Your London Elopement
Guide for the simply elegant affair
London Calling!
You chose the most iconic backdrop for your elopement!
You are here because you want to create the most unforgettable day that is truly and uniquely YOU. A day focused on you two and things you love, with no compromises on your individuality.
My goal? To create a day focused on you two, free from pressure, rushing, and obligations, and full of love and joy instead.
Sounds good? All right, Allons-y!
What happens during your legal ceremony, and how to plan the perfect elopement in London
If you are eloping in London with an element of a legal ceremony on the day, here is what you can expect and prepare for. I have based this brief summary on covering dozens of ceremonies at Old Marylebone Town Hall, Old Chelsea Town Hall, Islington Town Hall, Hackney Town Hall, Southwark Register Office, Bromley Civic Centre, Tower Hamlets Register Office, and others.
The first point is that you will have a meeting with the Registrars that will be scheduled 30 minutes before the ceremony. Since you are most definitely going to be arriving together (no need to "don't see the each other before the ceremony" since you are eloping) you will be in the meeting together, so it could take a little less than 30 minutes. Most town halls will start it around 20 minutes before if both of you are present.
The ceremony will start on time and will last around 15–20 minutes, including the signing, depending on how long your own vows would be and if you decide to have them as a part of the legal ceremony. I can act as one of your witnesses. If you don't have any guests and need another witness, I can bring an assistant with you as you need two witnesses for a legal ceremony in England and Wales.
After your ceremony finishes, you’ll step out into the hallway, where we’ll have a chance for a few photos (about 5 minutes). Then we will proceed to the front steps for some more pictures. If you would like to have confetti thrown, again, I can have my assistant do that and maybe one of the ushers at the town hall if they are up for it. I can get in touch with them ahead of time to check if they would be happy to do that.
If you do have any guests for the ceremony, they would be the ones to throw the confetti, of course. They will also join in for the group photo right after that.
After this we’ll do some iconic photos of just the two of you on the steps and in any nearby beautiful spots around the town hall. If you’d like, we can also do a couple portrait session before the ceremony (especially if you’re arriving together or want to do a “first look”). Otherwise, we’ll move on to a 30–40 minute portrait session around the area after the ceremony.
From thereon, you can go about your day as you have planned - we can explore more locations for creative photos in London, celebrate with your guests, or visit landmarks and places that are meaningful to you.
Published by VOGUE
Intimate London Elopements
These are recent photos from two of my intimate weddings (Old Marylebone Town Hall & Royal Automobile Club) have been selected and published by Vogue. These work can be seen on photo Vogue website here and here. I am grateful and humbled for my work to have been selected by the editing team, and even more so to my couples, who trust me with their happiest day yet.
Hello there! I'm Alina!
Your elopement Photographer + Planning Consultant
I believe that I have an extremely important job - witnessing the most important moments of your life, shinning light on your deep connection, and telling your unique story.
My journey as a photographer started in my childhood, with my father - a photographer, being my first teacher, inspiration, and role model. However, I was born as a photographer when I became a mother, and my art was born out of a very personal struggle. Learning how to navigate motherhood, identity shift, and body-image issues, I turned to my camera, which gave me a whole new life. Once a part of my life, photography became a gift that I can extend to others. I do this because that is my way of being a part of something bigger and better than myself, of capturing someone's happiest moments and preserving their precious memories.
I love deep conversations and always will choose genuine connection over small talk. I hate compromises and seek to find the way for you to get exactly what you want on your own terms, because that's what I strive for for my family and friends and for myself. That's why you can count on me to work quickly and guide you to the best shot spots, lift your spirits, keep the times and organise your guests for photos, climb high, and run fast to get the best shot for you.
As featured in
Let’s get to know each other
I am more than just a photographer
Sure, my title may say s "wedding photographer", but I do so much more than just take and deliver your pictures. Actually, there is a whole list (below) of things that I can and will help you with.
My job is so much more than a set of tasks to prepare for, capture your day, and deliver your pictures; it is to create a safe, comfortable, and caring environment for you to focus on each other and be yourselves. Which is why I always include a couple photoshoot with all my packages. It is my way to show you how much I care to create and maintain the warm presence and encouraging environment for you to have the magical day you deserve.
My My
A step-by-step guide to my process
Here is how everything works
I. Congrats! You are eloping in London!
You now have an idea for your intimate event in London. Whether it is a combination of several locations or a single iconic spot in London, I am honoured to help you create your timeline and advise on logistics. I can also be your fixer if you are not based in London.
II. I help you plan your day
You got in touch with me, so I will help you plan your timeline in the first instance of contact - during the free consultation with me. During the call we will talk through your plan for the day, I will explaom exactly how much time you will need for what pictures, and build the rest of the day based on your plans and wishes. We can discuss when and where to plan the getting ready shots, whether you would like to capture the first look, when is the best time for photos in terms of lighting and crowds, locations, and so on. You can schedule the free consultation here.
After you book me, I can help you even further. Do you need a local florist or a make-up artist? Would you like to create an activity that is very YOU and out of the box of the traditional wedding day idea? I'm here to share my experience with you, generate ideas and make things happen.
III. We meet for a tea and a mini-photoshoot
My favourite part of the wedding planning process is meeting you in person, connecting with you, and getting you comfortable in front of the camera. No one is born with the talent of being comfortable with the camera; because we are observed, we naturally tense up. It is a skill that comes with practice, and I am absolutely determined to create the environment in which you can extend your bubble to include me and be yourselves focusing on each other. We will schedule the pre-shoot shortly after you book me. If you are not local we can do this either when and if you visit London or a day or two before your main elopement day.
IV. We have the run-through call, adding any finishing touches and tweaks to your timeline and logistics
We will have another video call to go over everything before your elopement day. I will make sure you have the appropriate logistical support in place.
V. You focus on each other, I document your day
Your special day won't feel like a rushed, stressful, and exhausting all-day photoshoot, not with me at the steering wheel! I mean, at the camera. I work as both a firm and caring guide to organise the time sensitive bits of the day, coordinate any few guests or wintesses you might have and be fly-on-the-wall, documenting the most intimate and candid moments. I will guide you to get the most beautiful shots and will be always discreet enough for you to feel relaxed and be yourself while focusing on each other. My clients always love the photos that they had no idea were even being taken in the moment.
VI. You receive your gorgeous photos
I will send you high resolution highlights from your day within the first 3-7 days from your wedding day in a beautiful online gallery. The gallery will be shareable with your loved ones, who can view and download the photos directly from there. I will then get to editing the rest of your photos, which you will receive within 12 weeks from your elopement.
VII. Order your albums and prints
I will create a complimentary digital album design for you that will tell the story of your day. You can choose to keep it digitally or order an album with me. If you choose to order the album, we can customize the cover, size, and materials. You and your family and friends can print photos directly from the easy-to-navigate online gallery, so you can cover your walls with the beautiful memories you created on your elopement day.
What's it like to have me as a wedding photographer?
"Exceeded what we thought possible"
"Absolute Pro"
"Captured the day and the feel of it"
"Alina really does care so much about capturing your special day"
"I felt comfortable with Alina and so did my family"
"I genuinely shed a tear"
What's the end result? See for yourself
View Full Client Galleries of Intimate Weddings in London
Can we have guests?
Yes of course! In fact several of my clients who initially planned a two person elopement opted in for having some close loved ones with them for a part of the day. There was even a couple (B & L gallery above) who split their day between a private elopement for just the two of them and a later ceremony for their family and friends.
Your elopement is entirely YOURS.
My job is to help you bring your vision to life and to document your most special day, creating a living breathing representation of your connection. This is especially precious as it can tell your story to those who were not in attendance as well as for the future generations.
Not Sure how much coverage you need?
To get your bespoke quote please contact Alina at hello@alinapullenphoto.com or a book a consultation below!
"Alina was the best choice we could make"
"Alina was an absolute lifesaver when we were stressed trying to find a photographer for our wedding. Working with Alina was a pleasure from start to finish. We could tell from the moment that we sent an inquiry that Alina was the best choice we could make. She immediately made us feel at ease, taking the lead when needed to guide us on what we should be thinking about, getting to know us and most importantly, looking forward to the big day.
Her communication has been fantastic throughout, giving us advice and feedback over email, whatsapp messages and video calls. Along with prompt return of many beautiful photos, delivered in sets for our convenience. She put her all into making our wedding special, going above and beyond before, during and after our wedding. We couldn't be happier with how it went, thanks in part to her personal touch on the day, as well as her guidance in the lead-up. Her communication was fantastic, always available if needed and put a lot of thought and effort into how she could make everything the best it could be. Thanks again Alina."
-Max
"Absolutely loved"
"We worked with Alina for both our pre wedding ceremony and the wedding itself. We chose her based on what we saw on her website and loved the fact that she’d worked with parents and children before. We were not disappointed and absolutely love our final photos. Alina was organised, communicative and accommodating of our needs. She was really good at capturing candid, beautiful moments without us even noticing and made everyone feel really comfortable, particularly our camera shy selves. The pictures are absolutely beautiful, and we can’t wait to get some framed for our home. We particularly loved how she captured our daughter on the day.
Alina is so lovely and we really enjoyed having her there on our special day (s) - we would definitely recommend working with her if you want someone professional, creative and calm. Thank you Alina!"
-Kamala
I feel the happiest doing this job and sharing your most precious moments!
I cry at your ceremonies with you, I laugh with you, I study and I share your experience, finding the best moments, angles and ways of telling your story. I can't wait to meet you and hear what you have in mind for your magical day. My former clients often become my friends, as I approach every wedding as a process of building a very special connection. Your lifetime together begins on your wedding day, and I will be absolutely honoured to document and share that step with you.
Lots of love.
Alina
