surprise wedding

Surprise Wedding at Chelsea Old Town Hall

Photography by Lynn Shapiro Photography

Oh, you know we love a Chelsea Old Town Hall wedding. But, this surprise wedding is seriously up their with our faves! Kay & Charlie told guests they were attending their engagement party, when in actual fact, they were about to watch this gorgeous couple say their I-do’s! They wanted their wedding to be as low-key as possible, and ensure their dogs were in attendance (we approve). Recommended Supplier, Lynn Shaprio Photography, was on hand to capture this incredible day, which looks just as beautiful as it sounds! 


Surprise wedding at the Chelsea Old Town Hall

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We referred to our wedding as Project Gretna. Paying homage to Gretna Green, a town just over the border into Scotland. It is where young English couples would runaway to elope in secret.

Kay & Charlie

Ginger Cockapoo in his doggy wedding outfit at Chelsea Town Hall Wedding
Bride wearing pearl drop earrings and off the shoulder pleated front wedding dress
Groom in a black tux with a bow tie and Bride in simple off the shoulder wedding dress with chiffon puff sleeves
Groom in black tux with bow tie and white shirt and bride in elegant cross over wedding dress in Chelsea
Bride holding dried blush pink tone and nude flower arrangement holding groom in tailored fitted black suit
Bride wearing fitted silk wedding dress holding grooms hand in Chelsea
Bride and Groom in gorgeous modern aesthetic surroundings holding dried flower bouquet
Bride in simple cross over wedding dress smiling with groom outside Chelsea Town Hall with the family wedding party and a cockapoo dog
Bride with simple hair up curls wearing drop pearl earrings kissing groom in a black tux with a bow tie
Bride wearing silk fitted wedding dress with cross over detail holding Groom in a black tux with a white shirt walking with dog in a wedding outfit
Bridesmaid in burnt orange silky dress smiling with bride in long white wedding dress both holding dried bouquets full of a colour palette of autumn colours
Bride in simplistic wedding dress with nude toned heels holding hands with Groom in sleek black tux and cockapoo in a tux
Bride and Groom smiling in Chelsea London in elegant wedding garments along side cockapoo dog
Sparkles in chiffon puff sleeves in brides wedding dress holding a autumnal colour palette bouquet
Bride in long draping wedding dress with detailed sparkly sleeves
Chelsea Town Hall wedding Bride and Groom outside with wedding guests and cockapoo dog
Groom in luxury black suit with white shirt and Brides detailed sparkles in her chiffon sleeves
Joyful Bride and Groom smile in Chelsea with Cockapoo dressed in his doggy suit
Groom kisses Bride with long pearl earrings and sparkly off the shoulder sleeve
Groom in black suit with white shirt and bow tow and Bride in long fitted elegant dress
Brides Vale hangs as she holds hands with Groom across Chelsea road
Ginger cockapoo dog poses in black wedding suit matching the groom and bride holding nude colour palette dried flower bouquet

VIBE

We wanted to keep the wedding low-key with no wedding fuss. Plus, for our dog be as included as possible (yes we are those people). We didn't worry about what our wedding colours were. We ended up with gorgeous autumnal tones in the bridal bouquet and maid of honour dress fitting with the season. The Chelsea neighbourhood backdrop brings its own personality - the Victorian charm from a bygone era mixed with a modern city buzz. Add four dogs to the guest list. We think that's a good description of the vibe we wanted to set for our wedding day.

FAVOURITE MOMENT

As if the wedding wasn't a surprise enough, Kay, unbeknownst to Charlie, organised a lovely musician (an old acquaintance) to perform outside Chelsea Old Town Hall. We stepped out of the registrar venue to "All you need is love" and had our own Love Actually moment. Along with the congratulations and confetti our friends threw at us as we walked out and down the stairs, we heard strangers cheering and cars honking. A version of the moment is probably frozen in our minds for a time to come.

Bride and Groom Cuddle dog at Chelsea Town Hall wedding
Bride and Groom smile with Joy outside town hall with pastel colour confetti as wedding guests cheer
Groom in black suit with white shirt and black bow tie holding hands with Bride in silk and chiffon puff sleeve dress as wedding guests cheer and throw colourful confetti
Gorgeous ginger cockapoo dog dressed in wedding suit outside Chelsea town hall
Beautiful London architectural building with blush pink flower arch with Bride and Groom cheering with wedding guests throwing colour confetti
Emerald diamond ring with nude whisper dried flower arrangement
Bride and Groom celebrate with a kiss and pastel colourful confetti as their wedding guests clap with happiness
Groom in black sleek suit with black silk bow tie and white shirt
Wedding party throw confetti with joy and smile as bride and groom walk out of Chelsea Town Hall
Off the shoulder heart shape cut wedding dress bride smiles with groom in bow tie
Brides chiffon veil flows as she stands hand in hand with groom in Chelsea Town Hall
Father of the bride cuddles her as the sparkles shine in her detailed sleeves
Dried flower bouquet has bunny tails
Puff detailed wedding dress sleeves which shimmer with detail
Wedding veil flows to contribute to brides fitted long wedding dress
Town Hall signage
Father of the bride in dark suit walks bride down the aisle
Groom in dark suit with Bride who' sleeves twinkle
Town Hall Wedding Bride with hair up soft curls and groom
Bride in sophisticated wedding dress and Groom in Black suit kissing in Town Hall wedding
Ginger cockapoo poses in outfit outside Town Hall wedding as wedding guests smile alongside

How utterly breathtaking is Kay in her Eva Lendel gown? She looks positively glowing!

Brides long wedding dress is held up whilst she dances with Groom in dark tailored suit
Bride and Groom dance with a lovely monotone contrast
Bride wears Silky wedding dress and Groom is dressed in a black suit whilst holding a bouquet of bunny tails & mixed dried flowers
Bridesmaid is sharing the love and hugging dog dressed in his wedding outfit
Lady guitar entertains wedding guests at Chelsea Town hall wedding
Wedding Guitar player plays outside Town Hall
Cockapoo wedding guest dog wears a black bow tie as he is cuddled by the bride
Autumn colour palette wedding as Bride and Groom walk with their wedding guests
A bucket of chilled cold pale rose for wedding guests to celebrate
Hamper of wedding cards in pastel pink colours
Single tier fresh cream wedding cake with fresh colourful fruit
One tier fresh cream and fresh fruit wedding cake with slight decorative detailing
Cockapoo dog all suited and booted with Bride drinking bubbles
Groom and Bride speak to guests in chiq surroundings in London venue
Bride and Groom kiss as they hold dog as the wedding guests cheer and throw hands in the air to celebrate
Bride and Groom dancing elegantly in Town Hall wedding
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We are privileged to have chosen an unconventional wedding. This is largely due to how loved and secure we feel with our friends and family. We knew that whatever we chose to do (or not do), whoever we chose to invite (or not invite), and whoever we chose to tell (or not tell in our case!), our community would continue to love us and cheer us on in the coming days as a married couple. Understanding this gave us confidence to plan our wedding for us. We hope other couples can benefit from this wisdom too.

Kay & Charlie


This surprise wedding is the unconventional day we just love to hear about! Your wedding (as we always say), is truly your day, your way. Outside influences are not always necessary (or helpful). Head on over to our Planning page where you’ll find plenty of help in terms of finding exactly what works for you on your special day.


Videographer: Hanh Made Films |
Entertainment: Joey Clarkson Music |
Florist: Hidden Botanics |
Hair Stylist & Makeup Artist: Yi Beauty London |
Bridal Gown: Eva Lendel |
Bridal Boutique: Love Bridal London
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