Emily & Alexander’s St Paul’s Cathedral Wedding: From the OBE Chapel to 116 Pall Mall
Emily and Alexander got married in the OBE Chapel at St Paul’s Cathedral in May 2024, then partied at 116 Pall Mall, and the wedding was later featured in Cosmopolitan UK. Boutique Wedding Films & Photography filmed and photographed the whole day as one team. We’re an Essex-based wedding film and photography team covering London and the South East, filming and photographing weddings since 2010, with over 1,000 weddings behind us.
The wedding at a glance
| Couple | Emily & Alexander, May 2024 |
| Ceremony | The OBE Chapel, in the crypt of St Paul’s Cathedral, London |
| Reception | 116 Pall Mall, St James’s |
| Featured in | Cosmopolitan UK |
| Film & photos | Boutique Wedding Films & Photography: films from £1,695, photography from £1,350, both from £3,000 |
Style From the Get-Go
This was a day full of style and elegance from the first minute, and Emily’s dress? Just wow. We captured both the film and the photography, which meant one team, one plan and nobody tripping over each other in the crypt. Here’s a sneak peek at the photos.
Getting Married at St Paul’s Cathedral: What You Need to Know
St Paul’s isn’t your average wedding venue, and not just because of the dome. Because it isn’t a parish church, there are rules about who can marry there, and every wedding needs a Special Licence from the Archbishop of Canterbury. According to St Paul’s Cathedral, you can apply if you are:
- A member of the Order of the British Empire, or their child
- A member of the Order of St Michael and St George, or their child
- A member of the Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor, or their child
- A holder of the British Empire Medal, or their child
- Cathedral staff or volunteers (subject to length of service), or their child
Weddings usually take place on Saturdays in January, February and April to October. Check the cathedral’s own pages for the latest rules before you get your heart set on a date.
The OBE Chapel: Small, Stunning and Tucked Away
Most St Paul’s weddings, Emily and Alexander’s included, happen in the Chapel of the Order of the British Empire, down in the crypt. It’s a smaller, more intimate space than the main cathedral, with stained glass windows by Brian Thomas showing acts of mercy from the Bible. You still get the walk through one of the most famous buildings in the world, but the ceremony itself feels personal rather than like you’re getting married in a train station.
Drinks and Dinner Afterwards
St Paul’s has its own event spaces that can be set up for a private celebration after the ceremony (see the cathedral’s weddings page). Emily and Alexander headed across town to 116 Pall Mall, a Grade I listed building in St James’s, for the reception. Another St Paul’s couple we filmed, Katherine and Tucker, went from the OBE Chapel to The Shard. London doesn’t do things by halves.
Filming and Photographing a St Paul’s Cathedral Wedding
St Paul’s is a photographer’s dream and a bit of a challenge at the same time. You’ve got soaring ceilings, huge spaces and light that changes from bright daylight upstairs to a much moodier glow in the crypt. Getting it right takes experience, not just a decent camera.
Photography: Working With the Light
We work with the natural light as much as we can rather than blasting everyone with flash, which keeps photos looking natural and keeps us out of the way during the ceremony. The crypt is darker than the cathedral floor above, so knowing how to handle low light matters. Scott explains how we do it in this short video.
Film: Getting the Sound Right
Big stone buildings echo, and nobody wants vows that sound like they were recorded in a car park. We use discreet microphones and place them carefully so every word of the vows, readings and music comes through clearly in your film. Those words are what bring a highlights film to life. If you’re not sure what that is, here’s our guide on what a wedding highlight video is.
Hear it from Hannah & Connor
Wondering what it’s actually like having one team film and photograph your wedding? Here’s one of our couples in their own words.
Why Couples Book Boutique Wedding Films & Photography for St Paul’s
For a venue like St Paul’s you want a team that’s done this before. Boutique Wedding Films & Photography has been filming and photographing weddings full-time since 2010, with over 1,000 weddings covered, from London landmarks to country houses. We’ve filmed more than one St Paul’s wedding, and you can see more in our St Paul’s Cathedral wedding video showreel and on our London wedding photographer and videographer page.
Because we do both film and photography, you get one team, one plan and photos and film that match in style. Here’s more on combined wedding photography and videography, our reportage style, and what’s in our packages. Or have a look through our film portfolio and photography portfolio.
“I can’t thank you and team enough for creating this important gift for us to enjoy and share with our families. This video will be our little time machine that will take us back to this special day!”
Larisa & Matt
St Paul’s Cathedral Wedding FAQs
Who can get married at St Paul’s Cathedral?
St Paul’s isn’t a parish church, so only certain people can apply: members of the Order of the British Empire, the Order of St Michael and St George and the Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor, holders of the British Empire Medal, cathedral staff and volunteers, and the children of all of these. Every wedding also needs a Special Licence from the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Where do weddings take place at St Paul’s Cathedral?
Weddings usually take place in the Chapel of the Order of the British Empire, known as the OBE Chapel, in the crypt. Emily and Alexander’s ceremony was held there.
When can you get married at St Paul’s Cathedral?
St Paul’s says weddings take place on Saturdays in January and February, and from April to October. Check with the cathedral for the latest dates before you plan anything else.
How much does a wedding photographer and videographer cost for a St Paul’s Cathedral wedding?
At Boutique Wedding Films & Photography, full-day wedding films start from £1,695 and full-day photography from £1,350, or both together from £3,000. Central London is within our 50-mile travel radius, so travel is included.
Have you filmed weddings at St Paul’s Cathedral before?
Yes. Boutique Wedding Films & Photography filmed and photographed Emily and Alexander’s OBE Chapel wedding, which was featured in Cosmopolitan UK, and has filmed other St Paul’s weddings, including Katherine and Tucker’s.
Where can we have the reception after a St Paul’s wedding?
St Paul’s has its own event spaces for private celebrations after the ceremony. Plenty of couples head elsewhere in London: Emily and Alexander went to 116 Pall Mall in St James’s, and Katherine and Tucker went to The Shard.
How soon do we get our wedding photos and film?
Boutique Wedding Films & Photography sends a handful of sneak-peek photos within 3 days of the wedding. The full photo gallery follows within 2 to 3 weeks, and your edited film within 10 to 14 weeks.
Planning a St Paul’s Cathedral Wedding?
If you’re lucky enough to be getting married at St Paul’s, you’ll want a film and photos that do it justice, without the cheese. Get in touch to check your date, ask us anything, or grab a brochure. Films start from £1,695, photography from £1,350, or both from £3,000. Don’t be shy, let’s chat.
Follow Our Latest Weddings
See our latest work on Instagram and Facebook, full films and FAQ videos on YouTube, and quick tips on TikTok. You can also read Cosmopolitan’s feature on Emily and Alexander’s wedding.