Wedding Photography at Islington Town Hall
Beautiful rooms, such as the Mayor’s Parlour make Islington Town Hall an excellent choice for a small to medium wedding. Good natural light and the lovely bride looking on make this taken of the groom signing the wedding schedule a memorable photograph.
Islington & London City Register Office Wedding Venue
I have photographed weddings at the venue many times and have found it an exceptional and accommodating wedding venue. All the ceremony rooms (listed below) are unique and photogenic. So whatever the size of your small to medium-sized wedding (up to 160 guests), you’re sure it’ll be a memorable occasion and a fitting venue for your special day.
The Town Hall incorporates Islington and London City Register Office (often miscalled registry) and the Assembly Hall. Both are licensed for weddings, and photography is welcomed. The interior has impressive Art Deco interiors and more traditional ceremonial rooms, which make it an outstanding venue for wedding photography and is very popular with photographers.
I photographed this heartfelt kiss just after their wedding ceremony. The floral touches adorning the couple help make this image.
A Fantastic Location Just North of the City of London
Grade II listed, Islington Town Hall stands proudly on Upper Street (otherwise known as the A1). The venue is very conveniently situated. A ten-minute walk away is Highbury & Islington train/tube station on the Victoria & Overground lines. Just one stop from Kings Cross St Pancras and served by four bus routes, it is ideal for your wedding guests arriving by public transport…
Outside the venue on Upper Street, the bride and groom greet each other in an embrace before their ceremony. Many traditional wedding traditions, such as not seeing each other before the ceremony, are often no longer upheld. It’s entirely up to you how you approach your wedding day.
Car Parking for the Islington Wedding Couple
There is limited parking outside the town hall, but this must be booked in advance. Then, on the day, you’ll need to ring the intercom for someone to come out and remove the bollards to let you in. Guests must find their car parking arrangements elsewhere.
Exchanging your wedding rings: Photography is positively encouraged at Islington Town Hall. Groom Francisco’s cheeky look towards my camera makes this photo of his same-sex wedding to Paulo.
The Bride and her Father thoughtfully wait in the corridor outside the Mayor’s Parlour. This unstaged shot shows a moment of quiet pre-wedding contemplation before the ceremony. I edited in muted tones to suit the scene and add to the quiet, contemplative nature of the photo.
Skipping ahead in time slightly: It’s all over… the ceremony, that is! Then, the newly wedded couple leaves the Town Hall to start their new life together. I always photograph a sequence of the couple leaving the venue, and I love this happy black-and-white shot.
Photography Time Constraints at Islington Town Hall
Wedding photography is encouraged at Islington, but be aware that time can get a little tight, especially on Saturdays during the summer. I like to spend time before and after the ceremony, taking couple portraits and group shots in various locations inside and outside the building.
There is usually time for this, but it’s essential to follow the register office staff’s guidance. And, of course, the wishes of you, the couple.
Guest photography is allowed at Islington: I took this photograph during the ceremony. The registrars are happy for friends and family to take photos.
Groom Nigel shakes hands with a guest whilst waiting for his bride to walk down the aisle of the Council Chamber. I’m always looking out for natural moments such as this to photograph.
The Mayor’s Parlour is the smallest of the wedding ceremony rooms, and this wide shot shows it off well. Despite its diminutive size, the registrars at Islington are comfortable with the photographer’s presence.
During the ceremony, this natural photograph shows the room from the other side with the registrar just about to announce the couple.
The Borough of Islington Registrars
A registrar and superintendent registrar will conduct your ceremony. They are accommodating and seem keen for your photographer to get a good selection of photographs that tell the story of your time at the venue. The Islington registrars are relaxed and allow the photographer to move around during the wedding ceremony. The black and white photo (2 above) shows how comfortable this registrar was with my presence. I shoot throughout the ceremony, but it’s essential to observe the occasion – I’m always discreet.
It’s great to get up close: the intimate nature of Ming’s short-day wedding was perfect for this photo of his best man handing him the ring.
From a different angle, I captured the ring being handed to the bride Jenny.
Wedding Bookings at Islington Town Hall
Useful to Know When Booking Your Wedding
- The registrars prefer you to contact them by email in the first instance: registrars@islington.gov.uk.
- You may make provisional wedding bookings up to 12 months in advance.
- Formal Notice of Intention may also be made up to one year in advance.
- A non-refundable deposit is required to secure a room and time.
- Your booking fee includes the hire of the room, two registrars, a marriage certificate and a personal choice of music and personal vows.
- The Borough of Islington has many other wedding venues available to hire, including Searceys @ The Gherkin, The Barbican Centre and even Arsenal Football Club.
- 15 minutes is allowed before the ceremony to set up in the venue room.
- Saturdays can be exceptionally busy with a high turnover of weddings. So there will be less time for portraits on the stairs and outside. The local area provides lots of photo ops, though…
- There is an outside ramp and lifts to all rooms for disabled guests attending.
- A wealth of information is available on the Say I Do Islington Website. It’s well worth a look to help answer any questions you have.
- You can check availability and book your date and room on the website.
- As well as marriages, Islington Town Hall also does Renewals of Vows, Civil Ceremonies and Naming Ceremonies.
In the Council Chamber, the Bride slips the ring on her Groom’s finger. A decisive moment to photograph! The registrar often asks the couple to hold the ring there for a while, which is great as it gives me time to take a good selection of photos.
Despite its use as the statutory ceremony room, Room 99 is exceptionally spacious, ideal for the photographer to move around the couple.
Taken in the Mayor’s Parlour, this is one of my favourite gay weddings rings exchange photographs. Most couples don’t notice their photographer at this crucial time – they are too busy enjoying the moment.
Read More>> This Venue is Perfect for Same-Sex Wedding Photography.
The first kiss is an essential but sometimes fleeting shot to capture. But it is such a critical wedding moment, and Islington Register Office is the perfect backdrop.
Black and white gives a more timeless quality to the photos and can work better in some cases.
Also Consider>> Old Marylebone Town Hall: Another Iconic Register Office.
The borough registrars are very relaxed about photographing the wedding register’s signing, and I prefer natural shots such as this one taken using attractive directional daylight from the window.
Rules on Signing the Register
The marriage registrars allow photography of the register’s actual signing, but of course, the photographer has to use their common sense and not be too intrusive or close.
Many wedding venues do not allow photography of the signing, instead opting for a staged signing of a ‘dummy register‘. It’s caused amusement and slight embarrassment with many newlyweds, but not here at Islington Register Office! They produce a dummy though, and I go through the charade, safe in the knowledge that I have some natural shots of the signing as it happened.
I went wide for this signing portrait. It shows off the beautiful desk in the corner of the Mayor’s Parlour perfectly.
I love the look on the groom’s face as an Islington registrar presented the certificate, which he enjoyed in this lighthearted photo. These days, the register is online, so certificates are posted a few days later.
Islington Register Office Wedding Photography Rooms
There are 4 rooms to choose from for your wedding.
There’s often time for congratulations inside the ceremony room. This image of father kissing his daughter on her wedding day meant so much to her and the family. I never lose sight of how important my photography is to the couple.
The Council Chamber:
- The Council Chamber lies at the top of the ornate central staircase and is the largest of the ceremony rooms in terms of seating. It is airy and light with a vaulted ceiling and stained-glass windows. Seating is almost ‘courtroom’ style, with guests seated on three sides on benches and chairs. There is plenty of room for your photographer to move around.
- Holds 100 guests seated in the main room, with a further 60 on the balcony.
- The room is not available on Sundays or Mondays.
The Mayor’s Parlour:
- Furnished in rich red leather and oak panels, The Mayor’s Parlour is the smallest room located at the end of the long corridor on the first floor. The fireplace is the focal point. The couple sits in two large red armchairs with guests to their left and right on a sofa and chairs.
- Just 12 guests seated on the sofa and chairs may attend a wedding in this room.
- The room is not available on Sundays or Mondays.
The Richmond Room:
- Spatially, The Richmond Room is the largest at Islington Town Hall. Long and with high ceilings and large windows, it would make an excellent venue for your wedding.
- 60 guests are catered for in forward-facing seats.
- Only available on Saturdays (except the 2nd of the month).
- There are restrictions on music volume in this room to respect the proximity of neighbours.
Room 99:
- The curiously named Room 99 is the most popular but purely no frills. The colour scheme is red and gold with permanent floral displays.
- Seating is available for 28 guests.
- Only Marriages and Civil Partnerships take place in this room.
- Time is more restricted in Room 99, with just the legal ceremony allowed. There is no time for extra readings, bespoke vows or even separate registrar interviews and walk-ins. A cheaper pricing structure reflects this and, as a result, the room has a higher turnover of weddings. If you need a more personal wedding ceremony, one of the other rooms is recommended. This room is purely for those wanting a no-frills register office wedding.
This informal group shot of the guests waiting before the ceremony shows some of the venue’s Art Deco features.
Whilst the couple were having their pre-wedding interviews, I made the most of the time to take a series of shots of the guests in the Mayor’s Parlour.
Everything about weddings at Islington Town Hall is geared up to allow for photography. At this marriage in the Mayor’s Parlour, the registrar allowed plenty of time to set up group shots after the ceremony.
The corridors you will walk down at Islington Town Hall are splendid and long, with large windows lining the way. Photography is all about the light, which will help your wedding photographer produce some stunning portraits and natural environmental shots.
Islington Town Hall Wedding Photography FAQs
Q. WHY GET MARRIED AT ISLINGTON TOWN HALL?
A. The town hall has a rich history and is perfect for non-religious weddings, accommodating 160 guests. With its ornate Art Deco features and beautiful ceremony rooms, the venue is the ideal backdrop for short wedding days and those going on to their reception meal elsewhere.
Q. HOW LONG BEFORE OUR WEDDING CEREMONY CAN WE GAIN ACCESS TO THE ROOM FOR PHOTOGRAPHY?
A. The venue aims to give you, and your guests access around 15 minutes before your ceremony commences. It can vary slightly, particularly on Saturdays when they have a full schedule of weddings. This time is ideal for taking greetings shots of guests meeting each other and some small group portraits.
Q. IS PHOTOGRAPHY ALLOWED OF OUR MARRIAGE CEREMONY AND VOWS?
A. The registrars are very helpful and actively encourage photography. They even allow the photographer to take the signing of the register.
Q. IS CONFETTI ALLOWED AFTERWARDS FOR A NICE PHOTOGRAPHIC SEQUENCE?
A. Yes, wedding confetti is allowed but only outside the town hall. The steps on Upper Street are the perfect location for this, and it is a great way to exit the venue.
Q. WHAT IS THE LIGHT LIKE FOR PHOTOGRAPHY INSIDE ISLINGTON TOWN HALL?
A. This varies depending on the area. The hall and stairs can be dim, but the landing area has good window light. In the Council Chamber, the windows are high, but I can balance this with bounce flash. The best room for light is the Mayor’s Parlour – great for some pleasing natural photos.
I love this shot I took of the happy couple seated in the Mayor’s Parlour. They both look so ‘in the moment’ as they wait to take their wedding vows.
There is so much space in the Council Chamber to move around and get the shot. The Islington registrars don’t mind this at all.
The first marriage kiss is a must-have shot, especially with the gorgeous directional light of the Mayor’s Parlour. It’s preferred for couples to slow down here to allow the photographer to get the shot.
This photo shows how the beautiful light coming into the Mayor’s Parlour works so well for wedding group portraits. The registrars often give time for shots in the room.
The newly-married couple exit the Mayor’s Parlour after their ceremony. Note the stunning wooden surround around the door.
The newlyweds step out onto Upper Street’s town hall steps: On the other side of the road, you can see the Vineyard pub, a popular meeting spot for guests and the groom to assemble before the ceremony due to the proximity. I have started several wedding days photographing at that venue.
Islington Town Hall allows confetti on the steps outside, which always makes for a great wedding photography sequence.
If your guests don’t bring confetti, don’t worry… A round of applause works almost as well!
The Group & Couple Portraits on the Iconic Steps
The town hall can be busy, particularly on a Saturday, but they allow time afterwards for confetti and group photos on the steps outside.
I work through these fairly briskly in case a wedding follows shortly afterwards, and we are moved on. Weddings are generally staggered, but it can happen. Below are some examples of shots that I have taken after the ceremony.
A straight full-length portrait of the couple featuring some of the building’s architecture in the background.
This is on the landing overlooking the stairs. I dressed the wedding party in around the couple for a fun group portrait.
Their dog was the centre of attention in some of the group portraits. A friend had brought him along to greet them as they exited.
The most popular sport for group portraits is outside the front. I went wide to include the ‘Islington Town Hall’ engraved name above the windows for added context.
Some brides still like to toss the bouquet, although it’s not as common as it used to be.
And After Your Wedding Ceremony?
Being a civil marriage venue, Islington Town Hall does not cater to wedding receptions, but there are numerous local restaurants, pubs, and hotels. The Highbury and Islington area is very cosmopolitan and has excellent potential for those seeking a good night out or a meal with friends. Sometimes, couples take their guests on a purpose-hired Routemaster bus into the city for their post-wedding celebration.
The happy couple’s smiley shot shows off the beautiful façade at Islington Town Hall and gives photographic context. They went on to their reception meal at a local restaurant across the road.
Islington & London City Register Office,
Town Hall,
Upper Street,
London.
N1 2UD.
