Weddings at Gibson Hall Venue London - Chris Woodman Photography

LOOKING TO PLAN A WEDDING AT THIS FAIRYTALE VENUE? THIS COULD BE FOR YOU!

Weddings at Gibson hall will always be special. The grade-I listed building located in central London and just a stone’s throw away from the iconic St Pauls Cathedral has the most wonderful setting for your romantic nuptials.

Equally as grandeur in style & steeped in history is the Ned. A former bank HQ designed in 1924 by Sir Edwyn Lutyens & now a magnificent 5-star luxury hotel. This was the to be the starting point for the lovely couple , Amanda & Stewart Driver.

Brides wedding dress hanging with her wedding shoes — Gibson Hall London wedding photography 01
– Chris Woodman Photography

The brides details which include perfume, a necklace, her shoes and the wedding rings — Gibson Hall London wedding photography 02
– Chris Woodman Photography

My couple had stated that they didn’t want all the fuss that traditionally goes with photographing a wedding. In fact, they wanted completely the opposite. I was more of a fly on the wall for the most part & guiding if needed. They were separated by just a few floors in this once abandoned architectural masterpiece which made things favourable when it came to telling their story.

The Ned 5 star hotel in London. Interior and exterior photographs — Gibson Hall London wedding photography 03
– Chris Woodman Photography

Amanda looked exquisite in her intricate wedding dress & Rachel Simpson shoes. Dad thought so too when he entered the room to see his ‘little lady’ for the first time in all her glory. I have to say, even my camera welled up when this scene unfolded , a truly awesome moment!

Bride enjoys drinks with her bridesmaids — Gibson Hall London wedding photography 04
– Chris Woodman Photography

Now, Stewart was a man’s man and wanted very little in the way of interruption during the morning hustle & bustle. His preference was for me to tell his story from afar and as unobtrusively as possible to which I duly obliged.

The ‘lads’ enjoyed a beverage or two in one of the eight restaurants amidst the Ned’s 3000 square metre interior before heading off into the cold winter air , final destination, Gibson hall Wedding venue.

The groom gets ready and laughs with his groomsmen in the restaurant area at the Ned. — Gibson Hall London wedding photography 05
– Chris Woodman Photography

Shortly behind them was Amanda & her father. We waited for the all clear & headed for the reception and out through Zobler’s Deli & Diner (which serves a nice traditional New York cuisine). I held back somewhat so I didn’t intrude on their father/daughter conversation and I’m so happy I did. As they were heading for the exit, I could see a special moment unravelling so I quickly knelt down for a better perspective on the scene and captured one of my favourite images of the whole day. It was a split-second occasion that vanished in two shakes of a lamb’s tail whereby dad glanced over to his little girl with the warmest of smiles & in admiration for who she had become. For me, it was the reassurance she needed & now she was ready to go get her prince charming!

Bride sees her dad for the first time in an emotional embrace between the 2 — Gibson Hall London wedding photography 06
– Chris Woodman Photography

I accompanied the 2 of them in the chauffeur driven car for the short journey to Gibson hall. We were quick to get inside as temperatures were plummeting but Amanda was immediately taken care of by the wedding planner and all the staff that covered the event that day whom I thought were excellent throughout.

The bride and her dad walk through the bar at the Ned and look at each other before heading for the exit — Gibson Hall London wedding photography 07
– Chris Woodman Photography

The happy bride gets into her wedding car with dad helping her with the door — Gibson Hall London wedding photography 08
– Chris Woodman Photography

Bride and her dad laugh on the stairs at Gibson Hall before entering the ceremony room — Gibson Hall London wedding photography 09
– Chris Woodman Photography

If I ever sensed any kind of nervousness coming from Stewart that day, I would have to say it was when he was facing the front and Amanda walked into the room. It pretty much gets even the most laid back of grooms at this time but that’s the magic of the day! It was an emotional ceremony and impeccably admired but the chosen few lucky enough to be invited to such a special occasion.

Pictures of the ceremony room setup and the guests arriving — Gibson Hall London wedding photography 10
– Chris Woodman Photography

A nervous looking groom at the alter waiting for the bride to enter — Gibson Hall London wedding photography 11
– Chris Woodman Photography

The bride and her dad walk down the aisle as the groom sees her for the first time — Gibson Hall London wedding photography 12
– Chris Woodman Photography

The bride and her dad share a joke and laugh on their way to the alter — Gibson Hall London wedding photography 13
– Chris Woodman Photography

The brides dad places his hand on the grooms shoulder as he hands his daughter over to him at the alter — Gibson Hall London wedding photography 14
– Chris Woodman Photography

The emotional bridesmaids shed a tear during the ceremony sitting next to the brides mum and dad — Gibson Hall London wedding photography 15
– Chris Woodman Photography

Bride and groom hold hands and look at each other at the alter — Gibson Hall London wedding photography 16
– Chris Woodman Photography

A rear view shot of the bride and groom standing at the alter during the ceremony — Gibson Hall London wedding photography 17
– Chris Woodman Photography

The bride and groom share a kiss as they become husband and wife — Gibson Hall London wedding photography 18
– Chris Woodman Photography

The happy wedding guests clap as the bride and groom are pronounced husband and wife — Gibson Hall London wedding photography 19
– Chris Woodman Photography

Bride and groom laugh as they sit down to sign the register — Gibson Hall London wedding photography 20
– Chris Woodman Photography

The groom shakes the hand of a wedding guest as the couple walk back down the aisle — Gibson Hall London wedding photography 21
– Chris Woodman Photography

Now, from there, I like one and all to enjoy a well-earned tipple & some tasty Canapes, so I usually drop back and keep things flowing in a more documentary style. We did, however, have time against us a touch (being the dead of winter) so not long after, I had to whisk the couple away to get some intimate moments , just the 2 of them. We visited the royal exchange and the wonderful Leadenhall market before returning back to join the guests. The light had all but vanished at this point but I wanted to finish up in Gibson hall’s courtyard garden. The garden is fully licensed to hold wedding ceremonies outside but perhaps not in December and certainly not at this wedding. We had to be quick out there but the couple were great sports and we ended up with some rather romantic scenes to finish.

The groom holds the brides dress as they walk through the gates outside Gibson hall — Gibson Hall London wedding photography 22
– Chris Woodman Photography

The bride and groom pose in a black and white image on the steps of the Royal exchange in London — Gibson Hall London wedding photography 23
– Chris Woodman Photography

The ceremony room had now become the grand reception room and believe me, the decor just has to be scene in the flesh to fully admire its beauty. Huge high ceilings and ornate pillars remind you of just how special this place really is. The rest of the evening flowed nicely and everyone was up for some dancing after devouring 3 exemplary courses.

Gibson hall reception room details — Gibson Hall London wedding photography 24
– Chris Woodman Photography

The bride and groom enter the reception room with their toastmaster as the guests welcome them — Gibson Hall London wedding photography 25
– Chris Woodman Photography

A standing ovation from the wedding guests as the couple enter the reception room — Gibson Hall London wedding photography 26
– Chris Woodman Photography

So, there you have it, weddings at Gibson hall really are a fairytale. Below you’ll see a snippet of how Amanda & Stewarts day unfolded & if you wanted to see more of my work, visit my home page and let me know what you think. I’d love to hear from you. I’ll try to keep my blog as up to date as I can. If you enjoyed this entry, you can read more HERE.