Wedding Photography at Bromley Civic Centre/Register Office
**I’m taking bookings for weddings at this venue for 2024 now**
London Borough of Bromley Register Office
Formally part of Kent, Bromley is now a London Borough, lying between Croydon and Lewisham and south of Lambeth and Southwark. The Civic Centre is in the town and houses the Bromley Register Office (often mistakenly called the ‘registry’ office). I have been a wedding photographer for numerous civil marriages there.
**Sadly, the Civic Centre and Old Palace have been sold. Ceremonies there will end this year. The council has bought new Civic Centre premises, and I will update this page with photos when I have covered weddings there**
Wedding Ceremony Photography at Bromley Civic Centre
As the following images demonstrate, I move around discretely and photograph from many angles. The Bromley registrars are fantastic because they allow the photographer to move around.
The ceremony lasts approximately twenty minutes, giving me ample time to capture a good account of this legal part of your day.
Top Tip – Take Your Time!
Take your time on your special day…
Whether it’s your walk down the aisle, exchange of rings, or your first kiss, the longer I have to photograph these special moments, the better!
The day will fly by, so cherish every little moment…
The Old Palace for a Georgian Feel
Weddings at the Civic Centre’s wedding spaces occur in rooms on the ground floor of the Old Palace. The building (also known as Bromley Palace or the Bishop’s Palace) was built in 1775 on the site of a former manor house. In 1982, they incorporated the building into Bromley Civic Centre, having been a girls’ boarding school and a teacher training college. It now plays a beautiful backdrop to couples wishing to get married at Bromley Register Office.
Read More>> Short/Micro-Wedding Photography – Ideal for Civil Weddings.
The Registrar’s Rules & Regulations & the Schedule Signing
The registrars I have encountered at Bromley Register Office weddings have been lovely and very photography-friendly, making things much easier and more relaxed.
In 2021, the register went digital, so now couples sign a ‘schedule’ on the day. Most registrars allow photography of the schedule, but some of the Bromley Register Office prefer this signing not to be photographed. This is for distraction reasons, but they set up a ‘dummy’ schedule for formal portraits afterwards.
I write more on register office photography in Chapter 5: Signing the Register of my ‘Ultimate Guide to Wedding Photography’. It is well worth a read if this part of the day concerns you.
Bromley Civic Centre Confetti & Congratulations
Happily, biodegradable confetti is allowed within the grounds of the Old Palace. There is a perfect place to do this sequence in the gardens, where the steps lead down to the lower lawn. It’s also an excellent time to take shots of all the guests congratulating the couple with hugs, kisses and the odd handshake.
Portraits in the Garden of the Old Bromley Palace
Most couples I photograph want mainly natural shots but require staged group portraits outside their wedding venue. There is time for these in the expansive gardens after the ceremony. I have the couple make a list beforehand to ensure things go smoothly and carry out this photography with minimal fuss.
After the group shots, the garden lends itself well to portraits of the couple with various backdrops, including benches, trees and a lake!
Bromley Civic Centre Wedding Photography Rooms
The Function Room: This suite seats up to 45 guests.
The Chairman’s Room: Unusual in that it has a circular table for up to 20 guests.
The Rose Room: Seating 45 guests, this room is the most affordable in Bromley Old Palace.
The Garden Room: The largest of the wedding suites, the Garden Room seats 130 guests. Not available Monday – Thursday.
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- All ceremonies last no longer than 20 minutes.
- The Superintendent Registrar must approve all additions at least two weeks before the day.
- Photography is allowed in all ceremony venues and the courtyard, hallway, staircase, and gardens.
- The venue provides the option of a drinks reception as part of the package, but not a meal.
- Regular Open Days are held throughout the year to allow couples to come along and discuss their requirements.
Also, Consider>> Woolwich Town Hall for Your Civil Wedding Ceremony.
LGBT+/Gay Weddings at Bromley Civic Centre
Are you having your small same-sex wedding in South London? Then look no further than Bromley Register Office. The venue is genuinely gay-friendly, and the registrars are open and invested in helping you to have the best day. Of course, it shouldn’t need pointing out these days, but it’s reassuring to know for gay wedding couples.
Moving On to the Reception
After the ceremony and posed shots, Bromley offers many venues to move on to for the wedding breakfast. The Civic Centre is a short walk from the town centre with many restaurants, pubs and hotels. I am happy to accompany the wedding party for some shots of the early part of the meal. My two-hour package allows time for this.
Bromley Register Office FAQs
Q. WHY GET MARRIED AT BROMLEY CIVIC CENTRE?
A. The wedding venue is located not far from Bromley town centre. Despite the centre’s modern, urban appearance from the front, the Old Palace is where wedding ceremonies occur. It is an ornate, historic building with beautiful gardens for your posed shots after the ceremony.
Q. HOW LONG BEFORE OUR WEDDING CEREMONY CAN WE GAIN ACCESS TO THE ROOM FOR PHOTOGRAPHY?
A. Timings permit about 10-15 minutes for your guests to settle in while you have your interviews. Whether you choose to join them or make an announced entrance is up to you, but your photographer should make the most of this time to take some shots of the goings-on.
Q. IS PHOTOGRAPHY ALLOWED DURING OUR WEDDING CEREMONY AND VOWS?
A. The Bromley registrars welcome photographers with few restrictions as long as they are reasonably discreet. However, they still do not allow photography of the signing, setting up a ‘dummy’ schedule instead.
Q. IS CONFETTI ALLOWED AFTERWARDS FOR A NICE SEQUENCE OF PHOTOS?
A. Happily, biodegradable confetti is allowed outside in the garden. The couple leaves through French windows facing out onto the lawn and can exit in a shower of confetti.
Q. WHAT IS THE LIGHT LIKE FOR PHOTOGRAPHY INSIDE THE VENUE?
A. As with most venues, the light varies throughout, but it is generally good at Bromley. Don’t worry about the light; a decent photographer will shoot good photos, whatever the lighting conditions. See my website for examples.
Civic Centre,
Stockwell Close,
Bromley.
BR1 3UH.