Habibi & Elaina’s Bath Guildhall Wedding

A ceremony at the Guildhall, a stroll through Bath and a garden reception with family and friends from all over the world. Habibi and Elaina had a lovely wedding day planned, and I was very pleased to be there with my camera.

I’ve photographed weddings in all sorts of places over the years, but there’s something rather special about spending a day in Bath. You have those wonderful buildings around you, then you can find yourself beneath the trees with the city feeling a good deal further away than it really is.

Getting married at the Guildhall in Bath

Habibi and Elaina began with their wedding ceremony at Bath Guildhall. It’s a Grade I listed building right in the centre of the city, with Georgian interiors and a beautiful staircase. There’s plenty of character before you’ve even thought about where to take a photograph.

I particularly like the photograph of the two of them leaning towards one another in the ceremony room. The flowers and wood panelling make a lovely setting, but it’s their faces I’m looking at. That little bit of closeness between them makes the picture.

And Elaina’s dress really did deserve a photograph on that staircase. The lace sleeves, the fitted shape and that long train spreading down the steps. She looked absolutely beautiful, with her pink and ivory bouquet finishing it off wonderfully.

A little wander through Bath

After the ceremony, we took a stroll around Bath for some photographs together. I enjoy doing this with a couple. Walking gives you something to do, something to look at and a chance to have a chat. You don’t have to arrive knowing how to stand in front of a camera.

With the Guildhall so central, Bath lends itself beautifully to that sort of wedding photography. There’s no need to turn it into a grand expedition. We can make some lovely photographs, give you a little guidance when it helps, and get you back to the people who have come to celebrate with you.

A reception at the Temple of Minerva and Botanical Gardens

Then it was back to the gardens for their reception and evening entertainment. Their reception venue was the Temple of Minerva and Botanical Gardens. The Temple itself is a Grade II listed historic pavilion, tucked among winding paths and mature planting.

There are lawns beside the Temple for a reception, and space on the Lower Lawn for a marquee. For couples who like the idea of a garden celebration in Bath, it’s a lovely place to consider. The paths, trees and different pockets of greenery also give us plenty of choice for photographs without having to go far.

In Habibi and Elaina’s photographs, I love the broad branches above them and the sunlight coming through the leaves. Elaina’s dress looked just as beautiful out here as it had on the Guildhall staircase. Look at the lace around the edge of the train in these pictures.

Their family and friends, all together

Their guests had travelled from all over the world to join them. That matters. When people have come such a distance for your wedding, you want time to be with them, and Habibi and Elaina had the reception and evening ahead to enjoy everyone’s company.

That’s very much how I like a wedding to feel. A little time for beautiful photographs together, then back to the celebration. My approach to wedding photography leaves room for both. You can enjoy having your people around you while I keep an eye on what’s happening.

And then, Paris

After their Bath celebrations, Habibi and Elaina chose Paris for their honeymoon. Two rather lovely cities to begin married life with. Not a bad plan at all.

It was a pleasure to photograph their day. If you’re planning a Guildhall wedding or a garden reception in Bath, have a look at my relaxed, documentary wedding photography, or tell me a little about your plans. You don’t need to know what to do in front of the camera. We’ll have a chat and take it from there.

Michael Gane
MGANE Studio · Beckington, Somerset