Wedding Photography at Danson House
**I’m taking bookings for weddings at this venue for 2025-26 now!**
Beautiful wedding spaces, such as the Dining Room, make Danson House the perfect register office venue for your wedding.
London Borough of Bexley Register Office Wedding Photography Venue
I love, love, love photographing weddings at Danson House. Every time I visit, I discover something new.
Bexley Register Office is located in south-eastern Greater London within the beautiful Grade 1 listed Danson House. With its ornate decor and uniquely designed rooms, the venue suits small to medium-sized wedding parties (up to 65 guests).
The house sits on 200 acres of parkland, with Danson Lake at the heart. Wonderful backdrops and photo ops ensure this wedding venue is a dream for couples and photographers.
The beautiful facade of Danson House. The proud father poses with his daughter, bride Jen.
This photo is black and white as the groom approaches the house alone before his wedding ceremony.
Are You Planning Your Wedding at Danson House?I photograph discretely and unobtrusively to capture all the best moments, leaving you to enjoy your day. With me as your wedding photographer, your memories will be in safe hands, so please get in touch any time to discuss… |
The groom (far right) waits with his guests in the Salon for his bride’s entrance. Danson House has 5 spectacular wedding spaces for the couple to choose from, depending on the size of the wedding.
Guests are given around 15 minutes to gether in the room before the ceremony starts. This is the ideal opportunity for me to take some scene-setting shots and portraits.
Car Parking for Your Danson House Wedding
The house doesn’t have car parking for your wedding guests, but the Danson Park car park is roughly 200 meters away.
Official vehicles, such as bridal cars and Routemaster buses, are allowed to drop off and wait on the drive outside the house.
Bride Jen arrives outside Danson House for her civil marriage ceremony.
The Sir John Boyds Room on the first floor is a delightful wedding space. Here, groom Reece waits nervously for his bride to enter.
The Dining Room is on the walkthrough to the Salon. The gorgeous fireplace provides another excellent photo opportunity.
Photography Time Constraints at Bexley Register Office
Wedding photography is encouraged at Bexley, but time can be tight. This isn’t usually a problem for midweek and off-season weddings, but it’s worth liaising with your registrars to check if a wedding follows yours.
45 Minutes per Wedding
The venue can accommodate around 12 weddings in a day. You will have 45 minutes from the start of your ceremony until you depart. This includes the ceremony, signing, and group photos on the steps outside.
If everything runs on time, you’ll have around 20 minutes for photos outside.
At last, it’s time: As bride Jen enters the Salon, she peers in to catch her first glimpse of her groom. I take sequences of photos throughout the ceremony.
As this shot shows, the registrars are very happy with the photographer’s close involvement in capturing the best shots from the ceremony.
The Borough of Bexley Registrars
A registrar and superintendent registrar will conduct your ceremony. They are helpful and keen for the photographer to get a comprehensive selection of photographs of your time at the venue. The Bexley registrars are relaxed, allowing the photographer to move around during the wedding ceremony.
I try to be discreet while getting the best wedding photos, including the couple exchanging rings and the first kiss.
Adding what you can to make more of the ceremony is always a good idea. Family members giving readings make the occasion even more special. This photo shows off the colour and decorative nature of The Salon well.
The Johnston Room is the smallest at Danson House and the least decorative. It’s still a pleasant wedding space with lots of room and light.
The exchange of rings is the pivotal moment of the ceremony (and most photogenic). It’s essential to have this photographed well.
In the Sir John Boyds Room, the exchange of rings takes place against the ornate backdrop of the fireplace.
Wedding Bookings at Danson House
Useful to Know When Booking Your Wedding
- To contact the registrars and inquire about your date, email registerofficebexley@kent.gov.uk or call 03000 411103.
- You are allocated 45 minutes from the start of your ceremony. This includes roughly 25 minutes for the ceremony and 20 minutes for photos outside the house. If time runs short, Danson Park has amazing backdrops for more wedding photos.
- If you plan to have some photographs on the park grounds, you’ll need to apply for a license. The cost is around £50.
- As well as marriages, the Bexley Register Office conducts Renewals of Vows, Civil Ceremonies, and Civil Partnership Conversions.
The couple can now share their first kiss. At this stage of the day, newlyweds are very much in the moment and don’t mind their photographer’s presence at all.
Read More>> This Venue is Perfect for Same-Sex Wedding Photography.
Although the register is now online, the Bexley Register Office is still reluctant to allow signing photography. Instead, they set up a commemorative certificate signing. This photo more clearly displays the area at the front of the Salon towards the fireplace.
Rules on Signing the Schedule
Signing the wedding register has now been consigned to history, with the signing of a schedule instead. Many register offices that didn’t allow photography of the register signing before now allow it. However, Bexley still has strict rules preventing photography and doesn’t allow any photos.
They now set up a Commemorative Certificate signing so that there is a photographic record of this part of the ceremony. They give you time to sign it, pose, and even invite your witnesses to pose for a photo with you.
The plum decor and reflective table provide the perfect backdrop to the signing photos in the Sir John Boyds Room.
A registrar presents the newlyweds with their commemorative certificate in the Johnston Room after their wedding.
Newlyweds Chloe and Reece can’t contain their happiness as they show off their commemorative wedding certificate.
Also Consider>> Old Marylebone Town Hall: Another Iconic Register Office.
Bexley Register Office/Danson House Wedding Rooms
There are 5 rooms to choose from for your wedding.
The newly as they leave their wedding ceremony to a round of applause. Another memorable moment to photograph. I went wide to show more of the Salon’s west side.
The Johnston Room:
- The Johnston Room is on the first floor and has the smallest guest seating of the ceremony rooms.
- Holds 12 seated guests.
- The views over the surrounding area are stunning.
Sir John Boyds Room:
- Again, on the first floor, the John Boyd suits small weddings.
- 25 guests seated.
The Salon:
- Octagonal and light, with tasteful blue wallpaper and window dressing.
- 45 guests are catered for in forward-facing seats.
The Library:
- Houses the famous Danson Organ and overlooks the gardens.
- Seating is available for 65 guests.
- Flash photography is not allowed in the Library due to the age of the books.
The Dining Room:
- Exceptionally light and airy, with unique portraits adorning every wall.
- Available for up to 65 seated guests.
The Spiral Staircase
If you have your wedding in the Johnston or Sir John Boyds Rooms, you’ll use the Spiral Staircase to the first floor. This is a beautiful focal point of the house, but it does come with unfortunate caveats…
The staff at Danson House do not allow the couple or their photographer to pause for photos on the stairs. They must keep moving. The office for Births, Deaths, and Marriages is upstairs, so the staircase is a throughway for the general public.
I photographed this couple from the top landing as they descended after their marriage ceremony. I love how you can see the whole staircase, and my wide-angle lens comes into its own for this kind of shot.
Look at the photos above and below and decide which you prefer.
Due to the no-stopping rule, I will only have one chance to take a sequence of images of you on the stairs.
I prefer the above photo, not just because it’s easier to shoot from one place, but I think seeing the whole Fibonacci effect of the staircase is more pleasing to the eye.
But I also love the domed skylight and ovoid alcove…
They’re your photos, so let your photographer know which angle you prefer!
There’s nothing not to love about Danson’s Spiral Staircase. It’s just a shame that time is so limited there.
I took a sequence of these newlyweds by backing down the staircase before them. You can see their guests taking photos from the top.
The Couple’s Exit and Time on the Steps
I’ll leave Danson House before you and ask you to wait a few seconds while I set up my camera for the outside light. I’ll then beckon you out and take a sequence of images as you leave the house as husband and wife. Don’t rush this; enjoy the moment.
The couple leaving Danson House is a must-have shot for your photographer. You will leave first, then your guests.
Instead of rushing straight into the posed group shots, I encourage the guests to congratulate the couple. It’s a lovely time and I’m there to photograph every moment.
Surrounded by her closest friends: Photographs like this reflect the day. Every wedding has many memorable and personal moments; you need a photographer to capture as many as possible.
Photographing the Confetti – Rules at Danson House
Unfortunately, due to the stately nature of the house, confetti is not allowed on the premises or in the park.
Bubbles were permitted once but are now not allowed outside the house for health and safety reasons.
You can have your ‘bubble confetti‘ in the park opposite, which lets your photographer set up a good sequence as you proceed through an aisle of bubble-blowing guests.
As confetti and bubbles are prohibited at Danson House, I photographed this sequence in the park opposite, which worked just as well.
After leaving the venue, family and friends want to congratulate the couple. This can happen before or after the confetti; I just let it happen naturally.
Posed Group and Couples Photos
I work through your required group shots fairly briskly in case a wedding follows shortly afterwards, and we are moved on. However, weddings are generally staggered and shouldn’t cross. Below are some examples of shots that I have taken after the ceremony.
The sun was disappearing around the back of the house when I took this group portrait of the wedding party. This is one of the day’s most important photos to capture, as it documents everyone in attendance.
Before you leave the house for either the park, or your reception, I like to take a few photos of Just the Two of You… Cue Bill Withers!
Wedding Portraits, Group Shots and General Photography in The English Gardens and Danson Park
The English Gardens opposite Danson House are stunning, and it’s well worth a trip across the road for some photos after your ceremony. It is a lovely spot for your wedding portraits. There are flowerbeds, hedges, a water feature, and numerous beautiful trees as a backdrop for your wedding photos.
However, the council requires you to buy a permit for professional photography.
I recently spoke (off the record) with someone connected with Danson House, who told me that 90% of couples don’t purchase a permit yet still use the gardens. It is highly unlikely that you will be asked to show your permit, so save the permit fee. It’s ultimately up to you, but it seems that this is an unnecessary expense that could go on drinks at your reception!
DON’T Buy a Permit, but DO use the Gardens!
In this sunny shot, the couple lead their guests down the steps with the house in the background
Danson House Wedding Photography FAQs
Q. WHY GET MARRIED AT DANSON HOUSE?
A. If it’s a stately home wedding in opulent surroundings, look no further than Danson House. With easy access to Central London, the house is the perfect venue for your wedding of up to 65 guests. The staff and registrars are kind and helpful, and the surrounding park is lovely for photos.
Q. IS PHOTOGRAPHY ALLOWED OF OUR MARRIAGE CEREMONY AND VOWS?
A. The registrars and house staff are very helpful and actively encourage photography. However, photographing the signing of the schedule is not allowed, with a ‘dummy’ set up for posed photographs.
Q. IS CONFETTI ALLOWED AFTERWARDS FOR A NICE PHOTOGRAPHIC SEQUENCE?
A. Unfortunately, wedding confetti and bubbles are prohibited.
Q. WHAT IS THE LIGHT LIKE FOR PHOTOGRAPHY INSIDE DANSON HOUSE?
A. It varies depending on the area. Most rooms have large windows and good directional light, but your photographer will be able to deal with any lighting conditions.
We took a few photos in front of the house and then went to the park for others, which gave us a wider variety of photos than just one location.
Going wider for this photo gave a great impression of space and greenery.
The park has many good backdrops for your photos, including this fine willow tree.
A wide, environmental shot shows the couple walking through the beautifully landscaped Danson Park.
A walking away photo is essential, as it gives closure and nicely bookends your special day.
And After Your Wedding Ceremony?
Being a civil marriage venue, Bexley Register Office does not cater to wedding receptions, but the Boathouse in the park does and is a popular wedding venue. There are also numerous local restaurants, pubs, and hotels in Bexleyheath and the local area. Greenwich is also nearby.
Time to leave: The newlyweds join their guests on their Routmaster bus, which is a great way to transport your guests between wedding venues.
Danson House,
Danson Park,
Danson Road,
Bexleyheath.
DA6 8HL.
