Mia & Khan | St Peter's Clerkenwell & Devonshire Terrace

16 Dec

Written By Oliver Holder

Mia and Khan celebrating their wedding at Devonshire Terrace in the City of London

Mia & Khan

St Peter’s Clerkenwell · Devonshire Terrace

A Documentary Wedding Story

A morning at the Andaz, one of the most emotional church ceremonies I have ever photographed in Clerkenwell, and a City of London reception at Devonshire Terrace with limoncello on every table.

The Andaz Hotel

Mia, her bridesmaids and her parents spent the morning at the Andaz on Liverpool Street, getting ready at exactly the unhurried pace a wedding morning should run at. The boys arrived later for a swift half and some finishing touches, and then we all made our way over to Clerkenwell.

Mia getting ready at the Andaz Hotel, Liverpool Street, London - 2

Mia getting ready at the Andaz Hotel, Liverpool Street, London - 3

Mia getting ready at the Andaz Hotel, Liverpool Street, London - 4

Mia getting ready at the Andaz Hotel, Liverpool Street, London - 5

Mia getting ready at the Andaz Hotel, Liverpool Street, London - 6

The Ceremony at St Peter’s

I always tell my couples the same thing. You do not know how you are going to feel until you are standing right there in that instant. The moment Khan knew Mia had arrived at the church, he was gone, and he just let the feelings come. That is exactly what should happen. My job in a ceremony is to be invisible and let moments like that unfold without a camera in anyone’s eyeline, which is the whole point of the documentary approach I work with.

Wedding ceremony at St Peter’s Church, Clerkenwell, London - 1

Wedding ceremony at St Peter’s Church, Clerkenwell, London - 2

Wedding ceremony at St Peter’s Church, Clerkenwell, London - 3

Wedding ceremony at St Peter’s Church, Clerkenwell, London - 4

Wedding ceremony at St Peter’s Church, Clerkenwell, London - 5

Wedding ceremony at St Peter’s Church, Clerkenwell, London - 6

Wedding ceremony at St Peter’s Church, Clerkenwell, London - 7

Wedding ceremony at St Peter’s Church, Clerkenwell, London - 8

Wedding ceremony at St Peter’s Church, Clerkenwell, London - 9

Devonshire Terrace

One very happy married couple then led everyone to Devonshire Terrace, tucked into the middle of the City. It is a brilliant London reception venue with a big glass roofed courtyard that keeps the light soft all afternoon, whatever the weather is doing above it. The food was superb, and when the speeches began it was not just Khan who lost control of his emotions. Some of the most beautiful words I have heard at a wedding were shared that evening, and the tears went all the way round the room.

Wedding reception at Devonshire Terrace in the City of London - 2

Wedding reception at Devonshire Terrace in the City of London - 3

Wedding reception at Devonshire Terrace in the City of London - 4

Wedding reception at Devonshire Terrace in the City of London - 5

Wedding reception at Devonshire Terrace in the City of London - 6

Wedding reception at Devonshire Terrace in the City of London - 7

Wedding reception at Devonshire Terrace in the City of London - 8

Wedding reception at Devonshire Terrace in the City of London - 9

First Dance and Limoncello

All that was left was a first dance in front of everyone and the limoncello waiting on the tables. It may have been more than a sip. Days like this one are exactly why I photograph weddings the way I do, and I have written more about that here.

First dance and evening celebrations at Devonshire Terrace, London - 1

First dance and evening celebrations at Devonshire Terrace, London - 2

First dance and evening celebrations at Devonshire Terrace, London - 3

First dance and evening celebrations at Devonshire Terrace, London - 4

First dance and evening celebrations at Devonshire Terrace, London - 5

First dance and evening celebrations at Devonshire Terrace, London - 6

Oli, the photos are unbelievable and captured the day better than I could have hoped for. You’re an absolute star mate. We’re sitting in a Michelin star restaurant in Bath not eating because we are looking at the photos like is this actually real.

Mia & Khan

If you are planning a City of London wedding, there is more from nearby venues in Jordan and Anna’s day at the Barbican Conservatory and Jess and Tom’s wedding at The Ned. My London wedding photography page has the full picture, and every venue I know well is on the venues page.

Getting ready: Andaz Hotel, Liverpool Street
Ceremony: St Peter’s Church, Clerkenwell
Reception: Devonshire Terrace, City of London
Photography: Oliver Holder

Planning a City of London wedding? I would love to hear about it.

Get in Touch View Portfolio View Pricing

Oliver Holder