Covent Garden Hotel Intimate Autumn Wedding for Vicky & Paul

TLDR: This Covent Garden Hotel wedding proves that small is perfect. Thoughtfully planned in the heart of London, this day was effortless stylish. The perfect inspiration for couples seeking a wedding with the focus on family.

Intimate Wedding at Covent Garden Hotel

Smaller weddings are becoming more than just a practical choice. There is something wonderful about a day that is built around intimacy. More bride and grooms are deciding to focus on atmosphere, experience, and the people who matter most. Whether that means a quiet exchange of vows or a short guest list in a familiar space, small weddings can offer a kind of richness that is hard to replicate.

This intimate Covent Garden Hotel wedding came together quickly and beautifully. Held in the centre of London, my lovely couple Vicky and Paul celebrated their day at the elegant Covent Garden Hotel, with all its layered textures and the personalised charm of the hotel’s designer, Kit Kemp.

Getting Ready at Covent Garden Hotel for an Intimate Wedding

Each room at the hotel is individually styled by Kit Kemp. The bridal suite was no exception to this. A neutral palette, stunning wallpapers, and a tailor’s dummy in the corner added small, distinctive touches. Outside the room even featured a palette board of textiles and tones that reflected the design of the room. It made a beautifully personal setting for the bride to get ready. The morning was happy and calm. There was shared laughter between my bride and her lifelong best friend as they helped each other get ready for the day.

The Morning Preparations

The bride chose a contemporary approach: a mid-length dress from Roksanda’s bridal collection with "clean lines, blush and berry-toned florals," and delicate accessories. The choice of a mid-length dress felt perfectly suited my bride's personality - elegant and understated and so stylish. Most importantly however, was the fact that it spun beautifully when she spun round!

The bridal suite had a particularly wonderful energy at this point, from the hug between the bride and her mum, to the moment her necklace was fastened, to a spontaneous spin that showed off the movement of the bride's wedding dress. The atmosphere was warm and fun! Having space to move and enjoy time without rushing set the tone for everything that followed.

Meanwhile, just outside, the groom chatted nervously with his best man. There’s something wonderful about photographing this part of the day, the expectation and the nerves are equally high.

Small Wedding Ceremony at Covent Garden Hotel

The ceremony took place in a private function room in the hotel. The room was perfect for the setting. After being walked down the aisle by her father, with their guests watching, the couple their exchanged vows. The couple had chosen to keep the the setting close so the ceremony could flow into the reception, drawing everyone close.

Why Couples Are Choosing Small Weddings in London

Not every couple wants a fully-scaled event. There’s been a move, in recent years with more people choosing to keep things close. Fewer guests, more familiar faces.

Weddings like this one show how simplicity can hold just as much weight. Whether it’s a small room filled with close friends or a private dinner after a short ceremony - it's your day to plan what's right for you.

Seven Dials Wedding Portraits and Autumn Light

Afterward the ceremony and a few glasses of champagne, I stole my bride and groom and stepped out into the Autumn evening light. We kept near by to the venue - time is precious - wandered through the surrounding streets. The dimming light and street lamps added a gorgeous cinematic London film set glow to their day. The couple paused by a tree wrapped in fairy lights, a small moment that felt like it belonged entirely to them. Seven Dials and Neal’s Yard gave us colour, quiet, and just the right amount of background bustle. So much of my work is ensuring couples are comfortable. I don't overly pose them – just ensuring everyone looks good. Photographing happiness is a huge part of of what I do - making sure that I am in the perfect spot to capture this moment.

My bride and groom were so stylish - we had so much fun. With a little bit of direction from me and lots of laughter from them. Every side lane gave us another palette - soft red brick, trees and the golden lights from shopfronts. London in autumn offers this wonderful transition from afternoon into evening.

Wedding Reception at Covent Garden Hotel

Back at the Covent Garden Hotel, the private dining room had been set with small vases of seasonal flowers, and the Wedgewood mythical creatures crockery designed by Kit Kemp. Bottles of champagne rested in silver buckets and the cake topped with two robots in the shape of the bride and groom that made everyone smile.

Laughter ran through the meal. There were minimal speeches, and several raised glasses. There’s a kind of ease that comes from being surrounded only by people who know you well.

As agreed, after cutting their cake I left my lovely bride and groom to enjoy the rest of their evening with their gorgeous family and friends.

Thank you!

Thank you for trusting me to photograph your wonderful wedding day.

Vicky said in her 5 star review

"She was fantastic on the day - we had a very small wedding and she was discreet, friendly and everyone at the ceremony commented on how professional and charming she was. Our wedding photos are incredible. She captured the emotion of the day beautifully and the balance of pictures was superb."

If you’re planning something intimate, or if life has changed your timeline, know that a wedding like this is always possible.

If you’d like to find out how I photograph weddings like this one in London, Surrey or Berkshire, take a look at my wedding photography pricing page.