A beautiful wintertime London wedding integrating Chinese and Western Tradition

May 19, 2020 Real Wedding Features

Today I am thrilled to share this beautiful wintertime London wedding integrating Chinese and Western tradition with pretty red and blue detailing.

Images were captured by Berni Palumbo Photography.

Berni is a creative and documentary wedding and portrait photographer based in Berkshire but covering, London, the UK, Italy and worldwide.

Berni says of the couple and their lovely London wedding day…

TK and Bradley got in touch for the first time at the end of 2018, just over a year before their 2020 wedding.

As I often do with my couples, we met in person at a local café, and after just a brief chat, I knew they were my kinda couple.

With Bradley in charge of most of the planning, they were both genuinely focused on creating a relaxed celebration for them and their guests.

A day that was authentic to who they were and far from any current trend in the wedding industry.

Their gorgeous attire was created by their dear friend Lyndsey from Lyndsey Clark Boutique with headpieces by Adrienne Henry Millinery.

What makes them really special is that they were actively co-designed by the couple as a homage to TK’s heritage.

In accord with the Chinese nuptial tradition, the bride was wearing a red gown with golden inserts but the shape was inspired by the Western tradition: a lovely way to integrate both her roots.

On the blue inserts on the corset, Bradley initials were inserted and even the choice of jewellery had a special personal meaning for TK.

The wedding invite was handpainted by Bradley’s mum in line with the wedding theme, while the beautiful origami bouquet was handmade by the groom as a gift to his spouse.

The ceremony was held in the crypt at St. Paul’s Cathedral.

There is no doubt that St. Paul’s is one of the most spectacular venues one can imagine getting married in, but from a photographer’s point of view though, the cathedral offers a few challenges.

There are very strict limitations on what photographers are allowed to do in the crypt (where most ceremonies happen), while the cathedral is of course always very busy with tourists and general public.

This said it was such an incredible experience for me and my lovely second-shooter Kat, and the atmosphere was just magical.

The ceremony was followed by some drinks at the rooftop restaurant at the Madison, and then a beautifulreception at the beautiful Skinners’ Hall.

The atmospheric Hall was TK and Bradley’s location of choice for their wedding breakfast.

Having met each other through tango lessons, it was only to expect that the first dance had to be incredible.

With all their tango friends joining in, it really felt like a scene out of a movie.

It was a perfect ending to a beautiful day and likely one of the smoothest, most enjoyable events I have ever photographed.