I’ve explored every inch of this atmospheric venue
Why do I love shooting weddings at Asylum Chapel? Well, for me it was love at first sight. Or should I say love at first feel?
The chapel has a feeling, a vibe, an aura about it that feels grand and sanctimonious without feeling stuffy. There’s a sense of church, but also theatre. It feels very authentic and open to possibilities. Depending on the season you get different tones coming through in the photography – warmer for autumn and winter, because of the need for candle light and the lower sun levels.
The outside space at Asylum Chapel is the obvious place to meet and great and can be used really well for group shots and the confetti walk through. Lots of people serve drinks or ice cream out there in the summer months. Equally the inside space is great for a quick refreshment before moving on to your reception venue. I like to grab a few quick shots in the doorway before we head off – ask me for more info about how I squeeze the most out of your time at Asylum Chapel without keeping away from your guests for too long.
One of the most fun things about Asylum Chapel is that people tend to arrive and gather outside, totally unaware of what the building within holds for them. I love to capture the guests as they walk in. The look on their faces is always a joy.
As a photographer it’s is actually quite a difficult venue to shoot if you don’t think creatively. The way the light streams through those elevated windows on the back wall allow for some epic backlit portraits and I could never get enough of those blue crumbling walls. For me it’s the imperfections that make it so beautiful. Two of my favourite shots are the entrance and the exit of the people out of the back door; it’s as if people materialize out of nowhere on the way in and then evaporate on the way out.
I think what really hits hard for me is that Asylum Chapel allows for freedom and creativity. If you want to tell a theatrical story as part of your ceremony, you can. If you want to toast your vows with Champagne, you also can. You can stand, you can sit or move around however you like. You can do cartwheels down the aisle if you fancy it. You can be you.
It’s absolutely because of this I shoot some of my most favourite ceremonies at Asylum Chapel. They are often celebrant or even friend-led and therefore very, very funny, and they are always incredibly personal to the couple. I love to shoot the emotional responses to these wedding ceremonies.
Don’t forget to ask me who my favourite celebrants are when you book – I’ve worked with some of the best!
