Wedding Photography at Southwark Register Office/Camberwell House
**I am taking bookings for weddings at Camberwell House for 2025-26 now**
A passionate and dynamic first kiss: The Garden Room at Southwark Register Office provided the perfect backdrop.
South London Wedding Venue Location
Southwark Register Office (Camberwell House) is set back from the busy Peckham Road. It is ideal for your small wedding. It is located between Camberwell and Peckham and not far from Denmark Hill.
Almost secluded by trees on an attractive cobbled forecourt, the Grade II-listed former school and asylum was originally built as a terraced house in the 1790s.
The name Camberwell House was first used in the 1840s and has recently been returned as a more memorable name for the wedding venue. It is arguably one of South London’s finest small venues—a hidden gem perfect for wedding photography!
Grooms get emotional too, few more so than Nathaniel, at the beginning of his marriage to Sally…
…but the tears soon turned to laughter as the registrar got their wedding ceremony underway.
Are You Planning Your Wedding at Southwark Register Office?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… |
After the ceremony and posed shots in the garden, I took a series of images of the couple together. This photo of the newlyweds kissing shows much of the front exterior of the Southwark Register Office building.
Photographing Weddings at Southwark Register Office
I first photographed at Camberwell House several years ago and immediately fell in love with it. The beautiful Garden Room struck me as a lovely space for a small wedding ceremony. Later the same year, I documented another marriage and have enjoyed photographing numerous weddings there.
My position at the front of the Garden Room allowed me to take great photos of everything, including the all-important exchange of wedding rings.
On arrival, an usher shows guests into the waiting room whilst the groom has his legal interview. The waiting area is a reasonably large and ornate room with a fireplace, mirror and seating around the walls. Although dimly lit, it’s still an excellent place for photos of friends and family chatting and meeting each other pre-ceremony.
The forecourt is a perfect spot to photograph guests arriving and greeting each other. However, it can be shaded, particularly in summer, so I used a little fill flash here.
Our Wedding Photos are Beautiful…
The photos from our wedding are beautiful. They have literally made us laugh and cry! I have recommended Guy to two of our friends who are getting married soon. Guy helped to make our day really special. We wanted someone who would capture the day in a relaxed way and that’s exactly what Guy achieved…
Rachel & Andy
Don't let the rain spoil your day: The newlyweds were all smiles as they left their marriage ceremony.
Also Consider>> Lambeth Town Hall Wedding Photography.
Although Hannah and Dave arrived separately, they decided to break with tradition and meet in the hall before their ceremony.
Bride Isha and Groom Alexandros arrived at Camberwell House together. Whether you prefer to do the same or keep it separate, the Southwark registrars are happy to accommodate.
What Does Southwark Offer? Wedding Packages and Timings
- All marriage ceremonies take place in the Garden Room, which has a capacity of 35 guests.
- If the wedding party exceeds 35, some may be asked to wait outside for health and safety reasons.
- You must contact the Register Office between 3 and 12 months before you plan to marry.
**Before Covid, the Garden Room had a capacity of 50. There are no current plans to increase this again.**
Wendy and Magnus took advantage of a change in legislation that allowed them to have a civil partnership at Southwark instead of an entire marriage ceremony.
The photographer usually photographs from the front, but there are no restrictions on discreet movement during the ceremony.
**Please note: these packages offered by the Southwark Register Office are unrelated to my wedding photography packages.**
Simple Ceremony
The Simple Ceremony is only available on one Monday morning per month and is just for the couple with 2 witnesses. I have never photographed one of these at Southwark, and it's aimed at couples on a budget or who want little fuss. There is no option for the bride and groom to be kept separate. Instead, 30 minutes is allocated to each couple for the interviews and 'no frills' ceremony.
Enhanced Ceremony
Available to book for weddings taking place on Wednesday - Saturday. It includes the option for the couple to be kept separate. The package consists of one reading and entrance/exit music. 40 minutes is allocated to each couple. We have been allowed longer than this at some weddings I have photographed at Southwark, but it depends on the day's running and the registrar's discretion.
For further information about both packages and your options, visit the Camberwell House Weddings Website.
Guests wait in the aptly named 'Waiting Room' before the start of the ceremony.
An usher shows guests into the Garden Room, and I take the time to take some portraits of them seated. I love the eye contact between father and daughter and my camera in this one.
Bride Estelle arrives nervously at her wedding ceremony with Camberwell House in the background. I photographed wide and with fill flash to pick up the details of her dress, car, and brickwork.
The Bride's Arrival
Usually, the bride arrives last with her bridal party, so the groom and guests don't see her. Your photographer should photograph her arrival, so I watch events in the forecourt. Sometimes, there's time for group portraits of the bride with her father or bridesmaids on the front steps.
A nice shot is to get her entering through the main door. It all helps tell the day's story, which is particularly important during a short-day wedding—the more diverse the range of photo opportunities, the better. Once inside the venue, she goes for her interview while the guests are shown into the Garden Room. If applicable, the bride (and father/bridesmaids) enters the couple's choice of non-religious music.
The bride and groom often arrive together, but this is a personal preference. Separate is more traditional and allowed with the Enhanced Ceremony (details above).
Bride Lisa smiles as she walks up the drive for her summer Southwark wedding.
It is lovely to photograph the bride arriving through the doors from the inside. This photo is all the more special because Estelle's father accompanied her.
Bride Rosalyn couldn't hide her joy and giggled up the Garden Room's short aisle.
This was a much smaller wedding with only seven guests. I ensured they all sat behind the couple to make it look busier and ensure they were in the photographs.
The Southwark Registrars & Ceremony
I always make a point of introducing myself to the wedding or civil partnership officials. The registrars at Camberwell House are very relaxed about wedding photography. They actively encourage photography at Southwark with no restrictions as long as the photographer is discreet and respectful of the ceremony.
If the photographer does not get in the way, they can choose where to shoot. Standing behind and to the side of the registrar's table, I can see everything going on. I also take some shots from the back and behind the couple, particularly during the exchange of rings.
I shot this from the groom's side. Getting reasonably close enabled me to capture all the expressions and emotions of the occasion, such as Isha's lovely smile.
I just had to accentuate the vibrant colours in this ceremony. Lesley and Peter were slightly camera-shy, although you wouldn't know it here!
Many photographers would find the presence of the videoing guest a little intrusive. However, I think he adds to this photo and shows what a happy occasion it was.
During COVID-19, Southwark set up the waiting room as an alternative statutory register office. I photographed a few weddings there. The couple were told beforehand that photography wouldn't be allowed, though. On the day, there was no problem.
Discretion and respect for the occasion are essential, but having no specific 'rules' is lovely. For this reason alone, the Southwark Registry Office is worth recommending as an exceptional venue for your small wedding, civil partnership, or same-sex wedding ceremony.
Moving around means your photographer can choose the best angle to capture all the critical wedding moments, such as the groom picking up his bride's ring.
Shooting from behind the registrar in the Garden Room means adding context to the photos by including her in the shot.
This photograph intrigues me: The happy couple only have eyes for each other. But the guests on the left find something very amusing out of shot and are trying to stifle their sniggering.
Beautiful Interior and Setting for a Fantastic Day
The ceremony itself takes place in the Garden Room. It is well-appointed with wooden floors and panelling and seats 35 guests.
The registrars sit with their backs to a bow window. The lighting at the front of the room is perfect, and I use my bounce flash to compliment it. The soft window light spills through onto the faces of the bride and groom and the front row of wedding guests.
Top First Kiss Photography Tip: The moment just before their lips meet can be the most intimate, so don't rush.
Most register offices allow photography of the schedule's signing, and Southwark is quite relaxed about it.
COVID rules required the registrar to be behind a perspex screen that introduced reflections. Thankfully, the screen has now disappeared.
The intimacy of Southwark means that whatever happens, I can get close. I love the look on Rachel's face as she makes emotional eye contact with another family member during this young chap's reading. This was the first time I photographed Camberwell House.
I usually take congratulations shots in the garden. However, sometimes guests can't wait, and the Garden Room exemplifies this.
Post-Ceremony Posed Group Shots
Following the ceremony, the newlyweds exit the Garden Room through a large door in the middle of the bay window at the front, leading through to the secluded back garden (hence the name 'Garden Room'). The venue generally allows around 10 minutes for the photographer to set up and capture those all-important wedding group shots. In the garden, time can be short, depending on when the next wedding ceremony is due to start.
The couple leaving by the Garden Room door: This environmental shot shows the bay windows from the outside.
Please wait for me! A thoughtful bride leaves her new husband behind after their ceremony.
I added a slight vignette to give this photo a more atmospheric look.
Two hugs are better than one. I compose the couple to get them both into their congratulations photos in the garden.
The garden at Southwark Register Office is a beautiful spot for your group portraits after the ceremony.
I took this family portrait at the end of the garden, which is better for large groups.
I photographed this couple and their parents using the back of Camberwell House as a backdrop.
Weddings at Southwark don't get any larger than this, but there is ample space for a wedding party portrait in the garden.
This bridal portrait shows off the bottom end of the garden well. It is a surprisingly well-kept and ample space with numerous backdrops and potential for various photographs.
Southwark Register Office Wedding FAQ's
Q. WHY GET MARRIED AT SOUTHWARK REGISTER OFFICE?
A. The venue is a small hidden gem in South London, perfect for your register office wedding. The Garden Room is intimate but beautiful, and the registrars are accommodating. The venue also has a garden for posed group shots, where guests can congratulate the couple.
Q. HOW LONG BEFORE OUR WEDDING CEREMONY CAN WE GAIN ACCESS TO THE ROOM FOR PHOTOGRAPHY?
A. There is a waiting area where the guests are shown on arrival. Access to the Garden Room is given a few minutes before the ceremony starts, and there is enough time to photograph your guests entering, being seated, and the groom waiting for his bride's entrance.
Q. IS PHOTOGRAPHY ALLOWED OF OUR WEDDING VOWS?
A. Yes, there is no restriction on photographing any part of the ceremony, including the register signing.
Q. IS CONFETTI ALLOWED AFTERWARDS FOR A NICE PHOTOGRAPHIC SEQUENCE?
A. After a short time in the garden, guests can gather at the front of the building and wait for the couple to exit. Biodegradable confetti is then allowed to be thrown, and I have examples of this happening on this page.
Q. WHAT IS THE LIGHT LIKE FOR PHOTOGRAPHY IN THE GARDEN ROOM?
A. The Garden Room has French windows at the front end, which beautifully illuminate the couple and the registrar's desk. Things get dimmer towards the back, but your photographer can capture all the critical moments with a combination of natural light and bounce flash.
Tossing the bouquet: This was the only time I have photographed this at Southwark, and it is often difficult to capture well. I think this shows everything, though.
As the wedding guests take photos, I turn my camera on them. This photo also shows the back of the house.
Although their wedding was on a Saturday, no marriage was directly following it, so there was plenty of time for fun and playful shots of the newlyweds!
Another fun shot of the bride laughing as her new husband spins her around.
Your wedding photographer has much to think about during the day: I had to spin the heart to get it in the right place for the shot. There have been some garden additions lately, including this arbour.
The Newly-Weds' Exit & Showers of Confetti
Guests then walk back through the building via a side door to the right. If any guests have brought confetti, they can greet the happy couple coming out with handfuls. Happily, Camberwell House does allow this wedding custom.
There is a further opportunity for more posed shots outside the front door (I give preference to the couple and close family here) before the wedding party travels to their reception venue.
Confetti is allowed happily... These are some of the best and happiest wedding day shots. Couples always feel more able to relax after the formality of the ceremony is over.
I take a sequence of photographs as the couple walks away from the building.
I do a mixture of colour and black and white throughout the wedding day. This photo includes many colours, and the background of Camberwell House is lovely.
The wedding party poses for a group photo outside the front of Southwark Register Office with Peckham Road in the background.
The umbrella-toting newlyweds are leaving their rainy wedding at Southwark Town Hall. I then did a further photoshoot with them in Central London.
Black and white gives a similar scene a different look. I used fill-flash to compensate for the tree canopy.
Lucas Gardens for Other Wedding Photos
The Lucas Gardens are a couple of minutes' walk away. You can enter it from the corner of Peckham Road and Vestry Road.
I photograph wedding parties there regularly, as this gives diversity to the photos, particularly at short weddings. The park is relatively small but beautiful, with attractive backdrops such as flower beds and green foliage for gorgeous photographs. There is even a play park for more playful shots...
The Lucas Gardens next door has lots of flowers and foliage, which is great for portraits of the newlyweds after their ceremony.
Although some may consider a jumping shot a little cheesy, it tells of the fun and personalities present on the day.
Southwark Register Office,
34 Peckham Road,
Camberwell,
London.
SE5 8QA.
