A very different procession from Notting Hill Carnival took place in central London this weekend.

Sixty livery leaders of the Worshipful Companies of the City of London paraded in gowns and hats with the Lady Mayor of London on Sunday.

They processed from the Mansion House to the St Lawrence Jewry Church at the Guildhall in the first ceremony of its type in the centuries since the Companies were formed.

The splendour was part of the wedding of the Master of the Worshipful Company of Architects Chris Bicknell to his Consort, Sara Hilditch, known in the livery as The Mistress.

The bride and groom paraded with 120 supporters to the church escorted by 16 stave-carrying Pikemen and Musketeers in their ancient historic uniforms.

After the wedding ceremony, the Pikemen stopped traffic as shoppers and tourists applauded and cheered as the couple led the parade along with the Lady Mayor of City of London Dame Susan Langley, and the two sheriffs of City of London with their Consorts.

Together with 60 Masters from the Livery companies, which represent trades that include carpenters to communicators, from gunmakers to goldsmiths, these trades date back to the 14th Century.

Lady Mayor Sue Langley said after the parade: "There can be few places in the world where a wedding can feel so personal and yet part of the traditions and communities of the City itself."

She added: “Seeing the Honourable Artillery Company and the Livery processing through our streets made this wedding joyful, colourful and distinctive — a celebration of two people but also of everything that makes the City of London so special.”