Richmond Wedding Photographer | Winter Wedding at York House, Twickenham
Winter Wedding At York House, Twickenham
Late last year, I had the pleasure of photographing a winter wedding at York House in Twickenham. It’s a venue I know well and genuinely enjoy working at - if you’ve read some of my previous blog posts, you’ll already know it’s one of my favourite London wedding venues.
York House is a beautiful Grade II listed building set right by the River Thames, with well-kept gardens that always make the perfect backdrop for wedding photography. It’s home to the Town Hall of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, and offers several licensed spaces for wedding ceremonies, including the Terrace Room and the Salon. Most weddings I’ve photographed here have taken place in the Terrace Room, so I was especially looking forward to this one—it was my first time photographing a ceremony in the Salon.
York House Wedding Photography
The couple had planned a small, relaxed ceremony that brought together friends and family from across the UK and Cyprus. There was a quiet warmth to the day, and the ceremony itself was very touching - full of laughter, emotion, and a few happy tears. After the ceremony, everyone moved into the Winter Garden, a beautiful room at the back of the building overlooking the gardens. Here, guests were welcomed with drinks and canapés, and the atmosphere quickly shifted into celebration mode. This part of the day is always one I enjoy. With the formalities behind them, people naturally relax into the moment. I often use my long lens when photographing the drinks reception as it allows me to capture conversations and interactions as they happen, without disturbing or directing.
Later, I stepped outside with the newly wedded couple to take a few portraits in the gardens. Even in winter, York House Gardens have a lot to offer visually. Bare branches, the restored Japanese garden, the sunkan garden and of course the Oceanids (or Naked Ladies) fountain. We were lucky with the weather too: a clear, crisp day with a low golden sun that made everything feel calm and bright. For privacy reasons, I can’t share the full set of photographs here, but the portraits we created in that the golden hour light were pure magic.
Couple portraits on Richmond hill
Once the group was ready, we made our way over to Richmond Hill Hotel, just a short drive away. The couple chose this spot because of the time they’d spent together on Richmond Hill in the early days of their relationship. We arrived at the perfect time, just as the sun was setting, casting warm colours across the hill. Considering the grey skies we’d had in the days leading up to the wedding, it felt like we hit jackpot. We took a few more wedding portraits here, soaking up the rays and taking a moment to relect.
Richmond Hill Hotel: The Perfect London Wedding Venue
Richmond Hill Hotel was looking particularly festive, with winter decorations outside and cosy details indoors. I’d visited before during my time living in Richmond and while teaching kids & teens photography workshops with Sharp Shots Photo Club—but this was my first time there as a Richmond wedding photographer. The outside and the inside of the hotel felt very Christmasy with the enterence decorated with a beautiful winter arch display, and stunning christmas trees inside the reception room. It all looked like the perfect setting for the fist wedding dinner and speaches, with friends and family members speaking between courses and creating a fun, vibrant and uplifting atmosphere to the evening. There was no sense of rush—just people enjoying themselves and celebrating love two people have for each other.
Soon after the speaches were done, it was my time to leave. But not before I took one last shot. A ‘portrait’ of a very special present which arrived some time in February and which I cannot wait to meet and photograph very soon!
Richmond Wedding Photographer
If you are planning a wedding at York House, Twichenham or at Richmond Hill Hotel (or both), and you would like to discuss different photography packages, please get in touch. I try to be as flexible as possible and cater for couple’s needs when it comes to photography coverage, so drop a line or give me a call to get your custom wedding photography quote. I look forward to hearing from you!
About Me
I am a London and Surrey wedding and family portrait photographer, with a focus on natural, honest storytelling. Rather than heavily staged photos, I focus on real moments—quiet gestures, shared glances, and the atmosphere that makes each wedding feel personal. I aim to create images that feel true to the people in them, and to the day as it unfolded.
If that sounds like the kind of photographer you’re looking for, I’d love to hear from you.
Richmond Upon Thames Wedding Photographer | York House Wedding
York House Wedding Venue | Richmond upon Thames Wedding
I have been incredibly lucky over the years to have photographed several weddings (and a couple of music events) at York House in Twickenham. Back in the day, when I lived just down the road it was one of my favourite places to visit on a weekend and enjoy the magnificent gardens which stretch all the way to the River Thames. York House serves as the Town Hall of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, and is licensed for wedding ceremonies and other events. The beautiful Grade II listed building provides several rooms for wedding ceremonies, certain rooms can be hired for wedding receptions, and the stunning gardens are the perfect backdrop for wedding photography.
York House Wedding
I was contacted by a couple last year and asked if I could photograph their multi-cultural wedding at York House in Twickenham. I was immediately excited by the prospect of photographing a wedding there, and was incredibly pleased when the couple confirmed they wanted my photography services for the day.
An Intimate Wedding at York House in Twickenham
It was a small intimate wedding, with many friends and family members coming from different corners of the world, including Germany, Argentina and Colombia to celebrate their love. It was a gorgeous ceremony, filled with poetry, music, laughter and lots of emotions.
Wedding Portrait Photography
While the guests were enjoying a glass of champagne and a picnic in the gardens of York House, the wedding couple and myself snuck out for a brief moment of quiet, and to take a few wedding portraits. As the wedding took place on the last day of school, the gardens were teeming with excited school children, so certain places like the Sunken Garden were out of question for photography. Luckily, elsewhere was quiet so we settled by the river to take wedding portraits. The River Thames provided a stunning backdrop, so I photographed the couple together and individually at the same location.
The Wedding Dress
The bride wore an intricate lace gown with stunning trim detail and shaped trail. The gown was from Justin Alexander with Lillian West and was purchased from London Bride UK. It was absolutely breathtaking, fitting the bride like a custom-made dress.
The flowers were a gift from the bride’s Argentinian family as many of them couldn't make it to the UK ceremony. The lovely folk from Streets in St Margaret’s created the gorgeous wedding bouquet and other flower arrangements. Streets Florist & Greengrocer is a small family business where I used to buy flowers, as well as fruit & vegetables during my Saturday morning routine in St Margaret’s; thinking of it always brings fond memories of my life in my 20s and early 30s.
This specific York House Wedding was truly special. From the people who attended, to the details throughout the wedding ceremony, to the fun picnic in the gardens, and the wedding couple’s attire. It had it all - class, elegance, joy, laughter, tears and lots and lots of love.
I am a professional wedding photographer based in Surrey. I work all across Surrey, London and the South East, documenting wedding days as they unfold - from the wedding preparations through to the first dance.
You can read more about wedding photography here, and you can look through the various packages on offer on my Prices page. In addition to the whole-day and half-day packages, I offer hourly-based photography coverage, so if you are planning a wedding and would like to discuss your requirements, please get in touch. I would love to hear from you.