St Paul’s Cathedral Wedding Photographer
Let’s cut to it: St Paul’s Cathedral isn’t just one of London’s most recognisable landmarks — it’s also a wedding venue that sits in the weird and wonderful space between iconic and exclusive. That makes it equal parts high‑status, slightly mysterious, and absolutely irresistible for couples planning a classic London ceremony.
As a St Paul’s Cathedral Wedding Photographer, I’ve learned what it actually takes to get married here — and what makes the whole experience unique. If you’re considering it (or just love great wedding backdrops), this is your no‑nonsense guide.
1. It is possible — but it’s not simple
Spending your wedding day or part of it at St Paul’s Cathedral is absolutely a thing that happens, but it’s not like booking a registry office or your local parish church on a whim. Only a small number of weddings take place here each year — roughly around 30 couples — and they’re all handled with a good bit of planning.
The cathedral is not a parish church, which rules out the usual Church of England parish rules, but also introduces its own hoops: every wedding at St Paul’s requires a Special Licence granted by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
So, if you’re daydreaming about that ceremony under the dome, bear in mind that this isn’t a quick booking with a celebrant and a registry form — there are specific legal and eligibility steps involved.
2. Who actually qualifies to marry here
Here’s where it gets interesting: because St Paul’s isn’t a parish church, not anyone can book it. You need to tick at least one of the eligibility criteria — typically a connection through certain honours (like the Order of the British Empire and similar) or service roles linked to the cathedral community.
That doesn’t mean you have to be baptised every Sunday or have grown up in the choir, but there is a qualifying list — and no, simply living in London doesn’t cut it.
This exclusivity is part of why weddings here feel like events rather than just another weekend booking. Wanting it is easy; getting it is where the planning muscles come out.
3. Timelines and expectations
If you’re serious about a St Paul’s Cathedral wedding, you’ll want to plan early and plan strategically. Because weddings here are relatively rare and in demand, the waiting list can be substantial — around 3 to 4 years between enquiry and ceremony date.
Couples usually submit an initial enquiry, wait for a response (often a few weeks), and then it’s a matter of securing that Special Licence and landing a date that fits both your calendar and the Cathedral’s schedule.
So if you’re thinking “maybe next year?” — that’s awesome, but start checking boxes yesterday.
4. What the ceremony looks like
Weddings at St Paul’s are conducted according to the rites of the Church of England. You don’t have to be a churchgoer, but the service will have Christian liturgy, prayers and traditionally styled vows.
It’s not the place to swap in a bespoke vow structure — this is classic ceremony territory. If you want a twist (music, readings, smaller entourage), you’ll negotiate that with the cathedral clergy as part of your planning.
5. Can you do your reception there too?
Yes, and here’s one of the more useful bits for couples who love a good party: St Paul’s isn’t just for the ceremony — you can also book reception spaces. One popular option is the Wren Suite, a striking room inside the cathedral with enough style (and history) to match a classy dinner or drinks after your vows.
It’s a great way to keep the whole day in one place without losing the momentum that comes right after your “I do’s”.
6. Photography realities (because you will want great photos)
Here’s the practical bit that sometimes surprises couples: you cannot have wedding photos taken inside the Cathedral grounds unless you’re actually marrying there. That includes portraits, engagement sessions, and ‘just for fun’ shoots — the rule covers everyone.
That doesn’t stop amazing St Paul’s Cathedral wedding photography from happening — it just means that for official wedding photos, photo access has to be part of your ceremony permission.
As a London documentary Wedding photographer, I always plan for the moments around the architecture too: the steps, the piazza, the streets rolling off Ludgate Hill, and even those slightly chaotic minutes when people are just living their London lives around you. It’s that mix of planned and spontaneous shots that really makes an album sing.
7. The history bonus (because it’s part of the appeal)
Let’s be honest — part of the allure of St Paul’s is its legacy. Not only is it a masterpiece by Sir Christopher Wren, but it’s also been the setting for some seriously high‑profile weddings (hello, global royal weddings of the ’80s).
That history doesn’t make your day more official, but it does mean your photos and memories come with a backdrop that’s been central to London’s story for centuries — and that’s a vibe in its own right.
