Town hall ceremony, London bus, street-style portraits, incredible food and a party that kicked off at 3pm. Meleesha and Ben’s wedding at The Libertine had basically EVERYTHING I love, all packed into one boiling hot summer’s day.

This was colourful London vibes from start to finish. It was the height of summer, the guests were in bright, bold outfits, and the couple did things completely their way. Very visual, very fun, very me!

“…Amazing photos without spending huge chunks of the day posing. He completely understood the brief and made the whole experience feel easy.”

Getting ready in Bow

The day started at a house in Bow, where Meleesha was getting ready with her friends. It was brilliantly chaotic and chatty, with lots of laughing and hugs. Then I jumped in a cab with Meleesha and her dad and we headed over to Hackney.

Street-style portraits in Hackney

Meleesha and Ben decided to meet up before the ceremony, which meant we could get most of their couple photos done early, out on the streets of Hackney. I used to live there, so it was fun to take them on a quick tour. We wandered around London Fields and then found a photo booth to have a bit of a laugh with.

There was no awkward posing and no standing about. We just walked, chatted, and I captured what happened as we went. This is where my fashion background really comes out to play. I’m always on the lookout for that street-style editorial look, with good light, bold colour and a bit of attitude, whilst staying relaxed people can just be themselves.

It was 28–30 degrees that day, so we kept things short, shady and chilled. Nobody wants to melt before the ceremony!

“Ben took some amazing street-style portraits that have become our favourite couple photos.”

A ceremony in the Atrium

Then it was over to join their guests at the Town Hall for the ceremony in the Atrium. It’s my favourite space, and I’ve photographed there quite a few times now, including a Fred and Darling’s wedding at Hackney Town Hall.

Meleesha and Ben came in together via the lift and walked up the aisle side by side. I absolutely loved it. No rules, no “this is how it’s supposed to be done,” just two people doing their wedding exactly the way they wanted.

All aboard the London bus!

After a few photos outside with family, it was time for the bit I always look forward to. My city weddings just aren’t complete without a London bus, so on we hopped!

Reception at The Libertine

The Libertine is a proper hidden gem. You go through an unassuming door on Cornhill and down a spiral staircase into the vaults beneath The Royal Exchange. Under those vaulted arches, which once guarded London’s spices, silks and gold, is now a bar and restaurant that’s absolutely made for a party. It even sits on the site where the very first royal alcohol licence in Britain was granted. Fitting, really, given how the rest of the night went!

The tables were candlelit, and the atmosphere was moody and gorgeous. It’s also seriously handy for a central London wedding, just a minute’s walk from Bank station.

Party vibes from 3pm (my favourite kind)

Meleesha and Ben came in, made some speeches straight away, and the party started right from the off at about 3pm. Perfect for me. I bloody love a party! There was a guitarist playing, so everyone had a little dance before they sat down for dinner and more speeches from family and friends. What a great group of people.

From a photography point of view, The Libertine is a brilliant challenge. Candlelit vaults look gorgeous, but they’re DARK. I spent the whole reception juggling flash, bouncing it off the arches when I could and going direct when I needed to, depending on where I was in relation to the action. It’s tricky, but trust me, that atmospheric light is so worth it.

“He has an incredible ability to capture all the special moments without ever feeling intrusive – he caught every laugh, hug and little interaction that made the day so special. Looking through the gallery, you can really feel the energy of the day.”

The food was amazing. It also happened to be the Champions League final, so there were plenty of guests secretly (ish?) keeping an eye on the score while tucking into scallops and steak. Multitasking at its finest.

Cocktails, an awesome band and a confession

Next came cocktail hour and then an awesome band. I had a great time chatting with them… and then accidentally ate the singer’s veggie meal. Sorry! In my defence, it was very good.

After that, it was an all-out party. Super lively, packed dance floor, absolute carnage of the best kind. I played around with some blurry motion shots to capture the energy of the night (and a London bus), and I ended up staying on late because I was having too much fun to leave. They were an incredible bunch of people, and the whole day was absolutely my thing!

“His energy is infectious; he puts everyone at ease, and it feels like having a friend there celebrating with you rather than just someone taking photos. If you’re looking for someone who captures fun, candid, and beautiful moments, Ben is the photographer for you.”

Supplier shout-outs

Venue: The Libertine
Florist: Sweet Pea Floral Atelier
MUA: Nicola Beddoes
Suit designer: Sartoria Rossi
Live Music: Be the One Band
Stationery: Eleanor Isobelle

Planning a wedding at The Libertine? A few tips from me

• Embrace the dark. The candlelit vaults are what make this venue so atmospheric. A photographer who’s comfortable with flash in low light will make that work for you, not against you.
• Get your couple photos done outside first. Daylight portraits on the streets before you head underground give you a lovely contrast with the moody evening shots.
• Make the journey part of the day. The Libertine is in the heart of the City, so a London bus from your ceremony is the perfect excuse for some fun, chaotic photos on the way.

The Libertine wedding FAQs

Where is The Libertine?
The Libertine is at 1a Royal Exchange, Cornhill, EC3V 3LL, in the vaults beneath The Royal Exchange. It’s about a 1-minute walk from Bank station and around 10 minutes on foot from Liverpool Street.

How many guests can The Libertine hold?
The Libertine can host receptions for up to 150 guests dining, with space for a DJ or band and a dancefloor.

What’s the food like at The Libertine?
Meleesha and Ben’s guests had scallops and steak, and it was amazing! They serve seasonal food made with quality produce, from canapés to three-course dining, alongside a huge list of wines, cocktails, and beers.

Can you have live music at The Libertine?
Yes. The Libertine has staging and live music, plus DJ and AV equipment. Meleesha and Ben had a guitarist during the afternoon and a band for the evening party.

Is The Libertine good for wedding photography?
Absolutely, if your photographer is comfortable in low light. The vaulted arches and candlelit tables look incredible but are dark, so flash skills are a must. Pairing it with daytime street portraits around London works brilliantly.

Planning your own wedding at The Libertine, Hackney Town Hall or anywhere else in London? If you want colourful, fun, editorial-style photos without hours of awkward posing, let’s chat!