Back in the summer of 2021, Stella and Michael got in touch to ask if I was free to be the London wedding photographer for their microwedding. Of course I jumped at the chance and had the best time photographing the day across their two Chelsea wedding venues.
Chelsea Wedding Venue
Stella and Michael’s wedding took place across two Chelsea wedding venues, the first of which was Chelsea Old Town Hall. Chelsea Old Town Hall is right in the heart of the iconic area and as such has been home to many famous weddings, including Hugh Grant, Piece Brosnan, Judy Garland and Wallis Sinpson, to name a few!
This iconic Chelsea wedding venue has a central location on the King’s Road, and it was so much fun to drive there with Stella and her mum in the wedding taxi. Their faces were beaming inside the vintage car, and everyone who we drove past beamed back at the glimpse they got of Stella’s wedding dress. (This is why I love being a London wedding photographer – the incredible buzz of the city, always.)
If you’re looking for a Chelsea wedding venue with lots of choice for your ceremony space, then I’d definitely recommend the Old Town Hall. There are loads of rooms within the Grade II listed building, all bursting with grandeur and charm. Stella and Michael’s ceremony took place in the Brydon Room, an intimate but airy space finished with crystal chandeliers and dark wooden features. And as their guests exited the building after the ceremony, they made sure to grab some confetti to prepare for what was to come…
Confetti shot on the steps
Of course there are a thousand and one reasons you might want to marry at this incredible Chelsea wedding venue, but a big one is probably this: getting a photo on the iconic steps leading out of the building. It’s an instantly recognisable spot! For this reason, we chose it as the setting for the confetti shot, then gathered everyone in front of the double doors and bright floral arch for a group shot amongst all the petals. Of course, we also took a few portraits of Stella and Michael there too!
Then it was time to head to the reception. Stella, Michael and I hopped into the white cab (yep, I got to go too – perks of being a London wedding photographer) and set off, grinning at and waving to all their guests on the pavements. Some of their friends even started to run after the taxi as it pulled away…the things we do for the perfect shot, hey?!
A reception at home
Stella and Michael’s second Chelsea wedding venue wasn’t a venue, as such: it was their home. With the ceremony finishing around 2.30pm they’d asked guests to arrive around 3.30pm, giving them a bit of time to take a breath and let it sink in (or at least, start to!)
They were greeted at their front door by a waiter with glasses of bubbly for them both and as people began to trickle in, canapés started circling too. I thought this was a great idea, getting private chefs and catering into your own kitchen – it just meant Stella, Michael and their loved ones could fully relax (it looked delicious, too – big up the Zara’s Kitchen team.)
Stella and Michael had big bifold doors leading out onto their patio, so there was a lovely open and airy space for guests to mill about, catch up, drink and eat. Especially as some late sun came out to play, it was pretty much the perfect summer’s afternoon. What could be better?
Well, as it turned out: all that was missing was some gentle teasing. The Maid of Honour, Best Man and Michael did brilliant speeches, which were all both heartfelt and hilarious – all you need to know is that Michael had written his speech in a notebook, and that notebook ended up covering his face in embarrassment when the Best Man was telling a particular story during his speech…
Then it was time to cut the cake. In the space under the stairs stood Stella and Michael’s stunning three tier cake, decorated with more of the incredible oversized flowers and dusky pink roses that had formed Stella’s bouquet.
On the table they also had a Polaroid station where guests were encouraged to take photos throughout the day so that Stella and Michael had extra memories to look back on. This is another super cute idea from their day, and a perfect example of why I loved shooting this Chelsea wedding: because it showed that intimate weddings or micro weddings don’t have to be any less luxurious, detailed, or meaningful. Just because there’s a smaller guest list doesn’t mean it has to be less fun!
London wedding photographer
If you’re planning a (micro)wedding and are in need of a London wedding photographer to capture your love and joy authentically, then I’d love to chat. Whether you’ve booked a Chelsea wedding venue – perhaps Chelsea Old Town Hall (I’d be very surprised if you’d managed to book Stella and Michael’s home!) – or somewhere else in the capital, you can tell me all about your plans by getting in touch here. I can’t wait to hear what you’ve got up your sleeves!
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With thanks to
Venue: Chelsea Old Town Hall
Dress designer: Suzanne Neville
Florist: Calluna
Hair and Makeup: Hanna Wildman
Food: Zara’s kitchen
Cake: Cakes by Robin
In love with this Chelsea venue wedding? Want to see more from this London wedding photographer? Check out this page to find out more about the photographer, and links to many other stunning blogs.