Steve Dunlop Photographer

Samantha & Adam were married on September 27th 2020 at Old Marylebone Town Hall London

Cool couple. Cool venue. Cool wedding.

A few weeks back towards the end of September I photographed a young couple’s wedding.

I have known the Groom’s mother for …. ooooh about 30 years. She’s one of the best of people you can hope to know in life. The Best of Friends. When Jane asked if I was available I of course said “Yes”. Jane’s son, Adam Forsdike, was 15 years old when I first photographed him. I have watched him grow ever since as our paths crossed at work in the travel industry or at many cricket Test Matches. He’s now a handsome 31. And now he was marrying the clearly very beautiful Samantha.

So. They had to fight hard for this celebration. Originally a large Cotswold Wedding had been planned for August 2020. An oh-so-large gathering of friends and family. We all know it would have been gorgeous.

And then there was that Covid thing so they had to cancel the grand event and rescheduled for a more intimate affair. A Civic Ceremony at the famous Old Marylebone Town Hall.

Venue for the famous

Macca married at Marylebone Town Hall in the swinging sixties. Ringo followed, always a couple of beats behind, in the 80’s. Hollywood A-listers Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith A-listed here… probably with sunglasses. Liam Gallagher wed Patsy Kensit here and loved the vibe so much he organised a comeback tour with Nicole Appleton a few years later.

The perfect hip backdrop for Sam & Adam and their entourage of loving friends and family

Battling against ever changing Covid Regulations

Having beaten Covid once this couple then had to take on Government.

Seven days before their (newly revised) Big Day the Government announced that Weddings and receptions will be restricted to a maximum of 15 people (down from 30) from Monday 28th September. Oh-Oh. Sam & Adam were marrying on the 30th. Which 15 close friends & family would be asked (told) to stand down?

Mere Covid Regulations weren’t going to beat this couple though. Undaunted, Sam & Adam secured a new spot with the Registrar for the Sunday 27th. The wedding breakfast venue, The Bull’s Head in Barnes, did their bit and said “yes of course change of day no problem at all yes of course…THIS Sunday?… 3 days time …yes not a problem…really”

They had beaten the PHE/Govt Covid edict by 24 hours.

Love in the time of Adversity

So the Big Day happened despite all obstacles thrown at them. And what a glorious day it was. A Citytload of urban chic. People on the busy Marylebone Road shuffling to their destination stopping to smile. Handsome Groom. Beautiful Bride.

Thank you Sam & Adam for entrusting me with photographing your wedding.

p.s. During the Service in Marylebone Town Hall everyone but the Bride & Groom had to wear masks. I don’t think they once noticed I couldn’t see a thing as the mandatory covid mask steamed up my glasses and then my camera viewfinder. Thank you AutoFocus.