London portrait and wedding photographer Marianne Taylor

Katie & Alphonse | Together

January 20, 2014 · 4 Comments

After wall to wall rain, it seemed like a little miracle when, for the couple of hours we spent together with Katie & Alphonse for their London engagement session, the sun came to play, only to retreat back behind the rainclouds the minute we were done. It was such a pleasure to spend time with Katie & Alphonse, in fact, I think what actually happens is that these two generate their own sunshine, so joyous was their energy together. I hope you’ll have the most beautiful wedding back in California! x

The Year in Pictures

December 30, 2013 · 18 Comments

Favourite images from 2013 by Marianne Taylor Photography.

I can’t quite comprehend that 2013 is over already! I genuinely feel like I was only just getting used to writing out the correct year, and now we’re suddenly hurtling into 2014! Whoa.

Looking back at the year, it was packed full of good stuff, though. So many lovely weddings and together sessions, a lot of travel and good times with friends. Many new adventures, challenges and opportunities embarked upon.

It looks like 2013 was full of love & kisses between beautiful people, it’s just a shame it didn’t stick around for longer!

Nina & Ben | Wedding

September 27, 2013 · 4 Comments

Nina & Ben’s (who’s engagement session you might have seen a while back) wedding meant a return to Andaz Liverpool Street, a venue very close to my heart. It’s always such a pleasure to work there, now with the current wedding planner, Karly Hunt.

After Nina got her hair and makeup done by Sarah Crick-Linton, and got dressed into her beautiful Pronovias gown and super stylish LK Bennett shoes, the lovely humanist ceremony took place in the Bishopsgate Room. Marianne from Sweetpea Flowers, created the stunning (as always!) flowers that set the tone for the whole day, along with the stationery by Minted. After the ceremony, it was time for cocktails in the Gallery.

For the reception, we ascended to the sublime 1901 Restaurant, where the amazing Chateau Macaron cake took centre stage. All the tables were numbered with champagne bottles Nina & Ben had collected from special moments in their life, a very sweet touch! The day was filled with so much love, laughter and Jager bombs, I just loved it all. It was also a beautiful mix of English and German (from Nina’s side) traditions.

What a joy it was to be back at The Andaz, and to get to be a part of Nina & Ben’s gorgeous day! Thank you so much for having us, you are amazing. x

Marianne Taylor creative fine art wedding reportage photography

Marianne Taylor creative fine art wedding reportage photography

Alana & Daniel | Together

August 13, 2013 · 4 Comments

I know it’s been a bit quiet on the blog, sorry about that! This summer has been full of so many lovely weddings, that can’t quite keep up with sharing them. In the meanwhile, here’s a cute London engagement session with Alana & Daniel who are getting married next year in Sweden where they live (can’t wait!). They wanted to do an engagement session in their native country, and we chose Green Park as the location for it’s lovely green backdrop. Beautiful light and a happy couple, what more could I ask for?

Lisa & Ben | Together

July 23, 2013 · 8 Comments

Sometimes you don’t even need to have a language in common in order to learn about a couple and the happiness they share, as Lisa & Ben’s London Beloved session showed. We had such a lovely time walking around some of the places they’d seen on my blog and wanted to visit for their session. And afterwards, seeing Lisa’s daughter’s translations to some of my questions made me fall in love with these two all over again. Honestly, truly seeing and appreciating each other for who we are is just the best. The best.

Caroline & Andrew | Wedding

July 19, 2013 · 21 Comments

A beautiful summer’s day, a blooming English garden, some ice cream & Pimm’s and a beaming bride and groom – this is what good days are made of. Caroline & Andrew’s wedding was an absolute joy from start to finish.

Getting ready at her parents house, Caroline and her bridesmaids were made to look (even more) gorgeous by the talented Gemma Sutton who was in charge of makeup and hair. When Caroline finally got into her beautiful wedding gown by The Vintage Wedding Dress Company, slipped on her shoes and veil, and held her amazingly pretty bouquet by Kate Avery Flowers, she looked absolutely breathtaking.

After a ceremony at St Bartholomew’s Church in Haslemere, we headed back to the house where the garden had been transformed into the perfect venue for a cocktail party and where Daisy the Vintage Ice Cream Van was waiting for us, before moving into the prettiest marquee for the wedding breakfast. It was such a joy to see the adorable stationery designed by my former bride Flo of Charlie Scribble, and more gorgeous flowers by Kate Avery filling the space. Tandem Catering was in charge of the food, and took brilliant care of us, too. The gorgeous cake was by Rosalind Miller. One of the special touches of the day was a surprise where one person from each table had been chosen to be the designated carver for the dinner, complete with getting kitted out in chef’s outfits (which were such a hit some didn’t take them off all night!).

After the first dance, we went for a last hunt for the setting sun with the couple and Aaron from Reel Weddings (who was such a pleasure to work with, can’t wait to see the film he’ll produce!), trying to capture every last inch of the magic of the day. As the night fell, Supatight got people on the dance floor, and that’s where we left Caroline & Andrew, heading home feeling warm and fuzzy after a perfect day.

Thank you so much Caroline & Andy for having us, it was a huge huge pleasure to bear witness to your happiness! x

Marianne Taylor creative fine art wedding reportage photography London

Marianne Taylor creative fine art wedding reportage photography London

Jasmine & Marton | Wedding

May 13, 2013 · 10 Comments

Last month Jasmine & Marton got married at Winchester House in Putney, and I was there to take some portraits of them. Despite a few drops of rain and freezing wind, I had such a brilliant time with these newlyweds, who smiled their way through the chilly conditions. Thanks so much Jasmine & Marton for having me there, I wish you all the best in your future together! x

creative fine art wedding reportage photography

Josie & Phil | Wedding

April 24, 2013 · 8 Comments

Sitting here on this warm sunny day, it’s hard to picture how a very short while ago we were so ecstatic to get just a few minutes of sunshine during Josie & Phil’s wedding, when most of the day it was more a case of arctic winds and sleet! Despite the chilly temperatures, this wedding was brimming with such warmth, not least because Josie & Phil are themselves like little rays of sunshine.

The setting for the day was Tythe Barn, and it’s beautiful surroundings. The day started with Kate Hughes working her magic on hair and make-up, after which Josie slipped into her Lusan Mandongus gown and Emmy Shoes, and proceeded to take everyone’s breath away with how gorgeous she looked. Fabulous Flowers sprinkled some flower magic all over the barn, while Jamie Oliver’s Fabulous Feasts was responsible for the mouthwatering spread of food. (Talking of food, when I first met Josie & Phil all they really wanted to talk about was the food, that was they were most looking forward to – but on the day they were both too excited to eat!)

Thank you so much Josie & Phil for being so amazing, for enduring the cold weather, for making me smile every time I think of you two. I hope you had a fabulous time on your honeymoon, and all your travels to come! x

Morgane & Nathanael | Together

February 14, 2013 · 12 Comments

What would be more appropriate for Valentine’s Day than to sprinkle some love and laughter all over the blog in the form of Morgane & Nathanael’s together session. They travelled all the way from the South of France to windy and rainy London (madness, I know!), but nothing could have dampened the glow that these two have when they are around each other. The session was in honour of their seven-year anniversary, and judging by the way they look at each other, their love has just grown stronger and stronger every year.

It was such a pleasure spending a windy February afternoon with you two, I wish you are enjoying the sweetest of Valentine’s Days as we speak x

It’s a new day, it’s a new dawn

February 5, 2013 · 14 Comments

After months of planning and designing, many sleepless nights, and an all-nighter of a final push, the new site is finally live! Wahoo! I can’t begin to express how pleased I am with it all, and how much I love all the prettiness that the amazing Rose (of Rose & Ruby Paper Co.) created. From the moment I shot her wedding, or even long before the day itself, I fell in love with Rose’s sense of style. After she gravitated from fashion design to designing stationery and branding, I just knew that the time had come when my pictures and her design needed to be invited to the same party (well, we did have a bit of a warm-up bash last year).

I don’t really like the term ‘re-branding’ much, as it kind of implies a complete change of direction. I like to think more in terms of evolving a brand. The clearer your style and vision gets, the better you are able to communicate what you are about, and with that, your identity gets sharper. And while your brand evolves, I think that it’s equally important that the core feel of it remains familiar. Personally I think that’s what we’ve managed to achieve with Rose. I feel like the MTP brand has finally matured, but without losing the love for the pretty and cute, those will always be a part of my aesthetic – as are the colours that have followed me pretty much from the beginning.

Anyways, without further ado, do take a look around and make yourselves at home! There is still a bit of fine-tuning happening with the blog, but the main site is all there. Hopefully you will find it easy to navigate and pretty to look at. And do let us know what you think!

Bianca & Daniel | Wedding

January 24, 2013 · 22 Comments

On one of the coldest days of the year, Bianca & Daniel got married at Marylebone Townhall in London with their closest family and friends present. The icy breeze was a bit of a shock to the system, especially since the couple live in Brazil, but Bianca and Daniel were such troopers laughing their way through their portrait session on the windy streets of London.

It was such an honour to meet these two, and get to spend a few hours sharing in on these beautiful moments with them and their family. Thank you so much for having me Bianca & Daniel, I wish you an amazing future together in Brazil! x

creative fine art wedding reportage photography

The year in pictures

December 31, 2012 · 45 Comments

Favourite images from 2012 by Marianne Taylor Photography.

Here we are, at the end of another year full of happiness, laughter, prettiness, growth, joy, challenges, triumphs and so much gratitude for being able to do what I love. Thank you so much to all of my clients for simply being the most beautiful people ever, I am so humbled to have been allowed to take a few steps at your side. Thank you to all the vendors I’ve had the privilege to work with, you create the most amazing work community I’ve ever been a part of. Thank you to Susanna for yet another year of adventures, and keeping my feet on the ground when my head might be in the clouds. Thank you to Stu for hanging on to what can sometimes be a bumpy ride. Thank you to my friends for extending my family further than I ever imagined.

Personally, 2012 was a year of tremendous growth for me. I am stepping into 2013 with so much more awareness of who and where I am in the world, and what the paths I want to explore are.

But before stepping into the future, I’ll let my lovely muses kiss 2012 goodbye! x

Janice & Derek | Beloved

November 6, 2012 · 14 Comments

Once a year I try to do something to help a charity with the work I do, and this year the opportunity came when Love My Dress teamed up with Oxfam to create a big old wedding auction. I donated a Beloved session to the auction (already married people should get to play too!), and the bidder who won a session with me was the lovely Janice from Essex.

On the day of Janice and Derek’s session the weather turned truly awful by the time we met, but since we had all travelled from different sides of the city, we decided to soldier on. I have to say I am quite surprised that Janice’s amazing energy and positivity didn’t literally stop the rain and bring out the sun, what a ray of sunshine this lady is! So even though the freezing rain didn’t make for ideal circumstances, I did have a thoroughly lovely time with Janice and Derek, and I think we managed to capture some of the joy that makes these two tick.

Thank you so much for bidding and helping with a good cause Janice, it was such a pleasure to spend time with you both! x

Pavitra & Sunil | Engagement

October 29, 2012 · 8 Comments

I do love an autumnal engagement session! Despite the persistent light rain, we had so much fun with Pavitra & Sunil walking the streets of London. Just goes to show that the weather doesn’t always need to be perfect (and rarely is in London!) in order to have a good time. Besides, I think Pavitra’s gorgeous smile, and the energy between these two, provided all the sun we needed!

Victoria & Ian Wedding

October 19, 2012 · 5 Comments

Victoria & Ian’s wedding day started with Victoria getting ready at home with her mum and sisters. Helen Spencer from Made Up was in charge of make-up and Tori from Riot Hairdressing of hair. Victoria’s Sigita Janelionyte gown was from Jan Si Fashion and her shoes were by Harriet Wilde. With Victoria and the girls looking stunning, we headed out to the ceremony, which took place in St Peter’s Church in Winchester.

After the ceremony a routemaster ferried the guests to Lainston House Hotel for the reception, which kicked off with a falconry display! That certainly doesn’t happen every day at a wedding. Florist Philippa Craddock had created beautiful arrangements that played with the bird theme running through the day, from the stationary by Paper & Inc, to the cake by Reilly Cakes and the adorable water whistles all the guests received as favours.

With Victoria being from Lithuania, there were lots of little Lithuanian touches (+ vodka!) and traditions we got to witness through the day, for example carrying the bride over a bridge, after which other couples can follow, which symbolises connection/unity between two people. Also, when entering the wedding reception, the parents and grandparents greet the couple with a tray of salt, water and Lithuanian black bread, symbolising family values.

There’s not really a better end to an evening than a party DJ’d by the Wedding Smashers, and this wedding was no exception. The boys had people up on the dance floor from the first beat, and that’s where we left the newly-weds, dancing the night away as husband and wife.

Thank you so much for having us Victoria & Ian, it was a whirlwind of a day! x

creative fine art wedding reportage photography

Kelly & Steve | Wedding

October 11, 2012 · 6 Comments

Kelly & Steve’s wedding day was such a joy to be a part of. In the run up to the day, it seemed like it had been such a long time since their London engagement session in the spring, but all the sunshine and happiness was certainly worth the wait!

Kelly and the girls got ready at Steventon House Hotel, where Seema Patel was in charge of make-up, and Jess Carter hair. Kelly’s out-of-this-world-gorgeous Eden gown by Jenny Packham blew me away, and what would have been a better accessory than those Jimmy Choo heels. With Kelly looking stunning, we headed to St Augustine of Canterbury for the ceremony.

The reception of Kelly & Steve’s wedding took place at Lains Barn, which really was the perfect setting, with cocktails on the lawn while the sunshine warmed people up. Florist Hilary at Flower Ardington was responsible for all the flowers, while wedding planner Carrie from Wishbox Events made sure everything ran smoothly. What a lovely day it was! It was also so nice to see some familiar faces in the form of my past couples among the guests! Best thing ever.

Thank you so much Kelly & Steve for having us! I hope your honeymoon was absolutely fantastic! xx

creative fine art wedding reportage photography

creative fine art wedding reportage photography

Lucy & Brad | Wedding

September 19, 2012 · 21 Comments

I think it’s safe to say Lucy & Brad’s London wedding will go down in history books as the rainiest wedding I’ve ever photographed. Oh boy did we get soaked! But I’m happy to say that the weather didn’t dampen the spirit of the day at all.

We started the day at The Threadneedles Hotel in Bank, where Nelson Caterino was in charge of make-up, and Tina Outen hair, before Lucy got dressed in her beautiful Lazaro gown. From there it was a short, but super rainy (I mean, the driver could not see a thing), drive to St Etheldredas Church in Holborn, where Lucy & Brad exchanged their wows.

As by miracle the rain halted and gave us a tiny window of opportunity for portraits, before entering The Royal Exchange for the reception. It was lovely being back at the Exchange, it’s such a grand and yet unusual place for a wedding I think. Black Poppy had created the most amazing flower arrangements, which I didn’t realise were made of fabric until it was pointed out to me. Just incredible! Also worth mentioning is the beautiful cupcake tower by Crumbs and Doilies.

Thanks so much for having us Lucy & Brad, what a gorgeous day full of warmth it was! x

creative fine art wedding reportage photography Royal Exchange London

creative fine art wedding reportage photography Royal Exchange London

Alix & Matt | Wedding

September 4, 2012 · 41 Comments

It’s always super exciting to discover a new venue that completely blows your mind, and that’s pretty much what happened when Alix & Matt got married at Aynhoe Park. I mean, wow. A giraffe with balloons, polar bear with goggles, giant bunny sculptures, ornate chandeliers and a vintage fur selection in the ladies… check, check and check. Add a blisteringly hot day (for once!), some lovely lovely people and an outside ceremony, and I was pretty much in wedding heaven. And that’s just for starters!

To kick the day off, Alix and the girls got ready in one of the many rooms of Aynhoe with space on such a grand scale, filled to the brim with unique ideas. Shana Roberts was on hand for make-up and Aaron Carlo for hair. Alix then got into her gorgeous Monique Llhullier Cherish dress, slipped on her Rupert Sanderson heels, and promptly took everyone’s breath away. She looked so very stunning.

As far as the other providers of pretty and scrumptious for the day go, the stylish stationary was by Eva Slade, Vic Brotherson of Scarlet & Violet was in charge of the beautiful blooms, while Lotte Martin took care of the food. And it’s always a pleasure having Mark Brown along for the ride with his super 8 camera, it pretty much guarantees many tired giggle fits towards the end of the day (and a gorgeous film for the couple, of course!).

Thank you so much Alix & Matt for letting us capture your beautiful day for you, it was such a pleasure! I hope the honeymoon was everything you dreamed of, and more. x

creative fine art wedding reportage photography Aynhoe Park

creative fine art wedding reportage photography Aynhoe Park

Rose & Robin | Wedding

August 15, 2012 · 25 Comments

Cutting this post down to size has been a real struggle. Not only was Rose & Robin’s wedding stunningly beautiful and an absolute joy to be a part of, but I also had the honour of having the amazing Ed Peers second shoot for me. As expected, he did a brilliant job and was invaluable during the cocktail hour when we got slightly lost with R&R on the way back from portraits!

The ceremony of Rosie & Robin’s wedding took place at Lickey Church in Birmingham, from where we returned to the gorgeous Wethele Manor where Rosie and the girls had gotten ready earlier, with Chloe McCall working her magic on make-up, and Gemma Sutton on hair. Rosie’s incredible gown was by Monique Lhuillier and it was complimented by ever perfect Christian Louboutin heels. Safe to say she looked an absolute knock-out!

There was so much pretty everywhere you looked, not least the stationary by Love Vs Design, the scrumptious flowers by Ethos Flowers, and cake by Samantha Harvey. As entertainment went, Tommy Green Jnr played beautifully during the cocktail hour and was in charge of the first dance, while Soul Trader took over for the evening dancing.

The day was just so very lovely and we had an absolute blast with Ed and, my favourite Super 8mm film-maker, Mark Brown.

Thank you so much Rosie & Robin for having us, for my lovely birthday present (!) and for being the kind of people that make me feel like the luckiest girl to be doing what I do. xxx

creative fine art wedding reportage photography

creative fine art wedding reportage photography

Juliana & Andre | Engagement

August 4, 2012 · 3 Comments

Juliana & Andre are getting married in their home country of Brazil next year, but since Juliana has been studying in London, they wanted to do an engagement session that would remind them of the city she’s been calling home for a year.

I had such a brilliant time with these two! I am forever thankful for all the wonderful people I get to meet and hangout with thanks to this job, couldn’t think of anything I’d rather do really.

Juliana & Andre, I hope you will have an absolute blast of a wedding day, with air conditioning and some mini burgers to boot! ;)