Lulu and Simon’s small and intimate Chelsea wedding was such a wonderful day to be a part of: both the style and the joy were sky high.
What I loved most about it (other than Lulu’s incredible 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 wedding, a small wedding elsewhere, or you’re just here for the fashion, I think there’s some wedding wisdom to be taken away by everyone!
Swapping a big party for a small wedding
Lulu and Simon originally had plans for a big wedding in 2024. However, they then decided to relocate to New York City (the dream!), so they cancelled their original plans and opted for a small and intimate ceremony instead. Their ceremony was held at Chelsea Old Town Hall, followed up by drinks at The Surprise (a pub just around the corner) and dinner at a swanky restaurant.
Small wedding collection
To ensure they had their Chelsea wedding captured forever, Lulu and Simon booked my smallest small wedding photography collection, which offers 1.5 hours of coverage. This gave me the perfect amount of time to capture just before the ceremony, the ceremony itself, portraits afterwards, and a couple of them celebrating at the pub too.
Reasons to have a small and intimate wedding
There’s loads of reasons to have a small wedding – they obviously skyrocketed in popularity in recent years through necessity (I won’t mention the C word but…you know why), 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 sentimental, natural 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 shooting at Chelsea Old Town Hall – 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. 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 shooting Lulu and Simon’s Chelsea 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.
Contact me
If you’re planning a small but sentimental day and are looking for a wedding photographer to capture it in all of its intimate glory, I’d love to chat – you can get in touch here.
