Museum of the Order of St John Wedding & Eight Moorgate Reception
It was a September when I photographed Nadia and Gavin’s wedding at the Museum of the Order of St John. I remember it clearly. It was my first wedding back after my annual summer break with the family. There’s always a bit of anticipation before that first job after time away, but the weather was calm, the people were happy, and everything just… flowed.
We started the day at the Zetter Townhouse in Clerkenwell. Nadia was there with her bridesmaids, getting ready in one of the hotel’s quirky, elegant rooms. If you’ve never been, it’s a charming boutique hotel tucked away just far enough from the bustle. There was a lovely energy in the room. That mix of nerves, laughter, and the final sips of champagne before heading out the door.
Once Nadia was in her dress, her dad arrived. It was a quiet, warm moment. He took a breath, smiled, and then walked her across the road - quite literally - to the ceremony at the Museum of the Order of St John.
A Word from the Couple
“Hi Kevin, Thank you so much for our Museum of the Order of St John Wedding photos, we are truly overwhelmed by them, they are fantastic and more than we had wished.
We sat down last night and watched them all three times with a bottle of champagne, and it was fantastic. You captured the day so well, and we found every photo fascinating.
Thanks so much again, we are absolutely over the moon”
A Venue Full of History – The Museum of the Order of St John
Although I lived in London for well over a decade, the city still finds ways to surprise me. There are places I’ve walked past a hundred times without realising the history behind them. The Museum of the Order of St John is one of those places.
From their own description:
“The unique and fascinating story of an ancient religious military Order, from its origins caring for sick pilgrims in eleventh century Jerusalem, through to its modern-day role with St John Ambulance, the international first aid charity.”
The great hall, where Nadia and Gavin held their ceremony, really is something. The walls are lined with paintings, old regalia, rich wood tones, and that quiet weight of history you can feel even before anyone says a word.
The ceremony itself was joyful and full of character. With a strong Scottish contingent from Gavin’s side and Palestinian guests from Nadia’s, there was a lovely blend of cultures. Plenty of smiles, a few tears, and more than a handful of proud glances.
Garden Drinks and London Routemasters
After the confetti had settled, we all walked together to the Museum’s garden. One of those surprising little green spaces tucked behind stone walls in the heart of the city. It’s a peaceful spot. Quiet. The kind of place you wouldn’t expect just off a main road. We spent a good hour there, mingling and relaxing.
Then, as is tradition for many central London weddings, the group climbed aboard a classic red Routemaster. Destination: Eight Moorgate.
Wedding Reception at Eight Moorgate
I’ve photographed several weddings at Eight Moorgate now, and no two have felt the same. That’s part of what I like about the space. It adapts to the people in it.
There’s an understated elegance to the venue. Not flashy, but smart. Clean lines, good light, and a terrace that gives you that sense of being high above the city while still very much in the thick of it.
For me, as a documentary-style wedding photographer, Eight Moorgate is a fantastic place to work. I don’t direct or stage anything. I prefer to blend in, observe, and capture what’s really happening. My job, as I see it, is to deliver a set of images that feels like a guest’s memory of the day. Intimate, unforced, real.
And Nadia and Gavin made that easy. Their friends and family were open, warm, and completely themselves. There were heartfelt speeches, stolen glances, and a dancefloor that came alive as the evening rolled in.
Final Thoughts
Weddings like this remind me why I do what I do. Two venues, two very different atmospheres, both rich in character and history. But more than anything, it was about two people surrounded by those who matter most. And that, for me, is always the real story.
I hope you enjoy looking through Nadia and Gavin’s wedding photographs. From the ceremony at the Museum of the Order of St John to the reception at Eight Moorgate, it was a day full of subtle moments, quiet beauty, and genuine connection.
Are you looking for a Documentary Wedding Photographer?
Please review my Documentary Wedding Photography approach and contact me to check availability.
You may want to explore the journal or some of my other recent candid wedding photography.
You can also keep up with Kevin’s Instagram channel for more daily photographs.
