Naz & Alkesh // A One Whitehall Place Wedding

I met Alkesh and Naz at a coffee shop near London Liverpool Street station and knew straight away that this was a couple I really wanted to a wedding photographer for. Super lovely people whose priorities for the photography was pictures of their family. Their chosen venue was the magnificent One Whitehall Place near Embankment in central London. I got there early on the day to scope the place out. It was as spectacular as it looked online! Attached to their sister property, the five-star Royal Horseguards Hotel, One Whitehall Place has a number of stunning suites available for weddings. If you’re after a grand central London venue with views of the River Thames, this could be the one for you! I certainly enjoyed being a One Whitehall Place Wedding Photographer for the day and have another booking for this venue which I’m really happy about as it is quite something!

A superbly groomed Alkesh, his best man, and his talented tailor arrived a little later to check that everything was ready. Alkesh was keen to have everything perfect for Naz. I left the boys after a little while to take a few photos of Naz getting ready. I was also introduced to her bridesmaids and some of her close family members including her super cute nephew and nieces. With the earlier words of Naz telling me “family is most important” I got to work capturing some moments between them and in particular the kids and their playful antics! As you can see, Naz looked completely stunning.

The ceremony set in the Reading and Writing room with huge chandeliers hanging from the ceiling was really lovely. It also included a gospel choir who entertained everyone again after the ceremony in the adjourning room whilst drinks and canapes were served. After Naz and Alkesh had a chance to chat with most of their guests we popped onto a balcony to get a few quick shots of them before taking the group shots. We took lots of them and it was hard to choose one or two to put here so I decided not to share any but instead show some of the children who pinched my photography umbrellas and decided to make dens with them 😉 To be fair they put them to great use.

I probably say this a lot on my blog posts but the food was AMAZING. Naz and Alkesh were kind enough to feed me too and boy was I happy with that. They have an amazing chef at this venue. To my embarrassment, I reminded a waiter that I hadn’t had my main yet when I was being served a dessert straight after the starter. I believe “entremets” was the reply. Something to cleanse the palate before the main. Nice.

The speeches were that special combination of funny and touching and the first dance beautiful. Johnny B entertained singing solo with an acoustic guitar. He was great and I was struck by how varied Naz and Alkesh’s musical taste was. We’d had an awesome gospel group, now a fantastic acoustic singer, and DJ Dee and DJ Kash Kid was yet to come! Before the party really kicked off we got a few more portrait shots on the stairs. Alkesh and Naz then sensibly decided to get changed into their evening clothes ready to take the night on. As they left I popped outside and tested out a portrait idea with a willing couple on the entrance to One Whitehall Place. When N & A returned refreshed, they were keen to join their party and party they did! It was an epic night which included dance offs and the lovely couple being hoisted into the air!

It was a joy to be a One Whitehall Place Wedding Photographer for the day as it was one of those weddings where everything came together – an amazing couple, their lovely family and friends over the moon to see them so happy; and a stunning venue whose staff did everything they possibly could to make this day perfect. Thanks so much Naz and Alkesh. I won’t be forgetting this one for a while!