For their Chelsea Old Town Hall elopement Chris and Dora decided to keep it low-key. They didn’t tell any of their friends and family, preferring to keep it a surprise. They had two Chelsea Pensioners from the Royal Hospital Chelsea as their witnesses which made it even more special. The ceremony was in the Rossetti Room. Perfect for small, intimate wedding ceremonies. The Chelsea Pensioners – Walter and Godfrey – did a cracking job with the confetti on the steps. Chelsea Old Town Hall is the venue for the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Register Office and their famous steps have witnessed many joyful confetti throws.

I remember when I first worked in London being mesmerised by the numerous happy couples outside as I passed by on the bus. In the 1960s my mother lived in nearby Bramerton Street and was married in Chelsea Old Church. I remember visiting the area when I was young and being in awe of the pretty London streets.

Chris and Dora were a delight to photograph. After their confetti shot, we headed off to take a few shots of just the two of them in the streets around Chelsea Old Town Hall. Since Chris and Dora are from Greece originally it was nice to incorporate some Mediterranean foliage into their photographs. We were also lucky with the weather. A beautiful sunny day. Dora’s sleeveless, knee-length lace dress and Chris’s navy pinstriped suit looked stunning against the stucco white buildings of Chelsea.

chelsea pensioners in the waiting area at chelsea old town hall dora and chris meet the chelsea pensioners before their rossetti room ceremony chelsea pensioner scarlet coat detail bride and groom enter the rossetti room at the start of their chelsea elopement ceremony chelsea old town hall elopement at chelsea register office wedding photographer with chelsea pensioners as witnesses marry me in chelsea registrar greets the bride and groom in the rossetti room bride and groom say their vows in the rossetti room at chelsea old town hall groom places wedding ring on his brides finger in the rossetti room bride places ring on grooms finger in the rossetti room chelsea pensioners look on as couple marry in the rossetti room at chelsea register office groom signs the register in the rossetti room chelsea pensioners sign the register in the rossetti room at chelsea registry office chelsea pensioners in the rossetti room chelsea register office wedding photographer couple on the chelsea steps with two chelsea pensioners throwing confetti bride and groom kiss on the steps of chelsea old town hall bride and groom pose in front of a typical chelsea white stucco building with wisteria close up of bride and groom showing flowers chelsea old town hall wedding photographer and a couple kiss after their rossetti room ceremony close up of bride and grooms wedding rings on their wedding day bride and groom in front of a chelsea white stucco building with bride laughing chelsea old town hall elopement by chelsea old town hall wedding photographer emma duggan bride and groom kiss in a london black cab

If you are planning a Chelsea Old Town Hall elopement and would like to check if I am available to photograph your wedding, please have a look at my Chelsea Register Office page for more details.

ALBUM UPDATE

A few weeks later I met up with Dora again for a coffee at Peter Jones and handed over her bespoke wedding album. They chose a gorgeous bright orange cover and their photographs looked great inside. Here is their 14 page layout: