The birth of gothic revival architecture and a fairytale wedding venue in London
On Friday, I had the most magical day at Strawberry Hill House when I took part in a fantasy photoshoot at this spectacular Gothic Revival house in Twickenham.
The event was hosted by fellow tog, Tabitha Boydell, who was also the stylist for the day. Tabitha provided a range of gowns including, pastel tulle, sequins and metal, and period romance.
In this blog, I thought I’d share some of my favourite images taken at this fairytale wedding venue with model Gemma Huh, who I’ve been lucky enough to work with on previous shoots.
Strawberry Hill House was the brainchild of eighteenth century writer and politician Horace Walpole. Walpole’s vision was to create a fantasy summer villa that would evoke the spirit of Gothic romance and transport its visitors to another world.
Today, whilst still renowned for its Gothic Revival charm, Strawberry Hill House is also a fairytale wedding venue. Hopefully, you can see some of that charm in my photos below.
In my photos with Gemma Huh, I’m showcasing the library and staircase at Strawberry Hill House as this was her studio for the day. I photographed other parts of the house as well but Gemma’s wedding gown and styling best suited the fairytale concept so I’m only including this part of the day.
In addition, these two areas in particularly really create that sense of a fairytale wedding venue.
The staircase at Strawberry Hill House is one of the finest examples of Gothic Revival architecture in the UK. The staircase was designed by Richard Bentley, a close friend of Horace Walpole’s, and is thought to have been inspired by the library staircase at Rouen Cathedral – you’ll have to look that up if you want to see the comparison.
The upper landings of the staircase are bathed in natural light from four large clover-leaf-shaped skylights, which in direct sunlight cast dramatic patterns on the steps and walls. That contrast between light and shadow seems to enhance the element of mystery and magic here.
The library at Strawberry Hill House
The one thing you notice when you visit Strawberry Hill House is that there’s not a lot of furniture or soft furnishings in the house. The library is one of a few locations in the house where you really don’t need those elements of interior design to get a good sense of what the room would have been like during Walpole’s lifetime – it’s pure fantasy just as it is.
I’ve read that Walpole meticulously oversaw every aspect of Strawberry Hill House’s design, including the library.
The library’s architecture is a sight to behold. The floor to ceiling bookshelves are adorned with intricately carved details and decorative elements, showcasing the craftsmanship and attention to detail that defines the Gothic Revival style.
If you are considering Strawberry Hill as your fairytale wedding venue, you don’t want to miss a few afternoon portraits in this grand room.
During the day, the library is showered in a warm and inviting glow, thanks to the large windows that allow natural light to flood the room. As the sunlight dances across the shelves, it creates an ethereal atmosphere, beaconing you to delve into the literary treasures that line the walls.
Speaking of treasures, the library at Strawberry Hill House is home to a remarkable collection of books, manuscripts, and artifacts. Rare volumes from different eras fill the shelves, offering a glimpse into the world of literature, history, and art. The collection spans a wide range of topics, reflecting the diverse interests of Horace Walpole.
If you’re looking for a fairytale wedding venue, Strawberry Hill House won’t disappoint. In addition to the locations you can see in my photos here, there are many other beautiful places around the house that will help to tell the story of your fairytale wedding.
My only recommendation, outside photography, would be to embrace the fairytale wedding theme in all of your styling for the day – including your hair, flowers, accessories, bridal gown, suits, etc.
I mentioned earlier that I photographed in other rooms of the house. That was with different styling and, whilst glamorous, the gothic fairytale was no longer evident in the photography.
Visit the Strawberry Hill House website for information on organising your wedding at the venue.
For more information on my services, visit my wedding gallery and view my packages.
If you’d like someone to photograph your fairytale wedding at Strawberry Hill House, I’d love to hear from you.
If you love the gothic revival style of Strawberry Hill, you might like to consider the Hellfire Caves, Wycombe Abbey and Missenden Abbey for your wedding venue as well.