Old Marylebone Town Hall Wedding Photography 2021 – Weddings at Westminster Council House
.jpg "Wedding Confetti at Old Marylebone Town Hall")
Shots such as this capture 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.
I am privileged to regularly photograph weddings and civil partnerships at Old Marylebone Town Hall, having photographed marriages in all 7 ceremony rooms. The recent refurbishment has enhanced the original features.
Weddings are a joy to attend, with the registrars and staff very accommodating and helpful towards photographers. They are keen to ensure that the day goes smoothly for the couple and their guests. The venue is bustling on Saturdays, particularly during the summer. On a visit there, it’s not difficult to see why…
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Beaming bride Melissa arriving in the beautiful entrance hall before her legal meeting with the registrars.
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My photos are all about capturing the laughter, fun and emotions of the day. Couples tell me that this was an essential factor when looking to book their wedding photographer for Old Marylebone Town Hall.
Westminster Register Office History
A few years ago, an ITV documentary, ‘Births, Deaths and Marriages‘ aired about the register office. Anyone watching could not have failed to take note of the historical importance of Old Marylebone Town Hall. I feel very fortunate to have photographed weddings and civil partnerships at this splendid Westminster wedding venue.
Westminster Register Office (often mistakenly called registry) has been the scene of many iconic weddings. Most famously that of Paul and Linda McCartney in 1969. Other rock ‘n’ roll weddings have included fellow Beatle Ringo Starr, Pretender Chrissie Hynde and Liam Gallagher. Both he and McCartney married here twice. Even Cilla Black married her manager Bobby there in 1969.
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A striking shot of the couple at the start of their wedding ceremony: I used black and white to good effect in this photo.
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Shot from the Marylebone Room’s back: This photo shows all the room’s unique features and floral display that help make this wedding venue so memorable.
Wedding Bookings at Old Marylebone Town Hall
Useful to Know When Booking Your Wedding
- You can contact the registrars directly by calling 020 7641 7500 or emailing registeroffice@westminster.gov.uk.
- Formal Notice of Intention may be made one year in advance.
- The full balance is payable no later than 4 months before your wedding day.
- Booking fee includes the room, two registrars, your marriage certificate, and music choice with bespoke personal vows.
- The City of Westminster has numerous wedding venues available to hire, including The RAF Club, The Savoy and even Lord’s Cricket Ground.
- You are allowed 25 minutes before the ceremony for you and your guests to access and gather in the venue room.
- Saturdays are the busiest day with a very high turnover of weddings, especially in summer. There will be less time for confetti and portraits on the stairs and outside, but the local area provides lots of opportunity for more photos though, including Baker Street Station and Regent’s Park… 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 off the group portraits there.
- A very informative site is the A Day to Remember Website. It is an official site dedicated to weddings in Westminster, including other licensed venues in the Borough.
- You can check availability and book your chosen date and room on a form at the above website.
- As well as civil marriages, Old Marylebone Town Hall also conducts Civil Ceremonies, Renewals of Vows and Naming Ceremonies.
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I took this shot before the ceremony as the guests were greeting each other. It was in the entrance to the Westminster Room, Marylebone’s largest wedding venue.
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During this Soho Room ceremony, this shot shows the Bride being ‘in the moment’ as she is about to be married. Couples’ are rarely aware of the photographer’s presence.
The Old Marylebone Town Hall’s Refurbishment and Reopening
The marriage venue was built between 1914 and 1920 by Sir Edwin Cooper in W1. Understandably the years took their toll on the building, and in 2013 it closed down for a four-year refurbishment. Happily, it has now reopened: during the sabbatical, I photographed Westminster weddings at Asia House, Mayfair Library and the intimate but rather splendid Fitzrovia Chapel.
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Westminster registrar Andrew presents the joyful newly-weds with their marriage certificate. At Marylebone, they make more of a presentation of this than at most register offices.
Having provided wedding photography at Old Marylebone Town Hall since the reopening, I’m happy to report that the refurbishment is very tasteful and in keeping with the building’s historic grandeur. I think they indeed considered the photographer when designing much of the refurbishment.
The building looks fresh and clean both inside and out, and they have avoided putting messy looking signage too close to feature doorways and arches. It means your photographer can take wider shots of the couple without worrying about extra time spent in Photoshop removing items.
I look forward to being the wedding photographer for many more happy couples at the Westminster venue in the future.
.jpg "Group Wedding Photo Outside Old Marylebone Town Hall")
The splendid facade of Westminster Council House makes a perfect backdrop for the group and posed photography.
Old Marylebone Town Hall as a Wedding Venue
The first time I visited in my capacity of wedding photographer was for a civil partnership. Struck by the resplendent façade and splendour of the Wren-Esque pillars, I immediately fell in love with the venue. Stone lions guard the entrance outside which at some weddings, where children have a great time playing.
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Weddings have all sorts of variations and changes to the way couples see their day playing out. Family members are often used to good effect, such as this bridesmaid and page boy entering the ceremony room just before the bride.
The bride and groom may arrive together or separately as is traditional. The Old Marylebone Town Hall registrars can keep couples separate if they require this – most do. In the entrance hall, a staff member organises a meeting with the registrar to go over the formal legalities and check that they are both eligible to marry.
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The guests wait patiently for the entrance of the grooms during a gay wedding in the Pimlico Room.
We’re Absolutely Delighted with the Photos…
[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
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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.
Marylebone Registry Office and the Registrars
The interior at Old Marylebone Town Hall is equally splendid with many more pillars and plush wooden panelling. The corridor leading down to the ceremony rooms is vast see photo above). As the couple walk through to meet the registrar, I like to photograph them using the natural light from the promenade of windows.
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The chipper looking groom can't hide his happiness as his father signs the register and the bride's dad looks on. I love shots like this that show several things going on at once.
The Westminster registrars are very friendly and helpful. Best of all, they work well with the photographer and have no restrictions - including photography of the signing (see photo above). It helps ensure the happy couple have some great shots and a complete record of their wedding day.
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LGBT/Gay weddings are very popular at Westminster register office so if you are having one, the venue is well worth considering.
Having an LGBTQ+ Wedding?>> Read My Same-Sex Wedding Photography FAQ's Here
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A smiling bridesmaid enters the Westminster Room as guests watch on. You can see the bride Helen waiting in the corridor behind.
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I took this straight shot at the ceremony: The couple didn't seem to notice my presence.
Westminster Register Office Wedding Photography Rooms
There are 7 rooms to choose from for your Old Marylebone Town Hall wedding photography. Here is a list of them, including my highlights of what makes them unique:
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Newly-weds Lindsay & Greg leave the Mayfair Room following their ceremony. Greg was happier than he looks here!
The Soho Room:
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The Soho Room is small but large enough for your photographer to move around with ease. I like to capture different angles such as this wide shot of the couple having their vows.
It is the second most popular room in Westminster Council House and seats 14 guests with 6 standing. Again, light and airy with a carved feature fireplace and stunning chandelier. The room is painted in a muted pale green.
The Knightsbridge Room:
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Four guests waiting during the early arrivals: This photo shows off the Knightsbridge Room towards the back beautifully.
This exceptionally light and airy room seats up to 30 guests comfortably. I love the blue/grey velvet seating and large windows.
The Marylebone Room:
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All 7 of the ceremony rooms at Marylebone have the ornate wooden features outside, making for some great exit shots of the couple and their guests after the wedding.
10 seated and 5 standing 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 have taken some of my best wedding photos in this room.
The Paddington Room:
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This portrait of the couple just before their ceremony shows the disproportionate fireplace in the narrow Paddington Room.
Holds 7 seated guests (5 of those on pouffes) and 8 standing guests. Similar to The Marylebone Room with dark panelling, a magnificent matching carved wooden fireplace and modern chandelier.
The Pimlico Room:
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In the Pimlico Room, guests can watch the ceremony on two sides.
Light, bright and fantastic for photography, the Pimlico Room seats 20 guests - decorated in pale green with a period feature fireplace.
The Westminster Room:
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I love overview photography that captures everything that goes on and gives useful context to the photographs. This one shows off the grandeur of the Westminster Room well.
The largest and most popular room at Old Marylebone Town Hall seats up to 96 guests and is suitable for a larger wedding party. 'Westminster' has dark wood panelling. With 3 large windows facing the couple and guests, this is the lightest panelled room.
The Mayfair Room:
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The Westminster registrar hands bride Melissa the wedding certificate at the front of the Mayfair Room.
The Mayfair Room caters for 30 seated guests. With its tasteful modern lighting and mocha and grey painted walls, this room would make a fantastic venue for your wedding day.
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I love vibrant, colourful wedding photography with this group photo enhanced by the fresh floral displays on the Soho Room's mantelpiece. I took this before the ceremony began.
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There is plenty of room to move around to photograph different angles of the couple nicely in the ceremony rooms. This one shows off the detail on the back of the bride's dress.
.jpg "Bride Signing the Wedding Register")
The Marylebone Register Office registrars are very relaxed about photographing the signing of the register. Many boroughs aren't...
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The main staircase is very ornate and excellent for helping tell the story of the wedding day.
.jpg "Bride and Groom Exit the Register Office in London")
The light outside Old Marylebone Town Hall is stunning and remarkable for capturing both staged and natural wedding portraits such as this.
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I love the greeting and congratulatory photos after the ceremony. It's is one of the critical times for capturing the atmosphere.
Posed Couple and Group Shots
Outside, the area between the front door and the two central pillars offers some stunning direction light. This makes an excellent location for some 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. I always liaise closely with the ushers to ensure that we make the most of our time here. 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.
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There is usually ample time for portraits on the steps outside. Here the freshly married groom poses with his groomsmen.
In case your posed wedding photographs are cut short, there is a little cheat: Next door is the London Business School which is part of the same building. It enjoys similar architecture and is a perfect back-up spot for any additional photos.
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I deliberately went wide for this shot to show The London Business School next door to the town hall - a perfect back-up group photos location on busy days.
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 will be able to cope with extreme lighting situations so the dark panelling of a couple of the venue rooms will pose no problem. Most of the rooms are decorated in tasteful light and neutral tones.
Q. IS CONFETTI ALLOWED ON THE ICONIC STEPS OUTSIDE?
A. A 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 the use of biodegradable confetti to finish off your Westminster nuptials. There is even a form on the Day to Remember Website to order confetti, ready for collection on your day.
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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 AFTERWARDS?
A. A few minutes are allowed for portrait photography and confetti after the ceremony. This can take place inside or outside but usually happens on the steps outside the venue. Sometimes the wedding party is allowed to remain in the room for a while, although this is unlikely on busy Saturdays. The 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 though so that they can note that a dog will be present.
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Bride Lindsay can hardly contain her excitement during the posed shots at the top of the entrance steps.
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Some wedding photographs are just more serious, but never more heartfelt than when these newly-weds kissed on Old Marylebone Town Hall's iconic steps.
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...and finally... 'nuff said!
The Old Marylebone Town Hall,
Westminster Council House,
97-113 Marylebone Road,
London NW1 5PT.
https://www.westminster.gov.uk/
