Laura & Matthew at The Pump House Gallery -

“I would not hesitate to recommend Claire to anyone. She was fantastic from start to finish and captured our day so perfectly, we couldn’t be happier with the photos! Claire was so down to earth and friendly and instantly fitted in with the bridal party when we were getting ready. We have since received many compliments from friends and family about how great she was on the day and the photos speak for themselves! Would 100% recommend to anyone, thank you Claire!!”

A Battersea Park wedding

When Laura and Matthew booked me for their wedding at the Pump House Gallery in Battersea Park, I already knew it was going to be a really personal and unique wedding. The park has a band stand, that weather permitting, they were going to be married under. Luckily for us the weather gods played ball and we were delivered a gloriously sunny day in May.

Starting the day right

I could instantly tell that Laura was very much my kind of bride; down to earth, funny, personable and zero bridezilla vibes. When I arrived at bridal prep her team of bridesmaids were so welcoming (offering me champagne and cream cheese bagels from the start) and felt like women that I’d be friends with. The morning was so much fun with lots of laughter and chat of their years of friendship together. Laura had made each of her bridesmaids a memories book and written them a letter which was such an incredible touch.

Arriving at the park

The black cabs arrived and we set off for the park. On arrival we were met by the lovely Maddi, who was the event manager for the day, and we were put into a golf style buggy which drove us through the park. I’m so fortunate with some of the experiences that my jobs brings me and being driven through Battersea Park on a bank holiday in the sunshine feeling the excitement of that day ahead was another little moment.

A ceremony in the sunshine

For the ceremony there are notices put out but the public are still free to watch from the benches and surrounding area. It was such an incredible atmosphere as the guests took their seats in front of the bandstand. Laura and her bridesmaids, along with her dad, arrives at the bandstand and walk down the ‘aisle’ formed by their guests. I was warned ahead of time that there would be no tears, but you could definitely see the emotion of the day catching up with them as Mathew watched his bride walking towards him.

A Pump House Gallery wedding reception

After the ceremony the guests were treated to an absolutely incredible surprise as The New York Brass Band appeared out of the bushes and led the guests through the park towards The Pump House Gallery. It was such a pinch me moment and so original. Watching the bride and groom lead their guests as they danced their way through the park was magic! The general public shouted their congratulations and it was like something out of a film as the sun shone down on everyone. We arrived at The Pump House Gallery and the band continued to play for the afternoon and I was even bopping away behind my camera.

Couples portraits.

After Laura and Matthew had had the chance to have a few canapes and a glass of champagne we jumped into the buggy again and Maddi drove us across to the other side of the park next to The Thames so that we could capture some photographs along with water and in front of the bridge. Much like the majority of my couples, Laura and Matthew didn’t want to spend loads of time away from their guests, but in 15 minutes we captured some natural shots of the two of them enjoying a little bit of time out together.

Speeches and dancing.

We arrived back with plenty of time before everyone was seated for the wedding breakfast. Pie and mash was inhaled by everyone (absolutely incredible!) and then started the speeches. These were truly a mixture of sentiment, on the edge jokes and emotion. They had it all between them. I love speeches as they give you a real insight into the couple and their history together, most of the time after them I love the couple even more. Which was very true today. Laura and Matthew kicked off the dancing for the evening shortly before the dancefloor was packed.

Thank you for having me there with you on your truly unique day. You are the very best kind of people and I won’t be forgetting your wedding day in a hurry!

Planning an outdoor wedding and would love someone there with you to capture all of the key moments as well as the low-key moments? Please get in touch and let’s get a call in the diary so that you can tell me all about it!

pump house gallery wedding