Winchester House Wedding Photography – Weddings in the Beautiful Putney
Abundant natural window light helps to make wedding photography at Winchester House a total joy to undertake.
Winchester House: an Elegant & Beautiful Wedding Venue
Winchester House describes itself as a ‘blank canvas wedding venue‘, which means that it is minimalist but with all its charm and elegance retained to help make your wedding day special.
The venue was probably built in the 1700s. I say ‘probably’ as there’s some dispute about this. The Winchester House Club states that it was built in the 17th century. They claim that Oliver Cromwell used the house for the Putney Debates and planted the Mulberry Tree in the garden that still fruits today.
The Winchester House Club formed in 1892 and is still active today, hosting sporting events and dinners.
Bride Helen walked down the aisle with her mother as guests looked on. I used a bit of fill-flash to capture this photo and bring out the details.
Are You Planning Your Wedding at Winchester House?I photograph discretely and unobtrusively to capture all the very best moments, leaving you to enjoy your day. With me as your wedding photographer, your memories will be in safe hands, so please get in touch any time to discuss… |
A shot from the back shows off the bride’s dress well and gives more of a sense of occasion.
Winchester House as a Wedding Venue
The house is quite secluded despite its prominent location on the Thames. With a medium-sized garden, it is perfect for drinks receptions.
Being minimalist means that the happy couple can mould and shape the venue into the vision they have for their wedding day, including adding their colour schemes and finishing touches. The decor is neutral and light, so whatever scheme you choose, it will perfectly blend in and work well. The team at Winchester House are happy to help with ideas and suggestions.
I moved further towards the back for a wider shot to capture more of the wedding guests for this overview. This photo gives a good view of the front of the ballroom with its stage and bay window.
Rooms Available for Wedding Use
The ballroom seats 100 guests or caters for 150 if it’s a standing reception. There’s a stage at the front where those making the speeches after the meal may stand. A band or DJ can also set up there for the evening dancing and entertainment.
Other spaces include the bar adjacent to the ballroom, which stays open throughout the wedding for guests to buy drinks and relax if they want somewhere quieter to sit. However, the bar is tiny, so there’s limited space.
The Wandsworth registrars are very relaxed about wedding photography and don’t mind me moving around to photograph shots such as this one.
The library is downstairs and leads onto the garden. The bride and bridal party may get ready there if required. It’s also where the drinks are served from after the ceremony. In nice weather, the drinks’ reception is on the lawn and the couple exit the building through the library in a shower of confetti.
Guests and the couple can also use the room after dinner. As the house staff clear the tables in preparation for the evening dancing and entertainment, guests move downstairs to relax in the library before the evening celebrations commence.
Closer in and a moment later, I capture some humour of the occasion. I use the natural window light for this photo – notice that this nicely illuminates the guests too.
A Calming, Approachable, Fun Presence…
Thank you so very much for your contribution to our wedding day at Winchester House on Saturday. You were such a calming, approachable, fun presence and we couldn’t be happier to have chosen you as our photographer. Thanks too for your amazing work on the slide show. I have already watched it 4 times! Thanks again, Guy. You have been great.
Helen & Dale
Sometimes rings aren't as easy to get on fingers as they should be... And I think that is the case here!
Build Your Own>> Bespoke Wedding Photography Package
There's comprehensive information on the Wandsworth Births, Deaths and Ceremonies page.
Wandsworth also allows the photographer to photograph and document the signing - many councils don't.
Top Location on the Thames in Putney
The venue backs on to the River Thames directly opposite Fulham Palace. It is a stone's throw from Putney Bridge and the underground station of the same name. It's easily accessible by bus (the 22 and 265 stop outside) and car with the M4 and South Circular being close by.
I always take a sequence of the couple walking back down the aisle. This was one in a series of 10.
The venue allows confetti in the back garden, which always makes a great photographic sequence.
Also Consider>> Pembroke Lodge in Richmond Park for Your Wedding.
A photo of a corner of the garden: The wall is low enough for views of the Thames and high enough up to offer privacy.
Wedding Catering at Winchester House
The venue's caterers, Create, can provide canapés and bowl food for guests to snack on during the post-ceremony drinks on the lawn. They are also keen to create the perfect dinner menu that flawlessly suits the couple's personalities and the guests' tastes. Having sampled their food, I can recommend it wholeheartedly!
This quick portrait of mother and son at the drinks' reception shows off the back of the house quite clearly.
The drinks' reception is primarily about congratulations and old friends catching up. I shoot in a fly on the wall style, preferring guests not to notice I'm training the camera on them.
As previously, the natural photos are the best and tell the story of the day. Every shot is a memory for the couple to have and take forward to look back on for years to come.
Of course, most couples like posed photos too, and I'm more than happy to take them. The garden gives a marvellous directional light that is very flattering.
During the posed shots, the guests monkeying around can make for some fun photos too.
Just before everyone goes up to the ballroom for the wedding breakfast is an excellent opportunity to take a big group shot of everyone. The Thames is a gorgeous backdrop to this.
Wedding duo The Belle and the Busker serenading Helen and Dale: Music during a wedding drinks reception makes for a more relaxing atmosphere.
Also Consider>> Fulham Library for Your Civil Marriage.
When everyone else has made their way to the ballroom is an excellent chance to photograph the couple on their own for a few minutes. Here, I've asked them to dance to capture some fun shots of them interacting.
The bride and groom's entrance: I take a break during dinner to have my meal and let the wedding party eat without worrying about photography.
The groom giving his speech: This shot gives a good impression of the ballroom's overall size and layout. This wedding had around 70 guests. Capacity is 100 for a seated wedding breakfast.
I like to shoot some reactions shoots whilst the speeches are on. Here the bride finds some of her new husband's speech very funny.
The toasts are a good time for some expressive shots and the clinking of glasses.
An unusual photo, which I love for its complexity: There's more going on than first meets the eye as the happy couple enjoy their guests after dinner.
The front of the Winchester House ballroom is a great spot for the wedding cake. The bride and groom cut the cake before the evening celebrations begin.
The couple go into their first dance when the house staff have cleared away some tables.
There follows several photos taken at Winchester House as the festivities continue...
Oh, dear! One of the guests enjoyed the day a little too much and has to be rescued by the bride...
...but he's OK and seems unscathed if a little sheepish!
Winchester House,
10 Lower Richmond Rd,
Putney,
London.
SW15 1JN.
www.winchesterhouseevents.co.uk
