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Phil & Christian | Civil Partnership

February 13, 2011 · 46 Comments

There’s no two ways about it, Phil & Christian’s Civil Partnership at the Gherkin was the perfect way to kick off the new year. The day started at Andaz Liverpool Street where the boys and their families were getting ready. Everyone was in such high spirits and you couldn’t detect even a hit of nerves, but you could feel the excitement building as the big moment drew closer and we made our way to St Mary Axe at the top of the Gherkin. What followed was a truly moving ceremony, with the whole room filled with such joy.

Yes Events made sure that everything looked absolutely amazing and ran smoothly, and Rebel Rebel had created the most incredible flowers, which transformed the space completely and accentuated the incredible views. There was such attention to detail with every aspect of the day, not least with the out-of-this-world bespoke wedding cake, featuring Phil & Chris’ three cats, created by Choccywoccydoodah – it truly was a work of art.

One of the most memorable moments of the day caught me a bit off guard. The boys had me completely fooled earlier, assuring me there would be no ‘proper’ first dance, as they would rather everyone just got on the dance floor together right from the start. It takes a lot to surprise me, but when after the cake cutting they went straight into a surprise dance routine, choreographed to Kate Bush’s Wuthering Heights, I was pretty much gobsmacked! Now there’s a first dance I won’t forget in a hurry.

There ain’t no party like a Wedding Smashers party is a fact that gets proven every time I have the pleasure of working with this amazing team of DJs, and as always, they had the dance floor heaving right from the start. And from what I hear, that’s the way it stayed until the end of the night.

I’m so happy we got to be a part of this incredible day. Thank you so much Phil & Chris, you do know how to throw a party!

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Categories : WEDDINGS Tagged : creative wedding reportage, Love Affair with London, Phil & Christian, The Andaz, The Gherkin, wedding photographer, Wedding photography, Weddings, winter wedding

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Comments

  1. Shella says

    February 14, 2011 at 12:28 am

    Kapow! What a way to start the year Marianne. Beautiful work as always – with a stunning CP to boot :) <3

    Reply
  2. Lunara says

    February 14, 2011 at 1:00 am

    So beautiful!

    Reply
  3. Ali Walker says

    February 14, 2011 at 2:49 am

    Marianne, your work is consistently stunning. These images are amazing and brought tears to my eyes. What a joyous occasion. You did it justice.

    Reply
    • Marianne says

      February 17, 2011 at 6:01 pm

      That’s so sweet of you to say Ali… thank you. x

      Reply
  4. sam hurd says

    February 14, 2011 at 3:53 am

    what an awesome set of images! really like what they’re wearing too :)

    Reply
  5. Kyle says

    February 14, 2011 at 5:02 am

    Marianne, you’re so good it’s not even funny. These images are so real and emotional. You do great work.

    Reply
    • Marianne says

      February 17, 2011 at 6:01 pm

      Thank you so much Kyle. x

      Reply
  6. Xanthe Roxburgh says

    February 14, 2011 at 5:23 am

    Okay this is such a stylish wedding! And wow, what a location. I love the series of the two men immediately following the “I love you” photo, they both look so thrilled. Everything in these photos looks joyous, beautifully captured Marianne!

    Reply
  7. Mark Quade says

    February 14, 2011 at 8:44 am

    What an amazing wedding!! You completely ROCKED this Marianne. Simply amazing!!

    Reply
  8. Albert Palmer says

    February 14, 2011 at 9:25 am

    Spectacular. I particularly like the ‘first dance’ photo of them hugging – very emotional. Also, that cake needs to be featured.

    Reply
    • Marianne says

      February 17, 2011 at 6:00 pm

      Thanks Bert. Yes, the cake was crazy amazing.

      Reply
  9. Kirsten Mavric says

    February 14, 2011 at 10:13 am

    My God!!! Great wedding! Looks like such a happy day and you shot it beautifully.

    Reply
  10. Matthew Mead says

    February 14, 2011 at 11:02 am

    What a stunning wedding location. Love the ring shot.

    Reply
  11. Julianne Markow says

    February 14, 2011 at 12:42 pm

    I was amazed going through your post, just one great photo after another! You captured the spirit of everything from the grooms to their families and friends beautifully! They must love their photos!

    Reply
    • Marianne says

      February 17, 2011 at 5:58 pm

      Thanks so much. I hope they do! :)

      Reply
  12. EmmaB says

    February 14, 2011 at 3:27 pm

    Marianne, your work is so inspiring! These are sooo beautiful, that first one shot from above looking out of the window gave me chills! :)

    Reply
  13. gabe aceves says

    February 14, 2011 at 3:38 pm

    marianne, you are a brilliant photographer. beautiful stuff all around. i dig.

    Reply
    • Marianne says

      February 17, 2011 at 5:57 pm

      Ta muchly.

      Reply
  14. Elissa says

    February 14, 2011 at 5:10 pm

    What an awesome venue… were they actually IN the big spiral building? I love all of the angles you covered. You are so talented.

    Reply
    • Marianne says

      February 17, 2011 at 5:57 pm

      Yup, actually inside it. :)

      Reply
  15. Shari DeAngelo says

    February 14, 2011 at 5:41 pm

    Now THAT looks like a fun wedding! Amazing location, decor and the images you got are just breathtaking, Marianne. Full of WOW!

    Reply
    • Marianne says

      February 17, 2011 at 5:56 pm

      Thanks so much. It was rather fabulous, such attention to detail.

      Reply
  16. Adam Houseman says

    February 14, 2011 at 6:37 pm

    Incredible! Just incredible. Amazing post Marianne. The work is phenomenal. Phil and Christian, you two look awesome together!

    Reply
  17. JOE says

    February 14, 2011 at 7:27 pm

    what an amazing looking venue! Gorgeous work!

    Reply
  18. Paul Rowland says

    February 14, 2011 at 9:51 pm

    That’s one of the coolest venues to have a wedding I’ve ever seen. Amazing work – especially love the reception (after dark!) pictures.

    Reply
    • Marianne says

      February 17, 2011 at 5:56 pm

      It is pretty cool even if I say so myself. :D

      Reply
  19. Matthew says

    February 15, 2011 at 7:57 am

    Awesome coverage, you killed it for real mate!

    Reply
    • Marianne says

      February 17, 2011 at 5:55 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  20. Becca Dilley says

    February 15, 2011 at 7:26 pm

    What a beautiful wedding! You have such an amazing eye for details, it feels like I am there celebrating as well.

    Reply
    • Marianne says

      February 17, 2011 at 5:55 pm

      Aww thanks so much. x

      Reply
  21. Christina Brosnan says

    February 17, 2011 at 11:52 am

    Wow Marianne! I’m so excited for my civil partnership I have later this year! What a superb venue with plenty of light!

    Reply
    • Marianne says

      February 17, 2011 at 5:55 pm

      Yes, was nice to be there in daylight. Last time it was just the evening reception so it was already dark when we got there.

      Reply
  22. Laura Burlton says

    February 17, 2011 at 5:41 pm

    How utterly lovely!

    I have always wondered what that building looked like from the inside :)

    Reply
    • Marianne says

      February 17, 2011 at 5:54 pm

      You definitely feel high up in there!

      Reply
  23. David Fenwick says

    February 17, 2011 at 6:51 pm

    Another inspiring selection of images Marianne. Plus what a venue!

    Reply
  24. Nick says

    February 20, 2011 at 10:14 am

    Amazing photographs and a spectacular venue. That is one crazy cake!

    Reply
  25. Thomas James says

    February 21, 2011 at 9:19 am

    Amazing venue.
    Amazing couple.

    New favourite Wedding set

    Reply
  26. Alen Abdula says

    February 25, 2011 at 3:09 pm

    Amazing photos. Lovely couple. Right Venue.

    Reply
  27. François Bergeron says

    February 25, 2011 at 10:26 pm

    The ceremony and reception photos are amazing!

    Reply
  28. andy stenz says

    March 5, 2011 at 1:19 pm

    i love his red jacket! i also love your compositions and framing!

    Reply
  29. Heather says

    March 17, 2011 at 12:53 pm

    Wow! What a venue! Gorgeous!

    Reply
    • Michael Antony says

      February 17, 2012 at 4:12 pm

      Really enjoyed looking through your photos. The building looks spectacular in the evening with all the purple lighting and you nailed the photography in them conditions!

      Reply
  30. Harry Richards says

    May 12, 2015 at 3:52 pm

    Really impressive how you’ve managed to keep these pictures so intimate while allowing the vistas enough room in the frame to breath.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Tweets that mention Phil & Christian | Civil Partnership « London Wedding Photographer Marianne Taylor | Creative wedding reportage photography covering London, UK and overseas | Blog -- Topsy.com says:
    February 14, 2011 at 12:52 pm

    […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by LeeAnn Townsend, Gioia . Gioia said: https://www.mariannetaylorphotography.co.uk/blog/phil-christian-civil-partnership :O Londoooon *___* http://fb.me/UdyWHo3Q […]

    Reply
  2. Alison & Anna | Civil Partnership « London Wedding Photographer Marianne Taylor | Creative wedding reportage photography covering London, UK and overseas | Blog says:
    November 24, 2011 at 4:39 pm

    […] and when that it applies on a grander scale, it is even more satisfying. We started the year with Phil & Christian’s Civil Partnership celebrations at 30 St Mary Axe aka the Gherkin, and in what seems like the perfect closing of the […]

    Reply
  3. The Weirdest And Wackiest Wedding Venues In London says:
    November 27, 2024 at 4:20 am

    […] [Marianne Taylor Photography]Not for the faint-hearted, ceremonies held at this iconic London venue take place on level 39 with breath-taking 360 degree views of the city. After the ceremony your guests can venture 180 metres from ground level for drinks and canapés under the glass dome of the Gherkin, whilst you have your picture taken against possibly the best backdrop…ever? JUST THINK OF ALL THE FACEBOOK LIKES! […]

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