South London Micro Wedding Photographer | Camberwell House Wedding
There is something deeply special about intimate weddings. With only the couple and their closest family, the atmosphere shifts to a slower, more mellow and warmer pace. As a South London wedding photographer, I’ve come to love these smaller celebrations that strip everything back to what truly matters: love, family, and the honest joy of two people choosing each other. This beautiful Sothwark micro wedding was one of those days I’ll carry with me for a long time.
I arranged to meet the wedding couple at their South London flat, and take a few photos of the couple and their family at home. The couple’s home was filled with deeply personal and meaningful things which I wanted to incorporate into the photos. The bride needed a few private moments to finish getting ready, so I took the time to take several portraits of the groom, looking splendid in a bright yellow suit and a hat, a gift from his grandfather. It was a also a chance to photograph the groom’s parents and the details of the flowers and wedding rings.
Once the bride was ready and everyone gathered, we set off on a short 10 min walk to Camberwell House, Southwark Registry Office.
An afternoon at Camberwell House Registry Office
The wedding ceremony was held at Camberwell House, Southwark Registry Office. Nestled in the heart of South London, this 19th century Grade II listed property was the perfect setting for this couple's heartfelt ceremony. It is a quiet, characterful spot full of charm and a sense of history, a fitting venue for an intimate exchange of vows.
The ceremony was held in the Garden Room, an elegant room offering access to the beautiful gardens. The bride and groom waited for their families to come in and get settled. The bride wore a stunning floral dress, made with embroided lace fabric, designed by a Kosovo-born designer Teuta Matoshi. She was holding a bouquet filled with delicate garden flowers like daisies and cosmos.
Inside the registry office, the ceremony was full of quiet emotion. A few tears, a few laughs, and a lot of love. As a photographer, I love to capture these unscripted moments, which will hopefully bring joy to my clients in years to come.
After the ceremony, we stepped into the garden for some fresh air and for a few group photos.
South London Gallery as a wedding venue
From Camberwell House, we took a very short walk to South London Gallery, a gem of a space offering their effortlesly cool space as a wedding venue. The gallery room where the reception was held was a dream to photograph in - clean lines, white walls, and flooded with natural light. It was an inspired choice for this art-loving couple, who had spent many weekends visiting and organising exhibitions here before ever imagining they’d celebrate their wedding inside its walls.
Before the arrival of two very special guests, the groom’s grandparents, and while the parents enjoyed tasting home-made kamucha and a glass of bubbly, we snuck outside into the garden to take a few couples portraits. Thre outside space was lovely, offering different backdrops and features for photography. There was also quite a bit of greenery and flowers which I was keen to incorporate into the photographs.
Reception at South London Gallery
Reception was relaxed and joyful, with a long table set for just their nearest and dearest. The groom’s grandparents joined the party, which was a very tender moment. I was lucky enough to have my grandmother attend my own wedding so I know just how special that is. The table was laid with candles, flowers, hand-written place cards, and a playlist curated by the groom, everything chosen with care. The speeches were some of the most heartfelt I’ve ever heard. The groom’s mum gave a speach in Romanian, a nod to the bride’s heritige. The reception finished with a song the groom dedicated and sang to the bride, and finally with the cake being cut and served for everyone to enjoy (including myself!).
This micro wedding was truly special, and one I will cherish in many years to come.
Why Micro Weddings Matter
As a South London wedding photographer, I’ve seen all types of celebrations, from bigger weddings to days like this one: intimate, meaningful, and full of soul. Micro weddings allow couples to slow down, be present, and surround themselves only with the people who know their love story best. There is time for long conversations and unhurried hugs. And from a photography point of view? That’s where the magic lives
Looking for a London Wedding Photographer?
If you are planning a micro wedding in South London, or a small intimate wedding, I’d love to hear from you! Whether you are getting married at Camberwell House, hosting a reception at South London Gallery, or planning something entirely different, I believe your day should be captured honestly, beautifully, and with care. My approach is warm, relaxed, and documentary-led, focusing on real moments, natural light, and timeless tones.
About Me
Hello! I am Mina, a Surrey-based wedding photographer drawn to candid moments, natural light, and the in-between frames that tell the truest stories. I specialise in intimate weddings, South London wedding photography, and London micro weddings, photographing in a style that is both fine art and documentary. If you are looking for someone who will gently document your day without intrusion, you're in the right place. For more information about wedding photography packages, please visit my wedding photography page. Please get in touch to discuss the details of your wedding day, I would love to hear from you.
Chelsea Old Town Hall Wedding Photography | Intimate London Micro Wedding
Chelsea Old Town Hall Wedding Photography | An Intimate London Wedding
I was honoured to photograph a micro wedding at Chelsea Old Town Hall earlier this spring. I was first contacted by a very sweet couple last autumn, when they got in touch to enquire about my wedding photography services. I was over the moon when I found out that they recently became proud owners of the cutest little morkie puppy called Sami. FYI - a morkie is a cross between a Yorkshire terrier and a Maltese. We arranged to do an engagement photography session, but with a twist of adding the puppy to the shoot. So we called it an autumnal couple and puppy photo shoot, which took place on Wimbledon Common. Engagement sessions are a great way to meet your wedding photographer, and to capture some genuine memories of a special time in your lives as a couple. In this case - the perfect moment to capture the two brides-to-be with little Sami as a three month old bundle of fluff and joy. You can read more about our encounter, and see some photos from the puppy session here. I was so pleased that the couple was happy with the work I produced for them and that they decided to hire me as their Chelsea wedding photographer.
Chelsea Wedding Photography in the midst of RHS Chelsea Flower Show
Fast forward eight months, the season and location have changed. The couple have organised their intimate wedding ceremony at Chelsea Town Hall. The month was May and RHS Chelsea Flower Show was opening just down the road. The streets were filled with all sorts of flower arrangements and art pieces, from beautifully arranged flower displays in shop windows, to sculpted giant handbags decorated with huge flowers and bouquets, to a punk head art piece made out of plant materials and flowers. For someone who’s never been at Chelsea Flower Show and seen the surrounding mayhem, I was truly blown away! Although it was very tempting to photograph the couple on Chelsea High Road, the streets were getting busy so we agreed to stay close to the town hall and use some of the side streets as a back drop for couple portraits.
Couple Portrait Photography off King’s Road
This is the part of a wedding I really enjoy, having a quiet moment with the couple and finding photogenic backgrounds. We were walking around the side streets just off King’s Road, when I spotted a retro-looking cafe on a corner of a street. Unfortunately we weren’t allowed to take photographs inside, but I positioned the couple in front of the cafe window and took a few portraits which ended up being some of my favourites. Little morkie Sami was truly in her element, enjoying plentiful cuddles and nearly stealing the show!
We continued exploring the neighbourhood, passing by a bright yellow wall inviting us for another set of couple portraits. I noticed a tree shadow being cast on the wall which I thought would create an interesting visual look together with the brides and their pooch. It is always a fun challenge incorporating shadows (or reflections) into portraiture, for me it definitely adds visual interest to a photograph.
We were getting tight with time, so after a few individual portraits of each bride, we looped back and headed for the town hall in preparation for the wedding ceremony.
CHELSEA OLD TOWN HALL INTIMATE WEDDING
Chelsea Old Town Hall is one of the most elegant and tasteful London wedding venues. The newly refurbished, Grade II listed Victorian property is the perfect setting for a small wedding. The ceremony rooms have been painted in pleasing pastel shades, decorated with beautiful artwork and exquisite flower arrangements, perfect for wedding photography.
Dog-friendly wedding at Chelsea Old Town Hall
The wedding party got settled into the Rossetti room, waiting for the arrival of the two brides. Sami was looked after by one of the friends, and was waiting patiently. It was such a sweet sight to see a dog at a wedding! It was a lovely, warm and welcoming ceremony, lead by such a kind, professional registar, who made everyone feel welcome. After the ceremony, everyone gathered at the steps for a few group shots, before heading over to Charlotte’s cloud, a friendly local cafe with great staff and amazing food. I stayed to take a few informal shots of everyone enjoying their time together, before leaving the party to relax and enjoy a more private celebration.
Micro Wedding Photography in London
In the last five years or so, small wedding photography, or micro wedding photography as it is known has become an appealing option for couples looking to capture a part of their wedding, rather than a whole day. I love photographing a full wedding day from bridal preparations to the first dance but I also enjoy a shorter wedding coverage. This is why I offer tailored wedding photography packages starting from 2h to full day coverage. For more information, please visit my wedding photography page.
List of wedding suppliers
Wedding dress: Cider
Wedding suit: Top to toe Zara
Dog tux: AliExpress
Wedding shoes: Customised Converse pride
Hair/wrist bands: Etsy
Flowers: Dawson Flower & Landscapes, Lamb’s Conduit Street
Rings: Anna Loucah Fine Jewellery. The rings were customised and handcrafted by Anna for the brides based on their character; minimalist, yet respecting the tradition of diamonds. You can read more about the ring making process on Anna’s blog by following this link.
London wedding photographer
Hi! My name is Mina. I am a professional wedding photographer, working across London, Surrey and the South East. I love meeting couples, hearing about their wedding plans, working in different wedding venues and making sure your day is captured in an authentic, natural and fun way! I live in Surrey with my family, and love spending time in nature whenever I am working or not working! If you like the photos in this blog post, and would like to discuss your upcoming wedding plans, please give me a call on 07793677867 or send me an email at mina@minamilanovic-photography.com. Alternatively, you can fill out the contact form below.
Get in touch
Intimate Small Wedding in Surrey
The wedding industry has been hit hard by the pandemic with so many weddings postponed multiple times last and this year. Very few weddings went ahead, and those that did had a changed format.
This couple decided to go ahead with their wedding, while keeping with the goverment guidlines at the time of the event. It was a small and intimate wedding, with only family and closest friends present. There was something so nice and special about photographing a small wedding. It was all about what really matters - the couples’ love and dedication to each other. It was lovely to observe interactions between family members and friends, and document this special day for them.
The wedding started with a pricate ceremony at St Michael’s and Angels church in Michleham. After exchanging their wedding vows, the newly married couple and the wedding party headed to the family home, where the garden was used as an intimate wedding reception venue. It was a chilly spring day, but everyone wrapped up warm and enjoyed drinks and canapes in the place meaningful to the couple.
This wedding provided me with so many nice opportunities to capture intimate moments. If you are planning a small wedding, and are considering hiring a professional small wedding photographer who will capture the laughter, joy, tears, small details, and clinking of the glassses then send me an email to discuss your requirements.
Trinity Buoy Wharf Wedding Photographer | Nicola & Matt's Alternative London Wedding
Nicola and Matt organised a wonderfully creative, alternative London wedding, at one of the capital's most distinctive and non-traditional wedding venues, the historic Trinity Buoy Wharf.
Their wedding day was full of personality, from the lively double-decker bus journey to Islington Town Hall, to their beautiful ceremony in the Council Chamber, followed by a relaxed celebration at the Chainstore at Trinity Buoy Wharf.
As a London wedding photographer, I love weddings like this. They are personal, informal and full of unexpected moments that make each wedding completely unique.
A Relaxed Alternative London Wedding
Some of the final bridal preparations took place on a privately hired double-decker bus on the way to Islington Town Hall. This created a lively atmosphere on the bus, and provided me with a few truly candid and somewhat amusing shots, which are some of my favourite from the day. There was laughter, excitement and a little bit of chaos, exactly the sort of genuine moments I love photographing. It was also a time of reflection and stillness which was a nice contrast to the excitement.
The Wedding Ceremony at Islington Town Hall
The wedding ceremony took place in the beautiful Council Chamber at Islington Town Hall. It is an impressive setting for a London wedding, but despite the grandeur of the room, the ceremony itself felt very personal and intimate. There was a big traffic jam coming to town hall, so Matt was stood waiting and wondering if his bride was coming for nearly half an hour! There was talk of ceremony being postponed but luckily Nicola made it just in time!
After the ceremony, there was time for a few photographs before everyone headed to Trinity Buoy Wharf for the reception.
Wedding Photography at Trinity Buoy Wharf
Trinity Buoy Wharf is such an interesting wedding venue for photography. Located on the River Thames in East London, it has a wonderfully unusual character. The industrial architecture, riverside setting and views across London make it very different from a traditional wedding venue.
The Chainstore, where Nicola and Matt held their reception, provided a fantastic backdrop for the celebrations. I particularly loved the creative way they had decorated the venue. There were so many interesting details and personal touches to photograph.
For me, this is one of the things that makes photographing weddings at Trinity Buoy Wharf so enjoyable. There are plenty of opportunities to photograph the couple and their guests naturally, while also using the architecture and surroundings to create something a little different.
Creative Details and Personal Touches
Nicola and Matt's wedding was full of creative ideas, and the decor at the Chainstore was a photographer's dream.
I always enjoy photographing the details that couples have chosen for their wedding. They tell part of the story too – from the way a venue has been decorated to the little touches that reflect the couple's personalities.
These photographs become especially meaningful when you look back at the wedding years later. They bring back not only how the day looked, but also the thought and creativity that went into making it your own.
The Lighthouse at Trinity Buoy Wharf
One of the most recognisable features of Trinity Buoy Wharf is London's only lighthouse. It is such an unusual feature to have at a wedding venue in London, and it adds another distinctive element to the photographs.
Combined with the riverside location, industrial buildings and views towards the Docklands skyline, Trinity Buoy Wharf gives couples lots of different settings for their wedding photography without having to travel between several locations.
Documentary-Style Wedding Photography in London
My approach to wedding photography is rooted in storytelling. I aim to tell the story of your day as it happens, whether that is from bridal preparations or from the start of the ceremony, I will be there working unobtrusively to capture genuine moments and reactions.
I will give gentle direction when it comes to group photographs and couple portraits. But for the rest of the day, I prefer to step back and allow things to unfold naturally, observing and capturing laughter, nervousness, glances, conversations and joy.
My documentary approach is particularly well suited to creative, informal and alternative weddings where couples want to enjoy their day rather than spend hours in front of a camera. Nicola and Matt's wedding was a perfect example of how much personality a wedding can have when couples make the day their own. It was a fantastic wedding at a truly distinctive London venue, and I hope these photographs give you a little flavour of the day. I have certainly enjoyed creating them and working on them. And once again - many congratulations to the newlyweds!
Looking for a Trinity Buoy Wharf Wedding Photographer?
If you are planning a wedding at Trinity Buoy Wharf, or another alternative wedding venue in London, I would love to hear from you.
I photograph weddings across London, Surrey and the South East, with a relaxed, natural and documentary-inspired approach. Whether you are planning a full wedding day or would simply like photography for your ceremony and part of your reception, I offer flexible coverage to suit different wedding plans.
My aim is always to create photographs that feel like you and to capture the atmosphere and the energy of the day.
If you're looking for a Trinity Buoy Wharf wedding photographer and would like to find out more about my approach and wedding photography packages, please get in touch. I would love to hear about your plans.
Trinity Buoy Wharf Wedding Photography – At a Glance
Venue: Trinity Buoy Wharf, London
Reception venue: The Chainstore
Ceremony: Islington Town Hall
Photography style: Story-telling. Informal, natural and documentary-inspired.
Best suited to: Creative, alternative and informal London weddings
Photography opportunities: Riverside, London skyline, industrial architecture and the lighthouse
Location: East London, on the River Thames
Frequently Asked Questions About Trinity Buoy Wharf Wedding Photography
Is Trinity Buoy Wharf a good wedding venue for photography?
Yes. Trinity Buoy Wharf is a particularly interesting venue for couples who want something a little different from a traditional wedding setting. The industrial architecture, riverside location, London skyline and lighthouse provide lots of variety for wedding photographs.
What makes Trinity Buoy Wharf different from other London wedding venues?
Its industrial and creative character is what makes it so distinctive. The combination of the historic buildings, riverside setting and unusual features such as the lighthouse gives the venue a very individual feel.
Where can you take wedding photographs at Trinity Buoy Wharf?
There are opportunities for photographs around the Chainstore, outside the venue, by the river and around the surrounding industrial buildings. The riverside also provides views towards the London skyline and Docklands.
What style of wedding photography works well at Trinity Buoy Wharf?
I think a relaxed and documentary approach works particularly well. The venue has so much character that there is no need to manufacture every photograph. I can document the atmosphere and genuine moments while also creating a small selection of more directed couple and family photographs.
Do you photograph weddings elsewhere in London and Surrey?
Yes. I work across London, Surrey and the South East, as well as travelling further afield for weddings. I have photographed weddings at a range of venues, including Trinity Buoy Wharf, York House in Twickenham and other London and Surrey wedding venues.
If you are planning your wedding and would like to discuss your photography, please get in touch. I would love to hear from you.
