Black Tie Wedding at Bingham Riverhouse: Lucy & Caspar’s Elegant Thameside Celebration

Wedding Photography
Written By Archie Cameron-Blackie

The Thames, black tie dress code, refined style with a touch of modernity, and one of the best couples in the world?

Go on then!

When you combine vision, a relaxed love, and bags of style together you often get a banger of a wedding. And this day at Bingham Riverhouse always comes to mind as one of our favourites from the big city. It’s not about the big lights and glitz, but something that speaks to a sensibility that is hard to find outside of Britain.

Side note - this was in November… I actually had to go back and check my notes about that - you’d never believe it!

Getting Ready at Bingham Riverhouse

Both Caspar and Lucy completed their morning preparations at the Riverhouse.
Lucy upstairs, and Caspar downstairs in the Riverhouse Bar.

Lucy - The very image of poise, elegance, and calm.
Caspar - Looking suave, charming, and hungry for a cheese board.

We think that morning images are so important to the telling of a wedding day - you can see so much of a person’s character in those images, whether you’re seeing nerves, or energy, or just a quiet confidence in what they’re doing. It’s one of our favourite times of the day to shoot, just to capture that emotion, and flesh out the story of the day.

Andrea Hawkes Bridal & Bianco Evento Veil.

A quick moment for this stunner of a dress - a classical inspired outfit from Andrea Hawkes. and veil from Bianco Evento

Classic, elegant, and yet also modern, contemporary, clean, minimalist, and just perfect for Lucy.

Her look was completed with a warm, vibrant bouquet from the wonderfully named ‘Holly and the Dragonfly’.

An Emotional Wedding Ceremony in the Garden Rooms

I just love capturing faces and expressions during the ceremony. You can really catch the full gamut from the entrance to the exit. Friends, Family, and the couple at the centre. Catching one another’s eyes, smiles, tears, great exhalations of pent up energy, and sometimes even a hair ruffle and a cheer.

Champagne and Jazz in the Sun

The Garden Rooms at Bingham Riverhouse are perfectly situated to roll straight out onto the outdoor patio for drinks celebrations and music in the afternoon sun. The space feels exclusive and like a little haven away from the bustle of the city.

The Jazz Trio & Cocktail Hour

Lucy and Caspar exited to wild applause, and were greeted by the tones of a three piece jazz band, intermingled with the sounds of guests generally having a great old time.

A Sunset Garden Reception

Cocktails and cocktail dress, in the sun, after a wedding, in London, just a few meters from the banks of the Thames. What more do you need?

Komorebi – That Golden Hour Glow

There’s a Japanese word I recently discovered as the name of a youtube channel. I looked it up, and found that it relates to one of the most peaceful and joyful things in the world (as far as I’m concerned).

‘Komorebi’ relates to the way sunlight filters through tree leaves, creating a pattern of light and shadow. As soon as I read it, I thought of this image of Lucy and Caspar, with the winter sun peeking through the trees that line the Thames - there was something magical about that evening light. I can only hope it comes across in these images.

Styling Notes: Black Tie, Navy, and Warm Florals

When it comes to styling a wedding, and bringing together a cohesive vision - the key word is always intention. Intention about how you see the day, and how to get there. For bridesmaids, this meant navy dresses, for flowers it meant warm and vibrant, for the men - black tie.

All in all - it blended perfectly with the sometime dark, sometimes off-the-wall styling of the Riverhouse.

Stylish, but never stuffy.

Sparklers, Speeches and Dancefloor Classics.

As though to punctuate the separation between day and night - dinner came and went - and we passed into the night with speeches and a sparkler tunnel on the patio before the party kicked off with Truly Medley Deeply providing some bangin covers of dance classics.

Bit of Darude anyone?

Truly Medley Deeply – Party Starters Extraordinaire.

We’re always excited to see TMD on the supplier list at a wedding - always one of our top tier recommendations if you’re after a party. They’ll mix it up between modern classics, house anthems, and maybe a bit of ABBA if you ask nicely - all packaged with energy and a genuine ambition to kick off the dancefloor.

Why We Love City Weddings

Well that’s about it.

Another belter from the big city. We always love popping inside the M25, whether it’s central or more suburban. There’s a certain je ne sais quoi about weddings in London that we just haven’t quite found elsewhere.

But whatever your speed - London or further afield, a good wedding is all about making it your own. Taking elements that appeal to you, and finding a way to bring them together in a way that is unique and speaks to you and your people.

If our photography speaks to you, then drop us a line - we’d love to hear all about your plans.

Archie Cameron-Blackie
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A Stylish Wedding in the OBE Chapel at St Paul’s Cathedral