Suffolk Micro-Wedding: Newlyweds holding hands and wearing sunglasses. Walking out of the Abbey Gardens through the Abbey Gate in the sunshine. Bury St Edmunds.

Chelsea & Aaron: Bury St Edmunds Micro-Wedding

I love my visits to Bury St Edmunds, from glamorous big church weddings (with a very long walk down the second-longest parish church aisle) to small, sweet and stylish micro-weddings in the register office.

This August day was the latter—a glorious summer day in this historic Suffolk town. Chelsea and her parents arrived full of smiles, chauffeured by her boss, and she stepped out in the most perfect dress: a classic white mini dress, ideal for summer, the register office, and Chelsea!

Aaron had a surprise for Chelsea. After walking down the aisle to begin the ceremony, Chelsea, who already had his initials tattooed on her wrist, discovered that Aaron had spent the morning having her new initials tattooed onto his wrist too.

After taking their vows and exchanging rings in front of their nearest and dearest, we popped over to the Abbey Gardens to enjoy the warm weather and capture a few photos. This was followed by cocktails in the bar of the renowned Boston ivy-covered Angel Hotel.

Getting married is hungry work, so friends of the couple fetched burgers from the nearby McDonald’s for a quick snack for the bride and groom. I’ll never stop smiling at the pictures of that moment!

Suppliers

  • Couple wearing sunglasses arrive smiling at the camera at a wedding. In a car park.
  • Young child wearing H&M pleated A-line dress in yellow, purple, pink and light blue

Art. No.:1031248011.
  • Two women hug in the street.
  • Groom and friends waiting outside the register office.
  • Groom kisses a guest on the cheek as she arrives at the wedding.
  • People chat outside the Bury St Edmunds Register Office.
  • Young girl with her dad stood in the doorway of the Bury St Edmunds registry office. She is wearing H&M pleated A-line dress in yellow, purple, pink and light blue

Art. No.:1031248011.
  • Couple sitting in chairs waiting for wedding ceremony.
  • Bury St Edmunds Register Office 7 Angel Hill, Bury St Edmunds IP33 1UZ


  • Land Rover Range Rover Batumi Gold arriving at Bury St Edmunds Register Office. A couple pack shopping into their car with their dogs. Documentary wedding photograph.
  • Land Rover Range Rover Batumi Gold arriving at Bury St Edmunds Register Office.
  • Mother of the bride in a Blurred Stripe Wrap Shirt Dress arrives at the wedding.
  • Bride being helped out of the Range Rover by her dad.
  • Bride and her dad arrive at the Bury St Edmunds register office.
  • Man in glasses wearing black standing in the doors of the Bury St Edmunds register office.
  • Wedding guest in red floral dress sat in a chair.
  • Lynn Whitehead Suffolk registrar with the groom.
  • Three guests sitting in chairs at the register office.
  • Bride walking down the aisle with her dad. Bury St Edmunds Register Office 
The Abbeygate Room 7 Angel Hill, Bury St Edmunds IP33 1UZ
  • Bride walking down the aisle with her dad at the Bury St Edmunds Register Office 

The Abbeygate Room 7 Angel Hill, Bury St Edmunds IP33 1UZ
  • Couple holding hands during their wedding ceremony.
  • Lynn Whitehead registrar conducting at wedding ceremony at the Bury St Edmunds register office.
  • Bride and groom holding hands during their Suffolk register office wedding.
  • In the Abbeygate Room of Bury St Edmunds Register Office, a bride and groom face each other during the ceremony. Bride is wearing the Odd Muse The Ultimate Muse Cap Sleeve Mini Dress in White. Groom is wearing a Moss slim fit off white check suit
  • Suffolk register office wedding.
  • Bride's mum looking emotional during the ceremony.
  • In the Abbeygate Room of Bury St Edmunds Register Office, the bride is smiling.
  • In the Abbeygate Room of Bury St Edmunds Register Office, a bride and groom face each other during the ceremony. Bride is wearing the Odd Muse The Ultimate Muse Cap Sleeve Mini Dress in White. Groom is wearing a Moss slim fit off white check suit
  • The wedding rings on a cushion.
  • In the Abbeygate Room of Bury St Edmunds Register Office, a bride and groom exchange rings.
  • In the Abbeygate Room of Bury St Edmunds Register Office, a bride and groom exchange rings.
  • In the Abbeygate Room of Bury St Edmunds Register Office, a laugh after exchanging rings.
  • In the Abbeygate Room of Bury St Edmunds Register Office, a bride and groom kiss at the end of the ceremony. Bride is wearing the Odd Muse The Ultimate Muse Cap Sleeve Mini Dress in White. Groom is wearing a Moss slim fit off white check suit.
  • Lynn Whitehead registrar in the Abbeygate room.
  • Wedding guests watching the signing.
  • Newly weds with their witnesses.
  • The newly married couple being announced by the Suffolk registrar Lynn Whitehead.
  • Couple walking down the aisle at Bury St Edmunds Register Office.
  • Couple walking down the aisle at Bury St Edmunds Register Office.
  • Wedding guests leaving the ceremony room.
  • Father of the bride noticing the camera.
  • The bride and groom stand on the staircase after their wedding ceremony. Bride is wearing the Odd Muse The Ultimate Muse Cap Sleeve Mini Dress in White. Groom is wearing a Moss slim fit off white check suit. You can see the arched window in the Council Offices at 7 Angel Hill, with round stained glass panels depicting months of the year October, November December. Stair rail by F.Clubb and Sons Ltd.
  • Group photo on the stairs at The Bury St Edmunds register office. You can see the arched window in the Council Offices at 7 Angel Hill, with round stained glass panels depicting months of the year October, November December. Stair rail by F.Clubb and Sons Ltd. The Bury St Edmunds Register Office on Angel Hill. designed by architects 
were designed by architects William Henry Mitchell (1881–1965) and Basil Oliver (1882–1948) and built between 1935 and 1937.
  • Wedding guest in a red and white floral dress.
  • Groom hugging a friend.
  • Scenes after the wedding.
  • Couple showing their initial tattoos.
  • Man with his arm around the groom as they are leaving the register office.
  • Bride and groom exiting The Bury St Edmunds Register Office on Angel Hill by architects William Henry Mitchell (1881–1965) and Basil Oliver (1882–1948) and built between 1935 and 1937. Friends and family wait for them outside.
  • Man with a wheelchair standing next to a man with a buggy. Documentary candid moment at a wedding.
  • Bride and groom exiting The Bury St Edmunds Register Office designed by architects William Henry Mitchell (1881–1965) and Basil Oliver (1882–1948) and built between 1935 and 1937. Friends and family line the path. Bride holds flowers in the air.
  • Bride and groom exiting The Bury St Edmunds Register Office designed by architects William Henry Mitchell (1881–1965) and Basil Oliver (1882–1948) and built between 1935 and 1937. Friends and family line the path. Bride holds flowers in the air.
  • Bride and groom exiting The Bury St Edmunds Register Office designed by architects William Henry Mitchell and Basil Oliver and built between 1935 and 1937. Friends and family line the path and clap.
  • Couple leaving the Bury St Edmunds Register Office Suffolk wedding ceremony in the sunshine. IP33 1UZ Bride is wearing the Odd Muse The Ultimate Muse Cap Sleeve Mini Dress in White. Groom is wearing a Moss slim fit off white check suit.
  • Newlyweds after their wedding holding hands and walking away from The Bury St Edmunds Register Office on Angel Hill. Neo-Georgian town hall built in 1935. IP33 1UZ Bride is wearing the Odd Muse The Ultimate Muse Cap Sleeve Mini Dress in White. Groom is wearing a Moss slim fit off white check suit.

  • Couple leaving the Bury St Edmunds Register Office Suffolk wedding ceremony in the sunshine. IP33 1UZ Bride is wearing the Odd Muse The Ultimate Muse Cap Sleeve Mini Dress in White. Groom is wearing a Moss slim fit off white check suit.
  • Street photography at a wedding. People sat on a bench outside the Abbey Gardens Public Toilet in Bury St Edmunds, eating ice cream, while the bride and groom walk past.
  • Newly married couple holding hands walking on Angel Hill.
  • Newlyweds after their wedding at the register office walking through the Bury St Edmunds Abbey Gate that was rebuilt in the 14th Century. Silhouettes of the couple and other people walking past. "THE ABBEY GATE DESTROYED BY THE TOWNSPEOPLE IN 1327 REBUILT 1347"
  • Couple strolling through the gardens in the sunshine. Bury St Edmunds Abbey Gardens.
  • Couple kissing in Abbey Gardens after the Bury St Edmunds Register Office Suffolk wedding ceremony in the sunshine. Bride is wearing the Odd Muse The Ultimate Muse Cap Sleeve Mini Dress in White. Groom is wearing a Moss slim fit off white check suit.
  • Confetti for the newlyweds in Abbey Gardens of Bury St Edmunds. Bride is wearing the Odd Muse The Ultimate Muse Cap Sleeve Mini Dress in White. Groom is wearing a Moss slim fit off white check suit

  • Confetti for the newlyweds in Abbey Gardens of Bury St Edmunds. Bride is wearing the Odd Muse The Ultimate Muse Cap Sleeve Mini Dress in White. Groom is wearing a Moss slim fit off white check suit

  • Confetti for the newlyweds in Abbey Gardens of Bury St Edmunds. Bride is wearing the Odd Muse The Ultimate Muse Cap Sleeve Mini Dress in White. Groom is wearing a Moss slim fit off white check suit

  • Confetti for the newlyweds in Abbey Gardens of Bury St Edmunds. Bride is wearing the Odd Muse The Ultimate Muse Cap Sleeve Mini Dress in White. Groom is wearing a Moss slim fit off white check suit

  • Confetti for the newlyweds in Abbey Gardens of Bury St Edmunds. Bride is wearing the Odd Muse The Ultimate Muse Cap Sleeve Mini Dress in White. Groom is wearing a Moss slim fit off white check suit

  • Man in a suit holding out a lucky wedding horseshoe.
  • A newly married couple smile at each other in the Abbey Gardens of Bury St Edmunds. Bride is wearing the Odd Muse The Ultimate Muse Cap Sleeve Mini Dress in White. Groom is wearing a Moss slim fit off white check suit

  • A newly married couple about to kiss in the Abbey Gardens. Bride is wearing the Odd Muse The Ultimate Muse Cap Sleeve Mini Dress in White. Groom is wearing a Moss slim fit off white check suit

  • Bride in a short white dress poses with her sister-in-law and niece in the ABbey Gardens.
  • Toddler wearingH&M pleated A-line dress in yellow, purple, pink and light blue

Art. No.:1031248011. Looking at the camera, behind her all the adult wedding guests in a line watching. Abbey Gardens, Mustow Street, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 1XL
  • Four wedding guests on the grass lookking and smiling at something off camera.
  • Woman in a pale pink floral dress takes a selfie with the bride.
  • Wedding guest in the gardens wearing a green and white polka dotted dress.
  • Both bride and groom are wearing sunglasses, walking through Abbey Gardens.
  • Newlyweds holding hands and wearing sunglasses. Walking out of the Abbey Gardens through the Abbey Gate in the sunshine.
  • Couple in Abbey Gardens after the Bury St Edmunds Register Office Suffolk wedding ceremony in the sunshine. Bride is wearing the Odd Muse The Ultimate Muse Cap Sleeve Mini Dress in White. Groom is wearing a Moss slim fit off white check suit.
  • Couple in Abbey Gardens after the Bury St Edmunds Register Office Suffolk wedding ceremony in the sunshine. Bride is wearing the Odd Muse The Ultimate Muse Cap Sleeve Mini Dress in White. Groom is wearing a Moss slim fit off white check suit.
  • Newly married couple and friends crossing the Angel Hill as cars wait.
  • Man in a white shirt holding a pair of sunglasses. The Angel Hotel covered in Virginia Creeper in the background.
  • Bride and groom holding hands as they cross Angel Hill with family and friends.A Bury St Edmunds micro-wedding.
  • The wedding party arriving at the hotel for dinks.
  • Wedding guests taking photo with phone.
  • Bride is wearing the Ultimate Muse short white tiktok dress from Odd Muse. Holding her pearl beaded handbag and white sunglasses. Bury St Edmunds summer wedding day.
  • Bride is wearing the Ultimate Muse short white tiktok dress from Odd Muse. Holding her pearl beaded handbag and white sunglasses. Walking down Angel Hill with The Abbey Gate in the background.
  • Pregnant woman in Next yellow floral maxi dress at a wedding.
  • Wedding guest wearing a white shirt and beige trousers stands in front of The Angel Hotel covered in Boston Ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata).
  • Young newly married couple kissing and smiling outside the Boston Ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata) covered hotel. The Angel Hotel
3 Angel Hill, Bury St Edmunds IP33 1LT
  • Wife and Husband walk into the hotel after their wedding ceremony.
  • Three people sat on a sofa in the bar.
  • View of the bride fiddling with her new wedding ring and engagement ring as she is sat at a table in a bar. Flowers on the table.
  • Man in checked shirt smiling at the camera.
  • Bride looking at drinks menu.
  • The Angel Hotel bar, a cocktail.
  • In the bar of The Angel Hotel in Bury St Edmunds, the newlyweds have drinks with friends and family.
  • Parents of the bride, mum has her hand on her husband's knee.
  • Five people sat on a sofa in a bar.
  • Man raising a pint.
  • Bride's pearl beaded handbag on the table. Glasses of Aspall cider and a phone.
  • In the bar of The Angel Hotel in Bury St Edmunds, the newlyweds have drinks with friends and family.
  • Bride smiling at friends in the bar.
  • In the bar of The Angel Hotel in Bury St Edmunds, the newlyweds have drinks with friends and family.
  • Four people on a sofa in a bar, a member of staff in the background with a tray of drinks.
  • Newlyweds toast with their cocktails in The Angel Hotel bar.
  • Bride chatting to a friend while she drinks her cocktail.
  • View of the knees of the bride and groom. Bride has her hand on her knee, you can see her wedding and engagement rings. Pearl beaded bag on floor. Drinks on the table.
  • Tattoo of his new wife's initials on groom's wrist. That morning.
  • Bride wearing a short white dress from Odd Muse looks joyful as she laughs sat next to her husband on a sofa in the bar of The Angel Hotel in Bury St Edmunds.
  • Couple on the steps of The Angel Hotel, which is covered in Boston Ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata), after the Bury St Edmunds Register Office Suffolk wedding ceremony in the sunshine. Bride is wearing the Odd Muse The Ultimate Muse Cap Sleeve Mini Dress in White. Groom is wearing a Moss slim fit off white check suit.
  • Unposed bride and groom photography on Angel Hill in Bury St Edmunds after their wedding ceremony. Bride is wearing the Ultimate Muse short white tiktok dress from Odd Muse.
  • Bride and groom kiss on Angel Hill in Bury St Edmunds after their wedding ceremony.
  • Unposed bride and groom photography on Angel Hill in Bury St Edmunds after their wedding ceremony. Children playing in the background in the car park.
  • Newlyweds eating McDonald's Cheeseburgers in the street in Bury St Edmunds.
  • Newlyweds eating McDonald's Cheeseburgers in the street in Bury St Edmunds.
  • Bride enjoying eating a McDonald's Cheeseburger in the street in Bury St Edmunds. Wearing Ultimate Muse Odd Muse white short dress.
  • Bride enjoying eating a McDonald's Cheeseburger in the street in Bury St Edmunds. Wearing Ultimate Muse Odd Muse white short dress.
  • The newly married couple walk down Angel Hill with their friends. The Boston Ivy covered The Angel Hotel on the right. In the distance the car park and Georgian Grade I building and wedding venue The Athenaeum in Bury St Edmunds.
  • The newly married couple walk down Angel Hill with their friends in the August sunshine. The restaurant Lark on the right and a telephone box.
  • Woman putting on her sunglasses.
  • Man sat on a wall in a suit on his wedding day.
  • Woman in short white dress outside the register office, checking her phone waiting for a car to pick them up. Man sits on the wall.
  • Newly married couple sitting on the wall outside the Bury St Edmunds register office, waiting with friends for their lift. Seen through the flower beds. On the right Angel Corner, 8 Angel Hill, a Grade II listed building dated 1702. It is a Queen Anne style house and now home to BCR Infinity Architects.
  • The couple sitting on the wall.
  • Woman in white dress smiling and holding her phone. Person in blue shirt walks past.
  • Seen from behind the bride, holding her phone, looking at her husband sat on the wall at the register office.
  • Three men, two standing, one sitting on wall. Bin in background.
  • Looking down Mustow street from the register office on Angel Hill. Trees and Georgian period townhouses on the left. View from behind the bride and groom after their wedding.
  • Man in white shirt, sunglasses on his head, Mustow street behind him. Trees and Georgian period townhouses on the left.
  • Man with hands in his trouser pockets with flower beds behind him.
  • Bride hugs her boss.
  • Land Rover Range Rover Batumi Gold outside the register office.

Bury St Edmunds Register Office

I have quite an interest in urban planning, architecture, and, of course, photography. While learning about the history of Bury St Edmunds, I came across photographs from 1937 of the Bury St Edmunds Register Office, shortly after it was built. I love how the stair rail is still there, made by F. Clubb & Sons—now known as Suffolk Fabrications—who are now based in Alpheton, another part of Suffolk I frequently visit to photograph weddings.

Next door to the Register Office is Angel Corner, a Queen Anne-style house from the early 18th century. In the late 20th century, it was part of the borough offices and served as the Mayor’s Parlour. These days, it is occupied by a local architect.

When researching the place and people at the weddings I photograph, I learn all kinds of things and obviously in a town like this there is much more.