How to
Elope in London
london elopement guide
I’m Genevieve
your london elopement photographer
There’s something powerful about a quiet moment. The soft brush of their hand on yours as the world fades into the background. The way they look at you across the room, and for just a second, nothing else matters.
If that’s the kind of wedding you’re dreaming of—just the two of you, or maybe a handful of your closest people—then I’m the one behind the lens, capturing everything that makes it yours.
Hi, I’m Genevieve, and I’m not just your photographer—I’m a quiet observer of your love story. I’m here to capture your day in a way that feels as real, as relaxed, and as personal as the love you share.
If you’re planning to elope in London then have a look through this page packed with information & tips on my favourite Town Halls & venues in London.
Sarah-Jane & Luiz eloped in Marylebone with a handful of friends & family
MAKING IT LEGAL
Eloping does require some planning, firstly you need to decide where you want to have your ceremony & then give notice at a registry office. You need to do this at least 29 days before your wedding. You have to exchange vows if you’re getting married, unless it’s a civil partnership then vows are optional. You’ll need two witnesses, these can be guests or strangers. If you’re keeping the day super private, I’m happy to be a witness as well as your photographer – I’ve done it before!
The best Town Halls in London for micro weddings & elopements
Old Marylebone Town Hall
GRAND TIMELESS ELEGANCE
The Old Marylebone Town Hall is fast becoming my favourite London Town Hall for elopements & micro weddings. The expansive stone steps & columns out the front are perfect for confetti moments & classic, timeless couples portraits. There’s lots of space outside compared to other London Town Halls. Their rooms are beautifully decorated with period features, fireplaces and velvet sofas. There’s a range of rooms to choose from, some with dark wood panelling & some painted in lighter tones. The staff here have it all down pat, the experience is seamless, friendly & it’s been a dream to work here for all my gorgeous Marylebone elopements.
Islington Town Hall
ELEGANT ART DECO FEATURES
The newly appointed Canonbury Suite is a beautiful pink wood panelled room just for elopements. Another favourite is the Council Chamber at Islington Town Hall. This is a truly stunning room, large & spacious with period features, lots of light & an airy high ceiling.
Chelsea Old Town Hall
CLASSIC ROMANTIC INTIMATE
A London classic, the steps of Chelsea Old Town Hall are an iconic confetti spot. Recently refurbished, the Brydon Room is a favourite along with the Rossetti Room. This town hall is much smaller than some others so more suited to tiny weddings. They do have some larger rooms like the Small Hall, Main Hall & Cadogan Suite.
Hackney Town Hall
ORIGINAL ART DECO FEATURES
Hackney Town Hall is another beautiful building with wood panelled rooms & a couple of wonderful Atria rooms. These are huge spaces with extra high ceilings, tonnes of light & a modern laser cut metallic wall making a really interesting backdrop.
Radhika & Scott eloped in London starting with champagne at Dukes Hotel, ceremony at Old Marylebone Town Hall & photos in Little Venice
10 Beautiful Town Halls for a London registry wedding
Old Marylebone Town Hall
Islington Town Hall
Chelsea Old Town Hall
Hackney Town Hall
Stoke Newington Town Hall
Battersea Arts Center
The Old Finsbury Town Hall
Greenwich Registry Office, Woolwich Town Hall
Mayfair Library
Morden Park Hall
10 interesting & unique venues in London for an intimate wedding ceremony
Hampstead Pergola & Hill Gardens
St Dunstan in the East
Fitzrovia Chapel
Town Hall Hotel
The Ned
Barbican Conservatory
Orleans House Gallery
Kew Gardens
The Asylum
Burgh House
Benefits of having a micro wedding
You really can do whatever you want
Throw traditions out the window. Or don’t. It’s really up to you. This is your day and you can do whatever you want. You can get ready together at home or stay in a luxury hotel. You can have a first look & couples photos before your ceremony or you can see each other for the first time when you walk down the aisle. If you’re not sure what to do, I’m happy to work with you to plan the perfect, relaxed day that you will love.
More time for couples portraits
This means you can travel to your favourite spots in London, wander the pretty backstreets, stopping for coffee or a cheeky pint on the way. I’ve had couples who want to stop at their favourite pub for a swift half, others who did tequila shots outside a bar in the city, couples who want photos in numerous locations around London from an overgrown secret garden to street art in Shoreditch.
Spend as much as you want
Eloping means more money to spend on what’s important to you (rather than providing meals for distant cousins & acquaintances!) whether that’s an amazing dress, a bespoke suit, some ridiculous heels, staying in your favourite hotel or going for a Michelin starred meal. Invest in a Fine Art Album to remember your day & some copies to share your day with your parents – they’ll love them.
You can do it on a week day
With only yourselves & possibly a few guests to worry about, you don’t need to block out a whole weekend or a precious Saturday.
You can still have an epic confetti moment
If you’ve seen my work, you’ll probably realise that I love confetti shots. I know the best confetti to buy, and you don’t need lots of people to create epic moments.
I can be your witness
Want to elope in secret? no problem. I’ve been a witness at countless weddings and I can provide a second witness for a small fee, so you don’t have to bring a friend or family member. No awkward converstions on who to invite!
You can still have a reception
Celebrating with friends can still be a highlight of your day. An intimate dinner in a private dining room like Mateja & Stephane, afternoon tea at home like Olga & Xavier, a picnic on Hampstead Heath like Kara & Olly or drinks & lunch at Chiltern Firehouse like Sarah-Jane & Luiz. There are many options for relaxed, intimate receptions in London.
Wear what you like
Whether it’s a couture gown or a high street dress, there’s more scope for modern, creative fashion in an elopement. I’ve loved the non-traditional outfits that my brides have worn over the years. There’s so many options from bridal jumpsuits to coloured dresses, choose something that reflects your personality, not what you think you’re expected to wear.
Plan your perfect day
Kara & Olly planned their perfect day, starting with secret vows at sunrise at the top of the Shard & a couples photo session around central London. Then they were married with an intimate ceremony at Hampstead Pergola & Hill Gardens, followed by a relaxed picnic on Parliament Hill in Hampstead Heath before returned to the Shard for a black tie dinner in the private dining room at Aqua. A truly spectacular day, Kara & Olly spent their day in all of their favourite places in London, sharing it with their favourite people.
Bernadette and Robin eloped in their local neighbourhood in London
10 interesting & unique venues in London for an intimate wedding reception
Rochelle Canteen
The Greenhouses
Spring at Somerset House
Chelsea Physic Garden
Zetter Townhouse
The Ivy Chelsea Garden
The Bingham
Petersham Nurseries
Swan at the Globe
Brunswick House
How to include virtual guests
Many couples have family overseas so it might not be possible for them to attend your ceremony. You can broadcast your ceremony live on Zoom or Facetime. This can be super simple, just on a phone or laptop. Your friends & family will be excited to witness your day and be part of such a big life event, even those on the other side of the world. I’ve seen family in Australia, New Zealand, Africa & the US, even with massive time differences, people love to be involved.
Easily share your gorgeous elopement day with friends & family with an online slideshow & online gallery.
Richard & Chloe eloped in Chelsea, inspired by the colourful houses on the pretty streets of Chelsea, they planned a natural, relaxed day with an intimate ceremony in the Rossetti Room at Chelsea Old Town Hall, a wander around the pretty backstreets finishing with a meal at The Ivy. Just the two of them, finally married after 15 years together. It was a pleasure to capture this beautiful elopement and to be an official witness (along with my friend who was their second witness and helped create an awesome confetti moment). Watch their relaxed, colourful, Chelsea elopement below in their preview slideshow – this is what my couples receive just before their full gallery of images.
“We just wanted to say a big thank you for the photos. They’re all absolutely amazing! Thank you for capturing our day so perfectly. We’ll definitely be recommending you to anyone looking for a photographer.”
– Richard & Chloe
share your day
This is an important one. My job is to capture your day & deliver it to you in a way that you can relive your day & share your story. I always send an online slideshow to all my couples, showing highlights from your day, set to music (like this one above). It’s a really lovely, emotive way to relive the day, almost like being there. You can send the link to your friends & family & they can feel like they are there, sharing your wedding day with you.
You also receive a full gallery of high resolution images (of course!) & you can order fine art prints & framed prints straight from your gallery. You can also share this with your families & they can order prints too.
Your wedding day will pass by in a whirlwind of joyful moments. A Fine Art Wedding Album is the perfect way to relive it all.
Your Story
Beautifully Told
Each album is custom-designed to reflect your personal style and the unique vibe of your wedding day. Printed on the finest archival materials, choose from leather, velvet or book cloth with bespoke metallic debossing.
Whether it’s the quiet moments shared between just the two of you, the joy in your friends’ and family’s faces, or the breathtaking landscape that framed your day, your album will be a place where you can revisit your love story—forever.
Every elopement is a unique story waiting to be told.
This is all about you—your connection, what matters most, the laughter, the tears, the moments that give you goosebumps. Plan the perfect day for you.
Lynn & Gareth eloped in London. We spent a few hours travelling around London in black cab’s stopping off at all their favourite places for relaxed couples portraits.
“Our decision to elope was definitely the right one for us and your photos capture so many sweet moments of just us, which best reflect our decision not to get drowned by the wedding complex. Thank you so much for the photos. They’re simply brilliant. We’ve had so much fun going through them (again and again). It was a pleasure working with you and I’m so pleased to have had you to capture our special day. ”
