The Goring Hotel London Wedding // Caiti & Will
Small doesn’t mean any less special.
Back in March with the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown just hours away, this Goring Hotel London wedding very nearly didn’t happen.
Full credit is due to this amazing couple for bringing the whole wedding together in little over a week, overcoming every possible curveball life could throw at them. With dates amended, venues changed, flights rebooked, live stream scheduled, ceremony adapted and guest list entirely rewritten, Will & Caiti resolutely went about getting the deed done.
With The Goring Hotel closing its doors to the public for the first time in its 100 year history, the wedding party was given the run of the entire hotel…I’m not sure Kate Middleton or even Churchill was ever afforded this level of exclusivity!
As Caiti’s family had travelled in from Australia it was only fitting that her dad lead the intimate wedding ceremony at the Goring Hotel in front of 8 of their nearest and dearest. After a flurry of morning preparations, Caiti finally emerged into the sun drenched garden room looking an absolute picture of Aussie perfection in her stunning Pronovias dress.
After prayers were prayed and vows spoken, an overwhelming (and very audible) sense of relief swept through the small gathering. The million stressful pieces had finally fallen into place and nothing now could prevent this couple from tying the knot.
If entirely re-planning one wedding ceremony wasn’t difficult enough, then how about two? In order to make the marriage official, the wedding party decanted into London cabs only to regroup a short distance away at Christ Church Mayfair. With only 2 witnesses allowed inside, the families formed an eager huddle around an iPad to join the 150 guests logging into the live stream from their kitchen tables.
It was now our turn to say a quick prayer to the autofocus gods as we waited nervously outside with our cameras merrily snapping away on remote timers. As the couple emerged triumphant we seized the opportunity for a short, yet very surreal walk to grab a few portraits in the eerily deserted Mayfair streets. The day ended with a sumptuous spread back at the Goring Hotel followed by a round of emotion packed speeches and long distance well-wishings.
Although 2020 has so far proved difficult for couples and suppliers alike, it’s weddings like Will & Caiti’s that gives us hope as to what lies ahead for those couples forced, in the short term at least, to plan smaller and more intimate celebrations. I’m struggling to remember a day so ram packed with emotion, joy, laughter, tears and smiles!
A few words of wedded wisdom from us…small definitely doesn’t mean any less special!
The Goring Hotel Wedding London // Creative London Wedding Photographer: The Shannons Photography // Wedding Dress: Pronovias // Grooms Suit: Neil & Palmer // Videography: Jane Louise Films // London Elopement Wedding Photographer: The Shannons Photography
