Gary and Maria were married this morning at Chelsea Old Town Hall on the King’s Road. 9:15am, Room 6, and just four people in the room: the two of them, Gary’s uncle and cousin, who were their witnesses.
They’ve been engaged for 18 years. Nobody could accuse them of rushing it. They booked me for an hour and a half, which is about right for a wedding this size, with time left over for a walk round some of the quieter corners of Chelsea.
Room 6 at 9:15
Chelsea do small weddings very well. Room 6 is small and bright, and with only four of you the registrars keep it relaxed. There was a lot of laughing before anyone got started.
An early slot is worth thinking about if you want the building to yourselves. At quarter past nine the town hall is quiet, and you’re not queuing on the steps behind the next wedding party.
Confetti under the flowers
The front of Chelsea Old Town Hall has a huge arch of flowers over the door at the moment, in oranges and pinks that suited a November morning. Gary’s uncle and cousin were handed the confetti, and they didn’t hold back.
With four people, group photos take about two minutes. Everyone in, a couple of frames, then the witnesses step aside and I get on with the two of them.
Back inside for the staircase
The staircase inside is one of the best bits of the building, and plenty of couples walk straight past it. White balustrades, portraits on the walls, and no traffic noise.
A walk down the road
Then we walked down the road to a couple of my favourite quiet streets. Colourful houses, black railings, hardly any cars, and this week the pavements were covered in leaves. You can’t arrange that. You just have to get married in November.
This is why I like to keep a bit of the booking for a walk. Ten minutes from the town hall and you’ve got completely different pictures, and the two of you have relaxed because the formal part is done.
Gary & Maria
After that they were off for lunch to carry on celebrating. Eighteen years engaged, and married before ten o’clock on a Tuesday morning. Congratulations, both of you. It was a pleasure.
Getting married at Chelsea Old Town Hall?
Have a look at my Chelsea Old Town Hall wedding photographer guide for how the rooms work, timings and prices.
Planning something small? See micro wedding photography, registry office weddings in London and elopements.
More weddings at Chelsea Old Town Hall
More small London weddings, plus my Chelsea Old Town Hall guide.
