Chelsea Old Town Hall on King’s Road, near Sloane Square, is one of London’s most popular registry office wedding venues, and for good reason. I’ve photographed dozens of weddings there over the years and know the building, the ceremony rooms, and the surrounding area extremely well.
If you’re getting married at Chelsea Old Town Hall and looking for a wedding photographer who understands how the day actually flows, this is a venue where experience really matters.
Getting married at Chelsea Old Town Hall
Chelsea Old Town Hall has several ceremony rooms, each with a slightly different feel, from intimate spaces for smaller weddings through to larger rooms for bigger guest lists. Having photographed so many weddings here, I know how each room works, where the best natural light is, and how to photograph the ceremony discreetly without making it feel staged or intrusive.
Outside, the steps on King’s Road are usually where confetti, group photos, and those first few moments after the ceremony happen. It’s a busy stretch of London, so things tend to move quickly. I’m very used to organising this part efficiently, keeping it relaxed and calm, and making sure you’re not standing around longer than necessary.
Couple portraits around King’s Road and Chelsea
One of the big advantages of Chelsea Old Town Hall is the sheer number of great locations nearby for couple portraits. Within a short walk you have Chelsea Fire Station, the elegant back streets on either side of King’s Road, and the grandeur of Royal Avenue, which works beautifully for quieter, more timeless portraits away from the crowds.
If you’re keen to go a bit further and time allows, Albert Bridge is another option. To include Albert Bridge comfortably, I’d suggest allowing an extra 30 minutes compared to a standard portrait session, as it involves a longer walk there and back.
Chelsea itself offers so much variety that it’s easy to build a portrait route that fits your priorities. My general approach is to keep things efficient and low-key. I don’t like pulling couples away from their guests for long periods, and in most cases a short window is more than enough to create a strong set of natural, unforced images. If you’d like to explore more of the area, that can be planned in too, with a clear route and timing so it never feels like the photos are taking over the day.
If you’re planning a wedding at Chelsea Old Town Hall and want relaxed, documentary-style wedding photography that makes the most of both the venue and the surrounding Chelsea streets, it’s somewhere I know inside out.