Lesley and Jason asked me to photograph their Chelsea Old Town Hall Christmas wedding less than a week before their big day and I was thrilled to be able to say ‘yes’. They had already had a ceremony in Malaysia and this was the London (much smaller) event. Jason’s family came over from Kuala Lumpur and everyone else from the UK. It was a mix of parents, Jason’s sister, and friends. The Rossetti Room at Chelsea Register Office was the perfect size.
What they had missed in Malaysia were portraits of the two of them. Since it was going to be dark when they came out we arranged to meet up an hour before the ceremony for some daylight portraits. The weather was dismal so (instead of meeting at a nearby park) we met up at Chelsea Old Town Hall. The waiting area has a huge window facing the staircase so that’s what we used. Lesley wore a gorgeous long gown with pretty lace details. Jason wore black tie.
The ceremony was smiley and fun with plenty of laughter. The two mums acted as witnesses and then everyone made their way to the steps outside for confetti. It wasn’t raining, but it was pretty wet underfoot. Jason and Lesley very sensibly stayed at the top! Due to the cold, damp weather we did the groups in the waiting area.
The drinks reception and wedding breakfast was to be at the Lansdowne Club in Mayfair so we did the Christmas light photos in Sloane Square. I was keen to catch a bus down to Peter Jones and Lesley was totally up for it. I love how the passengers were a mix of “congratulations!” and pretending it was perfectly normal to have a couple run out of Chelsea and onto a bus… ‘nothing to see here’ kind of thing.
Sloane Square was very pretty with tree lights and Peter Jones’s blanket of lights. They braved the cold for two minutes which was very impressive but the photo looks great. Totally worth it! Then a taxi to the Lansdowne to meet everyone else, have a glass of champagne, and a couple more portraits before their meal. The Lansdowne is very elegant and the private dining room was beautiful.
If you are marrying and need a photographer with just a few days notice please do contact me. I have been booked at 10am for a 2pm wedding and know my way around London very well. For more information about weddings at Chelsea Old Town Hall do try my Chelsea page.
