A Stylish Wedding in the OBE Chapel at St Paul’s Cathedral

Written By Archie Cameron-Blackie

Is there a more iconic venue in the whole of the UK than St Paul’s Cathedral?

One of the most recognisable features of the London skyline, and an absolute bucket list venue for any photographer in the world. So when Ashe and Nick got in touch to ask us about covering their wedding in the OBE chapel (located in the crypt of St Paul’s Cathedral) we were more than a little interested. The OBE chapel is officially known as the “Chapel of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire”, which is a bit of a mouthful, but fairly prestigious as names go!

But before we get swept up in the grandeur of the venue, let’s take a moment for Nick and Ashe. Two wonderful and intentional people who knew what they wanted, and went after it with their vision for this day. From Ashe’s beautiful dress from Spanish Designer - Immacle (stunning dresses - more please!), to their requirement for Guinness at the vibey reception venue, to the seven-piece brass band that played into the night at Gordon Ramsay’s Pizza Kitchen basement.

How to get married in the OBE Chapel at St Paul’s Cathedral

So let’s be clear - there are vanishingly few weddings at St Paul’s every year. The eligibility criteria are pretty limiting as you (or a parent) need to be a member of the following groups:

  • the Order of the British Empire, and their children,

  • the Order of St Michael and St George, and their children,

  • the Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor, and their children,

  • the Cathedral Community (staff and volunteers, including Cathedral School, subject to length of service), and their children.

Then - of course, you need to:

  • Not be married already,

  • Have a fiance/e,

  • Gain the permission form the Dean and Chapter,

  • Be willing to hang around (as the waiting list is 2-3 years),

  • Be keen for a London wedding.

All of which means that the total number each year is not quite at the same level of other iconic london venues like Old Marylebone Town Hall for example… (2500 a year, and 100 in a day last year!).

St Paul’s, for comparison only hosts around 30 weddings a year…

Wedding Preparations at the Hoxton Hotel.

These morning pics are just my favourite. Such a calm, refined feeling to them that I just looooove. Ashe and Nick chose the stylish Hoxton Hotel for their preparations, and it was perfect for the job. Beautiful window light, spacious rooms, attractive decor - all of which meant that when the rain started to fall - no one really seemed to mind too much. It’s London after all, so even July can throw a curve ball.

Ashe looked absolutely radiant all morning, and the big smile that was on her face is testament to that. I loved all the little details and accessories that went into her outfit - there were enamel pins, rugby nods (her dad won his OBE for services to Rugby), embroidered handkerchiefs, cat whiskers, and of course a stunning ring!

Nick - maybe a little more serious in his tailored, navy checked suit. Once he met up with the boys though, you can see he relaxed and started to have some fun!

Ashe’s reveal to her dad just before heading out to the car is one of my favourite moments from this day - just beautiful. I’m actually welling up a little bit just looking at the pictures again…

Ceremony at the OBE Chapel, St Paul’s Cathedral

To enter the OBE chapel, you are allowed access to a side entrance into the cathedral, so you don’t have to queue with all the tourists. This also means access to a perfect staging area just outside the doors with those iconic white stone columns and checkerboard tiling. The exclusivity of the space is funny, it’s like a quiet oasis, with the bustle of London just metres away, and the absolute grandeur of the British Empire just through the doorway ahead. There’s a little area inside that has stunning light for portraits, and then you head downstairs for the chapel entrance.

The clergy at St Pauls are quite particular about photography access, especially during the ceremony - being very keen to keep the space intentional and focussed on the actual event. We always appreciate a ceremony space that encourages guests to be truly present - no screens, no distractions, just presence and connection…

That said - when the ethos extends to us, it does make covering the ceremony quite a bit harder! In this instance we were informed in no uncertain terms that ceremony pictures were not to be allowed, and we could shoot until the door closed after Ashe’s entrance, the register signing, and their exit… So that’s what we did.

It’s funny, there’s a gap in the gallery compared to our usual coverage, and yet it just feels more intentional, more exclusive, and more precious as a result. You see the nervous entrance, you see the joyful exit, and everything in between is a mystery - memories for only those present.

Something to consider I think…

Wedding portraits at St Pauls Cathedral.

The light upstairs is just as perfect for two as for one, so we took the chance to take some shots inside and outside the cathedral before heading onwards to Union Street Theatre on a couple of London buses.

London Buses & Union Street Theatre Wedding Reception

All the guests hopped onto London buses and travelled on to the vibey Union Street Theatre for their wedding reception. UST is not usually a reception venue, but Abigail from Rather Be coordinated services from a couple of different restaurants and suppliers to make it work so we could be closeby to Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen for dinner.

Ashe and Nick’s arrival with confetti was beautiful, surrounded by smiles and cheers - the perfect tunnel.

They also organised for a pianist to play throughout the reception, he was fantastic, setting a warm musical backdrop to the event.

Of particular importance to Ashe and Nick was the presence of Guinness at the reception - with Irish Heritage on Ashe’s side, there was really only one choice - so Ashe sourced some taps and kegs as UST didn’t provide it as standard. What a bloody legend - and also the reason behind one of my favourite bridal pictures!

Industrial Chic Reception at Bread Street Kitchen

Gordon Ramsay’s Bread street kitchen is a chilled out, and industrial venue for dinners and events. Dressed up just a little with potted succulents and ferns, it made for a cool, contemporary dinner setting before the party. Can something really be minimalist with a giant mirror ball hanging from the roof? I’m not so sure… but it’s the word I’m going to use!

Naturally the food was incredible, plated expertly in the kitchen and brought out to the guests between speeches which were deeply personal, very funny, and tear-inducing across the board.

A Neon Underground Party - Street Pizza by Gordon Ramsay

After dinner we descended to the basement for espresso martinis, neon signs, and wild dancefloor scenes with a brass band.

There were arcade games, pool tables, and basketball competitions to keep folk entertained, and with guests tearing it up on the dancefloor we had a full on party vibe into the evening.

Final Thoughts…

It would have been so easy to go from St Paul’s and keep things straight laced and formal for the rest of the day. And that’s what I love about these two. They saw that, considered what they wanted, and then went after it. A big keyword for us is intentionality. And if there was ever an intentional wedding - this was it. A young stylish couple in the city, keeping true to their ideals, blending old with new, and formal with relaxed.

One of my all time favourites, and I just feel like you can see so much of their relationship and characters through these images - truly a representation of two individuals coming together to create something incredible.

If you’re planning your own event like this one anywhere in the world, and you’ve resonated with anything we’ve mentioned so far, then drop us a line and let’s have a chat!

Archie Cameron-Blackie
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