Wedding Photography at Southwark Register Office
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The entire wedding party pose for a group photo outside the front of Southwark Register Office.
South London Wedding Venue Location
Southwark Register Office (often mistakenly referred to as Registry) is set back from the busy Peckham Road between Camberwell and Peckham and not far from Denmark Hill. Almost secluded by trees on an attractive cobbled forecourt, the Grade II listed, the building was originally built as a terraced house in the 1790’s. It is arguably one of South London’s finest small wedding venues – a definite hidden gem and perfect for your wedding photography!
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James stands outside the front of the register office building just before his wedding.
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I take a series of shots of the couple together. This shot of the newly-weds kissing shows much of the front exterior of the Southwark Register Office building.
Photographing Weddings at Southwark Register Office
I first photographed at Southwark Register Office for Tony and Leo’s same sex wedding. The beautiful Garden Room struck me as such a lovely space for a small wedding ceremony. Later the same year I documented the wedding of Rachel and Andy and have since had the pleasure of photographing numerous weddings there.
On arrival, guests are shown into the waiting room, whilst the groom has his legal interview. This is a fairly large and ornate room with fireplace, mirror and seating around the walls. Although fairly dark, it’s still a great place for photos of friends and family chatting and meeting each other pre-ceremony.
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The forecourt is a perfect spot to photograph guests arriving and greeting each other. However, it can be very shaded, particularly in summer, so I had to use 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
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Wedding guests are all smiles as they arrive into the venue. I love the ornate Victorian lamp in the background which adds to the venue's appeal.
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Although Hannah and Dave arrived separately, they decided to break with tradition and met up with each other in the hall prior to their ceremony.
What Does Southwark Offer? Wedding Packages and Timings
Basic Ceremony
The basic ceremony is only available on Wednesdays. I have never photographed one of these and it's aimed for couples on a budget. There is no option for the bride and groom to be kept separate. 30 minutes are allocated to each couple for the interviews, 'no frills' ceremony and posed photos outside. Cost is £57.
Enhanced Ceremony
Available to book for weddings taking place on Thursday - Saturday. It includes the option for the couple to be kept separate. The package includes one reading and entrance/exit music. 40 minutes are allocated to each couple. Cost is £321.
For further information about both packages and your options, visit the Southwark.gov website.
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Guests waiting in the aptly named 'waiting room' prior to the start of the ceremony.
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Bride Estelle arrives slightly nervously at her wedding ceremony with the registry in the background. I photographed wide and with fill flash to pick up the detail in her dress and, the car and brickwork.
The Bride's Arrival
Normally the bride arrives last with the bridal party so that the groom and guests don't see her. It's important for the photographer to photograph her arrival, so I keep a keen eye on what's going on in the forecourt outside. Sometimes there's time for some group portraits of the bride with her father or bridesmaids on the steps. A nice shot is to get her entering through the main door. It all helps tell the story of the day, 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 whilst the guests are shown into the Garden Room. Then the bride
Sometimes the bride and groom arrive together, but this is a matter of personal preference. Separate is more traditional and but allowed with the Enhanced Ceremony (details above).
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Bride Lisa is all smiles as she walks up the drive for her summer Southwark wedding.
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It's lovely to photograph the bride arriving through the doors from the inside. This photo is all the more special as Estelle is accompanied by her father.
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The aisle is narrow and often crowded but I position myself out of the way but still able to get a wedding photography sequence of the bride walking down the aisle.
The Southwark Registrars & Ceremony
I always make a point of introducing myself to the wedding or civil partnership officials. The registrars at Southwark are very relaxed about wedding photography. Common sense and discretion accepted, they actively encourage photography at Southwark with no restrictions. As long as the photographer does not get in the way, they can choose where to shoot from. I normally stand behind and to the side of the registrar's table where I can see everything going on. I also take some shots from the back and behind the couple, particularly during the exchange of rings.
Discretion and respect for the occasion are important, but it is so nice to have have no specific 'rules' to follow. For this reason alone, it is worth recommending Southwark Registry Office as a very special venue for your small wedding, civil partnership or same-sex wedding ceremony.
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Being able to move around, means your photographer can choose the best angle to capture all the key wedding moments such as the groom picking up his bride's ring here.
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Shooting from behind the registrar means giving the photos added context with her inclusion in the shot.
Beautiful Interior and Setting for a Fantastic Day
The Garden Room is where the ceremony itself takes place. It is well-appointed with it's wooden floors and panelling and seats 35 with room for a further 15 standing. The registrars sit with their backs to a bow window. The lighting at the front of the room is perfect. The soft window light spills through onto the faces of bride and groom and the front row of wedding guests.
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Many registrars don't allow photography of the actual signing but Southwark are quite relaxed about it.
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The intimacy of Southwark means that whatever happens I can get in 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.
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The first kiss! A lovely shot to capture: Rachel and Andy were so 'in the moment'!
Post-Ceremony Posed Group Shots
Following the ceremony, the newly-weds exit the Garden Room through the large door in the middle of the bay window at the front. This leads through to the secluded back garden (hence the name 'Garden Room'). Here the photographer has time to set up and capture those all-important wedding group shots. Sometimes time here is short, depending on when the next wedding ceremony is due to start.
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The couple leaving by the Garden Room door. This environmental shot shows the bay windows of the room from the outside.
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The garden is a beautiful spot for your group portraits after the ceremony.
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I took this at the end of the garden which has more of an overgrown and wild look.
The Newly-Weds' Exit & Showers of Confetti
Guests then walk round the side of the building to the front forecourt. The couple go back through the building and if any guests have brought it, they can and greet the happy couple coming out with handfuls of confetti. Happily, Southwark Town Hall does allow this wedding custom.
There is then 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 on to their reception venue.
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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.
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I do a mixture of colour and black and white throughout the wedding day. This photo includes lots of colour and the background of Southwark Register Office is wonderful.
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When all is over, the whole wedding party depart for the reception and celebrations with the newly-weds.
Southwark Register Office,
34 Peckham Road,
Camberwell,
London.
SE5 8QA.
