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Old Marylebone Town Hall Wedding Photography

Westminster Register Office

Wedding Photography at Old Marylebone Town Hall 2024

**I’m taking bookings for weddings at this venue for 2024-25 now!**

Couple kissing as guests blow bubbles at wedding outside Old Marylebone Town Hall

Wedding colours pop on the steps outside Old Marylebone Town Hall. And so do the bubbles the guests are using as their confetti.


I am privileged to provide photography for weddings at Old Marylebone Town Hall regularly, and have photographed in all 7 ceremony rooms numerous times.  The venue is photographer-friendly, and happily, they have no restrictions on this central part of your wedding day.

Westminster Register Office is the perfect venue for your civil wedding, and I take natural and fun images of the best moments from your day.  My photography is all about relationships and fun and intimate interactions between family and friends on the most special day of your life…


The bride leans over the kiss her sister on the cheek after wedding ceremony in London

How special is this moment?  Before her wedding, the bride poses with her sister in an alcove outside Old Marylebone Town Hall.  Their close bond is evident as she gives her sibling an impromptu kiss.  For the photographer, moments like this are precious, too.


Read on for information, tips, and advice on photography for your ceremony at this amazing venue, including what to expect and many examples of my relaxed and friendly photographic style.


Little boy sitting on groom's shoulders and baby being help by bride in alcove for a wedding portrait.

This is another very special photo, as Vicky and Will pose with their children in an alcove outside after the ceremony.


The bride arrives for her wedding with her duaghters and friend through the entrance of the Old Marylebone Town Hall

Bride Jo enters the marbled hallway with her daughters and a friend before the wedding ceremony.  The beautiful entrance provides the perfect backdrop for your register office marriage.


Are You Planning Your Wedding at Old Marylebone Town Hall?

I photograph discreetly and unobtrusively to capture the best moments of your day.

With me as your wedding photographer, your memories will be in safe hands, so please get in touch any time to discuss…

CHECK MY AVAILABILITY


A beaming bride and groom exit the Old Marylebone Town Hall after their wedding ceremony

Colourful floral displays adorn the ornate doorway where the couple exit as newlyweds—touches like this help make your day and the photography special.


Bride laughing out loud with groom in front of wooden fireplace at Old Marylebone Town Hall

My photography captures the day’s laughter, fun, and emotions.  Couples tell me they liked this personal touch when booking me as their wedding photographer.


Arrival at Your Westminster Register Office Wedding

On arrival, one of the efficient ushers greets you. Your guests may have to wait outside while you go for your pre-wedding interview, which they allow photography of.

The bride and groom may arrive at Old Marylebone Town Hall together or separately, as is traditional.  The registrars can keep couples apart if required – many do, but some choose to enter together, especially at smaller weddings.

I like to arrive to photograph all the arrivals, but people want to see photos of the bride’s arrival most!

I arrive to photograph your arrival but tend to stay with your guests to capture the moments you’ll miss.  Your family and friends are shown upstairs and seated when the ceremony room is ready.


Man with umbrella holding head back and laughing with groom before London wedding

In the street outside, the groom shares a joke with a friend.  I’ll be there to photograph many natural moments such as this.


The groom's mother gives him a last minute hug before his wedding ceremony

A hug from his mum helps quell the groom’s last-minute nerves.


Useful to Know When Booking Your Wedding at Old Marylebone Town Hall

  • You can contact the registrars by calling 020 7641 7500 or emailing registeroffice@westminster.gov.uk.
  • You are allowed 25 minutes before the ceremony to access and gather in the venue room.  I use this time to photograph your guests as they arrive.
  • The A Day to Remember website is the official site dedicated to weddings in Westminster and covers all the licensed venues in the borough.
  • Open evenings are held one Thursday a month, between 5.30 and 7.30pm.  Contact the venue to book your place.
  • In addition to civil marriages, Old Marylebone Town Hall also conducts civil ceremonies, renewals of vows, and naming ceremonies, and it allows photography of them all.

Bridesmaid with back to camera hugs elderly male relative who is smiling at the photographer at Old Marylebone Town Hall

I photographed this lovely moment before the ceremony as the guests greeted each other at the entrance to the Westminster Room, Marylebone’s central and largest wedding space.


Bride with father waiting anxiously in corridor at Old Marylebone Town Hall

Bride Lindsay nervously waits with her father before the start of her ceremony.  The doors to all 7 of the ceremony rooms are off this long, first-floor corridor.


Smiling bride entering wedding ceremony whilst guests look on at Old Marylebone Town Hall

A beaming bridesmaid enters Old Marylebone Town Hall’s largest wedding space, the Westminster Room.  As the guests watch, the bride, Helen, waits in the corridor behind.


A wedding couple enter the Knightsbridge Room for their wedding at Old Marylebone Town Hall

The couples’ entrance: These days, couples frequently enter the room together.  There are no hard and fast rules for approaching your day, so do whatever suits you, and I’ll photograph it all!


Wedding Ceremony Photography in Westminster

Happily, the wedding photographer at Old Marylebone Town Hall is not restricted.  Even in the smallest rooms, I am given free movement, but I try to remain discrete and not distract you or your registrars.

Couples are usually so engaged with the registrar and concentrating on getting everything right that they don’t often notice me.  They always say how quickly it goes, so my advice is to savour every moment and be assured that I am recording it all for you to look back on in the years to come.

I try to shoot from all angles for a good variety of images.  Below, I include a series of photographs that demonstrate this:


The couple holding hands as the registrar reads at their Old Marylebone Town Hall wedding

This is a striking shot of the couple at the start of their wedding ceremony.  I used black and white effectively in this photo.


A male wedding guest presents the bride's ring in Marylebone's Pimlico Room

Who to ask to present their rings is a major consideration, so I must capture it well.  The Pimlico Room is one of the brighter and smaller ceremony rooms, its fireplace providing a stunning backdrop for the ring exchange photos.


Also Consider>>  Islington Town Hall for your Wedding.


A bearded guest presents the ring to the groom at a London Wedding

In the darker Marylebone Room, black and white works well.  When this chap earnestly handed the groom his ring.  I was able to move to precisely the correct position to shoot it.


Close up of bride smiling at her groom during wedding

Kelly’s face says it all, as I photograph from different spots to get the best shots. 


Bride looking at Groom during Wedding Ceremony in Soho Room of Old Marylebone Town Hall

This shot shows the bride ‘in the moment’ during her Soho Room ceremony as she is about to be married.  Couples’ are rarely aware of the photographer’s presence.


The couple standing for there ceremony with 2 little girls sitting on a couch at a wedding

I love wide ‘overview’ photographs, so I went deliberately wide to catch the two girls sitting patiently on the sofa.  All seven rooms at Old Marylebone Town Hall are spacious enough to allow me to move around freely.


Having an LGBTQ+ Wedding?>> Read My Same-Sex Wedding Photography FAQs Here


The bride holds her groom's face during their passionate first kiss at Old Marylebone Town Hall

The all-important first kiss:  My tip – slow down and take your time.  Morgan and Alex certainly did, and I took several images of their first kiss(es).


The happy couple show their wedding rings via a Zoom call in the Westminster Room at Old Marylebone Town Hall

Since Covid, Zoom calls have been popular, enabling distant family and friends to be virtually there.  Of course, this also presents some fun photo ops for the photographer.  This was taken in the expansive Westminster Room.


We’re Absolutely Delighted with the Photos…

Bearded Groom Smiling at Bride Whilst Placing Ring on her Finger

[We] were thrilled when we came across Guys’ portfolio – perfect for our 3.15pm wedding at The Old Marylebone Town Hall. …Guy was most definitely able to steer us in the right direction. He was professional, courteous and thoughtful in his approach to our big day, in both the build up and on the day itself.

We had a couple of conflicting requirements; “we don’t want too fake, we don’t want too posed” and “please pose people so that we all look nice in the shot”.  Thankfully Guy knew exactly what I was talking about and on the day he managed to hit both requirements and took some truly wonderful shots of our wedding. He was completely unobtrusive, even in what was a very small venue for both the ceremony and reception.

Our photos were ready for us when we returned off honeymoon which was great, and we’re absolutely delighted with them. Even after the final invoice has been paid Guy continues to be responsive to extra requests and questions. From the bottom of 2 awkward photo subjects hearts, thank you for providing us with the most beautiful visual cues to our memories of our great day – we will treasure them always.

– Sarah & Chris


Photographing the Wedding Signing at Old Marylebone Town Hall

The Westminster registrars are very friendly and helpful.  Best of all, they work well with the photographer and have no restrictions...

The traditional wedding register has now gone online, replaced by a schedule at the end of the ceremony.  Westminster was always relaxed about the photographer taking photos of the signing, so not much has changed.  The most obvious change is that the registrar sends your certificate by post after your day, so sadly, there is no more presentation.


In the Pimlico Room, Old Marylebone Town Hall, the couple watch young female guest sign their wedding register

As the witnesses sign, I often go wide to include the newlyweds and registrar looking on.


The groom seriously signs the regiaster the the bride and resistrar chat in Westminster Register Office

I love this photo: As the groom studiously signs the wedding schedule, his new wife chats with the registrar—a priceless moment to capture.


Bride pretends to sign her wedding schedule and looks up at groom who smiles at the camera

The Old Marylebone Town Hall registrars still set up a 'dummy' signing, which often amuses.  Some couples like this, but it's not obligatory.  Either way, I'm happy to photograph some posed shots.


Guest points open mouthed at the wedding schedule whilst bride looks up at him laughing

A posed shot following the signing.  Everyone generally feels more relaxed by this point, which can make for some fun moments.


Old Marylebone Town Hall's Wedding Photography Rooms

There are 7 rooms to choose from for your marriage ceremony.  Here is a list of them, including my highlights of what makes them unique:

Happy bride and serious groom leave Mayfair Room after Old Marylebone Town Hall wedding

Newly-weds Lindsay & Greg leave the Mayfair Room following their ceremony.  Greg was happier than he looked here!


The Soho Room:

Wedding couple being read the vows by the registrar as the guests watch on

The Soho Room is intimate but large enough for your photographer to move around.  I like to capture different angles, such as this wide shot of the couple during their wedding vows.

Soho is the second most popular room in Westminster Council House and seats 13 guests.  Again, it is light and airy with a carved feature fireplace and stunning chandelier.  The room is painted in a muted pale green.


The Knightsbridge Room:

a guest signs the wedding schedule as the groom gesticulates with bride at Old Marylebone Town Hall

The colourful Knightsbridge Room shows the registration table and fireplace.  In this shot, the groom seems to be in mid-flow.

This exceptionally light and airy room seats up to 30 guests comfortably.  I love the blue/grey velvet seating and large windows at the back.


The Marylebone Room:

Guests leaving the Marylebone Room in Westminster Council House

All 7 of the ceremony rooms at Marylebone have ornate wooden features outside, making for some great exit shots of the couple and their guests after the wedding.

12 seated guests.  With its deep and glossy wood panelling, this room is darker than others but no less striking.  The sculpted plaster ceiling and modern chandelier finish the room nicely.  I love to take wedding photos in this room.


The Paddington Room:

Bride and Groom sitting in front of ornate wooden panelled fireplace

Just before their ceremony, this portrait of the couple shows the disproportionate fireplace in the narrow Paddington Room.

Old Marylebone Town Hall's Paddington Room holds 8 seated guests. It is similar to The Marylebone Room, with dark panelling, a magnificent, matching carved wooden fireplace, and a modern chandelier.


The Pimlico Room:

Gay Wedding ceremony in front of fireplace with guests watching from two sides

In the Pimlico Room, guests can watch the ceremony on two sides.

Light, bright and fantastic for photography, the Pimlico Room seats 20 guests and is decorated in pale green with a period feature fireplace.


The Westminster Room:

Groom kisses his bride's hand whilst she laughs as they're seated at their wedding.

This fun photo shows the front of the Westminster Room. Groom Perry couldn't help but show his love for his bride, Kelly, throughout their ceremony.

The largest and most popular room at Old Marylebone Town Hall seats up to 100 guests - suitable for a larger wedding party.  'Westminster' has dark wood panelling, but it is the lightest panelled room with 3 large windows facing the couple and guests, making it fantastic for your photography.


The Mayfair Room:

Registrar handing bride and groom their wedding certificate at register office

The Westminster registrar hands Melissa the wedding certificate at the front of the Mayfair Room.  Sadly, since the register went online, this has been consigned to history, with the certificate being sent through the post a few days later.

The Mayfair Room can accommodate 30 seated guests.  With tasteful modern lighting, grey walls, aubergine, and rose gold touches, it is a fantastic venue for your small wedding day.  There is also plenty of room for your photographer to move around.


Group Photo in Westminster Register Office

I love vibrant, colourful wedding photography, and this group photo is enhanced by the fresh floral displays on the Soho Room's mantelpiece.  I took this portrait before the ceremony began.


Back shot of bride and groom at wedding ceremony

This photograph highlights the detail on the back of bride Sarah's dress.


Bride signing the register at Westminster Register Office

The Westminster Register Office registrars encourage photography of the signing of the schedule.


Main stairacse at Old Marylebone Town Hall - Couple Leaving.

The main staircase is ornate and excellent for helping tell the wedding day's story.


Bride and Groom Leaving Westminster Register Office

The light outside Old Marylebone Town Hall is stunning and remarkable for capturing staged and natural wedding portraits.


Confetti and Congratulations at Old Marylebone Town Hall

After your ceremony, an usher will keep you inside until your guests leave.  This allows me to photograph a few portraits of you in the venue before leaving the building to organise your guests into a confetti 'aisle'.

Confetti is encouraged, and I will check in with an usher to see how much time we'll have before moving on.  Weekends can be hectic, so the time could be short.


The newlyweds walking down the steps at Old Marylebone Town Hall whilst their guests shower them in confetti

Confetti photos present many colours, so I edited them to accentuate this.


How I Organise the Confetti Photography Sequence

There is plenty of space to be creative with the confetti sequence on the steps outside Old Marylebone Town Hall.  I ask the guests to stand on the inside of the handrails evenly from the pillars at the top down the steps.  For small or very large wedding parties, I adapt accordingly.  I then step them forward so there is less distance as the couple passes through.

When the couple leaves the old town hall and descends the steps, I ask everyone to throw the confetti up and high so that it showers down for a spectacular sequence of photos.


The newlyweds walking down the Old Marylebone Town Hall steps as guests throw confetti

Moments of Celebration: Friends and family throw confetti as the newlyweds leave their wedding ceremony outside Old Marylebone Town Hall.


Important Confetti Tip:

I advise using colourful, large paper confetti rather than small dried petals, as the latter shows up more effectively in the images. Where possible, choose biodegradable paper.


Man pouring confetti on heads of laughing couple outside Old Marylebone Town Hall

I don't often convert confetti photos to black and white, but this photograph captures the moment in time perfectly.  It says what the couple and their fun wedding day were all about as they celebrate their 'Just Married' status on the steps of Old Marylebone Town Hall.


Congartations hug after wedding ceremony

I love the greeting and congratulatory photos after the ceremony.  It is one of the best times for capturing the atmosphere.


Posed Couple and Group Shots

Outside, the area between the front door and the two central pillars offers stunning directional light.  This makes an excellent location for some small group wedding portraits, especially of the bride and groom.

Depending on the day, couples are allowed time for their photographer to arrange and take some group shots on the steps.  The turnover of weddings on a Saturday is high, so there is less time before being asked politely to move on.  Ideally, there will be time for all the required family photos, a large group shot of everyone present and some of the couple on their own.

The local area provides many opportunities for photography, including Baker Street Station and Regent's Park...


Group Wedding Photograph Outside Old Marylebone Town Hall

The splendid facade of Westminster Council House makes a perfect backdrop for the group and posed photography.


Bride poses with her bridesmaids dressed in green outside Old marylebone Town Hall

I love it when everyone has fun with the posed shots. Not much was posed here, but the bride and bridesmaids looked fantastic!


A Handy Photography Dodge

If your posed wedding photographs are cut short, there is a little cheat:

The London Business School is just next door and is part of the same building.  If the wedding party has to move on prematurely, I often finish the group portraits there.  It's handy to book a photographer who knows how the venue runs.


Wedding party outside the London Business School in Marylebone

I deliberately went wide for this shot to show The London Business School next door to the old town hall - a perfect backup group photos location on busy days.


The bride kisses the smiling groom on the cheek in black and white

I never micro-manage the posing, as many couples don't want this.  Instead, I ask them to show their love for each other and have fun.


Wedding couple holding hands and smiling at each other in alcove outside the London Business School, Marylebone

For older couples, simple hand-holding works, although these two did kiss, too, and their love clearly showed.


Two friends posing with bouquet in alcove outside Westminster Council House

I'd generally shoot this photo on the steps, but it was getting dark.  Using an alcove allowed me to bounce some flash and light the scene.


The bride waves her bouquet in the air in an alcove outside the London Business School in Marylebone

I often photograph the bride independently if she's up for it, which can produce some fun shots, too!


Old Marylebone Town Hall Wedding Photography FAQs

Q.  WHAT IS THE LIGHT LIKE FOR PHOTOGRAPHY INSIDE OLD MARYLEBONE TOWN HALL?

A.  Natural light varies across the 7 ceremony rooms.  All rooms have window light, but some are darker than others due to their original features.  A good wedding photographer can cope with extreme lighting, so the dark panelling of a couple of the venue rooms will pose no problem.  The decoration is tasteful, with light and neutral tones or darker panels in the 7 ceremony rooms.

Q.  IS CONFETTI ALLOWED ON THE ICONIC STEPS OUTSIDE?

A.  An Old Marylebone Town Hall wedding wouldn't be the same without a chance for your photographer to capture the sequence as you exit the building and descend the steps in a shower of confetti.  So, yes - the venue encourages using biodegradable confetti to finish your Westminster nuptials.  There is even a form on the Day to Remember website to order confetti, ready for collection on your day.


The groom punches the air as he leaves his Old Marylebone Town Hall wedding with his bride

On their exit from the town hall and in a shower of confetti, groom Dave punches the air with excitement.


Q.  HOW LONG ARE WE GIVEN FOR PHOTOGRAPHY AFTER OUR CEREMONY?

A.  A few minutes are allowed for portrait photography after the ceremony. The time allowance greatly depends on the venue's busyness, and the photographer is sometimes rushed. Sometimes, the wedding party can remain for photos in the room, although this is unlikely on busy Saturdays.

Photography can take place inside or outside, but confetti happens on the steps outside the venue.  If confetti is essential to you, prioritise it and ask your photographer to organise it first to avoid disappointment.  Venue staff are amicable and helpful, and it's always worth checking in with them for guidance on time rather than rushing.

 Q.  ARE DOGS ALLOWED TO ATTEND OUR OLD MARYLEBONE TOWN HALL WEDDING?

A.  Yes, the venue is dog-friendly, and they are allowed to attend.  Mention this before your day so they can note that a dog will be present.


Bride waving arms in the air while groom holds her

Bride Lindsay can hardly contain her excitement during the posed shots at the top of the entrance steps.


Couple Kissing Outside Front Door of Westminster Register Office

Some wedding photographs are more serious but never more heartfelt than when these newlyweds kissed on Old Marylebone Town Hall's iconic steps.


Bride hiding face with flowers whilst kissing groom outside Old Marylebone Town Hall

...and finally... 'nuff said!


The Old Marylebone Town Hall,
Westminster Council House,
97-113 Marylebone Road,
London NW1 5PT.

https://www.westminster.gov.uk/

Old Marylebone Town Hall Wedding Photographer - Guy Milnes Photography.

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A witness signing the register at Old Marylebone Town Hall wedding

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Wedding Photographer in London, Bristol & Cardiff

Guy Milnes Photography is based between London and Cardiff, covering South Wales, Bristol, London and the home counties.
He has been a professional photographer since 2008 and loves to capture the wedding day's atmosphere as it unfolds naturally.

 

Preferred Contact Number:
07947 613070

https://www.guymilnes.com/

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