Wedding Photography at Camberwell House, Southwark Register Office
**I am taking bookings for weddings at Camberwell House for 2027-28 now**
More than 50 Camberwell House weddings photographed since 2013.
A passionate and dynamic first kiss: The Garden Room at Southwark Register Office provided the perfect backdrop.
South London Wedding Venue Location
Camberwell House is Southwark’s beautiful wedding venue at Southwark Register Office on Peckham Road.
Almost secluded by trees on an attractive cobbled forecourt, the Grade II-listed former school and asylum was originally built as a terraced house in the 1790s.
The name Camberwell House was first used in the 1840s and has recently been returned as a more memorable name for the wedding venue. It is arguably one of South London’s finest small venues—a hidden gem perfect for wedding photography!
Grooms get emotional too, few more so than Nathaniel, at the beginning of his marriage to Sally…
…but the tears soon turned to laughter as the registrar began the ceremony.
Are You Planning Your Wedding at Camberwell House?I photograph discreetly and unobtrusively to capture 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… |
After the ceremony and posed shots in the garden, I took a series of images of the couple together. This photo of the newlyweds kissing shows much of the front exterior of the Southwark Register Office building.
Photographing Weddings at Camberwell House
I photographed my first wedding at Camberwell House in 2013 and immediately fell in love with the venue. The beautiful Garden Room struck me as the perfect setting for a small, intimate ceremony, and I’ve since photographed more than 50 weddings here. That experience means I know the venue extremely well, from the best light and photography spots in the Garden Room to my favourite places for relaxed couple and group photos afterwards.
My position at the front of the Garden Room let me capture great photos of everything, including the all-important exchange of wedding rings.
On arrival, an usher shows guests into the waiting room whilst the groom has his legal interview. The waiting area is a reasonably large, ornate room with a fireplace, mirror, and seating along the walls. Although dimly lit, it’s still an excellent place for photos of friends and family chatting and meeting each other pre-ceremony.
The forecourt is a perfect spot to photograph guests arriving and greeting each other. However, it can be shaded, particularly in summer, so I used a little fill flash here.
Our Wedding Photos are Beautiful…
The photos from our wedding are beautiful. They have literally made us laugh and cry! I have recommended Guy to two of our friends who are getting married soon. Guy helped to make our day really special. We wanted someone who would capture the day in a relaxed way and that’s exactly what Guy achieved…
Rachel & Andy
Don't let the rain spoil your day: The newlyweds were all smiles as they left their marriage ceremony.
Also Consider>> Lambeth Town Hall Wedding Photography.
Although Hannah and Dave arrived separately, they broke with tradition and met in the hall before their ceremony.
Bride Isha and Groom Alexandros arrived at Camberwell House together. Whether you prefer to do the same or keep it separate, the Southwark registrars are happy to accommodate.
What Does Southwark Offer? Wedding Packages and Timings
- All marriage ceremonies take place in the Garden Room, which seats 35 guests plus the couple standing.
- For health and safety reasons, excess guests may be asked to wait outside.
Wendy and Magnus took advantage of a change in legislation that allowed them to have a civil partnership at Southwark instead of an entire marriage ceremony.
The photographer usually photographs from the front, but there are no restrictions on discreet movement during the ceremony.
**Please note: these packages offered by the Southwark Register Office are unrelated to my wedding photography packages.**
Simple Ceremony
The Simple Ceremony is only available on one Monday morning per month and is just for the couple with 2 witnesses. I have never photographed one of these at Southwark, and it's aimed at couples on a budget or who want little fuss. The bride and groom cannot be kept separate. Instead, 30 minutes is allocated to each couple for the interviews and 'no frills' ceremony.
Enhanced Ceremony
Available for weddings taking place Wednesday-Saturday. It includes the option to keep the couple separate. The package includes one reading and entrance/exit music. Each couple is allocated 40 minutes. We have been allowed longer than this at some weddings I have photographed at Southwark, but it depends on the day's running and the registrar's discretion.
For further information about both packages and your options, visit the Camberwell House Weddings Website.
Guests wait in the aptly named 'Waiting Room' before the start of the ceremony.
An usher shows guests into the Garden Room, and I take time to photograph them seated. I love the eye contact between father and daughter and my camera in this one.
Bride Estelle arrives nervously at her wedding ceremony with Camberwell House in the background. I shot wide and used fill flash to capture the details of her dress, car, and brickwork.
The Bride's Arrival
Usually, the bride arrives last with her bridal party, so the groom and guests don't see her. Your photographer should photograph her arrival, so I watch events in the forecourt. Sometimes, there's time for group portraits of the bride with her father or bridesmaids on the front steps.
A nice shot is to get her entering through the main door. It all helps tell the day's story, which is particularly important during a short-day wedding—the more diverse the range of photo opportunities, the better. Once inside the venue, she goes for her interview while the guests are shown into the Garden Room. If applicable, the bride (and father/bridesmaids) enters to the couple's choice of non-religious music.
The bride and groom often arrive together, but this is a personal preference. Separate is more traditional and allowed with the Enhanced Ceremony (details above).
Bride Lisa smiles as she walks up the drive for her summer Southwark wedding.
It is lovely to photograph the bride arriving through the doors from the inside. This photo is all the more special because Estelle's father accompanied her.
Bride Rosalyn couldn't hide her joy and giggled up the Garden Room's short aisle.
This was a much smaller wedding with only seven guests. I ensured they all sat behind the couple to make it look busier and ensure they were in the photographs.
The Southwark Registrars & Ceremony
I always make a point of introducing myself to the wedding or civil partnership officials. The registrars at Camberwell House are very relaxed about wedding photography. They actively encourage photography at Southwark with no restrictions as long as the photographer is discreet and respectful of the ceremony.
If the photographer does not get in the way, they can choose where to shoot. Standing behind and to the side of the registrar's table, I can see everything. I also took some shots from behind the couple, especially during the ring exchange.
I shot this from the groom's side. Getting reasonably close enabled me to capture all the expressions and emotions of the occasion, such as Isha's lovely smile.
I just had to accentuate the vibrant colours in this ceremony. Lesley and Peter were slightly camera-shy, although you wouldn't know it here!
Many photographers would find the videographer a little intrusive. However, I think he was a relative, and he added to this photo and showed what a happy occasion it was.
Discretion and respect for the occasion are essential, but having no specific 'rules' is lovely. For this reason alone, the Southwark Registry Office is worth recommending as an exceptional venue for your small wedding, civil partnership, or same-sex wedding ceremony.
Moving around lets your photographer choose the best angle to capture key wedding moments, such as the groom picking up his bride's ring.
Shooting from behind the registrar in the Garden Room adds context by including her in the shot.
This photograph intrigues me: the happy couple have eyes only for each other. But the guests on the left find something very amusing and try to stifle their sniggering.
Beautiful Interior and Setting for a Fantastic Day
The ceremony itself takes place in the Garden Room. It is well-appointed with wooden floors and panelling and seats 35 guests.
The registrars sit with their backs to a bow window. The lighting at the front of the room is perfect, and I use my bounce flash to complement it. Soft window light spills onto the faces of the bride and groom and the front row of wedding guests.
Top First Kiss Photography Tip: The moment just before their lips meet can be the most intimate, so don't rush.
Most register offices allow photography of the schedule's signing, and Southwark is quite relaxed about it.
Back in 2020, COVID rules required the registrar to be behind a Perspex screen that introduced reflections. Thankfully, the screen is gone now.
The Garden Room's intimacy means that whatever happens, I can get close. I love the look on Rachel's face as she makes emotional eye contact with another family member during this young chap's reading. This was my first time photographing Camberwell House.
I usually take congratulations shots in the garden. However, sometimes guests can't wait, as this post-ceremony photo shows.
Post-Ceremony Posed Group Shots
Following the ceremony, the newlyweds exit the Garden Room through a large door in the middle of the bay window at the front, leading through to the secluded back garden (hence the name 'Garden Room'). The venue generally allows around 10 minutes for the photographer to set up and capture those all-important wedding group shots. In the garden, time can be short, depending on when the next wedding ceremony is due to start.
The couple leaving by the Garden Room door: This environmental shot shows the bay windows from the outside.
Please wait for me! A thoughtful bride leaves her new husband behind after their ceremony.
I added a slight vignette to give this photo a more atmospheric look.
Two hugs are better than one. I composed the couple to fit both of them into their congratulations photos in the garden.
The garden at Southwark Register Office is a beautiful spot for your group portraits after the ceremony.
I took this family portrait at the end of the garden, which is better for large groups.
I photographed this couple and their parents using the back of Camberwell House as a backdrop.
Weddings at Southwark don't get any larger than this, but there is ample space for a wedding party portrait in the garden.
This bridal portrait shows off the bottom end of the garden well. It is a surprisingly well-kept and ample space with numerous backdrops and potential for various photographs.
Camberwell House Wedding FAQs
Q. IS CAMBERWELL HOUSE THE SAME AS SOUTHWARK REGISTER OFFICE?
A. Yes. Camberwell House is Southwark's wedding venue at the Southwark Register Office, 34 Peckham Road, Camberwell. The venue is now promoted as Camberwell House, although many couples and photographers still know it as Southwark Register Office. You may therefore see the venue referred to by both names.
Q. HOW MANY GUESTS CAN ATTEND A CAMBERWELL HOUSE WEDDING?
A. The Garden Room can accommodate the couple and up to 35 guests, making Camberwell House particularly well suited to smaller, intimate weddings. Your professional photographer does not count towards the maximum capacity.
Q. IS CAMBERWELL HOUSE GOOD FOR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY?
A. Yes. Having photographed more than 50 weddings here since 2013, I know the venue extremely well. The Garden Room has lovely window light around the couple, while the garden is ideal for family groups and relaxed portraits after the ceremony. The front of Camberwell House also makes an attractive backdrop for confetti and photographs of the newlyweds.
Q. IS PHOTOGRAPHY ALLOWED DURING A CAMBERWELL HOUSE WEDDING CEREMONY?
A. Yes. In my experience, the Southwark registrars are very accommodating towards wedding photography. I photograph throughout the ceremony, including the entrance, vows, exchange of rings, first kiss and signing, while working discreetly and without distracting from the occasion.
Q. WHERE ARE THE BEST PLACES FOR WEDDING PHOTOS AT CAMBERWELL HOUSE?
A. I normally use the Garden Room, the private garden and the attractive front of Camberwell House for photographs. Lucas Gardens is also only a couple of minutes’ walk away and is one of my favourite nearby locations for relaxed couple portraits, with greenery, flowers and a greater variety of backgrounds.
Q. CAN WE HAVE CONFETTI AT CAMBERWELL HOUSE?
A. Yes. Biodegradable confetti is allowed outside at the front of Camberwell House. I usually organise guests before the newlyweds come out so I can photograph the whole sequence as they walk through the confetti.
Q. HOW LONG SHOULD WE BOOK A PHOTOGRAPHER FOR A CAMBERWELL HOUSE WEDDING?
A. For a Camberwell House wedding, just one hour is usually enough to photograph arrivals, the ceremony, confetti, family groups and relaxed portraits afterwards. If you would also like preparations, a longer couple shoot or some of your reception photographed, you can simply extend the coverage to suit your plans.
Tossing the bouquet: This was the only time I have photographed this at Southwark, and it is often difficult to capture well. I think this shows everything, though.
As the wedding guests take photos, I turn my camera on them. This photo also shows the back of the house.
Although their wedding was on a Saturday, no marriage followed it, so there was plenty of time for fun, playful shots of the newlyweds!
Another fun shot of the bride laughing as her new husband spins her around.
Your wedding photographer has much to think about during the day: I had to spin the heart to get it in the right place for the shot.
The Newlyweds' Exit & Showers of Confetti
Guests then walk back through the building via a side door to the right. If any guests have brought biodegradable confetti, they can greet the happy couple coming out with handfuls. Happily, Camberwell House does allow this wedding custom.
There is also an opportunity for more posed shots outside the front door (I prefer the couple and close family here) before the wedding party travels to their reception venue.
Confetti is allowed happily... These are some of the best, happiest wedding day shots. Couples always feel more able to relax after the formality of the ceremony is over.
I take a sequence of photographs as the couple walks away from the building.
I do a mixture of colour and black and white throughout the wedding day. This photo includes many colours, and the Camberwell House background is lovely.
The wedding party poses for a group photo outside the front of Southwark Register Office with Peckham Road in the background.
The umbrella-toting newlyweds are leaving their rainy wedding at Southwark Register Office. I then did a further photoshoot with them in Central London.
Black and white gives a similar scene a different look. I used fill-flash to compensate for the tree canopy.
Wedding Photos Near Camberwell House – Lucas Gardens
The Lucas Gardens are a couple of minutes' walk away. You can enter it from the corner of Peckham Road and Vestry Road.
I photograph wedding parties there regularly, as it adds variety to the photos, particularly for short weddings. The park is relatively small but beautiful, with attractive backdrops such as flower beds and green foliage for gorgeous photographs. There is even a play park for more playful shots...
The Lucas Gardens next door has lots of flowers and foliage, which is great for portraits of the newlyweds after their ceremony.
Although some may consider a jumping shot a little cheesy, it captures the fun and personalities of the day.
Southwark Register Office,
34 Peckham Road,
Camberwell,
London.
SE5 8QA.
Camberwell House Wedding Photographer, Southwark Register Office.
Page last updated: 4 weeks ago by Guy Milnes
