Church Weddings in London: Who Can Marry Where

London has some of the most beautiful churches in the world to get married in. The catch is that you can’t simply book most of them the way you’d book a hotel. Whether you can marry in a particular church depends on your connection to it, and for the famous ones the rules are very tight.

So this guide starts with the practical part: who can marry where. Then it covers the London churches I’ve photographed weddings in, what photography in a church is really like, and how to pair a church ceremony with a reception nearby.

Who can get married in a London church?

Church of England parish churches

You can marry in the parish church where either of you lives. Since 2008 you can also marry in a Church of England parish church if either of you has a “qualifying connection” to it. According to the Faculty Office, that means one of you:

• has lived in the parish for at least six months, or regularly attended services there for six months,
• was baptised or confirmed there,
• has a parent who lived in the parish or attended services there for six months, or
• has a parent or grandparent who was married there.

The usual legal step is banns, read on three Sundays in the church and in the parish where you live. If either of you isn’t a UK or Irish national, the rules are different and you’ll normally need to go through the register office first, so check this early.

Catholic churches

Catholic churches set their own requirements. At the London Oratory, for example, at least one of you must be Catholic, and you have to meet a priest in person before any date is confirmed. If you don’t worship there, you’ll be asked about your home parish and your connection to the church.

The famous ones

This is where people are most often disappointed.

• St Paul’s Cathedral. Weddings are held in the OBE Chapel in the crypt, and are only for members of the Order of the British Empire, the Order of St Michael and St George, the Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor, holders of the British Empire Medal, their children, and some members of the cathedral community. You need a Special Licence, and the cathedral says the wait is two to three years.
• Westminster Abbey. Generally limited to members of the Royal Family, members of the Order of the Bath and their children, residents of the Abbey precincts, and a few others at the Abbey’s discretion.
• The King’s Chapel of the Savoy. Weddings are by Special Licence and need a qualifying connection to the Chapel, so speak to the Chaplain first.

London churches I’ve photographed weddings in

Every church below is one where I’ve photographed a wedding, with a link to the couple’s day.

St Paul’s Cathedral, St Etheldreda’s in Holborn, and a Russian Orthodox ceremony in Knightsbridge, all from weddings I’ve photographed.

St Paul’s Cathedral

Wren’s cathedral, and the most extraordinary church I’ve worked in. The steps and the west front are made for photographs as you come out. I photographed Sam and Matt Wilson’s wedding here in 2026, and earlier Amy and Patrick’s and Julie and Tony’s.

The London Oratory, Knightsbridge

The Catholic church next to the V&A, known to most people as the Brompton Oratory. A huge Italianate interior with marble and gilding, and a forecourt that opens onto Brompton Road. See Sophie and Michael’s wedding at the Oratory.

The King’s Chapel of the Savoy

A small, beautiful chapel tucked away just off the Strand, behind the Savoy hotel. It feels secluded for somewhere so central. I photographed Amy and Robbie’s wedding at the Savoy Chapel.

St Etheldreda’s, Holborn

A 13th-century chapel in Ely Place, a quiet gated street just off Holborn Circus, and the oldest Catholic church building in England. Dark stone, a tall Gothic window over the altar and a lot of atmosphere. See Melissa and Ben’s wedding at St Etheldreda’s.

St Paul’s Church, Covent Garden

The actors’ church, with its garden entrance off Bedford Street and the portico facing the Covent Garden piazza. It’s an easy walk from there to a reception in the West End. I photographed Mafalda and Robert’s winter wedding, with their reception at The Ivy.

The Russian Orthodox Cathedral, Knightsbridge

The Cathedral of the Dormition and All Saints on Ennismore Gardens. An Orthodox wedding is very different to photograph: the crowning, the candles and the procession around the table all happen close together, so it helps to know the order of the service. See Polina and Evgeny’s wedding, which moved on to Cliveden for the reception.

Our Lady and St Catherine of Siena, Bow

A Catholic parish church on Bow Road in the East End. I photographed Erica and Derri’s wedding here, with the reception afterwards at Stationers’ Hall.

Holy Trinity, Wimbledon

A parish church in Wimbledon, and a reminder that a local church can photograph just as well as a famous one. See Donna and Daniel’s Wimbledon wedding.

Photography in a church

A church ceremony is the part of the day where the photographer has the least freedom, and that’s as it should be. A few things worth knowing.

• Every church has its own rules. Some are happy for me to move quietly during the service. Others ask for no photographs during the vows, or only from the back or the gallery. Ask the vicar or priest what they allow, and tell me, so there are no surprises on the day.
• No flash during the service. I don’t use it in a ceremony anyway. Church light is often low, and it’s usually the most atmospheric light of the day.
• The signing of the register is often where a church relaxes its rules, and it’s a good moment for photographs of you both with family.
• Check about confetti. Many churches only allow it outside, or only natural petals. The confetti shot on the steps is worth planning for.
• Allow time on the steps. Guests pour out and everyone wants to congratulate you. Ten minutes outside the church before leaving is when some of the best photographs of the day happen.

Pairing a church with a reception

Most London church weddings move on somewhere else, and the pairing shapes the day. The best combinations I’ve photographed have been close enough to walk or a short drive: Covent Garden to The Ivy, Bow to Stationers’ Hall, or a Knightsbridge ceremony followed by a hotel reception nearby. If you’re looking at somewhere different for the reception, my guide to unique London wedding venues may help.

What it costs

My prices are the same whichever church you choose, and they’re all on my prices page. For a church ceremony and a reception, the eight-hour collection is the one most couples book.

London church wedding questions

Can you get married in any church in London?

No. For a Church of England church, one of you needs to live in the parish or have a qualifying connection, such as being baptised there, regularly attending, or a parent or grandparent having married there. Catholic churches usually require at least one of you to be Catholic.

Can anyone get married at St Paul’s Cathedral?

No. Weddings are held in the OBE Chapel in the crypt and are open to members of the Order of the British Empire, the Order of St Michael and St George, the Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor, holders of the British Empire Medal, their children, and some members of the cathedral community.

Can you get married at Westminster Abbey?

Only in very limited circumstances. Weddings are generally limited to members of the Royal Family, members of the Order of the Bath and their children, residents of the Abbey precincts, and a few others at the Abbey’s discretion.

What are banns?

The public announcement of your intention to marry, read out on three Sundays in the church where you’ll marry and in the parish where you live. You then marry within three months of the last reading.

Can the photographer take photos during a church ceremony?

That depends on the church. Some allow quiet photography throughout, others restrict it during the vows. Ask the vicar or priest early and share the rules with your photographer.

Which London churches have you photographed weddings in?

Among others, St Paul’s Cathedral, the London Oratory, the King’s Chapel of the Savoy, St Etheldreda’s in Holborn, St Paul’s Church in Covent Garden, the Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Knightsbridge, Our Lady and St Catherine of Siena in Bow, and Holy Trinity in Wimbledon.