Lulu and Simon’s small and intimate Chelsea wedding was such a wonderful day to capture: both the style and the joy were effortless.
What I loved most about it (other than Lulu’s incredible caped Reiss wedding dress…more on that in a minute) is how she and Simon did things their own way, and had the best time because of it. Whether you’re planning a Chelsea Old Town Hall wedding, a small London wedding, or simply love modern bridal style, there’s wedding inspiration here for everyone!
Swapping a big party for a small wedding
Lulu and Simon originally had plans for a large 2024 celebration, but decided to relocate to New York City (the dream!), so they cancelled their original plans and opted for a small Chelsea Old Town Hall wedding instead. Relaxed personal and full of charm. Followed up by drinks at The Surprise (a pub just around the corner) and dinner at a swanky restaurant later that evening.
Small wedding collection
Lulu and Simon booked my small wedding photography collection, offering 1.5 hours of coverage. This gave me the perfect amount of time to capture just before the ceremony, the ceremony itself, couple/group portraits, and with all their faves celebrating at the pub afterwards.
Reasons to have a small and intimate wedding
There are so many reasons to have a small or intimate wedding – they obviously skyrocketed in popularity in recent years, and I’m really happy they’re sticking around as an active choice for couples, too.
Intimate, small weddings are perfect if you don’t fancy a Big Fancy wedding, or you’re worried about the peer pressure or family expectations that often come with it. As a photographer who specialises in timeless and emotive wedding photography, my favourite wedding days are always the ones where you’re both genuinely relaxed and enjoying yourself, and if that means a guest list of 10 (or 2) then I’m absolutely here for it!
Iconic Chelsea wedding venue
Lulu and Simon’s wedding was my first time photographing a Chelsea Old Town Hall wedding – and it didn’t disappoint. The iconic Chelsea wedding venue, situated on King’s Road, is a Grade II listed building, which has played host to a number of royal and famous weddings including Judy Garland, Pierce Brosnan, and Hugh Grant (in separate ceremonies, just to be clear…).
The ceremony took place in The Brydon Room. The Brydon Room has yellow walls, ornate gold mirrors and dark wooden detailing. This means it doesn’t require anything in terms of styling, making it perfect for small ceremonies.
The gorgeous grand building has been newly refurbished, so it’s as impressive on the outside as it is on the inside. You might recognise the staircase outside, under the alcove – and you best believe I gathered all of Lulu and Simon’s guests to line the steps for an incredible confetti shot.
London small wedding venues
If you’re looking for more intimate London wedding venues perfect for small wedding celebrations, you can read my blog post all about them here.
Incredible Caped Reiss Wedding Dress
Now, let’s talk about it: Lulu and Simon’s incredible style. I couldn’t believe it when Lulu told me that she’d bought her dress from Reiss. The plunge neckline, vintage-inspired bodice and long skirt slit would have made a glamorous dress anyway, but the crème de la crème is the cape detailing at the shoulders. She accessorised it simply and effectively with white pointed heels, and her long bob curled.
Simon also brought his A-game with his outfit: a black suit, pink tie, paisley waistcoat, and an excellent moustache. He and his best man wore cream roses in their buttonholes, and Lulu had a matching bouquet with added eucalyptus, greenery, and accents of pink too, from Moyses Stevens.
Street couple portraits
After the ceremony, we all walked to The Surprise together en masse through Chelsea’s side streets. I loved walking down the streets of London with Lulu, Simon and their guests, snapping photos of them laughing and joking. We also stopped for group portraits outside a townhouse, capturing Lulu and Simon with their families, and Lulu and her best pals down a picturesque side street.
Whilst their guests went ahead to the pub, I took Lulu and Simon for their couple’s portraits. Despite getting married in November, it was balmy enough for us to stand outside for a little bit and take some gorgeous, romantic photos – as well as some of them walking back to the pub. I adored how Lulu’s dress floated behind her as we walked! Then, when we got back to the pub, it was time for champagne and cake (name me a better combination than Taittinger and red velvet. I’ll wait…)
Intimate London wedding photography
I absolutely loved photographing Lulu and Simon’s intimate London wedding day – made all the more special by the fact that they were soon moving halfway across the world, so the memories I’d be capturing were even more poignant.
Real Weddings
If you’d like to see how a full celebration comes together, head to Real Small Weddings galleries. Every photograph across my website was taken at a real wedding. On the rare occasion I share a styled shoot, I’ll say so. Styled shoots set the scene; weddings unfold, so expectations (and timings) are vastly different.
Planning a London wedding?
If you’re planning a small or intimate wedding in London and are looking for a wedding photographer to capture with warmth and style, I’d love to chat – you can get in touch here.
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