride and groom's first kiss in a Richmond wedding

A guest congratulates the groom, laughing and overjoyed

As the bride and groom walk up the aisle, confetti, hands and love fly through the room

A warm, sunny scene outside the Belvedere Room, as guest mingle and drink on the terrace in the sunshine

…and it’s out onto the Terrace for the Drinks Reception!

The Belvedere Room opens out onto the terrace, where the mood changes to an even more relaxed, hair-down vibe, and the drinks start to flow in celebration.

This is one area where I thrive as a photographer. With my documentary/photojournalism background, I find being surrounded by people, hugs, emotions and “love!” is a good place for me to be! It’s this energy that I seek to harness in a series of memory-provoking and beautiful images.

A photograph is a flimsy vehicle for our imagination.

Guest hugging bride at a wedding at Pembroke Lodge

Guest laughing at a wedding holding a baby

A female guest hugging bride at a wedding at Pembroke Lodge

Bird flying over Pembroke Lodge at a wedding, outside in the sunshine

Pembroke Lodge is the highest point in London’s largest Royal Park. As the sun begins to fall towards the horizon, on a clear summer’s day you’ll feel the uninterrupted warm glow coming from the west.

A beautiful bride relaxes after their wedding ceremony

“These are beautiful!!! …we’re so incredibly pleased! We will treasure these memories forever and I’m so grateful you captured them for us“
Rosie & Vraj, our gorgeous bride and groom!

A gorgeous picture of a bride and groom with autumnal flowers and colours

A delightful picture of a bride and groom in an English rural setting under trees

After a short stroll, the arms of the ancient woodland seem to rise up like a cathedral of green and orange. The sunlight is strong though and as it manages to break through the gaps, we have a chance here for some beautiful once-in-a-lifetime portraits.

A beautiful photo of a bride and groom, shooting towards the sun, with roses in the foreground

Autumnal looking wedding flowers — These autumn-rich, somehow muted-tone flowers were arranged by Hiding in the City. If someone asks me “of the 200+ weddings you’ve photographed, which flowers do you remember the most?” – this is their answer.

SOME QUICK FACTS ABOUT PEMBROKE LODGE:

Pembroke Lodge was originally a one-roomed cottage that was occupied by a mole-catcher, of all people! They needed someone to eradicate molehills that were impeding their sport of deer hunting!
It is the only licensed venue within a London Royal Park
It is perched atop the highest point in London’s largest Royal Park
Richmond Park is home to around 650 deer, which roam freely in this Royal Park
A free car park, with 200 spaces, is available opposite the lodge – go and check it out, have a scone!

Stunning bride in Richmond Park — *Rosie’s dress was from Katya Katya*

Stunning bride in Richmond Park with autumnal flowers

Out in the open space of Richmond Park, the deer are but spectacular beasts! Just knowing they’re close by, during every bit of the wedding, gave me a small sense of ‘wild’ that I might usually feel when shooting a wedding in the remote and cold Scottish Highlands, or in the snow-covered forests of Finland.

Driving home in the darkness later on, off to the sides of the road were hovering, silver coin-like eyes as I searched for the exit to the park! It was then that I felt we were on their land!

A chilled out deer with big antlers in Richmond Park

A sunny walk under the trees, in front of the wedding venue with the bride's dad and bridesmaids

PEMBROKE LODGE WEDDING CEREMONY ROOMS

The Belvedere Room:

The Belvedere Room can seat up to 140 guests during the ceremony & reception, with room for an additional 60 guests to join in the evening. As in these photographs, the room is full of light and it opens out onto the spectacular terrace. Glorious!

The Russell Suite:

Up on the first floor of the Georgian wing, the Russell Suite has large windows with spectacular views. The room is light and beautifully romantic. From here, drinks can be server on the South Lawn.

There are the Bertrand Russell Rooms, again with excellent views. If it were to start raining, drinks can be served in here.

The Lord John Russell Rooms are two adjoining period rooms, connected by an archway, with ornate fireplaces. These rooms are licensed for civil ceremonies and, if you have no more than 70 guests, you can use these rooms for your wedding breakfast.

As well as in the Belvedere Rooms, the Phantom Room is an option for the evening dancing.

Two groomsmen take a selfie with the groom

Orange, halloween style wedding cake — *Their cake was made by Blossom & Crumb*

Orange, halloween style wedding cake with figs

Mingling at a wedding as the sun begins to go down

Following the drinks reception on the terrace, where there is also time of some family photographs, we’re back inside the Belvedere Room for the wedding breakfast, speeches and, later on….the partying!