Kew Gardens wedding on film
KEW GARDENS WEDDING on KODAK FILM
This Kew Gardens wedding on film was full of quiet magic, subtle style, and the kind of love that’s been building for years. Hannah and Brad met as teenagers, and the day felt like a natural continuation of that. Not performative, just totally them.
Hannah wore Vivienne Westwood (a dream in every kind of light), and works there too, so naturally the tailoring across the board was spot-on. Brad surprised her on the morning of the wedding with a vintage Rolls Royce to take her to the ceremony at Kew Gardens, and her reaction said everything. A total dream moment and the stars aligned for one of my favourite wedding photos. The veil! The light! The medium format Kodak Gold!
The whole day took place in and around the iconic Kew Gardens, one of my all-time favourite venues for light, space, and a sense of quiet wonder. The glasshouses, the trees, the golden hour glow – it’s made for film. I shot the whole day on Kodak Portra 400 and 800, with a bit of Ultramax for flash work and Kodak Gold medium format for the portraits. Ilford HP5 when the light dipped, pushing where needed and letting the grain sing.
GOLF CART PORTRAITS
After the ceremony, we hopped into a little golf cart (the only way to travel through Kew in heels and film gear) and wound through the gardens for portraits. And in one of my favourite moments of the day, Hannah and Brad chose to do their personal vows privately, during this time. Something I suggested partly to give them something real to anchor the portraits, but mostly to keep that moment just for them. No crowd, no mic, just the two of them. And me hiding behind a tree out of earshot. It was beautiful. Maybe we won’t mention crashing the golf cart..
Hannah’s wedding ring was by Benjamin Hawkins, and that same sense of care and craft carried through the entire day. Nothing forced, nothing overdone. Just impeccable taste, deep love, and a killer eye for detail. And check out her shoes!! Pink shoes for the win. I was not surprised to see this lovely bride on the mic, singing her heart out at her own wedding reception. What a day!
VENDOR LOVE
Photography: Kate Bunny Hampson
Venue: Kew Gardens
Hannah’s dress: Vivienne Westwood
Rings: Benjamin Hawkins
Film Lab: Labyrinth
Shot on: Kodak Portra 400 / 800 / Gold 120 | Ultramax
