Wedding Photography at Chelsea Old Town Hall/Register Office
The Borough of Kensington and Chelsea feature me on their Favourite Photographers Page:
Guy Milnes Photography: Kensington and Chelsea Weddings
A dynamic image featuring the iconic Chelsea Old Town Hall facade. Confetti after the ceremony is a long-held tradition that the Kensington and Chelsea registrars are proactive in helping to organise.
**I’m taking bookings for weddings at this venue for 2025-26 now!**
A Tasteful Refurbishment, Ideal for Photography
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Register Office (or Registry Office) is located within Chelsea Old Town Hall in London SW3.
I love photographing weddings and civil ceremonies at this venue, and it is even more lovely since the recent refurbishment. The design team redecorated with photography in mind, and the palette is largely neutral, using natural colours and tones.
#MarryMeInChelsea… Details like this provide important memories of the day. Although my photography style is natural, I try to capture some detail shots, such as the rings.
Countless couples have left the iconic Chelsea Old Town Hall happily married. Your wedding photographer should be ready to capture every moment, such as when these newlyweds walked out onto the King’s Road.
I have photographed 170+ weddings at Chelsea Old Town Hall (and counting!)
I’m very well-versed in photography at Chelsea, so read on for great information and tips on getting the most out of your wedding photographer.
The pale green and neutral tones of the Rossetti Suite provide ideal conditions for the best wedding ceremony photography.
Are You Planning Your Wedding at Chelsea Old Town Hall?I photograph discretely and unobtrusively to capture the best moments, leaving you to enjoy your day. With me as your wedding photographer, your memories will be in safe hands, so please get in touch any time to discuss… |
Sealed with a first kiss: the Chelsea newlyweds share a kiss with their guests looking on. The relaxed nature of the Chelsea Registrars will enable your wedding photographer to capture such pleasing shots.
This couple kissed and hugged to seal the deal in the Harrington Room, the smallest of Chelsea’s three civil marriage ceremony rooms.
Some couples can’t take the first kiss seriously… Which makes for some fun photography!
Whoever thought about the colour scheme and finer refurbishment points seems to have seriously considered wedding photography.
The colour palette was very well thought out. The subtle shades work well with photography and artificial lighting if required.
I met with Eve and Dan beforehand to take some wedding portraits in the King’s Road area. We arrived at the venue early, so they rested on a bench outside the town hall.
Read More>> Short Day Wedding Photography – Ideal for Register Office Weddings.
The bride waits with her father in the hall for the ceremony to start. Next to them is the door to The Harrington Room – the smallest of the three civil marriage ceremony rooms.
The Rossetti Room following its tasteful refurbishment in 2024. The chandelier can be altered to give a cooler, more natural white balance, and the registrar is happy to adjust it for your photos.
Traditionally, the bride and groom arrive separately. Here, the groom’s nerves are apparent as he waits for her entrance to the Rossetti Room. This small room makes it easy to photograph both at the same time.
Peter and Neil entered their wedding ceremony together. Here, they enter the tiny Harrington room.
Bride Charlotte and her father enter the back of the Brydon Room, accompanied by her beautiful bridesmaid daughter. The wedding ceremony wasn’t as empty as this photo suggests! The room comfortably seats 38 guests and is the largest at the Chelsea Register Office.
Every couple’s wedding ceremony entrance is different, and I added a slight vignette in this photo to draw the eye to the couple.
A Great Location on the Trendy King’s Road, London
Chelsea Old Town Hall is halfway down the King’s Road, between Sloane Square and Fulham in the west. It is in Chelsea’s vibrant beating heart.
The registry office area is mainly urban, but a stone’s throw away is the splendid St Luke’s Church and gardens, which are great for portraits after the ceremony (see the bottom of the page).
Chelsea Town Hall weddings are not only enjoyable but convenient, too!
This photo of the bride tossing the bouquet shows more of the bustling King’s Road location.
An elegantly suited bride poses with family on the street by the side entrance of Chelsea Old Town Hall, where couples enter before their ceremony.
The Waiting Area and Stairs
On arrival, staff show guests upstairs (actually on the ground floor) to the waiting area at the back, a throughway with the grand stairs, rose wall and landing window—a fantastic opportunity for stunning portrait shots.
Sometimes, the couple joins the guests here and waits for their pre-wedding interview slots. Other couples prefer to remain separate, as is the wedding tradition. In this case, the groom generally waits with the guests, whilst the bride arrives a little later via the side door on Chelsea Manor Street.
Subtle window light in the waiting area lets your photographer capture beautiful shots during the pre-ceremony.
The groom greets his arriving guests in the waiting area, an ideal spot for natural greeting shots as both sides of the family meet.
When the bride arrives at Chelsea Old Town Hall, the bridal party is often kept separate near the reception desk. If possible, I try to photograph her here.
I try to photograph everything in the waiting area before the ceremony, including last-minute adjustments.
Taken with window light from the stairway window: I love black and white photography, and the window provided perfect light and shadows for this shot of three siblings.
The registrars at Kensington and Chelsea are very laid-back and happy with me photographing the wedding from the front. Deniz was smiling through the ceremony, and it was amazing to capture such joy and happiness as Tobias placed the ring on her finger.
I photograph from as many angles as possible, and shooting from the back is all from the guest’s perspective.
Photographing from the front also enables me to capture anything unexpected. I honestly can’t remember the humour here, but I’m sure it sparked a memory with the couple when they saw their photos.
Anything that adds a different element to your photos is good. At this wedding, the couple’s baby was the star of the show as they tried to exchange rings around her.
The registrars made a bit of a presentation of the marriage certificate. Not all register offices did that! **The register is now online, so the certificate will be posted after your day.**
Straight after the ceremony is a prime time for family members to congratulate the couple. I’m always looking out for emotive shots such as this.
A good, clear photo of a wedding ‘man hug’!
The Efficiency of the Kensington & Chelsea Wedding Registrars
As their borough is one of the most popular for weddings in the country, the registrars and staff at Chelsea Old Town Hall are exceptionally well-versed in running a busy wedding Saturday in summer. Nevertheless, couples often ask me what happens if their wedding runs late or things don’t go according to plan.
The short answer is: They don’t! – usually… And in the rare case when things do overrun (checking the paperwork can sometimes hold things up), you will be well looked after and kept informed.
If you’re on time and ready, things will run smoothly.
Saturdays are usually busy, and occasionally, you may be asked to speed things up on the steps outside, but I know an excellent dodge if this happens – see my ‘Tip‘ below.
Chelsea Old Town Hall Wedding Photography Rooms
The Brydon Room is the largest of the three wedding spaces to hold your nuptials.
The Brydon Room: The beautifully elegant Brydon Room has an interior tastefully decorated in yellow and seats 38 guests. It features a reasonably long aisle for you to walk down (if you choose to uphold this tradition). It is available any day of the week.
The Rossetti Room: Equally elegant, it is the most popular room for a smaller guest list. It can only accommodate up to 12 guests, but is the perfect room for small, intimate wedding ceremonies. I have photographed most of my Chelsea weddings in the Rossetti Room.
The Harrington Room: This smallest room is only available thrice a week and accommodates up to 8 guests. I have photographed several weddings in this room where many couples feel they don’t require a photographer. My advice is to book one, if only for an hour.
The Coat of Arms of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea: The motto, ‘Quam Bonum in Unum Habitare,’ is taken from the 133rd Psalm and translates as, ‘What a good thing it is to dwell in unity At the back of the Brydon Room, this door is where the bride enters for her marriage ceremony.
I love raw emotions, and bride Sally certainly wore her heart on her sleeve, laughing hysterically during the confetti sequence.
A bride arrives glamorously and fashionably late for her wedding ceremony.
Illustrious Marriages: Who Has Married at Chelsea Old Town Hall?
If you marry at Chelsea, you’ll be in good company. Over the years, many notable people have been married at Chelsea Old Town Hall, including Judy Garland and Wallis Simpson, Mark Bolan, Hugh Grant and Pierce Brosnan, making it one of London’s most iconic small wedding venues. An appearance at number 16 in The Independent’s list of 50 Best Wedding Locations is for good reason. The newspaper calls it ‘still one of the hippest places to get married‘.
Following closely on from the photo above, I took this portrait of a bridesmaid in the hall. Again, it shows the potential for gorgeous photography no matter where you go inside the venue.
The groom goes through the reading with a guest shortly before the ceremony.
Also Consider>> Camden Town Hall for Your Civil Marriage.
A vital shot to capture: I try to photograph a sequence of the wedding vows and the exchange of rings.
The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Registrars
If you are having your wedding at Chelsea Old Town Hall, you’ll find the venue and staff easy to work with. The staff and registrars are all accommodating and approachable, and it’s important to them that you get the most from your day.
The same goes for your photography.
The tiny Harrington Room has flora to add splashes of colour.
There are no issues with my moving around during the ceremony, although I try to observe the occasion discreetly. The Kensington & Chelsea registrars seem keen that I take all the required shots to present to the couple later, making the wedding photographer’s job much easier.
They are accommodating throughout the couple’s short time getting married, treating every wedding with the care and attention that the occasion deserves.
The best man hands the rings to the ceremony officiant. The relaxed nature of the Chelsea registrars makes close-up shots like this possible.
Bridesmaids and family members look on proudly as the couple has their first kiss in the newly refurbished Brydon Room.
Registrar Joe points out where the bride needs to sign the register. You can see how comfortable he is with me photographing the signing.
Signing the Chelsea Marriage Schedule
As of May 2021, everything changed regarding signing the wedding register as it moved online. The signing of a marriage schedule has now replaced the traditional register. Gone is the marriage certificate, which will be posted to couples after the day. I have mixed feelings about these changes.
The Kensington and Chelsea registrars have always allowed photography of the register, whereas many boroughs outside Central London did not. So, in that respect, nothing has changed regarding the signing.
I shall miss the presentation of the wedding certificate, though. The certificate was something tangible that the couple could take away with them on the day. Chelsea Old Town Hall made a show of handing it to the couple, a beautiful wedding photo moment again.
Photographing the actual signing is preferable to a dummy register pose, which often makes couples feel awkward. The register has now gone online and been replaced by a marriage schedule.
Chelsea Witnesses at Your Signing
Occasionally, couples ask me to provide their witnesses. I’m delighted to witness and will try to give a friend to be a second witness.
The proximity of the Royal Hospital Chelsea used to mean the option of booking two Chelsea Pensioners as witnesses for your small wedding ceremony. However, as of 2024, this is no longer an option, as the hospital has stopped providing this service.
If you need a wedding witness or two, the Chelsea Library next door can arrange this service for a fee. Speak to your registrar to make arrangements. The fee is about £75 per witness for your ceremony.
And… I am happy to witness for you for free if you need me to!
It’s all part of my service…
The posed shots can be nice, though, as this one demonstrates.
At Chelsea, other wedding party members are allowed time to pose with the couple. This shot includes both sets of parents.
Sometimes, there’s time left to set up a quick group portrait of the wedding party in the ceremony room.
Weddings during the Coronavirus pandemic weren’t ideal and were restricted. However, this also presented some fun photo ops, such as this group shot in the waiting area.
Chelsea Register Office Confetti & Congratulations
After they are married, the couple waits in the ceremony room as their guests assemble on the steps. I like to arrange everyone into an aisle the couple can walk through while exiting the venue under confetti showers.
It’s another plus point that confetti is allowed for Chelsea Old Town Hall wedding photography purposes.
Often, venues in Central London don’t allow confetti because it could be regarded as litter. But the registrars at Kensington and Chelsea have no such issue. So many wonderful wedding photographs have been taken on the steps as the happy couple leave in a shower of confetti.
It is one of London’s most iconic backdrops for wedding confetti! I love it when the guests throw plenty into the air, as it makes for more dramatic photos.
This photo must hold my record for most confetti in one photograph. I’ve no idea how the guests managed to get so much in the air at once…
Be very careful if it’s windy! The groom saw the funny side as a bridesmaid is covered in confetti…
The couple stop for a moment of joyous intimacy. It’s crucial that your wedding photographer looks for and captures moments like this.
The building’s facade provides a fantastic stopping point for a cheeky post-ceremony kiss on exiting the venue!
Post-confetti, wedding parties naturally start congratulating the couple with hugs, kisses and warm good wishes – an ideal time to capture some of the wedding day’s most dynamic shots. Of course, time constraints can limit this, particularly on a Saturday, but I feel it’s important not to rush everyone… First, however, I must take the posed photos before the next wedding group exit…
When family and friends can spend time with congratulations, the moments after the confetti is one of the most memorable times to capture and provide fantastic wedding photography memories, their daughter throwing confetti in the background makes this an even more special photograph.
Two hugs are better than one! I love it when I can capture both the bride and groom’s congratulations simultaneously.
Often, there can be some general milling around outside the venue, and I’m always on the lookout for unusual shots, such as this selfie.
After Ceremony Portraits on the Iconic Steps
I supply a questionnaire when couples book me for their Chelsea Old Town Hall wedding photography, including a section for any posed shots they need. Having a point of reference when taking the posed wedding portraits makes things run more efficiently.
So, after everyone had given the couple their best wishes, we took the posed group shots. I will work through this as quickly as possible. If another wedding does back up behind us (it doesn’t often happen but can do), I have a clever dodge to get the shots whilst alleviating congestion (see below).
Group photos like this don’t take long to arrange, and I try to work through them quickly.
A wide shot of the newlyweds shows off the ornate facade of Chelsea Old Town Hall beautifully.
Chelsea Group Portrait Photography Tip
The above and below photographs perfectly illustrate what to do when another wedding party starts to exit if we are still photographing on the steps:
I took the below group shot at a different wedding, but it’s not the exact location (the giveaways are the missing confetti and flower arrangements).
Chelsea Old Town Hall also houses Chelsea Library, a different entrance with an identical facade. Apart from no flowers outside, you wouldn’t know it was a different location. People frequently come and go, but I can work around this to capture any remaining shots.
Chelsea Library provides an identical backdrop for any remaining photos a few metres away.
The three in the foreground were challenging to slot in for this larger group photo, so I seated them at the front.
Chelsea Old Town Hall FAQs
Q. WHY GET MARRIED AT CHELSEA OLD TOWN HALL?
A. The Victorian neoclassical building on the King’s Road is arguably London’s most iconic register office. If you marry at the venue, then you’re in good company. As well as being a beautiful venue, the building has a rich history of famous weddings. Throughout the 20th Century, big names, from Judy Garland to Marc Bolan, have wed there.
Aside from this, the registrars are amongst London’s most helpful and friendly. They are keen for everything to go without a hitch and are exceptionally photographer-friendly, too, ensuring that you will have photos to treasure of your wedding day for years to come. Despite the high turnover of weddings, each ceremony is individual and special.
Q. HOW LONG BEFORE OUR WEDDING CEREMONY CAN WE GAIN ACCESS TO THE ROOM FOR PHOTOGRAPHY?
A. Chelsea Old Town Hall requests that the couple arrive at least 15 minutes before their ceremony. On arrival at the venue, guests are shown into a waiting area until the room becomes free. The couple may also wait here for their interview. Then, a registrar will show everyone into the ceremony room. There will be a gap of about 10-15 minutes whilst you are both interviewed before the ceremony commences.
Q. IS PHOTOGRAPHY ALLOWED OF OUR WEDDING CEREMONY AND VOWS?
A. Absolutely, yes. The venue welcomes photographers with no restrictions as long as they aren’t too intrusive, allowing movement throughout the ceremony.
Q. IS CONFETTI ALLOWED AFTERWARDS FOR A NICE SEQUENCE OF PHOTOS?
A. Biodegradable confetti is allowed and encouraged on the steps outside the front doors. The Chelsea registrars are instrumental in setting this up by holding the couple inside until the photographer sets up outside and is ready to go.
Q. WHAT IS THE LIGHT LIKE FOR PHOTOGRAPHY INSIDE CHELSEA OLD TOWN HALL?
A. The venue lies on the shaded south side of the King’s Road, making the rooms darker than they otherwise would be. However, the bright and neutral decor helps remedy this, and with a bit of bounce flash, there is no problem with the light regarding photography.
Q. CAN WE BOOK CHELSEA PENSIONERS TO WITNESS OUR SMALL WEDDING AT CHELSEA OLD TOWN HALL?
A. Unfortunately, Royal Hospital Chelsea no longer provides this service, but witnesses may be hired from Chelsea Library next door for a fee.
A peck on the cheek for a thrilled and newly married groom!
LGBTQ/Same-sex Weddings at Chelsea Old Town Hall
If you are having a small same-sex wedding in London, look no further than Chelsea Old Town Hall. The registrars are very open and accommodating, and the venue is gay-friendly. Of course, that shouldn’t need pointing out today, but I think it’s reassuring for LGBTQ wedding couples to know.
I love the look on the face of this little girl as she presents the rings at Martin and Antoine’s gay wedding at Chelsea Old Town Hall.
Moving On to the Next Location: Posed Shots Nearby & at St Luke’s Church
The posed shots are usually my last photographs before moving to the reception venue.
If the couple has booked me for 2 hours or longer, there is often time for a walk to take some more couple posed photos locally. There is no more suitable location than St Luke’s Church – a five-minute walk away.
Its 19th-century Gothic Revival architecture, magnificent doorway and arches provide great directional light – fantastic for wedding photography portraits, as the two photos below show.
There are also many other photogenic locations within walking distance, including the Albert Bridge and numerous leafy streets with their colourful houses:
Chelse’s once famous ‘Love Door’… Sadly, the door is now no more. When I visited recently with a couple, the famous ‘Love’ sign had been removed.
This door is to the side of St Luke’s Church. Slightly hidden from view, it is perfect for intimate shots.
The directional light at this spot is fantastic for photography, even on an overcast and rainy day such as here.
I’m always happy to take portraits of guests, and this bridesmaid looked stunning with her green dress and bouquet.
I try to keep my portrait shoot lighthearted and fun, and I am happy to capture the laughter and romance…
I took this picture on the path to the right of St Luke’s. The door in the previous photos is round the corner in the distance, and they’re walking towards the front of the church and Sydney Street.
At the front entrance door, I took some fun photos that got across the couple’s personalities.
The Abert Bridge is also a stone’s throw away!
Local Pubs & Restaurants
Newly-weds often hold their reception locally to Chelsea Old Town Hall, where there is further scope for more candid shots.
The renowned Bluebird Restaurant is a few minutes walk away and is a popular choice for couples requiring an intimate meal after their nuptials.
The Ivy has magnificent floral displays outside, which is even closer and a plethora of other pubs and restaurants, such as The Phene (below).
Charlotte and Dan’s wedding was rainy, so the scope for photos on the town hall steps was limited. So they saved the larger group shots for the reception venue, a ten-minute walk away.
Kensington & Chelsea Register Office,
Chelsea Old Town Hall,
King’s Road,
London.
SW3 5EE.
Kensington Town Hall,
Hornton Street,
London.
W8 7NX.
