Are you a recently engaged couple, planning your civil ceremony and aesthetically driven? Then carry on reading, because I’m about to break down the pros and cons of the best London town halls wedding venues, from my perspective as a London based photographer. 

Intro

Congratulations! You just got engaged. It was the most beautiful day, it went better than you could have imagined it. Your friends and family know, you’ve started creating 20 different Pinterest moodboards for all the aspects of your day. Now the hard part:  you have to actually start booking things. After all, weddings have to be planned well in advance, and especially in places like London, where the best places get snatched so quickly. You feel overwhelmed and don’t know where to start. Well, I’m here to help!

I’m Alina, a London based wedding photographer, with 10 years of experience under my belt. I have photographed weddings all over the city, and so far I’ve only used my knowledge to help friends choose their ceremony spot. When looking it up on Google I could see there was not a lot of information about this, so I decided to share all of my knowledge with you guys as well!

Civil Ceremony Debunked 

1. First of all, this might seem like a no brainer, but hear me out: you can get married at any town hall in London, not just the one in your borough. This also means that you can travel to London from another city, as long as you book the place you want in advance, you don’t have to live here. This seems to be different in different countries, so just wanted to point it out.

2. Your civil ceremony will be more emotional than you think. This is something I hear from my couples all the time, especially if they book they civil ceremony before their big wedding, or if the civil ceremony is the only ceremony they have. Guys, it’s a big deal: your most important people are there, watching you make a lifelong commitment. You can choose songs, poems to be read, personalise your vows - it will be as emotional as you allow it. So, call me shallow, but wouldn’t you rather enjoy this experience in a 20th century building adorned with statues and columns instead of under cheap spotlights in a white room, standing on a brown carpet that started out as grey? Come on!

Things to Consider when Choosing a Town Hall

There are so many things to think about when making this decision. Here is a comprehensive list:

1. Location. How are you getting there? How are your guests getting there? Is there parking? Do you even need parking? These are things you should take into account. I always recommend staying close-by the night before, and treating yourself to a taxi on the day (which also makes for great pictures, especially a black cab). You should also think about what happens after, in case you are carrying on with the celebration at a restaurant, so you don’t end up travelling for too long in between.

2. Exterior. Think about your confetti shots and your group shots. These are the main images usually taken outside. Is the building beautiful as a backdrop? Is there enough space on the stairs/on the road in front of it for your wedding party?

3. Interior. Most images will actually be taken inside. Your vows, some couple portraits, signing of the registry. Do you like the look of the room you are getting married in? Is there enough natural light in it? If there is not too much natural light, and you are concerned about it, talk to us, your photographers, beforehand.

4. Accessibility within the building. I’m talking about access to certain parts of the building for pictures. I am including this, because there is a beautiful town tall in London that I shot at recently, that advertises mainly with an image of a section that they won’t allow you to take pictures in (I’ll tell you below!). Make sure you ask the questions when you visit, so that you have no surprises.

5. Alternative Spaces. Your heart is set on a place, but you have 100 guests and the front of their building only has one tiny set of stairs. Do they have a garden at the back they can offer you as an alternative? Or a larger room where you could do all of your shots instead?

6. Surroundings. We will capture your ceremony, and then we will take some couple pictures. How are the streets around the venue? Do we have to travel a long time to find good backdrops?

With all of these in mind, below you can find a few popular choices in London, in no particular order, with details about each one - you can thank me later!

Marylebone Town Hall

Let’s start with the most popular choice for my couples, Marylebone Town Hall can be found a few minutes away from Baker Street Underground Station.

1. Location. Great spot, close to many good restaurants and hotels. Close to the tube, bus stop right in front of the building. Spoilt for choice!

2. Exterior. One of the best. The front of the building is large, beautiful, there are 3 sets of stairs you can use for pictures if you run out of time in your allocated slot, and the street in front of the building is wide enough for us to not get run over as we capture all of it, ha!

3. Interior. The hallways are beautiful and available to use for couple shots. The rooms are lovely but can be quite dark, especially in the winter months, I would highly recommend a visit.

5. Alternative Spaces. They don’t have any, but honestly they don’t need to. The front of the building is more than enough for what you need.

6. Surroundings. It’s Marylebone. The houses are gorgeous, the streets are wide. You’re covered.

Chelsea Town Hall

Another favourite, located on King’s Road, a 10 minute walk from gorgeous Albert Bridge, in between South Kensington and Sloane Square, both Underground.

1. Location. Close to many good restaurants and hotels. Bus stop right in front of the building. Tube about 15 minutes away, slightly far for any elderly guests. 

2. Exterior. Beautiful building, although smaller space than Marylebone Town Hall. Good for a more intimate wedding. The street right in front of it is also very busy, something to consider if you have a larger group/people with disabilities/etc.

3. Interior. The hallway and staircase are beautiful and available to use for couple shots. The rooms are lovely and mostly filled with natural light.

5. Alternative Spaces. They don’t have any, but they don’t really need to. The front of the building is more than enough for what you need.

6. Surroundings. Probably the best ones. The streets are all gorgeous, you can find both classic Victorian terraces, mews similar to Notting Hill’s colourful houses, and you are close to Albert Bridge which makes for a stunning backdrop.

Image taken in Covid, there are usually more chairs in the room

Islington Town Hall

A North London Favourite, set in between Highbury & Islington and Angel Underground stations.

1. Location. Close to many good restaurants and hotels. Bus stop right in front of the building. Tube about 10 minutes away, slightly far for any elderly guests. 

2. Exterior. Beautiful building, with a more modern aesthetic than the Marylebone and Chelsea. A lot on space for group shots, friendly for groups of all sizes.

3. Interior. The hallways and staircase are beautiful, minimalist and available to use for couple shots. Hallways filled with natural light. The rooms are lovely and bright, I would say some of my favourites out of all of the town halls.

5. Alternative Spaces. They don’t have any, but they don’t really need to. The front of the building is more than enough for what you need.

6. Surroundings. The neighbourhood is a mix between some classic terraced houses and lots of trendy streets, filled with colourful restaurants. Makes for more dynamic shots, perfect for creative couples and modern couples.

Hackney Town Hall

A short walk from London Fields and Hackney Central Overground Stations, it’s the perfect choice for East London couples.

1. Location. A short distance from good restaurants and hotels. Bus stop right in front of the building. Tube about 10 minutes away, slightly far for any elderly guests. 

2. Exterior. Beautiful building, with a more modern aesthetic than Marylebone and Chelsea. A lot of space for group shots, friendly for groups of all sizes. Beautiful palm trees right in front, which work great on a sunny day, giving off a bit of an LA vibe.

3. Interior. The hallways and staircase are beautiful, art deco, and available to use for couple shots. Hallways decorated with great attention to detail. The rooms are lovely and unique, some of the best architecture examples in town halls.

5. Alternative Spaces. They don’t have any, but they don’t really need to. The front of the building is more than enough for what you need.

6. Surroundings. The neighbourhood is great for modern couples, creative couples that enjoy the city aesthetic. There are lots of cool corners and streets to use, old arches, street art, and you’re not too far from the canals. Not ideal if you are looking for the classic London aesthetic, not a lot of terraced houses around.

Mayfair Library

Mayfair’s best kept secret (and the place where I got married!), tucked away on the streets on Mayfair, in between Green Park and Bond Street Underground Stations.

1. Location. Close to good restaurants and hotels. Bus stop two minutes away from the building. Tube about 10 minutes away, slightly far for any elderly guests. 

2. Exterior. Beautiful building, classic London aesthetic. Limited space for group shots in front of the building because of the size of the library, so more suitable for smaller groups, but there is an alternative. 

3. Interior. The library is my favourite room for civil ceremonies. The light is stunning all year round, with big windows on 2 of the 4 walls of the room. The side of the room with no windows is an old library that makes for a stunning backdrop for couple shots.

5. Alternative Spaces. Right next to the library there is a beautiful green space called Mount Street Gardens, perfect for larger group shots and couple shots. It’s a great spot because, despite it being central, it’s tucked away in between gorgeous buildings, so you will never have to battle any crowds of tourists to get the shots.

6. Surroundings. The neighbourhood is perfect if you are looking for that classic London vibe. Each building is unique, intricate and beautiful, you can’t go wrong with any direction you take from the library. And because it is less known, the streets are emptier, which makes it perfect for pictures!

St George’s Town Hall

A couple of minutes’ walk from Shadwell Overground Station lies this freshly renovated building, the most central option in close proximity to London’s classic landmarks.

1. Location. Close to good hotels, a short distance from good restaurants. Bus stop in front of the building. Overground and DLR trains a couple of minutes away.

2. Exterior. Beautiful building, classic London aesthetic. Little to no space in front of it for group shots, but they do have an alternative. 

3. Interior. Newly renovated, fresh while keeping classic touches. The room is very large and benefits from a balcony that oversees the entire space. Beautiful natural light throughout.

5. Alternative Spaces. Right behind the building there is a lovely garden perfect for confetti and group shots, accessible from the building town hall.

6. Surroundings. The neighbourhood is perfect if you are looking for that modern London vibe. Couple pictures on the tube, walks towards landmarks like the Tower of London or the Thames. Great for a city vibe.

Woolwich Town Hall

A couple of minutes’ walk from Woolwich Arsenal DLR station.

1. Location. Quite far from good restaurants, a limited selection of hotels close-by. Bus stop in front of the building. DLR train a couple of minutes away.

2. Exterior. Beautiful building, classic London aesthetic. Little to no space in front of it for group shots, more suited to smaller groups.

3. Interior. The entrance hallway is beautiful, and is the image you’ll find the most if you search for this town hall. If you are thinking of having your wedding here though please ask if you are allowed to take pictures in this space. I have had a mix of experiences here, with some couples not being allowed to go up the stairs and onto the side balconies you can see in my image above, which is a shame, since this space is the main reason one would book this particular town hall. The ceremony rooms are lovely and filled with natural light.

5. Alternative Spaces. There is no alternative space, the main hallway is the best spot for all of the group shots.

6. Surroundings. The neighbourhood is not great for couple shots, there is hardly anywhere around that looks good. The best option if you choose this town hall is to take a 17 minute taxi to Greenwich, where the streets are a lot nicer and there are plenty of photo opportunities.

Lambeth Town Hall

A couple of minutes’ walk from Brixton Underground station.

1. Location. Close to a selection of good hotels and good restaurants. Bus stop in front of the building. Brixton station a couple of minutes away.

2. Exterior. Beautiful building, classic London aesthetic. Little to no space in front of it for group shots, but they do have an alternative. 

3. Interior. Newly renovated, fresh while keeping classic touches. Natural light in the ceremony rooms, beautiful hallway with a round staircase and stained glass great for couple and group shots.

5. Alternative Spaces. Right behind the building there is a lovely garden perfect for confetti and group shots, accessible from the building town hall.

6. Surroundings. The neighbourhood is not the best for couple shots, there are a few streets with terraced houses close-by, but not a lot . The best option if you choose this town hall is to either take a 16 minute taxi to Battersea or an 11 minute taxi to Dulwich Village (depending on what’s closer to your restaurant afterwards), where the streets are a lot nicer and there are plenty of photo opportunities.

Conclusion

And there you have it, my guide of the Best London Town Halls Wedding Edition!

Ultimately, there is no one size fits all. I hope my points above will help you decide what is best for your wedding day, what will work best for you and your wedding party. 

And once you’ve booked your venue and are looking for your wedding photographer…let’s chat!

Adriana and Charlie’s luxury Lincoln’s Inn wedding seamlessly blended fashion-forward elegance with the venue’s classic, timeless grandeur, all set against the backdrop of a radiant early summer sky. As a photographer, it was an absolut visual delight!

The Morning

The couple decided to get ready at separate hotels in London, each carefully chosen with the perfect aesthetic in mind for either of them. I started my day by capturing Charlie and his groomsmen get a trim and a shave at The Standard Hotel. We were also joined by the couple’s adorable pug, which was as excited as we were about the day unfolding! Once ready, the boys enjoyed a drink on the suite’s terrace overlooking London’s skyline. I couldn’t have asked for a better backdrop for the groomsmen’s portraits.

After the stylish start with the boys I headed over to The Zetter hotel to meet Adriana and her bridal party. I walked into a room bursting with various shades of pink, with lace and pearls, with all different perfumes that somehow matched together beautifully. There is something magical about the morning of your wedding, getting ready with your girls, that is truly unmatched.

Adriana wore a stunning 2 piece ensemble by Zuhair Murad, paired with shoes she had designed herself and lingerie by Dolce & Gabanna, showed off beautifully under the lace of her dress. My favourite moment from the morning happened actually just before we headed off to the venue, where we took 2 minutes for some bridal portraits in the bathtub on the terrace, with a bottle of champagne. Talk about a unique exit!

The Ceremony

As we arrived at Lincoln’s Inn we were greeted with a wonderful selection of canapés on the terrace outside, where the guests that had started to treacle in were enjoying a glass of champagne in the sunshine. In order to avoid the stress after the ceremony, the couple decided to take all group shots and couple shot pre-ceremony, which was a first for me, but I have to say, it worked really well.

The ceremony held in the venue’s breathtaking hall started contrastingly on a high energy 80s song, to which the bridal party walked up, joyfully dancing. The couple got married by their closest friends, which gave the entire ceremony that much more emotion.

Once the ceremony was over the venue very kindly allowed us to spend some more time taking couple portraits throughout the building, and we surely made the most of it! The portraits of such a fashion-forward couple against the backdrop of the classically adorned building have to be some of my favourites to this day.

The Reception

After the ceremony, the guests were taken to the reception venue on London’s classic double decker buses, while the newlyweds, a couple of their closest friends and myself took the tube! Adriana and Charlie wanted a few shots on the London Underground - and since shooting their wedding, this small ode to the city has become one of my favourites as well. Plus, couture on the underground? Vibe!

The reception took place at Castle Gibson in East London, a venue that doubles as a photo studio—a dream setting for any photographer. Upon arrival, we were greeted by Ella Hartig, the day’s coordinator, who guided us through the afternoon’s flow and gave us a first glimpse of the beautifully decorated space before the guests arrived.

This was also the perfect moment to take in some of the day’s most exquisite details: a hand-painted wedding cake by Natasha at NeviePie, a true work of edible art, and the stunning florals by McQueen Flowers, which added an air of eclectic sophistication.

After witnessing the extraordinary effort and thoughtful personal touches noticeable in every aspect of their celebration, one thing is certain: A & C’s wedding was a masterful fusion of couture, vibrant color, and artistic expression, seamlessly intertwined with timeless elegance—a nod to London’s eclectic spirit.

The Party

Once guests were seated, Jimmy Garcia’s Catering delivered a feast that disappeared from the plates in an instant. With heartfelt speeches completed, it was time to celebrate. The dance floor came alive with cocktails crafted by the groom, Charlie’s Cocktails & Blank, setting the tone for a night of revelry. The beats of  Storm DJs  kept the energy levels high, but the true highlight of the evening? The traditional Jewish horah, a moment of pure joy that brought everyone together in an unforgettable display of celebration.

Eleanor and Chris’ Kew Gardens Wedding took place on a warm, yet breezy summer day, the perfect weather to be outside and enjoy everything the gardens have to offer.

The Morning

The day began slowly. I started by capturing the bride and groom getting ready in the same hotel, surrounded by family and loved ones, while making sure they did not see each other before the ceremony. Eleanor and her bridal party got her hair and make up done by the lovely Lucy . 

If you know me you’ll already know this about me: the getting ready images are some of my favourites. There is nothing like having the closest people in your life there on the morning of your wedding, when emotions run so high, to anchor you and show you their love. You can see always see the love so clearly in these pictures.

The Ceremony

I made sure to get to Kew Gardens before the bride and groom, in order to capture the venue in its entirety while the day was still quiet. The ceremony took place in the orangery, and let me tell you - if you are thinking of getting married there, the building is so beautiful you hardly need to decorate it!

Shortly after I was done, the guests started arriving and taking their seats, all waiting for the bride and her father to walk down the aisle.

Eleanor wore a stunning  Laudae dress from Heart Aflutter - a relaxed fit that was a great choice for a summer indoor/outdoor wedding.

The ceremony was emotional, with not many dry eyes left in the room. What made it extra special was the fact that Eleanor and Chris’ 1 year old was there, next to them, as they said their vows and promised each other forever.

The couple walked out on beautiful sounds by London Strings, and while the guests started heading down to the pier for the boat ride back to the reception, I took Eleanor and Chris away for couple shots. 

A note of importance here would be that the staff at Kew are extremely well organised, and that you will get to choose the spots you want to have available for the couple shots beforehand, which makes the whole process so much easier on the day. We chose the Conservatory and the lake as our two spots for the shoot.

Reception

After our shoot we all headed towards the pier, to join the wedding guests and take a boat down the Thames to Bingham Riverhouse, the couple’s chosen spot for the reception. This choice of restaurant, as well as the ceremony option, was fantastic, and the boat ride was a great idea for the guests to enjoy London’s views while drinking a glass of two of prosecco.

If I had to pick one unique thing I enjoyed about photographing Eleanor and Chris’ wedding, that would have to be the candid images of the family before dinner, in the garden, as well as the groomsmen smoking cigars. This is one of the most beautiful things about documentary photography: instead of trying to plan photo opportunities, take a look around: the magic is already there!

Cake Cutting & First Dance

After dinner and speeches, the couple started the party off with a gorgeous cake made by a close friend, Mia at Honey and Milk Cakes. It was as delicious as it looked!

The night ended with a bang on the dance floor, where  Dan Goode worked the crowd like magic! 🎶

Eleanor’s Testimonial 

“So pleased we chose Alina to photograph our special day in her beautiful style. She took great care to understand our vision before the wedding and created a gallery of incredible memories for us. Our unique wedding came with multiple locations and LOTS to capture, Alina was amazing at managing timings and leading us whilst making us feel totally at ease…for that we can’t thank her enough.”