How to elope in London

I did a reel the other day titled How to Elope in London and it just dawned on me that it’s a perfect blog post. I hope it will be informative for you guys.

So what does it mean, to elope? It used to mean “escape and get secretly married” but that’s not the case anymore (at least in majority of the cases! I’m yet to photograph an escape wedding hahaha) These days it simple mean “a small, intimate destination wedding”, where the destination can be anything from the Scottish highlands, through a Greek island to, of course a city destination, like London, Paris or New York. Let’s focus on London as a elopement destination city for now. Look at these London views and tell me London is not the best city in the world to get married in! I dare you :-)

These views are from London’s famous Sky Garden, where I shoot a lot of engagement parties and weddings - isn’t it perfect? But the London elopement I want to tell you about did not happen in Sky Garden, but on the streets of Soho. Poppy and Marcela legally got married in the Old Chelsea Town Hall, but then went for a stroll in Soho (just with me, their wedding photographer), looking for a quiet corner to exchange their vows and rings. It was very touching and calm - we did manage to find a quiet corner and they whispered their vows to each other, choosing the intimacy of an elopement over saying it all out loud in front of everyone.

So, after saying their vows, they exchanged the rings, kissed and we took some photos. It was so quiet, intimate and utterly beautiful! Just the two people and their promise to each other. And me, of course :-) (but let me assure you, when I’m photographing such intimate moments, I’m not going to choreograph you, I’m actually pulling my special powers and become an invisible wedding photographer, like a fly on the wall. I’m there to capture your emotions, not to direct them) . Ok, let’s see a few photos of how a London elopement can look like

There’s a reason why I chose Marcela and Poppy to write about London elopement scene. London is also amazing for LGBTQ+ weddings and elopements! Soho is a capital of gay marriage and the majority of weddings I shoot in in and around Soho are gay weddings! Which I love, btw!

two brides eloping in London. London intimate wedding, two brides in an intimate embrace

And what’s the role of a London elopement photographer? Apart, of course from taking photos :-)

Well, I can help you plan, as I’ve been living in London for almost 20 years, photographing it all the way, shooting weddings for at least half to this time. I know quiet corners, the best bridges and views. I know all the pubs and little sweet restaurants. So do ask me questions, if you want to and I’ll be honoured to help you plan your intimate wedding. I can give you some good tips and contacts to the best wedding suppliers (for example: dress makers, ring makers, videographers, flowers, food - I’ve worked with them all throughout the years) But most importantly, of course - I’ll be doing my best to make you feel relaxed and confident, to give you little hints at posing, but also disappearing quietly when needed to. I’ll still be there, camera ready, but in the most unobtrusive way possible (my ninja skills come handy)

In London you can elope in a town hall, or in a garden, with a celebrant (oh, I love celebrant led weddings! Let me tell you - they know how to make the ceremony unforgettable!) It can be just the two of you, of you can surround yourself with friends and family. Poppy and Marcela combined the two - they had family present at the legal ceremony in the Chelsea Town Hall, but then it was just the two of them to say the views and exchange the rings. After the couple shots we went to the best Soho Pizzeria - Mozza Pizzeria, to join their friends and family for a wild party. Caipirinhas, dancing and pizza. What more would you ever need? :-) Shall we have a look at the wedding pizza party?