Your guide to getting married in Chelsea -

Chelsea Old Town Hall is one London’s most popular places to tie the knot, whether it’s a marriage or civil partnership. And there’s good reason for this. Walking down the famous steps from the town hall onto the Kings Road, there are plenty of places to go for couple photos before heading off to celebrate with friends and family. Read on for your ultimate guide to getting married in Chelsea.

Chelsea Old Town Hall

Newly refurbished, this magnificent Grade II, late Victorian building provides a beautiful, memorable and photogenic backdrop for weddings. Its central position at the heart of Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea brings a stack of wonderful options for lunch and dinners afterwards. There are rooms of all difference sizes to accommodate the number of guests you plan to have.

The Brydon Room is one of the most popular rooms to get married in and one I’ve photographed many times. Beautiful and stylish, this room has had many famous couples hold their own ceremony here and it is able to seat up to 38 guests. It’s also available every day of the week.

The Rosetti Room is a beautiful room, tastefully decorated, and a very popular choice. It’s small enough for an intimate occasion, seating up to 12 guests. It offers a quiet and relaxed setting for your ceremony.

The Harrington Room is perfect for smaller, intimate occasions and it accommodates up to eight guests. The Harrington Room is only available on weekday mornings.

Confetti on the steps

My favourite part of any ceremony at Chelsea Old Town Hall. And I always recommend to clients to use Flutter Darlings. The very best – never skimp on confetti and you will be rewarded with some fantastic photos.

The famous steps are also a great place to have some couple photos and all your group shots.

Chelsea walkabout

Not only are the town hall steps iconic, but also the streets of Chelsea. Famed for its beautiful architecture, it’s hard to find a street which isn’t photogenic. Coupled with the Albert Bridge for some shots by the Thames there’s a good selection of backdrops all within a 10-15 minute walk. And if you want a bit of greenery you can head to St Luke’s church, a few minutes walk away, which adds variety to your gallery.

Time to party!

There are numerous places to go and celebrate in Chelsea after your ceremony. The list is endless but if you’re looking for inspiration, couples have taken me along to the following places:

The Ivy Chelsea – you can hire a fantastic room at the back of this stunning restaurant. Well worth it!

The Phene – an iconic Chelsea pub and garden.

No. Fifty Cheyne – Bright modern brasserie with river views.

Stanley’s Chelsea – an upmarket restaurant serving sophiscated cuisine.

Bluebird – Classic European food and cocktails.

The Orange Pub and Boutique Hotel – again a London classic with private dining upstairs.

Most of these are within walking distance of the town hall otherwise it’s easy to hop into a taxi.

Having your photographer at your restaurant doesn’t have to be intrusive. I often stay for half an hour or so just to capture the ambience and first cheers, and possibly even some speeches, before heading off to let you enjoy your meal without a camera close by!