Melanie & Ben | A Black-Tie London Wedding
There are some couples who make a wedding feel effortlessly romantic simply by being themselves. Melanie and Ben are one of those couples.Sweet, warm and completely in love, their wedding day was elegant without ever feeling overly formal, and intimate without losing any of the sense of occasion. And then there was the dress code: black tie.
We will always have a soft spot for a black-tie wedding.
For Melanie and Ben, the setting was just as considered, beginning at one of our favourite London hotels, The Lanesborough, before making the short journey to Marylebone Town Hall for the ceremony.
Morning at The Lanesborough
The day began at The Lanesborough, but Melanie and Ben did things a little differently.
Rather than having a room full of family and friends around them, the two of them actually stayed together throughout the morning. It was just Melanie, Ben, their hair and make-up artist and of course, us.And honestly, we loved that!
There was something wonderfully calm about having the morning to themselves. No rushing around, no big crowd, no pressure. Just the two of them enjoying the start of their wedding day together, getting ready side by side and taking everything in at their own pace and The Lanesborough was the perfect setting for it too.
Marylebone Town Hall | The Ceremony
From the hotel we headed to Marylebone Town Hall, where Melanie and Ben exchanged their vows in the Knightsbridge Room.
There is something particularly lovely about a town hall wedding.
With their closest people around them, they said “I do” before stepping outside as newlyweds.
And of course, we made the most of being in Marylebone.
There were congratulations, hugs, confetti and a little time together for couple portraits and plenty of those spontaneous moments that happen when everyone is simply happy to be celebrating!
Back to The Lanesborough | Belgravia Room
Then it was back to The Lanesborough in Belgravia Room for cocktails and the wedding reception.
Returning to the hotel gave the day a completely different rhythm. The ceremony was done, the formalities were behind them and Melanie and Ben could relax properly with their guests and enjoy the evening they had spent so long planning.
And this is where the black-tie setting really came into its own.
The Lanesborough provided the perfect backdrop for an elegant London reception, with beautiful interiors, champagne, cocktails and a room full of people dressed to impress.
For us, it was about photographing the atmosphere as much as the details.
Melanie and Ben’s wedding was everything we love about a London celebration.
Beautiful surroundings, timeless style and a couple who were completely present in the moment.
We’d love to hear your story. Our photography is centred around real moments.
The look on your face when you first see your partner.
Your parents trying not to cry.
The hug from your best friend.
The chaos of the dance floor.
The quiet five minutes you steal together between dinner and the first dance.
The little things you planned months in advance and the things that happen completely unexpectedly.
We want to photograph all of it! Get in touch and tell us a little about your plans.
Feel free to reach out here if you’d like us to photograph your wedding or just fill in the contact form: