Southwark Registry Office – Mes and Manny

I photograph at Southwark Registry Office a lot, especially as I used to live in East Dulwich, so near to it. It’s a bit of a hidden gem, with a gorgeous front courtyard and a lovely back garden, plus a pretty park next door. The registrars are always so lovely too, making all the ceremonies so much fun. Mesghana and Emmanuel (Mes and Manny) wanted to blend both of their worlds with a civil ceremony and a pub reception, followed by a traditional Eritrean reception with loads of people, food and dancing. It was my first Eritrean wedding and I loved it. Mes got ready at their flat before heading to the registry office for their ceremony where they laughed so much and when announced husband and wife the room erupted in traditional ululation for celebration! Afterwards they had group photos in the sweet garden, exiting through confetti out the front before their friends and family gathered for traditional Eritrean signing and clapping, and more ululation, which was so uplifting and wonderful to be a part of. And only a tiny part of what was to come. After the ceremony we popped to the local park for some photos in the lovely autumn colour (this was an end of September wedding) before arriving at the Crooked Well Pub in Camberwell for some food and drinks. Then we all headed to St Marys Great Hall in Camberwell for the much larger Eritrean reception.

Here is part 1, with the civil ceremony and reception.